The Moderation Form

[Lilla Syrin]

“For superior balance, use the Niman form. This form has no specific strengths, but no weaknesses either.”
― Kavar

It would have been easy for Lilla to dismiss the sixth Form before a lesson started. Her research had not been precisely positive in reference to the Form, despite what should have been a promising style.

As she bowed and then put her cloak and bag to one side, she awaited her Master’s usual opening – ready to share all she knew before he demonstrated the Form in practise.

She wondered if he would change his approach from time to time, to keep things fresh. But he was a creature of habit – as most inhabitants of the galaxy were. Even those that mixed things up were playing to type – just a different type.

Once he’d grabbed two training sabers from the wall, he smiled and then spoke the words she was expecting. “So, tell me what you know..”

 

[Lilla Syrin]

“Form VI, also known as Niman, the Way of the Rancor, the Moderation Form, and the Diplomat’s Form, is the sixth form of the seven forms and more often than not the last one to be taught – given the challenges of the seventh.”

“It is a hybrid – created by effectively combining elements of the preceding saber forms into a single, generalized form. So, on paper, Niman balances out the various specialisations of the other Forms. It shares many of the basic moves, and focuses on overall moderation.”

“This means we have a Form that lacks a significant or specific advantage, but also avoids any serious drawbacks. Users are not as exposed as some of the more aggressive or specialized Forms. In truth, it has a fairly relaxed focus on bladework, designed as a simple, easily mastered fighting form. Which is why it is often referred to as the Diplomat’s Form. It is considered appropriate for Jedi who prefer to devote most of their time to study and diplomacy.”

“Yet, some skilled duellists used it. Exar Kun for one.”

“Where it places its focus is on training encouraged to allow inclusion of Force-based attacks in combat, such as telekinetic pulls and shoves. Which, become powerful when used in sync with lightsaber strikes.”

“And it is also popular for use with dual-blades and is ideal for those that was to use intuition and creativity in combat, rather than the rote responses common to the other forms.”

“Yet it is not so common and not held in high regard. Why is that Master?”

 

[Lilla Syrin]

Lilla did not typically ask Mei such direct questions, especially on qualitative or subjective matters. But she found no satisfactory answers in the library.

“There is no simple answer,” Mei said, interested that Lilla should have asked such a searching question so early in their lesson. “And so I can only share my experiences and opinions.”

“Firstly, it is considered a ‘poor Jedi’s’ Soresu, which never helps. Next it is thought of as a ‘jack-of-all-trades’ Form, which again, will put Jedi off.”

“Some say it is insufficiently demanding – yet was, for a while, the most common Form used. But perhaps most damning was the fact that it was found to be inadequate on the open battlefields of the Clone Wars. Why? It is only conjecture, but those that practised the sixth Form died in battle and so it was condemned as inadequate without ever identifying the 'why'.”

“But let’s spar and perhaps we can make our own minds up this way?”

 

[Lilla Syrin]

Mei activated his blade and threw the other to Lilla.

“The opening stance of the Niman form is wide and open, with the blade held out from the body in a one-handed grip, the blade angled upwards and back, while the off-hand is folded across the chest. Your feet need to be evenly spaced.”

Mei demonstrated and then adopted another stance.

“Alternatively, hold the blade at head-height in a two-handed grip, angled upwards and slightly in, with the dominant foot placed forwards.”

“Or,” and Mei changed position again. “A third position is a two-handed low guard, with the hilt held at waist height in both hands, blade held back and to the side, angled downwards, with your feet closely spaced.”

Mei coached Lilla in the stances and once he was satisfied she was comfortable, he moved on.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

“In keeping with the tactic of incorporating Force powers into combat, two primary Form VI manoeuvres, are the ‘draw closer’ and the ‘pushing slash’ – which you can probably guess as to their moves.”

Mei demonstrated. Firstly by telekinetically seizing Lilla and pulling her into the path of his blade. Then he slammed her with a Force push after scoring an attack.

They spent the remainder of the lesson sparring in general and utilising these two moves regularly.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

The following day, Lilla was intrigued to see that her Master held four blades as he waited to begin the lesson.

“Given the Form is derived from a fighting style centred around the use of dual-blades, I thought we would stray into the practise of Jar’Kai. The second blade is in fact a shoto – a short lightsaber held in the off-hand. The smaller blade is easier to handle. It takes many years to master this style, but it is useful to at least understand the options it affords, and the weaknesses it has. And how better than to actually use the Form itself.”

“Interestingly, the Jar'Kai style was named after a city on Atrisia. The city of Jar'Kai was also the site where the original Jar'Kai dueling sabers were crafted. The style predates sabers and was initially performed with swords.”

“The key strength of dual-blades is to maintain a strong offence. The speed of attack that two blades allows can overwhelm most opponents. Alternatively you can continually attack with one blade while relying on the other for defence. This way you can keep up your guard even as you attack. But most use both blades for offensive purposes, keeping up a continuous wave-front assault.”

“Another advantage is that the two blades make it easier to hold off multiple opponents, as one simply has more blades to parry with. And of course, dual blades can also be used as a defensive or compensatory measure when engaging another opponent who utilises multiple blades.”

They sparred in general and Lilla found the second blade a distraction at first, and held the shoto not as a weapon at all, not able to combine its use into either defence or attack.

 

[Lilla Syrin]

By the third day, Lilla was able to use both blades.

“I think you are ready for specific moves now,” Kei said. “The ‘Rising Whirlwind’.” He demonstrated by swinging both his blades about his body, creating a ‘whirlwind’ of deadly attacks.

Then he demonstrated the ‘Twin Strike’. Here both blades were swung in an arc towards the opponent in a deadly power attack.

“Although we have begun this style as a result of the sixth Form, Jar'Kai can be easily adapted to other styles. Makashi lends itself well. Ataru of course. Vaapad too.”

“And so to its weaknesses. Care to share your thoughts?”

Lilla continued to spar as she spoke. It was part of the training, to hold a deep conversation at the same time as fighting. “I suspect I might focus too much on my blade-work, and pay too little attention to the Force.”

Mei nodded.

“And given each blade requires a hand to use, it is not possible to implement two handed blows, or blocks and parries for that matter.”

Again, Mei nodded. “So, have you come to a conclusion as to which Form you wish to specialise in. Or Forms?”