The Void

The Void was a mysterious cosmic phenomenon, not fully understood by most sapients of the galaxy, although was worshiped as both a cosmic force and a sapient incorporeal entity by the denizens of Otherspace. The origins and nature of the Void are vaguely described on rare occasions, and was stated to have some bond or connection to the anti-Force utilized by the Waru. A metaphysical and ubiquitous power, not unlike the Force, the Void nevertheless differed in that, as opposed to a binding energy field, the Void was considered to be alterable and entropic. To the denizens of Otherspace, the Void was omnipotent, neither good or evil as most consider the concepts, and was considered to be the astral manifestation of nihility; the paradoxical nothingness in intangible form. Unlike the Force, which was viewed in many different aspects, there was only one significant religious philosophy, which was called the "Void of Oblivion" or simply "oblivion". The Void of oblivion dealt nothing in moralities, positive emotions or negative emotions, distinctions between actions of good or evil nature, or personal traits or characteristics such as cowardice, courage, aggression, benevolence, hatred or love. Adherents to the Void of Oblivion believed that the ultimate goal of all life was death, and that only in death, with all life embracing oblivion and returning to the void of nothingness from which all life sprang, could harmony with the entity of the Void be achieved. Indeed, common greetings or wishes of good fortune were "the Void stand with you" or "walk with the Void", common battle cries were "oblivion awaits" or "to oblivion", and a common explicative curse was "the Void consume you". Ironically, "may the Force be with you" also because a curse of sorts in a mocking tone of what the phrase intended.

Although being a power source unrelated to the Force, the Void has been associated by some of the galaxy, particularly the Jedi Order, as being some abnormal existence produced in some way by the Dark Side of the Force. However, this stands as a contradiction to the minor philosophy of the Void practiced by "heretics" from the Void of Oblivion, called the Void of Animus. While sharing many characteristics with their antitheses, adherents to the Void of Animus were more akin to the Jedi Knights of the galaxy in that they gradually embraced customs and traditions adherents to the Light Side of the Force would typically find admirable, such as compassion, forgiveness, and sacredness for life. Followers of the Void of Animus still believed in the Void entity and wielded its powers, but believed harmony and oneness with the Void would come about, not by the extinction of all life, but by the abolishing of all life's pleasures and pursuits, thus many members of animus were marked by characteristics of apathy, indifference and isolationist perceptions. The cult endured only very briefly however, as conflict between the two philosophies saw their nigh-complete destruction, before some followers managed to escape Otherspace and enter the galaxy.

Like the Force, some beings were "touched" by the Void, alternatively called "blessed" or "chosen". The exact physical manifestation of the Void was not fully understood; some believed it was the manifestation of the vast vacuum of space, while others believed it to be a metaphysical dimension unto itself, while still others believed it referred to all space, the literal distance between all mass and matter in the universe. Regardless, there were some beings - few in the galaxy, while many in Otherspace - who were able to harness the power of the Void. Such individuals were referred to as "Voidborn" or "Voidwalkers". As scientific study into the nature of the Void was considered heresy by Voidborn followers of oblivion, the manner of which one is "connected" to the Void, or how strongly a connection would be, is not understood, such as "Force-sensitives" being linked to a high count of internal micro-organisms called that were found in a Force-sensitive's blood. Nevertheless, the effects of the Void were undeniable, and although their versatility was far inferior to a Force sensitive's, a trained Voidborn still had access to several supernatural abilities, namely; Psychokinesis, Voidsight, Voidshift, Traverse and Supravitality.

Much debate surrounds nature of, and sometimes existence of, the Void, among the denizens of the galaxy. Contact with the presence of the Void, as well as Voidborn, were scarce throughout known galactic history, before the existence of the Aperture. To the greater galaxy, these individuals were typically called "Force Blanks" by the Jedi Order, who at the time did not comprehend the individuals's uncanny existence outside of the Force. On at least one occasion, Voidborn were mistaken as being Force-sensitives that were extremely adept at concealing their presence in the Force. Events resulting the presence of the Void were more common, and almost always associated with an influx in a sudden mass of deaths. To the Jedi and Sith, these anomalies were called "Wounds in the Force". Such events included the catastrophic massacre at Nathema, the destruction of Malachor V, the starwars:Devastation of Katarrdevastation of Katarr, and arguably the most grandiose of these, the annihilation of Alderaan. A Voidborn's ties to the Void often become stronger when near these "wounds", not unlike a Force-sensitive becoming stronger when in proximity to a Force Nexus.