Mesmerism was a Nightsister technique, provided by spirit ichor. This power allowed a shaman to override the thought of those weaker than oneself, particularly men and offworlders. A tap of the fingertip to the victim's forehead would induce a trancelike state and make the victim powerless to refuse commands.
Behind the scenes
In the real world, mesmerism is a theory invented by German doctor Franz Mesmer in the 18th century. It posits the existence of an invisible natural force possessed by all living things, including humans, animals, and vegetables. He claimed that this energy could have physical effects, including healing (not unlike the series concept of the Force). In its original form, Mesmerism is now considered a pseudoscience, however it later formed the basis for the practice of hypnosis.
Appearances
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Monster" (First appearance)
Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Revenge"
Sources
- Book of Sith: Secrets from the Dark Side (First identified as Mesmerism)