Tutaminis

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Tutaminis

Overview[]

The skills associated withtutaminis all related to the idea that, through the Force, Force users could draw potentially harmful heat or electrical energy into their bodies and diffuse it or channel it away completely. Viewed as a starting point for further study in the Force, theCouncil of First Knowledge designated the study oftutaminis to be taught during the very first classes at Jedi academies. While the basics were expected to be mastered upon graduation from the academy, development of these skills would come over an entire life time, for a Jedi was never done learning.^[1] In addition to deflecting energy weapons, this ability could eliminate the harmful effects of other energy-based Force powers such asForce lightning. With additional effort, after absorbing a blaster bolt or Force power, the user could utilize the absorbed energy to heal his or her wounds or manifest other Force powers.Tutaminis was also described as a "non-harmfulForce drain."

The power could also be used to absorb or dissipate different types of energy, including light, heat, microwave or electromagneticradiation, forms of hard radiation such as alpha, beta and gamma rays, andblaster fire.^[2]

Accompanying skills[]

As the basis of many abilities,tutaminis included many skills that were given proper or common names within the Jedi Order. Other abilities stem from this skill but were more personalized and not taught throughout the entire academy, if at all. Many skills, such as a simple body shielding or as advanced as catching and/or dispelling alightsaber blade with one's bare hand, were all considered applications oftutaminis.^[1]

Mastery in self-protection would include the capability to encase oneself in an energy field that could drain heat and electrical energy from incoming attacks. This ability would make the bearer invulnerable to kinetic and a wide range of energy-based attacks until the user discontinued its use, or it wore off when the user became fatigued. With this skill, it was possible to deflect blaster bolts with one's bare hands, though mastery of this skill was very difficult.^[1]

Notable uses throughout history[]

While practiced by all Jedi during the Old Republic and essentially all Force-based cults to some extent, there were many individuals that excelled in this particular skill and are worthy of note. A member of the Jedi Order, not unlike many of his family members,Jedi MasterNejaa Halcyon developed this skill so as to make up for his lack oftelekinetic abilities. A virtuoso with the Force, Halcyon showed great talent in usingtutaminis to absorb, redirect, and utilize heat and electrical energy discharges, often converting the energy he absorbed to utilize telekinetic powers that were usually beyond his talents.^[8]DarthPlagueis also used this power while on board theWoebegone. He was able to absorb the crew's blaster bolts in one hand and transferred the energy across his chest into Force lightning emerging from the other hand.^[9]

Nejaa Halcyon's abilities in this power were such that he was able to catch lightsaber blades with his hand, an extremely rare talent that was also exhibited bySatele Shan who fought in theBattle of Alderaan during theGreat Galactic War against theSith Lord,Darth Malgus.^[10] Halcyon's descendant,Corran Horn, later demonstrated similar talents, using the power to absorb heat energy from a volcanic spring onYavin 4 to momentarily bolster histelekinesis. Horn later utilized this ability to absorb the shock from astun baton while aboard theErrant Venture. He then demonstrated the full extent of his talent while onCourkrus, where he absorbed the heat energy from a series of explosions and redirected it to project a powerfulForce Illusion.^[11] Horn also demonstrated advanced use of the talents during theYuuzhan Vong War while onBimmiel.^[12]Anakin Solo also demonstrated this variation oftutaminis when trapped on Yavin 4 later in the war.^[13]

Darth Krayt,^[14]Darth Wyyrlok,^[15]Karness Muur,^[16]Kyp Duron,^[17]Grand MasterYoda,Galen Marek andRevan were able to catchForce lightning with their bare hands. The latter three could alsodeflect Force Lightning back to its source. Master Yoda used this ability to deflect a blast of Force lightning from CountDooku back at him onGeonosis.^[4] Revan used this ability to deflect a powerful barrage oflightning back atDarth Nyriss, incinerating her with her own power in the process.^[18]

OnMortis,Son was also capable of using this ability, as he blockedAnakin Skywalker's lightsaber strikes with his arms without much effort.Father was also able to exhibit this ability, holding Anakin's lightsaber by the blade without damage to his hand, before forcing it back into its hilt. The final member ofThe Ones,Daughter, was able to deflect and absorb the Son's crimson Force lightning. The Daughter also caught one of the lightning blasts and hurled it back at the Son.

During theClone Wars,Obi-Wan Kenobi demonstrated this skill during his battle withDurge by deflecting the Bounty Hunter's flamethrower using nothing but the Force,^[19] and then shortly after blocked blaster bolts from aDroideka.^[20] Later, while chasingGeneralGrievous throughUtapau, he absorbed the energy of thecyborg'selectrostaff with his own bare hands before snatching away the weapon.^[21]Shaak Ti also used this ability during a duel with Grievous by deflecting his lightsaber after she was disarmed.^[22]

Galen Marek was also able to use this ability in his desperate battle againstDarth Sidious, though the Emperor was able to kill him in the end of the conflict.^[23] Marek'sclone was also able to use this ability in his duel with Darth Vader, when he absorbed a naturally generated lightning strike and redirected it at the Sith Lord, defeating him.^[24]

In addition, Darth Vader used this ability to absorb blaster bolts with his hands on several occasions,^[5] though he could not produce Force lightning due to hiscybernetic limbs.^[25]

Luke Skywalker, when Darth Sidious tortured him with Force lightning aboard thesecond Death Star during theBattle of Endor, defended himself with this ability. Although Luke was initially successful, Sidious' increasing intensity with the energy, combined with Luke's lack of training in repelling such an attack and being unable to summon his lightsaber, overpowered Luke in short order.^[26] By the time of the Dark Empire Crisis, Luke's skill with tutamentis had vastly improved, to the point where he could use the ability to shield himself from the blaster fire of anATAT Walker.^[27]

Lost Tribe of Sith members were able to not only absorb energy from blaster bolts by their palms,^[7] but also able to deflect it back as they would otherwise by lightsaber.^[28]

Behind the scenes[]

In computer games, the name of the Force power varies slightly—inDark Forces: Jedi Knight andStar Wars: Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, the power is calledForce absorb, while inStar Wars: Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, it is calledForce absorption.

In terms of game mechanics, the ability to absorb energy adds more points to the user'sForce pool when absorbing an attack. Force absorb manifests in at least one game as a blue aura, although this is likely an interface mechanic to allow the player to know when the power is active.

Appearances[]

Sources[]

Notes and references[]