Jedi Dueling Tournament! Nooran V Zenduu

[Coren Starchaser]

It was the day, Jedi were coming in from all across the galaxy for the dueling tournament. While a good number signed up, many more were showing up for the networking and rest-and-relaxation that such a tournament would provide for such an event. Setting up a number of arenas around the Temples on (Praxeum World), the Jedi Praxeum was hosting Jedi from all walks to duel for eternal glory.

Or bragging rights and whatever the Jedi Artisans could cook up in their labs. Coren Starchaser, one of the figureheads of the galaxy’s Jedi, was, almost obviously, at the center of the tournament’s idea, but would only be stepping in as an alternate. He had pieced together groups into brackets based on Jedi rank and not necessarily skill levels.

What he had were several rings set up for Masters, Knights, and Padawans to go toe-to-toe. Rules were simple, compete for the time allowed, and anyone who gets knocked down is out. Step to the side, and let the contest continue as others advanced. There would be a benefit for all who participated by the end, but those who rose to the top would earn a few items.

What was happening before the tournaments, was ensuring that armors were removed, any imbued items were removed, and general sparring outfits were granted. From bodysuits, to robes, to other workout gear. Rows of training melee weapons were set up. If someone had a preferred melee weapon? They’d find the mundane, training variant here. Jedi Sentinels from Starchaser’s influence were approaching of the outdoor combat zones. Each were set up to provide enough room to spar, but no real environmental challenge.

[OOC: This thread is is for the Match with [member="Charlie Nooran"] versus [member="Jerek Zenduu"]]

 

[Jerek Zenduu]

Processing through into the tournament hall had been simpler for Jerek than most others. For once in a long while, he was not dressed in the jumpsuit of the New Republic's Starfighter Corps, and he had no special armor or weapons to speak of. The sparring outfit he changed into didn't look too different from his own own preferred attire, the tunic was a bit more nondescript, and the trousers followed suit. Jedi were nothing if not consistently bland in fashion choices, though that didn't bother Jerek too much at all. Surely some in the tournament would balk at the single-bladed lightsaber he chose for himself, lightweight but with enough of a grip to hold even with sweat-dampened hands.

Even as disconnected as he felt from the Jedi in the moment, Jerek was nothing if not a Jedi at his core.

Hefting the saber, Jerek tried out a few practice moves, eventually falling back into his Soresu forms after a while. He stepped through the basic techniques, cycling through major and minor orbits, upward and downward wields, feeling a wave of calm as the movements began to feel natural again. The blade in his hand was not his own, but the manner in which he used it did, and that's what would count in the moments ahead.

With a few more minutes before his duel was to start, Jerek took the opportunity to focus away from the physical realm. The mental aspect of his Jedi training had usually come more quickly to the boy, and it took only a few moments after he settled into a seated position, the lightsaber at his side and his hands folded in his lap, for his mind to quiet and the room around him begin to fade. As the noises of the world gave way to the rhythms of the Force, Jerek could feel the presence, and power, of other Jedi in the tournament hall. Surrounded by those so in sync with the Force, many of them capable of such to an enviable degree, reminded Jerek so much of his upbringing on Ossus. Here on a world so far away from that one, the littlest reminder of home was pleasant.

Though he could have remained longer and meditated properly, the padawan reluctantly withdrew back to the physical realm. His duel was about to begin. Taking hold of the foreign saber hilt in his hand, Jerek came to stand before the arena ring, ready to step forward once it was his turn. Even with his opponent unknown and his abilities out of practice, Jerek held his head high as he faced what was to come.

After all, at his core, he could do nothing else.

[member="Charlie Nooran"]​

 

[Charlie Nooran]

Charlie stood on the other side of the arena. Her eyes closed as her mind became a fortress, her mental training was defensive at most while her physical training was gearing her to joining the shadows in full rank when she became a knight. The girl felt a little bit of pressure, being the padawan of the Grandmaster of her Order, but she was confident. The girl had faced the Sith and cut them down as they threatened peace, she had faced Mandalorians and bested them – even survived a fire breathing lizard man.

Remembering these battles, the padawan relaxed and felt the comforting feeling of the Force around her. Today she wouldn’t be allowed to fight with her hammers, the weapons had become iconic to the young Seoulian girl. Still, she was originally trained with lightsabers – they were still an extension of her being. Once her mind was prepared she gathered two of the lightsabers that were on display for the fighters.

She familiarized herself with the weapons and gave them a few swings getting the weight adjustment out of the way. They were lighter than her usual weapons, but it was a good thing. She mentally made a note of it and began to walk towards the center of the arena.

[member="Jerek Zenduu"]

 

[Jerek Zenduu]

Hazel eyes watched his opponent approach, a girl on the younger side of most of those gathered today for the tournament. Jerek felt himself relax a little, he had been wondering whether he would have to face a padawan much older than him, even if they weren't as well experienced, he had always found it harder to match the adult padawans in physical prowess. His opponent was even shorter than he was, though there were plenty of older and more experienced women, Human and other species alike, whom he towered over so that didn't mean too much in practice. Still, it gave him a bit more confidence to be matched with someone his age, hopefully it meant a more fair fight and appropriate challenge.

The teen bowed to the young woman, still trying to suss out more information from her appearance alone. He kept his senses within him, waiting for the duel itself to reach out with the Force, but the other padawan's eyes, her hair color, it seemed as if she was not quite Human. A near-Human, perhaps. Jerek wondered to himself what this meant, every species had their own twists and tricks in a fight, and sometimes being the vanilla flavor of the galaxy was a real disadvantage. As he rose, he tossed his head to clear his vision of the strands of blond hair that had fallen across his face, and spoke in an even tone, "I'm Jerek. Ready to fight?"

With that, he drew back several steps, holding the lightsaber in a forward grip in his right palm, its arm drawn back behind him and held high overhead. His left foot was extended forward, his right perpendicular to the ground directly underneath his right hand. Finally, his left hand was thrust out, directly above his left foot, his palm open and facing his opponent. A classic stance for Form III. And much like practitioners of the stance, it required the teen to exercise caution, waiting for his opponent to bring the fight to him.

So Jerek stood and waited.

[member="Charlie Nooran"]​