Building a Saber for a Serpent Warrior

[Bleed Me A River]

After several missions, and a bounty or two of some nameless criminals, Grik has decided to upgrade his arsenal with a new lightsaber that better fits his personality and fighting style. He funded a small search for some focusing stones, resulting in the finds of two Damind crystals and a Dragite crystal. He was pleased with these finds and decided to utilize them in his new saber. Seeking guidance, he goes to the only mentor Grik thinks is worth his salt; Nox.

His mentor and friend, Nox, a Noghri Sith Assassin and mentor of Grik's since his first days on Korriban. Gaining a Barabel's trust was as easy as killing one, with nothing but your hands. He had gained his trust as a colleague and a mentor. Nox holds the key to Grik becoming a great and powerful Sith Warrior. He credits Nox for showing Grik his own potential with his teaching style. He waited for his mentor in one of the very rooms he was taught in by Nox. He sat, meditating as he waited eagerly for Nox to arrive.

 

[Omnis]

The creeping chill of Nox's Force signature preceded the masked Noghri himself. The atrium of his training complex, a wide circular room with a tall domed ceiling, seemed to grow darker as he came closer. The air started to constrict, losing heat, and to any normal person it may have felt as though the air was beginning to cling to their skin.

"Grik Volic," Nox whispered, his voice carrying through the room regardless of the low volume. "It is well to see you. Do not rise, there is no need. We will both be sitting."

Joining Grik on the floor, spaced a few feet away, Nox pulled a black bundle of leather and cloth out of his robe. Unfolding it on the floor, he revealed some standard parts to a lightsaber. A blade energy channel, a crystal mount, some power cells, power field conductor materials, and other similar components. Though he did have more materials, such as hilt construction parts, he left a lot of the primary materials in his robe for the time being. He expected that Grik would have his own crystal, maybe some other things as well. A lot of Sith liked to customize their hilts, as well.

"I have brought most of what you will need. I assume you have your own contributions. Show me."

 

[Bleed Me A River]

Not many things could break the Barabel's focus. Nox's force signature did, and he opened his eyes, and saw the Noghri approaching. As he sat, he re-positioned himself and greeted his mentor, "Nox, my friend. It is, likewise, well to see you."

Nox placed in front of them, a cloth, holding the many intricate pieces of a lightsaber. Grik picked through them, curiously for a moment before grabbing a sketch he made on some parchment and handing it to Nox. "This one has been doing some research on different designs, and have found the Crossguard Lightsaber to be something worth looking into. Here is a sketch of how I'd like it to be configured. This one will personally decorate it. This one also, has several focusing crystals. Two Damind Crystals and a Dragite crystal. This one wants to use the Dragite Crystal in the crossguard portion of the saber and both Damind crystals to be focused into the blade. What do you think of this?" Grik explained, then asked Nox for his input.

 

[Omnis]

"A Crossguard Lightsaber?" Nox asked, a bit taken aback. "Are you certain, Grik Volic? That design has been mostly unused for a long time, with seemingly fair reason. The extra materials can be utilized in yet another blade, as well as the utility of the design being proven small and sometimes counter productive."

The Crusader summoned his power to congeal around them, causing the components in front of them to float up into the air with telekinetic power. Taking the Damind crystals between a few gloved fingers, Nox examined them closely by bringing them closer to the empty visor of his mask.

"The Damind crystals are a good choice for the main portion of the blade. However, you are starting to cramp the design with power components if you really go for the Dragite crystal in the Crossguard portion. Your hilt would have to be significantly larger to compensate, which might cut into your use regarding your personal style. If you use one power source, you risk cutting some of the benefit of the Damind crystals be rerouting some power to the Dragite crystal. Otherwise, you would have to sacrifice one Damind crystal.

I would recommend staying with a normal blade design, with perhaps a curved hilt if you desired, and use both Damind crystals. We can certainly build a power source for both that would make them very useful together."

 

[Bleed Me A River]

Grik thought for a moment. He did have a valid argument. "What if this one made it possible to remove the crossguard for use as a shoto, or just to simply use the main saber as a regular blade? This one would like to use to sonic properties of the Dragite crystal. Perhaps, instead of using both on one weapon this one could utilize an offhand weapon, he could use them in tandem. What do you think? An offhand dagger would not necessarily need to be the sharpest, just able to utilize the sonic hum, and block and parry when needed."

 

[Omnis]

"That is an excellent idea," Nox said, nodding with more energy than he usually showed. A rasping hum left his throat, as he was pleased just thinking about the idea.

"The Dragite crystal would be perfect for the offhand dagger, solitary with its own power source. Your enemies would fear your block, as every successful parry would punish them in return for their aggression. Then, your primary saber will have room for both Damind crystals and utilize their full focusing power. Yes, I am much more pleased with that idea, Acolyte."

Even as he was saying the words, parts began to arrange in the air or fall back to the unfolded mat on the floor. Most of what they needed for both weapons were organized in a spaced out way, like a 3D hologram showing them each part without them being connected. Nox nodded to Grik.

"Now, show me where you wish to add your own components. Use your own telekinesis to put them in their relative spot, so I can see the design in my head. Then we will start."

 

[Bleed Me A River]

Grik took a moment and decided to simply just build a separate saber and shoto for independent use. He focused on the crystals, as well as the necessary parts for the shoto handle to the regular sabers hilt, which he aimed to make a bit lighter so he could effectively use the blade one handed. He weighted it slightly, because his physique allowed him to use heavier weapons than that of an average human. A human male of average size and stature would require two hands to wield his weapon. "This one is pleased with this decision." he said, regarding the saber and shoto mix. "This one doesn't suppose you know anything of Jar'kai, would you?" he asked.

 

[Omnis]

"I would not be a very effective Sith Assassin if I did not." Nox commented, drawing his lightsabers and whirling them around a few times. Loud buzzing filled the room as the lights of his blades blurred heavily before settling into stillness.

"Jar'Kai is a full style of combat, but it can be easily applied to multiple Forms or other styles. For this reason, Jar'Kai has become fairly common.

You must start with a few principles. First, your second blade will be more of a hindrance to you than a boon until you learn greater control. It will feel awkward and potentially get in the way. It is even easier to cut yourself with your second blade than it was with your first when you started learning back at the very beginning of your training with a lightsaber. Second, a second blade is primarily used for defense unless you are putting up a dedicated hard offensive. Third, your dedicated hard offenses should be relentless, merciless, and direct. A hard offensive flurry should be frontal, spread somewhat like a wave, and overpower your enemy more with your speed than with your strength.

If you need more strength, for a block or a strike, use both blades on conjunction. Practicing that will be crucial to mounting an effective joint technique."

Nox slipped into his opening Ataru stance, his robes failing to make any noise as his posture changed.

"I will use my single blade for now. You practice with both blades, attempting to block my more cunning attacks with your shoto or lock my blade with your shoto and follow up with an attack I can't avoid."

What he failed to tell Grik just yet was any of the inherent weaknesses in the style, and how the Ataru he would be using was well suited to breaking Jar'Kai. He wouldn't exploit it unless necessary, to save his own hide or prove a point, but it was an option he kept open for the time being.

Nox lunged forward, extending his blade forward with both hands, then ripped his blade up at Grik's face after. With his blade already left high, he pulled down hard on the hilt and sent it crashing back at the Barabel with great power.

 

[Bleed Me A River]

Grik listened and took into account what Nox had to say, being thankful that he would not have to go out and seek a Jar'kai practitioner. "This one understands." he said as he gets into a comfortable guard position with his defensive guard forward of his body. His shoto ignited with the high pitched hum. "That will take some getting used to." he said, grimacing slightly as it stung his ears. He readied himself and dodged the initial strike, then parrying, locked blades and then flourishes, getting himself into Nox's gaurd, delivering an underhanded strike to the throat with his new dark red colored saber blade, stopping short, so as not to decapitate his mentor. He grinned and hissed with content at how easily he could transition from a parry to a strike by locking blades with his defensive blade, leaving opponents open, if he could react in the allotted time.

 

[Omnis]

Nox backed away, both from the offending lightsaber that had slipped past his defenses right along his own avenue of attack and from the high pitched sound that emitted from the shoto when he own blade had locked against it.

"Good," Nox said, nodding. The motion was a bit heavier than usual, partially so he could try to clear his head of the sound at the same time as making the gesture. Though he had his own high pitched shriek for offensive purposes, created with the Dark Side, it was not quite the same. Something about the sound coming from a different source made it more unbearable. "You're picking up quickly. Now, be mindful of Jar'kai's weaknesses. For example, when I attack with a single blade I can put more power into it with both hands than you can use to block with one, generally speaking. To compensate, you may sometimes need to use both blades to block a single strike."

Nox took another step back and, without warning, lifted one hand into the air so that Grik would follow. A quick burst of power hit Grik from below, briefly flipping him into the air. It was nothing the Barabel couldn't recover from quickly.

"The other weakness in Jar'kai that you must be mindful of is that it tends to take your focus away from using the Force more externally. This can be a great oversight in combat, as more inclined combatants will exploit it relentlessly."

 

[Bleed Me A River]

Nodding quietly, but flinched as he was lifted into the air, hissing with brief dismay, but recovering as he came close to the ground, he landed on his feet in a crouching position, he stood up and turned to his master. "This one understands. Would there be any differences in stance or movement with two full-sized lightsabers? Are there added benefits or drawbacks from switching between an offhand shoto and a full length saber?"

 

[Omnis]

"One might keep their feet closer in their stance with a shoto, in order to have more leverage when blocking. Naturally, that will decrease the power of your strikes unless you open yourself up again. However, it is not necessary to really change your movement drastically with the new style. With two full-sized lightsabers, one's stance is generally more open and the movements perhaps a bit more broad.

As for switching, I would only recommend that after gaining mastery over one or the other. You do not want your body to become confused during combat, as muscle memory can be a powerful thing to contend with. It is best to make your first style instinctual, then work on a new one. Other than that, I wouldn't say it mattered much either way."

Nox brought out his other saber and whirled both of them around for a moment, bringing them up to bear in front of himself.

"What do you think, Grik Volic? Do you wish to practice Jar'kai against more Jar'kai?"

 

[Bleed Me A River]

Grik would take a moment to himself to let what he's been told to sink in. Saber and shoto in hand, he assumes a stance with his lead saber forward of his defensive shoto. Attempting strikes from various stances, until he was comfortable with it, he sissed contently, then did the same with both of his sabers, swinging them independently and together, to simulate strikes he would use in combat. Once he was comfortable he nodded his head to Nox and got into position. "This one is ready." he said, and got down into a stance with both sabers in a ready position.

 

[Omnis]

Running forward to engage Grik, Nox led his first assault with a horizontal swing of his left lightsaber. The cut would be from Nox's left to right, aiming just below Grik's chest. As that strike came forward, Nox lifted his right blade to stab at Grik's chest from the other side. However, before his right blade came within nine inches of the Barabel's chest, Nox whipped around on his heels and spun to his left with both blades. His left blade angled in so that it could free itself from any potential lock up, then swung back out wide as Nox came around to meet the Barabel's resistance again.

Hacking upwards at an angle with great strength, he prepared for his lightsabers to meet with Grik's and create an awful sound from the shoto. However, instead of letting the ringing crystal stun him for a moment or cause a flinch he would use the power at his disposal, as well as great momentum and leverage, to lift the Barabel off of the floor temporarily with the force of his doubled swing and send the Acolyte flying back.

 

[Bleed Me A River]

Grik charged at Nox as well, before dashing to his left side as a combination of a horizontal swing and a thrust was sent his way. Utilizing his shotos sonic properties, he parried and moved the blade in a circular motion, while his saber went in at an angle underneath Nox's right guard, hopefully having distracted him with the piercing hum of his shoto. He would use the momentum from the double strike to, effectively, bounce backward, performing a handspring type maneuver to maintain his footing, after which he dashed back into the fray, swinging his primary blade at a downward angle.

 

[Omnis]

The Barabel dashed to the left, only causing a slight alteration in Nox's first attack as he better angled his first swing and thrust to attack. Grik moved his shoto to parry in a circular motion, but as Nox's right blade retreated as it was meant to the smaller sonic blade met nothing but air. With just a bit less distance to rotate since his opponent had moved off to the side he was ultimately going to spin around to, Nox's double strike came in faster than the Barabel was able to count on. The Noghri was able to avoid the underhanded strike to his right side as he spun, dodging out of the way with a slight lean of his torso as he added more torque to the spin from his waist.

Intending to handspring back away from Nox, but caught offguard, the Barabel was thrown heavily through the air without the chance to recover so easily. However, Nox did not pursue and instead let the Barabel pick himself up to charge in once more. As Grik swung down at an angle, Nox threw up his left blade to parry and ducked underneath the saber lock to move around Grik. His left foot remained wide of Grik's right side, while his right foot swung inwards toward his own left foot then out past Grik's right foot so that it would end up just behind the Acolyte. As the assassin moved, twisting underneath Grik's arm so that he could end up behind the formidable Barabel warrior, it appeared that his right saber was going to come across Grik's midsection and try to cut him in half there. However, Nox retracted his blade toward himself instead so that Grik would miss again when he went to parry with his shoto.

Once behind the taller warrior, Nox turned and made a mock strike to the scaled man's back while retracting his left lightsaber from the block with a downward swing. He immediately threw up both of his lightsabers in a cross block, ready for the aggressive Acolyte to turn around and begin an assault in response.

---

OOC: The point of this post was to show you how, in the vagueness of your reply, you basically neglected certain facets of my attack against you. This is just an educational post, so there's no need to worry about your character being harmed or going back to do edits. Let's do a breakdown of what happened, so you can see how an OOC thread might discuss how a round of PvP just went and why a certain character is going to come out on top of that round.

1. You narrated Grik dashing to the left, which is good, but failed to mention if there was any distance made there and if or how it would have prevented any of Nox's attacks from still happening.

2. Though you mentioned both my horizontal swing and my right handed stab, your "parry" was too vague. It did not mention, other than a "circular motion," how it was parrying my attack. Were you parrying just the left, just the right, or both? It doesn't say. Because of that vagueness, and because I narrated my character retracting his right blade before trying to make contact but you failed to mention that in your own reply, I'm able to assume that the shoto never made contact with either of them. That's because if you don't mention being able to tell that the right blade was going to retract, then have to assume he was going to try to parry that. However, since it was no longer there, his shoto missed. The shoto would have been closer to that blade than the left horizontal swing, so by the time he misses that the left swing could have already happened (which may have ended the fight right there, to be honest).

3. Speaking in hypotheticals here: Since I have just successfully tricked your character, as in the last two points, I might now assume that my next attack can connect too. Depending on whether you accepted the left swing connecting or how an admin ruled on that strike, your character could still be in the fight. But in my haste to finish off your character, I assume he's caught off guard. It's not a totally wrong train of thought, but you did put a response to that attack in your reply. You would be able to contest my response on having Grik be thrown back without a chance to recover, and an admin would have to rule on that.

For now, let's continue as is. Grik isn't harmed, so we lose nothing from moving on. I've made my next attack a bit complex/tricky, so don't be afraid to contact me about getting some clarification. In essence, this move is a blend of a martial arts technique and some cinematic swordplay that I've practiced, so I'll be able to explain it a bit more basically if clarification is needed. If not, then we can proceed as normal.

 

[Bleed Me A River]

Having been knocked back into a pillar, Grik was slightly dazed. He readied himself, but noticed the Noghri was not in front of him, so instinctively, he whipped his tail in a wide, quick sweep, at the Noghri's feet, before turning to the right and blocking the oncoming strike. He would then use his twisting momentum to somersault to the side and dash back into the fray, attacking ferociously with three diagonal strikes and a thrust kick to the midsection of his opponent, then defensively covering out of range before striking again, with a simple, horizontal slash and a thrust with his shoto, guarding with his main blade as he did so.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
OOC: Sorry for the vagueness of my posts. I appreciate the insight and I'll try to make use of what you've told me, in the future, as I do wish for this character to be a decent PvPer. I'm dead tired after martial arts, so if you haven't seen this before I edit, I plan to add more. I just wanted to respond before it escaped my mind.

 

[Omnis]

Instead of jumping or dodging the tail sweep, Nox wound up with a heavy kick and booted the thing as it came around. It wasn't particularly effective, but it was a way to deal with the problem without going airborne or sacrificing his position. He kept his eyes on the Barabel as the Acolyte somersaulted away, then dashed back at him to engage once again.

Nox whipped his blades back and forth to parry the three diagonal strikes, hammering against them as much as Grik was bearing down with them. Both fighters would be taxed physically that way. Grik's kick came in, which was foolish because he had not yet pinned down Nox's lightsabers. The Noghri made a small leap back to avoid the kick, flipping his lightsabers down to make another mock strike at Grik's leg. When the Barabel followed up with a slash and a thrust from the shoto, Nox was careful to avoid parrying it.

It was wise of Grik to use the shoto offensively for a moment, guarding with his main lightsaber. That made it difficult for Nox to deal with the shoto, plus bypass Grik's defense to score another hit. Instead of blocking, Nox crouched extremely low to duck the blow and force Grik to thrust at an odd direction. Expelling a torrent of energy from his body, Nox became a blur as he pushed out to the side when the thrust came. His body and legs all leaned way off to his left, but his arms straightened out to the right to strike at Grik's extended elbow. The agile Crusader rolled away regardless of the success of his strike, popping up into a ready position with his blades crossed and ready to guard again.

 

[Bleed Me A River]

Quickly retracting his thrust as Nox ducked his thrust, Grik came down with a heavy, though controlled, vertical strike at his kneeling opponent, but missed as the Noghri rolled out from underneath the strike, to assume a stance with crossed blades. Grik would follow, attacking vertically, on a circular plane, winding after each strike, while guarding with his shoto. Following up with the vertical strikes, he rolled his body to the left and spun into a third strike with the main saber, then changing the plane of attack to a 45 degree strike and finally, a completely horizontal strike with the shoto as the saber recoils from either Grik stopping his strike that might have landed or was blocked by his mentor.

 

[Omnis]

The Barabel was latching onto the aggressive principles of Ataru incredibly fast. The quicker that Nox ramped up the challenge on the younger reptilian, the faster Grik excelled. It was an astounding process for Nox to see. He had no doubt in his mind that Grik would become one of the most formidable Crusaders in modern day. With potential like his, the Barabel had the opportunity to rise extremely high. The Noghri instructor found himself hoping the young Barabel would get that far.

Throwing up both blades, Nox parried the vertical strikes by catching them between both blades. His crossed guard dipped down each time Grik wound his blade around, then pushed up again as the blade came crashing down for the next strike. As Grik rolled to the left, Nox took one step back and prepared for the next blow. The angled attack came in and Nox caught it with both blades once again, twisting this time to draw the Barabel's arm down and across his own torso so that it would interfere with Grik's offhand arm. The motion would block Grik's ability to swing with his shoto as intended. Immediately, the Noghri pushed down even harder with both of his long blades. He twisted hard at the hip to fight Grik's own leverage, digging in hard with his stable foot and bringing the other up to lash out behind Grik's knee. If delivered correctly, the kick would slam against the Barabel's tendons and cause some severe, but mercifully temporary, dead leg.

"You've done better than expected." Nox hissed in satisfaction.