[Ask]A Matter of Survival

[Cap'n Hobbes]

Vance was anxious as he strode up and down the library in the academy looking for new techniques to learn. He knew his time was limited ever since he had signed up for the new tournament. There was nothing like an impending fight to the death to stimulate the nerves. A few techniques had come to mind, but he had no idea if he could master them by the time the tournament started. Having picked the tomes he needed he set off to an unoccupied table and began to read on how to use the force to cloak ones presence and to cast illusions. He had thought that they would be a potent combination for the death match he was soon to be in.

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Even though he had an impressive personal collection of books, scrolls and holocrons, Sin'ryk had also liked to peruse the Academy libraries for any scrap of knowledge he had yet to possess; such was his obsession with the pursuit of knowledge. Given his rank within the Order, the Red Sith was free to peruse any text he so decided. Yet it seemed there was no fruit that could be harvested this day; yet the Arcanist didn't feel disappointed...its seems he was due to plant a few seeds of his own. Within his Force Sight, he had seen an Acolyte race to a seat with many texts in his hand. His curiosity piqued, Sin'ryk strode over to see what this Human was up to; his Force essence conveyed a sense of urgency and desperation....something was clearly on this one's mind. Ever sensitive to the needs of others, the Arcanist strode over to the Human; with a stroke of his tendril, he then spoke.

"Seeking wisdom in the ways of illusion are we?"

 

[Cap'n Hobbes]

Vance had decided to read up on causing illusions first. It seemed the more interesting of the two subjects he had chosen and felt that it would be the more flexible. He had been so engrossed in his work that he didn't notice the Red Sith approach until he spoke. Vance jumped as the silence of the library was broken, but cursed himself for being so narrow minded. He knew for a fact that would get him killed in the tournament. Looking up he noticed that it was Sin'ryk who spoke and smiled. He normally learned beter on his own, but now was not the time to show his arrogance.

"Greetings Master Sin'ryk, yes I am," Vance's nerves were already to the breaking point but he hesitated before babbling on, "I'm looking for ways to protect myself in the upcoming death tournament, could you help in any way?"

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Sin'ryk stroked his facial tendrils; this was truly vital, he deigned to give the participants in this tournament as much a fighting chance as possible. He spoke with words that conveyed openness.

"You will need as many tricks as you can in order to help you with the coming task."

The Red Sith then gestured for Vance to follow him, this would require practical work to engrain.

"Come with me, let us speak precisely of what you seek."

 

[Cap'n Hobbes]

Vance was glad that Sin'ryk was going to teach him. The books he had been reading really didn't say much as to how to cast an illusion, but rather more along the lines of the theory behind them. He had no idea on how to make one, but with Sin'ryk he was hopeful. He followed the Red Sith out of the library wondering where they were going to go to start.

"Well," he started as they walked the halls of the academy, "I would like to know how to use illusions in tandem with either my lightsaber or blaster." He had given it much thought. As it was however, his impending death had clouded his mind making it difficult for him to think of anything else.

However he did think on what he had read before Sin'ryk whisked him from the library, "Is it true that illusions work best when it's something that the person expects to happen?" He asked suddenly remembering what he had read. He had no idea how to make something like that happen, however with the Red Sith helping he would make it work.

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

As the two began to walk along, Sin'ryk proceeded to answer the Human's questions; any question was valid in his eyes.

"It is often a good place to begin, to trick your opponent to leaving themselves open to your next blow. Illusions can also be woven to terrify or fool your opponents; those ones always seem to work on the more superstitious cultures within the wider galaxy. As for the matter of using illusions in conjunction with a weapon, it will be difficult, given that one requires concentration to maintain it."

That was when a question came to the Red Sith; he knew how pivotal it was to ensure it.

"Tell me what you've learned of the theory of illusions. To understand the root of the technique is to protect yourself from its vines."

 

[Cap'n Hobbes]

Vance rolled the question in his mind as they continued to walk. The book he had read had explained the theory of casting illusions in great detail, but it had been rather confusing for Vance. He had only kept a handful of words in his head. Books were not his specialty, he learned best through experience.

"Not much," Vance admited, "only that an illusion works best if you understand what you're trying to create and if it's an event the person you're trying to fool expects to happen. "

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

As Sin'ryk listened to the Acolyte speak of what theory he had retained, the two found themselves at the training room that they required. As the Red Sith placed his hand on the door, he began to go into detail of the next entailment.

"True enough, but there are a few things that you are forgetting. One, is that illusions are powerful mind tricks; they work best when your will is strongest. It is also not just expectation that you draw upon, but fear; with illusions, you breathe life into that which makes their blood run cold."

He then gestured for Vance to enter, he then began to ask a question.

"As you enter, tell me of the other potential applications of forging illusions. It is in this circumstance where imagination is truly key."