Faction Lightsaber Lessons! Three Rings of Defense (NJO)

[Jax Thio]

Location: Training Hall
Equipment: Travelling Robes, Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Third Lightsaber, Promise Ring to Jairdain
Tag: Braze , Nathan Bloodscrawl , Myvette Faeli , Gweneth Zarari , Lily Decoria


Jax deactivated his Lightsaber observing the students practicing their techniques. Braze was solid though a bit sloppy. "Easy there Braze," Jax said. "Yes, you want to be powerful but at the same time you want to be precise. Control your strength and make sure that your technique is on point. Just because it's a power move doesn't mean you can be sloppy. The Outer Ring's moves are powerful but controlled."

Nathan on the other hand deployed precise and powerful blows almost with Droid like precision. While impressive, Jax could sense that there was a darkness looming inside of him. If he wasn't careful, such aggressiveness could lead to the Dark Side. "Very impressive form Nathan," Jax commented. "But be sure to breathe and remember, your attacks may be aggressive but temper it with compassion. Aggression can be the seeds for rage so make sure your mind is calm."

It wasn't an easy task for Jedi, they were expected to be peacekeepers but at times of war, the fog of war can drive any Jedi mad with rage. Jax should know as he succumbed to the darkness multiple times. Myvette was working hard to improve on her technique, but her moves were wracked with indecision and tentativeness. As her Master, Jax wanted more out of Myvette in fact he thought of a form that can help her reach her full potential as a swordswoman. Still, the three rings were a good introduction on what he wanted out of Myvette. "Don't be so hard on yourself," Jax communicated telepathically to Myvette. "I don't expect perfection in a day, it takes months to truly master this style. So take it slow Myvette, take a breath and go through the technique slowly."

He went to Gweneth and smiled. "Ah," Jax said. "If you want to use a Staff than hold your hands a few meters apart and then raise it over your shoulder and perform a horizontal slash and then another slash using the opposite end of your staff."

Jax used a double-bladed saber when he was a Padawan. He had a lot of fun with it, but it was too unwieldy and he quickly changed it after a few years. Lily was the second best, a bit sloppy but again, he wasn't expecting perfection. "Solid work Lily," Jax said. "Now speed ramp your technique and watch your footing."

After about 30 minutes of observing them practicing, Jax raised his hand. "Good work everyone," Jax said. "Now we move on to the Middle Ring."

 

[Nathan Bloodscrawl]

"I will remember your words, Master Thio."

Nathan processed them alright. Very early during his revival he had suffered what could be called a psychotic blackout. Two in fact.

One had been when he had suffered a psychotic blackout and gone on a rampage in a Cultist Enclave. The second was when he had nearly murdered Syd Celsius .

He knew how dangerous it was to let his rage get out of control. The very existence of the cult pressed every last button that could possibly remain in him. That was why he constantly kept himself busy. That was probably why it was easier and easier to get distracted by thinking of the murderous Vera. It was why he went out of his way to avoid killing unless on a battlefield. No one is totally free of the Dark Side. All it requires is a bad enough moment in one's life to reach...and squeeze.

Nathan didn't want to end up like the abomination his daughter had chosen, of her own free will, to become.

That's why he forced himself to listen to Thio's words. He relaxed the technique, realizing he had been executing the movements too harshly.

His use of the outer ring became more defensive, focusing on how to block the strikes he had just executed, to disarm and exhaust rather than kill...


He still intended to destroy the feth outta the Cult though...

He analyzed the others with clinical distance. He had never had this much as a Padawan. He wasn't used to it. The Plague didn't leave much chance to socialize, even among Jedi. You knew your master, whatever Jedi they trained, whoever you happen to run into in the field that you think can be trusted.

He didn't envy what was ahead for the others. He had been dealing with murderous, crazed anarchy his whole life, and thus had no illusions about how secure any society was against breakdown, especially since the factions gained and lost territory like a warped game of musical chairs.

They were gonna have a rough time. They would need proper support.

Nathan began to consider an old hyperspace coordinate in his head...


Jax Thio

Braze

Myvette Faeli

Gweneth Zarari

Lily Decoria

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Jax Thio Lily Decoria Nathan Bloodscrawl Myvette Faeli Gweneth Zarari

Blindfolded and relying on his connection to the Force to "see," Braze listened attentively to Master Jax's words. He felt the minute shifts in the Force as each student executed their moves. Nathan's attacks resonated with cold, machine-like precision. Myvette's actions sent ripples of hesitation and uncertainty. And although he couldn't physically see them, he imagined their forms, movements, and even their facial expressions in vivid detail within his mind's eye.

When Jax pointed out his own sloppiness, Braze took it as an opportunity for growth. He tightened his grip on his lightsaber and concentrated. The Force whispered to him, guiding his movements. In this state, the feedback loop between intention, action, and correction became almost instantaneous. There was no room for frustration, only focus.

Taking a deep breath, he executed a power move, this time with increased control. It felt different, more centered. The arc of his lightsaber seemed to slice through the Force itself, leaving a crisp trail of intent and execution.

As Jax announced the transition to the Middle Ring, Braze sensed the collective focus of the group shift. His perception of the room was less about the physical shapes and more about the living currents of emotion, concentration, and the Force that connected them all. It was a complex visual he was learning to read with ever-greater skill, each thread a story, each color a different emotion.

He took one last mindful breath before refocusing on the next set of instructions. This was a challenging exercise, yes, but every challenge overcome was a step closer to mastery.

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: NJO Temple
Tags: Jax Thio | Braze | Lily Decoria | Nathan Bloodscrawl | Myvette Faeli | Gweneth Zarari

Finally, after feeling like he’d been running around in circles trying to figure out where the lesson was being held, Ko had made it to the training room. Ever since he’d lost his sense of sight, the familiar setting of the Temple, his home, had become a labyrinthian cause of confusion and headache for the Kel Dor padawan. Everything was still so hazy and for him. Still trying to gain focus and faith in The Force. But his trust in it, and in himself had been damaged some. He was aware enough to know that the real hurdle he was failing to overcome wasn’t physical, but mental. Walking up to the entrance Ko knocked some before stepping in. “Hey, sorry I was la-”

… The room was empty.

Under his mask Ko frowned, and let out a frustrated sigh. This was the second time now he’d wandered into the wrong room. Part of him felt like just skipping the lesson for today. He didn’t have his old, full sized lightsaber anymore, just a new shoto to get by with until then. Ko reached up and gently touched the echo stone he wore around his neck. It still felt so… numb, even now. He figured the gemstone was displeased with the padawan, figuratively at least. The pleasant feeling it gave felt like a distant memory to Ko.

Taking a deep breath Ko walked out of the empty room and would try once more to properly find his destination. Spending a few more long minutes feeling like he was stumbling around in the dark. Eventually however, he believed he found what he was looking for. Sensing the presence of several Jedi, some even familiar to him, like a light at the end of a dark tunnel.

There was a sign informing what the room was being used for. But Ko couldn’t read it. He just had to have faith that this was the right place for once. Taking another deep breath to try and calm his frustrations Ko finally walked in. Immediately he recognized the two most familiar signatures in The Force, Braze and Lily, the two echani padawans were unmistakable. But upon sensing the noblewoman, and considering this was a training room, Ko was quickly reminded of how she bashed his knee. Leaving him sore for a solid week. The others in the room Ko was less familiar with. Which wasn’t a problem for him at all.

“Um, Hello… Sorry for arriving pretty late. I don’t mean to mess up the flow of the lesson plan today. Please forgive me.” As Ko gave a respectful bow but didn’t really elaborate on why he was late, even if he felt like he had a decently valid reason for not being on time. Right now all he wanted was to be present for the lesson.​

 

[Gweneth Zarari]

Location: Jedi temple
Objective: Learn defensive techniques
Tag: Jax Thio Braze Myvette Faeli Nathan Bloodscrawl Lily Decoria Ko Vuto

Equipment: Gwen's attire, Echo stone, carved luck charm, wooden quarterstaff, slingshot

hold your hands a few meters apart and then raise it over your shoulder

I let out a little laugh. "A few metres apart? Should I be shifting into something with a little more reach then?" I knew what he meant but I couldn't help myself. I switched my stance into his suggested pose, it was fairly similar to what I was used to. I swept the staff left then right, whipping it hard and grunting with the exertion. "That's much more like it"

The Jedi stopped this move and then withdrew to the centre of the training room again to move on. I stopped and held the staff vertically next to me. It sounded very much like another had arrive, even later than I. Ko Vuto came in and excused himself, was it always like this in the temple? People arriving late to sessions entirely as they pleased.

​

 

[Myvette Faeli]

Forcing herself to heed her master's advice and stop needling herself was hard for Myvette but eventually, she managed to push out those thoughts of inadequacy and stopped comparing herself to the other students. She was methodical in the way she moved but it was holding her back, in a real battle hesitation was seen as an opening and openings get you and those you care about killed.

I have to keep practicing until there's nothing left to exploit. Until even the air itself won't accede an attack.

Myvette swung the saber again and again until it began to feel natural until her weight shifted into the strike without her conception of it. The training saber whistled and sang with energy, its wielder focused and resolute as the force flowed through her muscles and out through the blade. The world faded from view and she was alone with the universe in an empty but infinite expanse. She felt closer to mastery already, the defensive technique seeping into her brain and melting into her flesh. Jax Thio ended their practice and got ready to move on to the next step. Myvette felt good about this, but what else did she expect from her master?

The ocean of energy stilled and the Padawans tempered themselves to heed Jax's instruction when a presence entered Myvette's awareness and she instinctively turned toward Ko Vuto who didn't even give a reason why he was late. She was starting to think being tardy was part of being a Jedi.

Gweneth Zarari | Nathan Bloodscrawl | Lily Decoria | Braze

 

[Lily Decoria]

Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Training Saber
Location: Coruscant, Jedi Temple, Training Halls
Tags: Jax Thio | Gweneth Zarari | Braze | Myvette Faeli | Nathan Bloodscrawl | Ko Vuto

Hearing the criticism of Master Thio, Lily took to heart what was said. Fighting was her everything, she was obsessed with fighting. So, perfecting the forms as quickly as she could, that was important. She would rather be instructed to ramp her speed once the movements were technically clean or perfect than rushing ahead with sloppy forms. So Lily kicked things up a gear and moved her body faster while she maintained the grace that she had held. It was easier to see where she could move faster now that she understood the movements more thoroughly to begin with.

After speeding up to the point her body could not physically go faster without the use of the Force, Lily felt satisfied that she had achieved as much as she could with the first ring. There would be more to understand there and a deeper meaning to each move, but that came from years of studying. Not a mere 30 minutes. Instead, she paused and prepared to observe the next ring of movement. It was something she was curious to see where it differed from the first.

Ko walked into the room late, Lily tilted her head to him and smirked widely. Of course he was here, and it was even more amusing to her that he turned up late to the training. She knew he was likely feeling terrible guilty and anxious about being late. She hoped he was okay and that would see she was here as well so there was at least one friendly face.

 

[Nathan Bloodscrawl]

Nathan diligently brought his saber to a simple guard, waiting for instruction in the middle ring. Would the inner one rule them all?

Nathan was already working how to incorporate what he learned into his Form One and Form Three. Especially his Form Three.

It was actually useful for every style he cross trained in.

As he waited for Jax Thio to begin instructions in the middle ring, he remained absolutely still, as if he had been petrified. Not a single hair fluttered, nor an eye twitched, nor a muscle shifted out of place. No visible rise or fall of the chest.

Nathan's thoughts darted uneasily to Kytrand hidden in the deep core. He was the only person alive who knew the coordinates. But should he reveal the planet to the NJO and the Trade League Jedi and place his own personal causes at risk of discovery?

For the first time, Nathan felt the barest beginning of a true conflict of interest.

He wondered what to do. Perhaps a compromise was best. One of many he would have to make.

He observed Lily Decoria . She seemed driven to master the technical aspects of the form. As she got older, she would no doubt find theory in the class room is not the same as execution of said theory within the field. Nathan knew of the forms but pieced together what was most effective for him. Though he abused the hell out of Form Three's defense whenever he could.

Myvette Faeli seemed unsure of herself at first, masking insecurities by trying to perfect the moves by rote learning. Gweneth Zarari was learning to better combine her staff with what Jax taught but it was still visibly awkward.

Suddenly, a newcomer, Ko Vuto appeared. Apologized for being late. Nathan needed more before he could assess him further.

Braze subtly concerned him more and more. He had a strong grasp of using the Force to see.

It was easy to dismiss him as a loud, insane child. But he had a lot of control for a loud, insane child. Enough to make the hairs on the back of Nathan's neck stand up if he squinted hard enough. Which he didn't do, of course.

Braze would require immense caution. Nathan didn't want so much as a hint of his operations going anywhere near that one for any reason.

Nathan's presence in the Force, remained as static and unchanged as it had when he had begun practice. There was no fluctuation in it. And while the tethers that bound the others in an invisible web tightly, such strands were weak or non existent near Nathan, and he did not actively seek to make them stronger.

When it came to his presence in the web of life, it's like the lights were on but nobody was home.

 

[Eslo Anderson]

Tags: Jax Thio Lily Decoria Gweneth Zarari Braze Myvette Faeli Nathan Bloodscrawl Ko Vuto
Equipment: Lightsaber

​

Eslo Anderson has been away from the temple for many years ever since the failure of his first student, Lucas Ocar. Lucas fell to the Dark Side and became the Sith Lord Darth Wraith. Now, however, he will be training a new student and is looking for an apprentice to train. He also needed to improve his skills in Lightsaber Combat, so he decided to learn the Three Rings of Defense since he had already learned so much from the other forms, including his favored forms, Soresu and Shien. When he arrived, Jax Thio was already training several students. Eslo's presence in the Force was like a star ready to go Supernova. He had a blindfold, and he could see without needing his eyes. This was something that he had to do. The Force brought him back to the Temple, and he will see what the Force provides. "I apologize for being late, Jax. I was held up. Even Jedi Masters get lost from time to time." He had a resemblance to Luke Skywalker, though they weren't related.

 

[Jax Thio]

Location: Training Room
Equipment: Travelling Robes, Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Third Lightsaber, Promise Ring to Jairdain
Tag: Braze , Nathan Bloodscrawl , Myvette Faeli , Lily Decoria , Gweneth Zarari , Ko Vuto , Eslo Anderson

Jax felt satisfied that the Padawans got the basics of the Outer Ring downpat. It wasn't perfect but they all have a foundation that they can build off. "Good job guys," Jax grinned. "Remember, strong yet controlled. It's the most difficult part with not just the Outer Ring but strength based forms like Form 5 variant: Djem So. You don't want to mindlessly put all of your strength into your attack, not only you'll leave yourself vulnerable but your foot work will be sloppy leaving you off balanced."

Two people came in, a young Kel Dor and a Jedi Master which was a surprise to Jax. He did indicate that Padawans to Masters were invited but Jax figured that the Masters will be too busy for a lesson about a simplistic Lightsaber style. "You're never too late to learn. Even though we've finished with the Outer Ring, we're moving on to the Middle Ring" Jax smiled at both of them. "Introduce yourselves to the class and we'll get started."

After the two Jedi gave their introductions, Jax placed his hands behind his back feeling more confident in his lessons. "Now the Middle Ring!" Jax said. "Focuses on defense, it's all about holding the blade close to the body and deflecting blow that comes your way. Be it Lightsaber attacks or blaster bolts."

Jax began to pace around the floor. "Don't mistake this as something like Form 3 where you hunker down and outlast your opponent." Jax explained. "The Middle Ring has a dedicated offensive component whereas From 3 offense is predicated on if your opponent a mistake. The Middle Ring's offesne is comprised of tight, efficient jabs, stabs, and slashes."

He activated his Lightsaber, holding the blade close to him. "There are four stances," Jax said preparing to position his Lightsaber. "Depending on your weapon you position them at the: Front guard where you hold your weapon in front of you, upper left where shift your blade up and to the left, upper right, lower left, and lower right."

After he was done demonstrating Jax deactivated his Lightsaber. "It's a stonewall defense," Jax said. "And even though it has an offensive arsenal, It's nowhere near as effective as the Outer Ring. As you may have guessed, the Middle Ring is based off Soresu and Makashi."

Jax took a deep breath. "Now then," Jax said. "Take out your weapons and I'm going to summon training droids to shoot stun bolts at ya. You want to keep your blade close and deflect as many as you can. Use the Force to guide blade, patience is what's needed."

 

[Gweneth Zarari]

Location: Jedi temple
Objective: Learn defensive techniques
Tag: Jax Thio Braze Myvette Faeli Nathan Bloodscrawl Lily Decoria Ko Vuto Eslo Anderson

Equipment: Gwen's attire, Echo stone, carved luck charm, wooden quarterstaff, slingshot

The techniques we're moving from the outer to the middle ring, or something like that, it didn't make a lot of sense to me, this wasn't how I had been trained by either my family, or the wookiees, and it wasn't how the wilders taught me it just felt a little too structured. But I was adaptable and as I heard the hissing of the training droids I prepared myself to get ready.

I felt a little sting on my hand as they started firing and I pulled my staff into a more defensive pose, striking a few of the bolts out of the air but feeling more of them strike my clothing. I spun my staff around and then jabbed forwards, feeling the crunch of one of the droids as my jab hit home. I smiled to myself, I probably wasn't supposed to take the droids out but it had achieved the desired purpose of stopping the incoming hits.

My face undulated as I allowed my eyes return to the surface of my skin so I could see and I returned to my kiir form. The others were still defending themselves as I watched their moves and took a draw off of my drink. The moves being taught were less useful for my staff so I walked across the room and picked up a pair of wooden training sword before I continued the patterns as instructed. This felt a little more natural and close to my use of the Rykk blades I enjoyed. I did find it a little amusing how untimely the jedi appeared to be, but it was none of my business.​

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Saber Training
Coruscant Temple
Walked in on'em
TAG: Jax Thio / everyone else


​

Okay, I'm not sure what I should be right now, but I'm here. Standing outside my ship in a landing bay inside the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. I still can't believe that I am doing this. I mean that in a good way because I never thought about whether or not I would have the chance.

So who am I, I'm Connell Vanagor. Yes, you know who my mom and dad are. No, I'm not some accelerated growth clone or anything, I spent the past few years with the Antarian Rangers. This made me mad at first because my mom was the one who wanted me to do it. I could have sworn she just didn't cut the apron strings.

I was wrong, boy was I wrong.

She wanted me to learn from them how to approach the galaxy, learning technique and the Force from her. My dad. I thought he just didn't want me around…

… again, was I ever wrong.

Dad knew he casts a shadow and didn't want me to be a carbon copy of him. I'm gonna have to thank them when I go visit on Wookiee life day. That's months from now though, here I am and signed in as nothing more than my middle name, "Aric". Who knows who might know my dad here, I just want to be me, not just a Vanagor.

I mean, come on. I'm standing here in the Great Hall looking at a mural on the wall of the infamous "Clone Wars" and yep… dear old dad is right there.

Ugh… this isn't about him.

So what should I do? Better get the lay of the land.

I have to admit, this place is pretty cool. A lot like the Temple on Kashyyyk that father showed me, but more "Regal". I'm glad there are maps everywhere and the halls are enormous, I don't have to run into anyone.

"Training wing"? Might as well check it out.

There's an open door. A LOT of Jedi in there, I wonder of they'll let me watch. Fortune favors the bold, right?


Um… Hi. Mind if I watch?

​

Spoiler: PERSONAL EFFECTS

Jedi Defender Light Corvette
Headset Microphone Comm-link
Vambraces
Long handle Lightsaber "Alpha"
Short saber "Omega"

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: NJO Temple
Tags: Jax Thio | Braze | Lily Decoria | Nathan Bloodscrawl | Myvette Faeli | Gweneth Zarari | Eslo Anderson | Connel Vanagor

Ko had felt a tinge of judgment from some of those in the room he wasn’t familiar with. Which he could understand, it was very unlike himself to be late for anything. The Studious Kel Dor normally had to be stuck in a bacta tank in order for him to be late to anything. So naturally he felt pretty terrible about arriving when he did, and blamed himself for not starting to look for the training room at least two hours before starting.

Hearing Jax’s words Ko nodded. “I’m Ko Vuto, padawan learner to Jedi Knight Jonyna Si .” He said to the teacher and the rest of the room. “I’m looking forward to familiarizing myself with the Three Rings of Defense.” Ko was not too knowledgeable on the late Master Skywalker’s principles of lightsaber defense. Only knowing that they were a way to streamline the classical forms.

As he listened to the instructor explain the ‘Middle Ring’ The Kel Dor padawan listened intently to his words. At the same time he sensed an aura of friendliness as well from Lily. Wondering if she found it at least a little funny that he was late to the lesson. He supposed there was a bit of humor in that.

Eventually Ko readied himself at the arrival of the training droids. Grabbing his lightsaber shoto from his belt and igniting its short green blade. Knowing training would be similar but notably different from his own Master’s lessons with asked of him to employ a more active and dynamic defense with lots of movement and dodging. This was more passive. A ‘stonewall’ like Master Thio described it.

His naturally heightened reflexes help compensate for the lack of real visual feedback for Ko as he was still getting the hang of using The Force more for detecting incoming attacks. Also using a shoto was still new to him. But he had to admit to himself that he actually quite liked it. Although it covered less of him, it was so easy to move around. Able to block the incoming stun rounds with speedy flicks of his miniature saber. ​