Editing Ta-Ree Ascended

The term '''''Ta-Ree''''' refers to the near-magical abilities that the sentient beings on the DarkStryder planet are capable of. Ta-Ree powers (often referred to as “spells”) are on par with many Jedi abilities, but are intimately bound to Kathol itself; Ta-Ree abilities can not be used anywhere except on this ancient planet.

The Ta-Ree is a quasi-mystical energy field that is similar to the Force in some respects…and very different in others. When the Precursors placed themselves into the Lifewell, they were altered into an energy form – an energy form that was still alive, and therefore, still linked to the Force. Because of this link – and because the Precursors are now essentially an energy field as well – the Force has been subtly altered on the planet that houses the Lifewell.

The energy signature created by the hybrid of the Force and the presence of the Precursors has acted as a sort of magnifying lens; The Precursors have focused the Force over a limited area – the DarkStryder planet – thereby increasing the strength of the Force’s effects. However, this increased focus has severely limited the range of Force effects on the planet, as well as altering the “flow of the Force” in the region. Standard Force abilities still operate normally, but sentient beings on the DarkStryder planet can also access “magical” abilities. These abilities are often similar to standard Force abilities, but can manifest themselves in ways very different than the Force. These abilities are collectively referred to as “Ta-Ree” by the planet’s inhabitants, a term that loosely translates as “Spirit Energy”.

While virtually any sentient being can access Ta-Ree abilities on the DarkStryder planet, there are those who have achieved extremely high levels of proficiency in the use of this “magic”. Skilled Ta-Ree users are referred to as gosho-ree (which translates as “Ascendants”).

Ascendants often possess a multitude of Ta-Ree powers. The majority of these Ascendants have risen to prominence among their own people, often acting as a shaman or chieftain who is accorded great respect among his or her people. These chieftains occasionally teach others in their respective “tribes” to use some Ta-Ree abilities, but to a lesser extent.

Some Ta-Ree powers are similar to dark side Force powers. However, many Ta-Ree “spells” do not carry the downside of being drawn into the dark side when you use them if they are used in the defense of others.

Ta-Ree magic has one major difference from the Force: where Jedi and other Force users learn the different powers in the control, sense, and alter categories, Ta-Ree Ascendants do not.

Like a Jedi apprentice, a Ta-Ree student requires a teacher in order to utilize these powerful abilities. However, since the entire planet is literally bathed in Ta-Ree energy, learning these skills does not require special sensitivity to the Force. In addition, learning these abilities is considered easier than learning Force powers; the maximum training time for Ta-Ree powers is 10 weeks.

During the training period, the student must have total concentration; aside from eating and sleeping, the trainee’s entire time is pretty much accounted for. If the student breaks away from the training, the attempt to learn a power is unsuccessful. Obviously, Ta-Ree adepts must be serious about learning these powers and cannot run off in the middle of training without penalties.

Once the power has been learned, the student no longer needs an instructor to advance that power. In fact, most Ta-Ree teachers insist the pupil refine the power on his or her own.

It is possible to learn a Ta-Ree ability more quickly, though – like the Force – power attained too quickly can be very dangerous. Adepts can select to learn a Ta-Ree spell in one hour. The adept must choose that they are speeding up their training in this manner. This decision can not be reversed, and if the training is interrupted during this hour, the attempt to learn the power is unsuccessful.

The concentration for learning the power is the same, and training can not be reduced below one hour. However, use of the power is extremely dangerous – possibly even deadly – unless the adept is extremely lucky.

The first time a Ta-Ree student uses this new power, it has a one in six chance that the spell will backfire, each additional time the change to fail goes down (eg. 2nd time, it is one in five change, 3rd time, it is one in four, etc.) until it gets down to no chance to backfire at all.