How to Plot a Fall?

[Noire]

Maybe "plot" isn't the best word to use as a Jedi's fall to the dark side should be something that happens naturally over time, if at all, given that it wasn't already planned from the inception of the character. But, after reading this thread and being completely inspired by it, I was curious as to what you guys think makes for a believable fall to the dark side for a Jedi character?

Has there been any notable ones on this site? Can cliches ever work? Can one thing be the driving force behind a fall, like greed for example, or should there be multiple reasons? How does one craft an interesting and intriguing corruption in the first place?

 

[Vexillar]

In my experience, a fall can be caused by many things or it can be one thing. The number of reasons doesn't matter, simply the reason itself. Maybe he's tired of being held back, he feels he can do more than what the Jedi are allowing him to do. Maybe the Jedi prevented him from saving some one (or people) that were close to him, and now he doubts the Jedi's ability to protect themselves let alone other people. Maybe his own emotions are just finally slipping out of his control and it's corrupting his thoughts.

There are tons of reasons you could choose from. As far as what's a cliché...I have no idea. I just kind of look for quality over redundancy. As long as this was something that was planned, fleshed out, and not rushed, I think whatever the cause would be fine. So not like one or two topics and suddenly he's like "Oh snap. Nope. Peace." Thagd just no bueno.

 

[Logan]

If it's not something that you've planned since your characters inception plotting the downfall of a Jedi can be kind of difficult to avoid lame cliches. Not every Sith out there would be able to turn every Jedi, you need to find someone who would be able to manipulate your characters weaknesses and cause his eventual downfall by planting the seeds of anger, deceit and doubts about the Order in his mind.

It should showcase a true paradigm shift in his core personality. The fall needs to be dramatic, it needs to be violent. But at the end of the day it needs to be authentic.

 

[Kaane]

I was trying to write a huge post for this...but meh, all my thoughts just kept getting jumbled up. But despite my failures with doing a fall transition, I think I can help XD.

I suppose when it comes down to it, a Jedi's fall to the Dark Side is normally the corruption of good intentions. Since Jedi have all been taught about self-sacrifice and the importance of the lives of others, as well as the suppression of the negative emotions that power the Dark Side, most of them can be seen as inherently good people. However, something significant that challenges their good intentions and redirects them into something more compatible with the Dark Side can always happen at any time to ignite the fire of the change, and keep it burning. A very notable and overused example is of course Anakin's love for Padme, which we all know the Dark Side and the creepy old bastard we all know and love left FUBAR. Using my own charrie Hrassk as a really freaking awful example (oh god do I want to reboot his storyline right now), he wants to bring about peace by singlehandedly murdering the Sith Imperium using nothing but his hatred. There are other examples I could come up with, but basically, many believable falls start with something as innocent as love, dreams of peace, a quest for knowledge, or even the need to find inner solace. Anything and everything can be perverted to become Dark Side-y. Just take your pick :3.

Also, unlike Anakin's fall, which was (in the movies, not in the books) orchestrated in the most retarded way possible, a Fall is a gradual process that takes time. However, the final transition usually comes when someone just snaps and finally lets their will cave in. In the ending stages of a fall of a Jedi, I've seen that normally it's a struggle. The Jedi wants to hold onto their idea of purity and old beliefs, but at the same time, he sees that road as impossible, the Dark Side being the only viable option. Since they can't make the decision between the Dark or the Light themselves, it usually takes a massive emotional upheaval in their life, whether it be a fateful duel, the glassing of a planet, or the loss of a loved one, to make that decision for them. Long story short, the build-up is long, but the climax is sudden, yet satisfying.

So meh...I really don't have the best ideas on how to make a fall, but if I were to make an ideal fall for a charrie I'm writing, it would definitely be one with these two aspects I just mentioned. Filled with internal struggle and all that good stuff...but really, remember that you aren't writing to make something seem believable or not. You're writing to have fun :P. You could make a dude that falls to the Dark Side after he drinks decaf instead of regular coffee in the morning, and it'd be cool. Whatever makes you feel the most satisfied is the best way to go ^^.

 

[TWD26]

Well everyone above you gave solid points, I take it your Padawan is going to possibly transition to the dark side? You just have to choose a certain reason that would lead a path towards the dark side. Now I got an idea (I'm working on two Jedi Padawan's that are sort of a duo) and I had a small planet arc that I was writing up. It would be interesting to possibly see your character in it.

 

[Wolf]

But, you're my Padawan....NOOOO!!!!

*Cries tears of agony at the idea of losing Caden to the dark side*

Seriously. You're not allowed.

;)

 

[Dmitri]

From what I've seen, the best falls to the Dark Side on the site are ones that aren't intended, that gradually happen through character development.

 

[Maxx]

My character Ben sort of had a mini-Fall at the beginning of the second part of this timeline. It was something I had been working on since he was created, where he had all this hatred in him built up against one man. At the end of it all he could have chosen to either take the man captive or kill him. He let his hatred for the man get the better of him and he beheaded him. However, his didn't put him on the path of the Sith. He couldn't believe what he had just done, but in his heart he knew that he had done the right thing because of how dangerous the man was. This set him on the path of the Gray.

So yeah what everyone else has said, it has to be drawn out and there can be many reasons. Good intentions with bad actions. Vengeance. And my personal favorite, corruption, being around the Dark Side for so long that it twists how your character thinks, acts, and what he believes.

EDIT: And if Caden falls, he better not be going around yelling about where Meto Mundus is located. You're not allowed. :p

 

[Bee]

I guess my character "fell" - she was taken by a Jedi Master as a child and absolutely hated the experience, defected as an adult, and years later wound up with the Sith.

 

[Kaiselin]

"Anger, fear, aggression; the dark side of the Force are they. ... If once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny..." </Yoda>

Generally speaking, any one thing (or a combination of things) that lead to the 'extremes' of emotions stated above, will be more than enough to precipitate a Jedi's fall to the dark side. It may be a progressive immersion - or it may be very sudden and impulsive. Even misconceptions of Jedi philosophies may start a dangerous trend where an aspiring Jedi may find oneself questioning the teachings of his master(s). (For example, the belief that any action can be taken - so long as one's intent is pure.) The temptation of absolute power and domination may be nearly impossible to resist, especially for Jedi who utilize the feelings of anger, rage, hatred, fear, aggression, and passion.

Of all these, fear and passion are often deemed to be the most underestimated - since they are less 'obvious' than their respective companions. They can be very well hidden and made not to manifest until the others have already been judged evident. :)

 

[Flamjetxx]

From what I've seen, the best falls to the Dark Side on the site are ones that aren't intended, that gradually happen through character development.

I agree with this. The fall is because of the character, his own emotions and personatily, rather than you kind of forcing it upon him. It's really -keep in mind this is purely opinion as I have had no experience- just who your character is. What are his morals, his emotional conditions/responses to his current or future predicaments, his personality overall?

To be honest, if these things don't show a natural and realistic path leading him to the dark side, then you either need to completely reinvent your character so that his emotions or personality leads him there- and this is dangerously close to planning it out from the beginning, but I feel it's more of trial and error combined with looking into the future and seeing every path your character could take and seeing if any of those bring him to the darkside...

Also, keep in mind that other people's writing will greatly effect your "plans" if you plan your character's development ahead of time. In my opinion, it's just random chance playing its role in you character's everything that will allow you to somehow make it to the darkside.

Now I'm a method writer, so when I'm writing as one if my characters, I dwell a lot on what they're thinking, and I even write a lot of that out, but you might have to do a bit if thinking about what would (Jedi) do?

My character Zhen, kind of blew up, and I didn't know it was going to happen until I was in the middle if writing the post... I honestly thought he was a rather pure soul and could snap like he did, but surprise!!! But despite his momentary lapse, I don't see him falling to the darkside... Really ever, just because if his very intentions, personality, morals, and the threads he's been in... But I could always surprise myself again with him if I write with the right person.

Pure Random Chance!

 

[Noire]

...and now he doubts the Jedi's ability to protect themselves let alone other people. Maybe his own emotions are just finally slipping out of his control and it's corrupting his thoughts.

Definitely. I've established that the character already has his doubts about the Jedi being able to protect themselves or others. I was planning on him voicing this more to a few other Jedi. Essentially, it bothers him. Thanks for the insight.

If it's not something that you've planned since your characters inception plotting the downfall of a Jedi can be kind of difficult to avoid lame cliches. Not every Sith out there would be able to turn every Jedi, you need to find someone who would be able to manipulate your characters weaknesses and cause his eventual downfall by planting the seeds of anger, deceit and doubts about the Order in his mind.

It should showcase a true paradigm shift in his core personality. The fall needs to be dramatic, it needs to be violent. But at the end of the day it needs to be authentic.

I agree with this completely, although if he does end up turning, I wasn't planning on it being because he was corrupted by a Sith. What I had in mind was more along the lines of him not being able to overcome his own personal demons and ultimately that he could achieve some of his twisted goals by using the dark side.

Well everyone above you gave solid points, I take it your Padawan is going to possibly transition to the dark side? You just have to choose a certain reason that would lead a path towards the dark side. Now I got an idea (I'm working on two Jedi Padawan's that are sort of a duo) and I had a small planet arc that I was writing up. It would be interesting to possibly see your character in it.

Possibly. The idea that it might occur came to me while I was writing a post. It just depends on how his story goes from here onward. And I'm interested, just get back to me with your ideas.

But, you're my Padawan....NOOOO!!!!

*Cries tears of agony at the idea of losing Caden to the dark side*

Seriously. You're not allowed.

;)

Don't lecture me, Nakoma. Caden sees through the lies of the Jedi. He does not fear the dark side as you do.

My character Ben sort of had a mini-Fall at the beginning of the second part of this timeline. It was something I had been working on since he was created, where he had all this hatred in him built up against one man. At the end of it all he could have chosen to either take the man captive or kill him. He let his hatred for the man get the better of him and he beheaded him. However, his didn't put him on the path of the Sith. He couldn't believe what he had just done, but in his heart he knew that he had done the right thing because of how dangerous the man was. This set him on the path of the Gray.

So yeah what everyone else has said, it has to be drawn out and there can be many reasons. Good intentions with bad actions. Vengeance. And my personal favorite, corruption, being around the Dark Side for so long that it twists how your character thinks, acts, and what he believes.

EDIT: And if Caden falls, he better not be going around yelling about where Meto Mundus is located. You're not allowed. :p

Caden will bring peace, freedom, justice, and security to his new empire on Meto Mundus. Don't make him kill Ben. I had no choice but to finish that quote from the films but, in all seriousness, if he does turn (big if) I wouldn't write that because it's not in his character. There would be no one for him to tell it to either. So you guys have nothing to worry about. Well, maybe Nakoma. But pent up anger is another good reason for a fall to the dark side and subsequently, a "redemption" of sorts if he's disgusted by his own actions.

From what I've seen, the best falls to the Dark Side on the site are ones that aren't intended, that gradually happen through character development.

Is that what happened to the Empress character, Andraste? But I also prefer the idea of it being developed through threads as well, although ones intended from the start can be great as well.

Even misconceptions of Jedi philosophies may start a dangerous trend where an aspiring Jedi may find oneself questioning the teachings of his master(s). (For example, the belief that any action can be taken - so long as one's intent is pure.) The temptation of absolute power and domination may be nearly impossible to resist, especially for Jedi who utilize the feelings of anger, rage, hatred, fear, aggression, and passion.

Of all these, fear and passion are often deemed to be the most underestimated - since they are less 'obvious' than their respective companions. They can be very well hidden and made not to manifest until the others have already been judged evident. :)

I really like that idea. I believe Caden suffers from being a bit overly passionate at times and him being tempted away from the Jedi as a result of misinterpreting their purpose/nature and him believing they are not doing what, in his own mind, they should be makes for a very believable arc.

I suppose when it comes down to it, a Jedi's fall to the Dark Side is normally the corruption of good intentions. Since Jedi have all been taught about self-sacrifice and the importance of the lives of others, as well as the suppression of the negative emotions that power the Dark Side, most of them can be seen as inherently good people. However, something significant that challenges their good intentions and redirects them into something more compatible with the Dark Side can always happen at any time to ignite the fire of the change, and keep it burning.

However, the final transition usually comes when someone just snaps and finally lets their will cave in. In the ending stages of a fall of a Jedi, I've seen that normally it's a struggle. The Jedi wants to hold onto their idea of purity and old beliefs, but at the same time, he sees that road as impossible, the Dark Side being the only viable option. Since they can't make the decision between the Dark or the Light themselves, it usually takes a massive emotional upheaval in their life, whether it be a fateful duel, the glassing of a planet, or the loss of a loved one, to make that decision for them. Long story short, the build-up is long, but the climax is sudden, yet satisfying.

So meh...I really don't have the best ideas on how to make a fall, but if I were to make an ideal fall for a charrie I'm writing, it would definitely be one with these two aspects I just mentioned. Filled with internal struggle and all that good stuff...but really, remember that you aren't writing to make something seem believable or not. You're writing to have fun :P. You could make a dude that falls to the Dark Side after he drinks decaf instead of regular coffee in the morning, and it'd be cool. Whatever makes you feel the most satisfied is the best way to go ^^.

Filled with internal struggle and not seeing a viable way out of it beyond using what you've been strictly told not to use is definitely "good" fall worthy. If that makes sense. I'm thinking right now that Ben serves him a cup of that bad Jawa Java he's always going on about.

Thanks Bee and Flamjetxx for replying too! I appreciate and tips you all have given me.

 

[Maxx]

*Hands Jawa Java to Caden*

Have a drink.