Lightsabers 101

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel arrived early for the session. Given the clement weather, she decided to hold the training session in the open air. The rooms were purpose built but sometimes it was good to experience what the elements might throw at you – be that a low sun or driving rain. Today there was neither to contend with, but the prospect of fresh air was something Sorel appreciated. There was something about the sky above and the grass underfoot that was so much more enjoyable than dusty training rooms.

She’d already discarded her cloak and checked that the training sabers and stun blasters she’d requested for were working. She also set up several training remotes and blindfolds in case the need arose. Today would mark the opportunity for a number of Padawans – and maybe even Knights – to learn more about handling a saber. She did not intend to teach the first Form but she did think it prudent to ensure all of those present understood the Three Rings of Defense and some of the basics of saber combat – including the use of Force powers to aid or abet.

Her plan was to hold a number of these workshops, and next time she would cover the second Form, then Soresu, and so on. She would stop at the sixth – the seventh was not taught widely and the Order needed to be sure that any potential student that desired to learn it was suitably equipped – both in terms of their saber prowess but also that they had the correct mental aptitude to learn it.

She activated one of the training sabers and began a velocity before anyone arrived. This was the from the first Form – and she had learned it as a Youngling back on Coruscant – before the Academy moved to Ossus and long before she moved to Voss.

And as she practised, she waited for the students to arrive.

 

[Serana]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Serana was beaming and happy, as she allowed the force energies around her body to flow freely and she had worked with her master [member="Joza Perl"] so she was working on many more things. Allowing the force barrier training to take hold when she was moving through the temple. Her hooves clopping until she arrived inthe room. Taking in the look of the others and didn't see anyone yet. She was certain there would be more coming here and learning how to use the lightsaber she had. Her lightsaber there on her side under one of the wings when she stood tall and ready for anything. "Master Crieff?" She had never met the woman before when she looked around with a small nod of her head.

 

[Krayzen Dratos]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Velus was not a Jedi, by trade. He had been a Rebel, willing to fight and die in order to destroy the One Sith. He believed himself to be different from the Jedi, as he was rarely willing to give second chances, willing to go for the kill. The Jedi Master however wouldn't no this, thanks to the powers of the Ephicanthix. Even then though, visual impressions could be given that he was different from a Jedi by the gear he wore.

Velus had arrived to the training session in soldier gear, having given up his armaments later on. The force user was interested in the teachings of the Jedi, but his primary purpose was that he wanted to learn as much as he could about lightsaber combat, in order to be able to defend his comrades, and use it a weapon. He was no pacifist, having learned ever since his parents had died to gather up a tough skin, and to always try and push forward.

Before he had arrived, he had gone to take a smoke. Velus had learned some tricks over the years, including making sure he had no scent, or any evidence of him smoking. It had been a drug habit that he had taken up, as the man still riled from the death of his parents, comrades, and so on.

"Hello." he said, giving the best impression he had for a smile. "I'm ready." he said, having not brought his own lightsaber, since he had forgotten it somewhere else."

 

[Basaba Willamina]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

The sound of her hand clenching and unclenching when she entered. Basaba had heard one fo the jedi masters was teaching a class and that was an important thing to work with. She was looking to make sure she knew how to fight with this equipment. her attention to it and bringing with herself a beskad that she had for fighting. A training blade that had been given to her while she tapped the grey blue armor with her helmet magnetically attached to her belt. The armor gleamed in the light when she arrived one of the few mandalorians who didn't seek to dishonor herself or clan by outright attacking unprovoked.

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel bowed politely to those that had arrived. "Welcome and many thanks for attending today's class. If it is acceptable, I shall give others time to arrive but as we wait, it would be useful if each of you could say who you are, a little about you and what you hope to achieve from the lesson."

[member="Basaba Willamina"] [member="Velus"] [member="Serana"]

 

[Ery'lyn Ashaal]

Ery'lyn was running late. It seemed like she was always running late recently. Master Crieff had invited her to join in on the saber training personally and now the Togruta would be showing up after the rest of the group. Embarassed? Ery? No, never...

It also didn't help that the padawan was still learning the layout of the academy and it's labyrinth of practice rooms, medical facilities, gardens, and dormitories. The research tower was the only area she'd explored at length, as expected from the academic. In truth, she'd spent her morning in one of the libraries, reading up on the lightsaber technique Sorel had suggested she learn, form VI. The fruits of her effort filled the bag she never seemed to be without.

Ery'lyn arrived in a flurry of activity that was becoming the norm around masters and padawans alike. Skidding to a stop on the soft turf, her bag tumbled off of her shoulder, spilling a datapad, personal journal, and a copy of volume 4 of Book of Practical Lightsaber Technique. Quickly gathering the items up and stuffing them unceremoniously in her back, she straightened and bowed to Master Crieff. Her cheeks held the bright red of an embarrassed blush.

"Sorry I'm late." She set her bag down at her feet and eyed it. "I always seem to be dropping books around you." She straightened, her mouth quirking in a smile, but the blush still present.

[member="Sorel Crieff"] | [member="Basaba Willamina"] | [member="Velus"] | [member="Serana"]

 

[Basaba Willamina]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

Basaba looked at the jedi master herself as they had a chance to wait and see what they would be able to do. her thoughts and her own little plans willing to go over well. "I am Basaba the Aden of Clan Willamina here to bring honor to my clan by learning how to use these jedi tools." She remained there and crossed an arm over her chest with the armor gleaming and she was ready for anything that might come her way from the others. THey were all working on the different things here. She might be able learn from the jedi and it wouldn't be as horrible as some of the things she knew happened.

 

[Serana]

[member="Velus"] [member="Ery'lyn Ashaal"] [member="Sorel Crieff"]

Serana was looking at it all, she was sticking around and wanted to see what they would be able to see, what they would be able to get out of all this. A small look on her face when she moved forward speaking and seeing some of the other jedi around with them. "I am Serana, padawan to [member="Joza Perl"] and one of the first Del-Ya to join the jedi order. After the jedi came to my planet, my people were glad to work with them. Since i have been here I have learned a great deal about the force and somewhat how to use a lightsaber."

 

[Lynn Nantaris]

Lynn ran down the hall on her way to her Master, [member="Sorel Crieff"], class. She knew she was running late. She had only recently returned from Tython where she had retrieved Mace Windu's Lightsaber. Her robes snapped violently behind her and at one point she was force to jump up, push off a wall, and flip over a group of Knights. Not quite polite behavior, but she could not be more late than she already was for the class. She would find the people later and apoligize.

She shot through the other doors and into the sun where she was stopped by the blinding light. After giving her eyes time to adjust, she continued her running for the training area her Master had chosen. She arrived after a few others and stopped to catch her breath. She unhooked the lightsaber and held it up, she had mentioned her studies on Mace Windu and so showing the lightsaber had indeed been found would be sufficient enough to explain her tardiness; she hoped.

She fiddled with the lightsaber til she found the very small intensity setting to set it to it's lowest setting so she could use it over a training saber. Once she caught her breath she stood right back up and addressed the others, "Apologize for being late, my name is Padawan Lynn Corerunner. I am here to learn from my Master whatever she chooses to teach." She smiled and then waited for things to begin.


@Serana @Basaba Willamina [member="Ery'lyn Ashaal"] [member="Velus"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Spoiler

I plan to keep the thread moving along – for the benefit of those that can post at least every other day. This means I won’t be focused on whose turn it is. So if the posts move along a little quicker than you planned, please just act as if everything is normal and use your post to catch up with the action.

The benefit of the thread (and subsequent ones) should be threefold. Firstly it gives an IC reason why your character is competent with a saber. Secondly it allows you to hopefully be exposed to moves and terminology you can use when your character uses a saber. Finally it should allow you to practise writing using a saber in a safe environment (both IC and OOC).

Feel free to interact with other students or keep your posts collaboration free – both work.

Sorel had no plans to make this a dull lesson, so she planned to skip any reference to the history of the saber and Forms get to the practical side as soon as possible.

She acknowledged each Padawan as they introduced themselves. Some she knew personally. Others she knew by name and yet others she had not heard of at all. But she was pleased they were here.

“The saber,” she said, twirling the hilt she held in her hand as she spoke, “Is difficult to master for a number of reasons, one of them being that all of the weight a lightsaber has is in its hilt. It has been said that only a Force-sensitive individual could completely master lightsaber combat. Not entirely true but history is not littered with non-Force sensitives that lasted more than a single duel. More importantly, as far as I’m concerned, is the fact that to be fully effective, you need the Force to help guide your actions. The Force is your ally, as the saying goes. Trust it in general and in a duel specifically. It will save your life.”

“And never forget that you are the weapon. This,” she twirled the hilt, “Is not. Because you and your saber can be parted and to consider yourself defenceless is not a good frame of mind to be in. It is a tool, but the environment will be full of them – as we will learn shortly.”

“But back to the saber itself, your attunement to the Force will account for what most will see as almost superhuman agility and reflexes. And although the blade is weightless, two-handed slashes are the most common movement. This is because momentum is still needed to cut through solid objects, as bodily parts. And while the blade is technically weightless, it still has some resistance to changes in motion. The slight gyroscopic effects are easily controlled by a trained Force user, but could become problematic for the untrained.”

“But I’m talking too much. Now, please grab a training saber – or change the power setting on your own to sparring and we can begin in earnest.” She smiled. “Most hilts are suitable for the majority of the Forms. Makashi lends itself to a different hilt and some use saberstaffs, but as a rule, you can use any hilt for any Form and the principles are always the same.”

“Now, basic moves. There is an old Jedi saying, ‘Every feint, every dodge, every block is a trap to the unwary.’ Never forget that the art of duelling is as much about what happens that does not involve the blade itself.”

Sorel then quickly instructed the group on Shii-Cho body target zones. The first Form – given it came first – was the basis of saber combat. “Attacks and parries in lightsaber combat are described by the body zones they target. In idealized sparring drills, most attacks are executed with horizontal swipes, while parries are carried out with vertical moves meant to push the point of the enemy’s blade away.”

“Zone one is the head. An attack consists of a vertical chop, and the corresponding parry is a horizontal block. A classic zone one attack is typically preceded by a high guard position, though the zone four parry position is also used for this purpose. The zone one parry position is a horizontal guard, with the blade held at head-height and angled across the body.”

“Zone two is the right arm and side. Zone two attacks are horizontal sideswipes, with the corresponding counter being a vertical parry position.”

“ Zone three is the left arm and side. These attacks are much the same as zone two, albeit the directions are reversed.”

“Zone four is the back and encompasses the entire midsection and torso, but refers specifically to the back. A successful Zone four attack is almost always fatal. The classic parry four position is a drop parry position with the blade angled downwards behind your back and the classic attack is likely a variation on Zone two and three attacks.”

“Zones five and six are the right and left legs. Attacks are low sideswipes or slashes, while the corresponding defensive position is a drop parry with the hilt held at the waist.”

Sorel then demonstrated and asked the students to pair off and practice for themselves.

[member="Lynn Corerunner"] [member="Serana"] [member="Basaba Willamina"] [member="Ery'lyn Ashaal"] [member="Velus"]

 

[Basaba Willamina]

Basaba was watching and listening to the master as she was speaking, the instructions for dueling and points of contact she was watching and committing to her memory as she had a training lightsaber. With her own workings of how best to use the beskad and the smaller dagger she knew how to use it, she knew how to slice and handle the weight. A lightsaber was many less weight but she could use it and be prepared to use the blade. Pairing off and properly using the skills with another here. She didn't know who if they were to duel, they all seemed so small. Her head went to either side to make her neck pop when she was moving forward a little and moving her hand on the hilt to follow her motions. Standing in a prepared but not fuly ready stance so she could bring out the training blade and grip it with one hand searching around the room to see what the others were doing who had arrived.

 

[Krayzen Dratos]

Velus had heard some of the Padawans introduce themselves, the Rebel choosing not to since he was one that did not wish to share the details that he had about himself. The man was not shy, but he was also somewhat private, and never liked revealing important details about his personal life.

The Nar-Shadaan nodded at the Jedi Master, and looked for a partner to duel with. He first went however to get the training lightsaber. It was curved, like the one Makashi duelists used. Velus found it odd, not a fan of the dueling style associated with it. He then picked a more standard one, as it was the one he was most used to. He did however make a mental note to learn, and practice with it, although he knew that self-teaching himself could only make him go so far.

"Anyone up for a duel?" he said, Velus intending to spar, and using the strengths he had to his advantage.

 

[Serana]

Serana was looking at Sorel as she was explaining everything there, the saber and she brought her own blade out with telekinesis when it was mounted on her horn. The ring there as she had no hands to grip the saber. Then she was adjusting it with the force to make the energy of the blade weaker to a training blade. She had it mounted there when she was looking at her. There was all of the interest there in some fo the things when she spoke. "Ahhh alright." Seeing Sorel there before getting into her own area and the saber activated. The twin snap hisses when it was spinning and rotating then switching to match what she was doing. Sorel's movements she could kind of move to make the blades go back and forth in front of her.

 

[Lynn Nantaris]

Lynn listened to her Master [member="Sorel Crieff"] as she spoke a monologue on dueling. She thought it interesting that they were starting with the first form and would duel with it. It was not a dueling form, but basics were basics. She looked over at [member="Velus"] and raised an eyebrow as she clearly saw him try to pull the whole tough guy act and not introduce himself. She shrugged, it was his own choice even if it seemed silly to her.

She looked around to find a suitable dueling partner and then her sights rested on [member="Ery'lyn Ashaal"]. She walked over to her after the lesson, "Hello Ery'lyn, care to pair up and duel together?"

[member="Serana"] [member="Basaba Willamina"]

 

[Ery'lyn Ashaal]

Ery'lyn stuffed her books bag into the bag and set it out of the way Master Sorel explained. She watched with a hawk eye, committing every piece of information to memory. Zone one- head, vertical attack, parry with horizontal guard. Zone two- right arm and side, horizontal swipe, parry with vertical... on and on. Her academic recall was excellent. She would be able to regurgitate the information given upon questioning, the bigger challenge would be using the information in physical practice.

Studying Master Sorel's movements intently, she focused on the air currents' movements around her with each position. Her Montrals vibrated with potential as she felt and observed the physicality of the first form.

Ery'lyn stepped forward once the lesson was finished, looking over each hilt presented. She was insanely curious about the saberstaffs mentioned, they had always been her favorite weapon-type as she read through the tomes. For now though, she picked a plain, slightly shorter hilt that she felt would serve her better.

Stepping back into the group, she practiced small movements with only the hilt, no blade activated yet. This was going to be awkward and embarrassing, but she'd learn to live with it, especially since she knew that practice makes perfect.

"Hello Ery'lyn, care to pair up and duel together?"

Ery glanced up, a smile automatically taking place on her face, as the woman approached. She paused in her practice and offered a small bow out of respect. "Absolutely. As long as you don't mind a partner who's probably going to make a fool of herself."Laughing softly, she activated her blade and assumed a ready position. The togruta would not be the first to make a move in this.

"Call me Ery."

[member="Sorel Crieff"] | [member=Velus] | [member="Serana"] | [member="Lynn Corerunner"] | [member="Basaba Willamina"]

 

[Sorel Crieff]

Sorel held back. There was a logical desire to press on, to take their work to the next stage. But instead she gave them all the space to grow into what they had been shown. Some would be more advanced than others - which was fine. They could help in the development of those that had limited experience with a saber thus far.

[member="Ery'lyn Ashaal"] [member="Lynn Corerunner"] @Serana @Velus @Basaba Willamina

 

[Basaba Willamina]

[member="Velus"] [member="Sorel Crieff"]

She was looking at the jedi master teaching the class and all of it was there as the rmored woman remained there when he spoke up. "Very well." He seemed small while she stood there and wrapped her cybernetic hand around the hilt of the saber hollding it at the ready there. She had prepared for a duel and was looking at everything they could do. here. she had her hellmet and prepared for a duel to see the jedi padawan here with what she might be able to do.

 

[Serana]

[member="Sorel Crieff"]

She looked at the ones there who were pairing off and being the odd horse out the large Dek-Ya stood there looking at the jedi master as her saber was on her horn with a small look. "Ah master I don't have anyone ellse in here to pair off with." She said it while going over some of the things in her head and she was thinking about it while they all moved around. Allowing the force energie to whisper and let her body be focused. Her wings tucked in close to her sides, her tail swiching back and forth and mane off to one side.

 

[Krayzen Dratos]

From what he understood, [member="Ery'lyn Ashaal"] and [member="Lynn Corerunner"] had partnered up together, and [member="Basaba Willamina"] partnered up with the Rebel. He didn't know the man, but Velus made sure to examine his surroundings, always willing to use his environment to his advantage, no matter the case.

The Ephicanthix cracked his knuckles. He was not aware that his opponent had more experience with the force. If it had been a proper battle, Velus believed he would overwhelm him, but this was trying to fight the Jedi way, even though he disagreed with some of the strategies implemented by the SSJ.

"Nice to meet you." he said in a calm manner, two meters separating them, and Velus getting used to his grip. The grip was similar to a melee weapon he used to own, allowing him to be more familiar with using the weapon, but Velus knew it was a lightsaber, and so he had to be careful, or he could injure himself or someone else.

 

[Lynn Nantaris]

Lynn smiled at [member="Ery'lyn Ashaal"] as she accepted her offer. "Alright Ery, we can go slow and take our time. Not like we don't have the time." Lynn grabbed one of the training sabers and offered it to Ery, "Unless you already have one. Lets go over here so we can have room." As she walked with Ery to a more open area and drew one of her blasters and set it to it's lowest setting. "Ok, so should we start form 1 practice with deflecting blaster shots?"



[member="Sorel Crieff"]