Saber Combat Class: Force Integration

[Darius]

During your evening meal a small youngling delvers a message to you, Adonia Xylona has invited you to a class covering a unique style of saber combat, and she would be honored if you would attend. The young boy hands you small handwritten map which leads you into the swamp and up to the into the mountains, the climb on the rarely touched trails your path snakes high above the jungle canopy below, taking care not to slip to your death you finally round the mountain pass to find a arena lit by stone torches. The area is vast it is clear that this place served as some sort of meeting place in Naboo's long past. in the center a great boulder stands as a natural monolith to the entire area, there you find Knight Xylona meditating on top, preparing herself for the task at hand. As you enter the area the sun rises peaking over the jungle horizon to the west.​

 

[Tank]

Bet’aani climbed through the swampy jungle with ease. Her year stint on Duunir had taught her to deal with all types of terrain. She loved the atmosphere and was pleased to have received an invitation from the Jedi Knight. Bet’aani had only been on Naboo a few weeks but had already met a few other Jedi. She had not had the privilege of meeting this particular knight before and had unfortunately forgotten her name already. Bet’aani arrived at the location specified on the map and took a moment to catch her breath. She’d not lost her shape since her month off of Duunir but she had lost a little of her stamina.

Bet’aani spotted the Knight atop a boulder in the middle of what appeared to be a meeting area. She trudged up to the foot of the boulder and bowed before the Knight. She lifted her head and smiled to the other woman.

“My name is Ember, but as I received a message from you, I’m sure you already knew that.” She let out a small giggle. “I’m pleased to be here, thank you for having me. Um, slightly awkward but, in my hike up here I’ve forgotten your name. Would you mind repeating it for me?”

Bet’aani knew it wouldn’t make a good impression not remembering a Knights name, but now that she’d asked she wouldn’t be caught with her pants down later if she was asked to repeat it. She pulled her practice sabers out from inside her blouse and hooked them on her belt. It was the first time she’d worn them openly since Duunir. She would never use a full power lightsaber. She treasured life too much to carry a weapon that could take it so easily. They hung loosely from her belt. It felt good. If felt natural.

 

[AlecaiWhite]

"Shebs!" Cursed Davin as his foot sunk yet again into another of the scum covered pools that littered the ground under the towering trees of the swamps of Naboo. He hadn't been here long and already he was greatly disliking the swamp. Pulling his foot out of the water he continued on his way, snaking between the obvious and concealed pools. As he walked he pulled the map from his pocket checking his bearings and making sure that he was walking in the right direction. He was honored that he had been chosen to take part in this training, not having a master any training he received was greatly welcomed.

The trail soon changed, become steeper and more rocky as the swamps and forests fell away to a much more mountainous terrain. The paths were well hidden, almost impossible to detect but with the help of the handwritten map Davin only got lost twice. The day was waning, the sun setting as he edged carefully along a thin path that ended in what must be their training area, the climb had taken its toll on him and Davin was breathing quite heavily. Atop the monolithic stone at the center of the stone clearing Davin spotted the knight who must be their teacher. He looked about as he stepped into the clearing and noticed another figure possibly the Padawan of the knight who was meditating. Quietly he walked forward and stood away from the other Padawan bowing slightly towards them, and then towards the meditating figure as a sign of respect.

"Padawan Cort. Thank you for inviting me Master Xylona" He stood there keeping quiet, totally unsure what to say in the presence of the other two.

 

[StandbyRanger]

Training, training, training. That's all Rane had been doing for his time on Naboo. His training had taken him all along the planet, through marshes, forests, and valleys, every part of the world he had seen. He had not seen the view off the edge of a mountain, however. Now Rane was staring straight off the side of one while he was climbing up, "Of all places we could've gone to train, this Knight chooses to send us threw a freaking mountain." Rane was gripping tightly to a protruding rock as he turned a corner on the pass, "Please don't slip, please don't slip, please don't..." Rane's foot slipped off the edge of the mountain pass, causing a piece of the ground to fall far below. He, however, was able to keep his grip, saving him from falling to his death. As the Jedi's feet found traction again, a sigh of relief was exhaled. He would have to be more careful.

Eventually, Rane found himself in a arena, a very old arena by the looks of it. It was empty apart from three figures further in. Rane made his way towards them. One of the figures, a human, had a Force presence much stronger than the others, so this must be the teacher Rane was looking for. Approaching Knight Adonia, Rane bowed in respect, "My name is Padawan Vastra, I'm hoping to join your class."

 

[Jaime]

The slope leading up the mountainside was built narrowly into its side; something that Cal-doran did not like one bit. He had never been afraid of heights, but this was different; it was quite a long drop. The Jedi slowly took step by step, his leather boots not slipping to much as he climbs the narrow, improvised staircase. He stops for a moment, breathing heavily. Calm yourself, Cal. You have got this. This is a test. This assumed Knight is testing your resolve, mentally and physically. Or maybe this is a trap for the unwary. Cal chuckled darkly, softly saying "Quite the trap, if it is..."

Soon, Cal-doran reached the top of the stair, clinging to the wall still, attempting to laugh but not succeeding; the air was close up here, and the climb was long, and slightly terrifying. He was in no good humor.

The Jedi eyed the meeting area curiously, ran his hand along the main, central rock, before he noticed Ember speaking with someone on the top of the rock, along with two other padawans. He slowly approached and stood to the side, allowing the three to communicate with the Jedi Knight in a meditating position. She must be the one who called us here. Looks young. Slightly attractive. Those tattoos... I've seen them before. Tribal markings. Cal crossed his arms while thinking and waiting for Ember and the rest to notice him, his robes flapping loudly in the mountain wind and his unkempt hair doing the same.

 

[Darius]

Adonia continued to meditate as she could sense her new students making their way up the mountain to the arena, she could sense that some of them were not exactly fans of such a climb but her desired effect it seemed to have gone nicely. Life was tough, and anything worth having was not easy to get to, and the same went for knowledge, you had to temper you body before you could broaden your mind, these were some of the keystone theory of being a consular, and while the odds of any of these Jedi wanting to become a Consular it was still a good lesson to learn.

The First to arrive was Ember the young padawan with a hair of fire, Adonia had gotten word over her thoughts of the force, they were much like her own at that age and as such the Knight felt she was a prime candidate for this class. "Ahh young Ember I assure to Honor is all mine, many of the knights here speak highly of you, but don't let that go to your head, you still have much to learn." With posed with the question of her identity Adonia laughed slightly to herself, "It's quite alright, I am Adonia Xylona Jedi knight and your teacher for this morning, ahh and I see the rest of you class mates are not too far behind." Adonia finished as she nodded to more student arriving around the mountain pass.

The next to arrive was the green skinned mandalorion, Adonia knew that no matter what supposed imperfection he might have had, he still had the aggression of his people and that was also a burden Adonia knew all to well, and she would gladly help him where she could. "Your quite Welcome Davin, now gather around your just in time."

Adonia returned Rane's bow and smiled, "Your more than welcome to join us young one, I was expecting you." Adonia spoke while outstretching her hand with a welcoming gesture. Rane was the one padawan the Adonia knew the least about but she knew that was because of his planets upbringing, there simply were not that many knight that had come across him, but with a little help Adonia had plans to change that.

Adonia looked up to see the last of their company walking in from the pass, while outwardly silent, she could sense that he was very pensive of something. "Cal-doran while I hate to interrupt your inquisitive nature, we have a class to start so if you would please join the rest of the group." As Adonia walked toward a more clear part of the arena she did still one more glance in his direction, something did seem familiar about him, something she did not pick up on while reading his file earlier in the week, yet time would only tell what that could be.



"Welcome young ones to your force integration class, while every Jedi knows how to wield a lightsaber in some manner what really sets each Jedi apart is his or her own unique style and utilization. The Idea is wide and many Jedi choose their own path in this respect. Know that fighting and using the force at the same time is very taxing on your mind and body, it was never meant to process so much information at once, and this is why we Jedi must trust in the force." Adonia walked toward two circles which intersected each other and then pointed to an identical collection of circles to her right." I will ask that each of you enter one circle, you will then choose your preferred saber style and spar, you are not out to kill this is merely a dance to stretch your idea of force utilization, around the circles you will find ten candle stands each, they will randomly appear lit and you must pass through them without cutting them, this will teach you the basics of Trakata.

"Trakata is the art of turning your saber off during a fight to knock you opponent of balance and force them into mistakes, this skill is not to be don't on impulse its a planned reaction to a perceived fault, to be used properly you must first study your opponent, then strike. now using your training saber at quarter output I want you to begin, remember this is not a fight its a dance, make your attacks and blocks obvious. if you touch a light pole it will ring out, so need need to try to cheat."


The first setting had one light pole rising at each students 12:00 and then three second later alternation to their 7:00, this would keep happening until Adonia could see they got the concept, "Cort and ember together, the other two the same. remember to study your opponent, outmaneuver him, and walk him into your trap."

 

[Jaime]

Cal-doran snorted back a laugh when the Knight addressed him much more differently than anyone else. Is it because I'm Coruscanti? He could not help it that time, a chuckle escaping his mouth. After the Knight walked past them, Cal tried to sneak a peak from behind but was too late; she had already turned around to face them. "Welcome young ones to your Force integration class, while every Jedi knows how to wield a lightsaber in some manner what really sets each Jedi apart is his or her own unique style and utilization. The Idea is wide and many Jedi choose their own path in this respect. Know that fighting and using the Force at the same time is very taxing on your mind and body, it was never meant to process so much information at once, and this is why we Jedi must trust in the Force." Cal-doran crossed his arms, his robes still flapping in the dry mountain air. Noticing Ember not too far off, he nods to her in a matter of greeting. She must have got here after days earlier. Somehow that did not feel right, though; she looked tired even now, as if she had just made the climb today. Shaking his head, Cal returned his attention to Knight Xylona.

The Jedi Knight was now gesturing toward two circles that stood side by side, barren and empty. "I will ask that each of you enter one circle, you will then choose your preferred saber style and spar, you are not out to kill this is merely a dance to stretch your idea of force utilization, around the circles you will find ten candle stands each, they will randomly appear lit and you must pass through them without cutting them, this will teach you the basics of Trakata. Trakata is the art of turning your saber off during a fight to knock you opponent of balance and force them into mistakes, this skill is not to be don't on impulse its a planned reaction to a perceived fault, to be used properly you must first study your opponent, then strike. now using your training saber at quarter output I want you to begin, remember this is not a fight its a dance, make your attacks and blocks obvious. if you touch a light pole it will ring out, so need need to try to cheat."

Cal-doran raised his hand in a questioning manner. "Forgive the interruption, Knight Xylona, but how does one practice in lightsaber combat without a blade? I find myself lacking." He grins sarcastically.

 

[Tank]

"Ahh young Ember I assure to Honor is all mine, many of the knights here speak highly of you, but don't let that go to your head, you still have much to learn. It's quite alright, I am Adonia Xylona Jedi knight and your teacher for this morning, ahh and I see the rest of you class mates are not too far behind." Ember’s cheeks grew red at the Knight’s praise. Then they grew redder at the embarrassment of being known by the Knight but not knowing the Knight. She made it up in her mind to learn the names and histories of as many Knights and Masters as she could when she returned home.

“Thank you Knight Xylona. You have a beautiful name. I’m looking forward to the training session today.” Ember said and bowed. She turned to position herself near another or the Padawans. Someone else she didn’t know. Luckily the Padawan introduced himself as Cort and Ember made a point to remember his name as well as Vastra’s name, who joined shortly after Cort. Luckily Ember knew Cal, and could see him approaching cautiously. Xylona gave a small welcome to each of them and soon moved on to giving them instructions.

"Welcome young ones to your force integration class, while every Jedi knows how to wield a lightsaber in some manner what really sets each Jedi apart is his or her own unique style and utilization. The Idea is wide and many Jedi choose their own path in this respect. Know that fighting and using the force at the same time is very taxing on your mind and body, it was never meant to process so much information at once, and this is why we Jedi must trust in the force. I will ask that each of you enter one circle, you will then choose your preferred saber style and spar, you are not out to kill this is merely a dance to stretch your idea of force utilization, around the circles you will find ten candle stands each, they will randomly appear lit and you must pass through them without cutting them, this will teach you the basics of Trakata. Trakata is the art of turning your saber off during a fight to knock you opponent of balance and force them into mistakes, this skill is not to be don't on impulse its a planned reaction to a perceived fault, to be used properly you must first study your opponent, then strike. now using your training saber at quarter output I want you to begin, remember this is not a fight its a dance, make your attacks and blocks obvious. if you touch a light pole it will ring out, so need need to try to cheat. Cort and ember together, the other two the same. Remember to study your opponent, outmaneuver him, and walk him into your trap." Ember processed all the information and thought with her Jar’Kai method Trakata might be particularly useful. It would be particularly confusing to an enemy and beneficial to her if she could keep control of her saber. Ember had spent the past year pushing her body to its limits, this exercise may not push her physically but it would more than push her mentally. The intricacies of saber combat were very complex and it took great mental dexterity to keep up with them. She hadn’t practiced her mind the way she needed to and as a result the upcoming sparring match was worrying Ember. Before Ember could get into position Cal spoke up.

"Forgive the interruption, Knight Xylona, but how does one practice in lightsaber combat without a blade? I find myself lacking." Cal’s grin was obviously sarcastic and Ember thought there may be a bit of malice behind it. Ember decided that if there was some tension between the two it would be best if she defused it.

“I got your back Cal.” Ember pulled out her spare saber and tossed it to him. “I hope you don’t mind purple.”

Ember gave him a broad smile and pulled off her robe as she prepared for the sparring match. She had hoped to learn these techniques with her primary saber form, Jar’Kai but she settled with practicing her Soresu. She turned to face Cort and made sure she was within her circle. She ignited her saber and bowed toward her opponent.

“Ready, chump?” Bet’aani said menacingly. She may have been nervous about the spar but she didn’t want that to keep her opponent from doing his best to take her down.

 

[AlecaiWhite]

"Trakata is the art of turning your saber off during a fight to knock you opponent of balance and force them into mistakes, this skill is not to be don't on impulse its a planned reaction to a perceived fault, to be used properly you must first study your opponent, then strike. now using your training saber at quarter output I want you to begin, remember this is not a fight its a dance, make your attacks and blocks obvious. if you touch a light pole it will ring out, so need need to try to cheat."

Davin walked over to the circle that Knight Xylona had pointed to and watched as his opponent, the girl called Ember, as she walked over to join him. He saw her throw away her second saber to the Padawan who had none, which was strange.'A spare, or a Jar'Kai user?' he thought to himself as he looked his opponent up and down. She was older than him, though she was just a little bit shorter. What stood out the most was her red hair, which was long and flowed freely down her back. His eyes paused for a second, taking in the look she was giving him. He met her gaze and held it.

"Ready Chump?" She said to him, an undertone of menace laced her voice. Davin held back his response as he shrugged off his robe, revealing his dual sabers.

"Not Quite" He replied calmly as he pulled only his Shoto off his belt and passed it from his left to his right hand. "I promise not to use the second" he paused "I don't want to beat you too easily" He returned her bow, igniting his own saber, the yellow-green light brightening the shadows that were growing between them. He knew that he was at a disadvantage using only one saber, as all his sparring practice had been with two. It seemed unfair to play to his strenghts, especially in a sparring match, even more so if she was a Jar'Kai user like him.

Davin had listened to what Knight Xylona had to say and he was more than thankful that he wasn't having to sit through a long lecture about the theory behind Trakata. It seemed that the primary objective wasn't to defeat your opponent, or even miss every single light pole, it was about reading you opponent, forcing them into a mistake. The lightpoles would still be there though and he hoped that he wouldn't be the first to make them ring out. He dropped back into a more defensive stance, the short blade held across his body diagonally from left to right, the hilt of his saber at his left hip, the blade ending at about his chest. His free arm he crossed behind his back, at least then it would be out of the way.

"Now I'm ready"

 

[StandbyRanger]

Un-clipping his lightsaber from his belt, Rane fiddled with the controls. He set the settings all the way down until they matched that of a training saber. He was still getting used to the blade, having just returned from his adventure on Hoth and recently finished its construction. It was nice to finally have his own saber, it made Rane feel that much more of a Jedi. He could just imagine the missions he would go on with the blade, how many Sith he would fight off with it, how many people he could save while having this weapon. He sighed, as those days were far off, and it was better to focus on the present.

Stepping into the ring, Rane looked over at his sparring partner. Cal and he had already been acquainted from before, "It's good to see you again Cal. Glad to share this class with you. I'll promise to go easy on you." The lightsaber in his hand flicked on, the ice-blue blade emerged and Rane prepared to face his opponent.

 

[Jaime]

Quickly snatching the saber out of the air, Cal nodded to Ember. "I thank you, Ember. Color doesn't matter in this instance, I suppose." He grinned and examined the hilt of the un-ignited blade. It was quite intricate, for a training saber, very well constructed. He couldn't wait until he could construct his own.

Cal-doran stepped into the ring, saber still not ignited. He blinked when he laid his eyes on his partner. How did I notice him before? Rane and him had already met before this... not really on decent terms either. They had each been in the wilderness doing their own respective things, and... well, Cal was not very trustworthy of anyone at that time. With a bounty on his head and his face known throughout Imperial space, Cal's paranoia was justified. "Good to see you again, friend." Cal used the term loosely, a small smile on his lips. "You promise to go easy on me? I've seen you trying your best and even that wasn't much." A grin split his face and he ignited Ember's lightsaber, the purple blade of energy springing from its captivity. Cal examined the ignited blade; he had never actually held a lightsaber before.

It's a lot lighter than I thought it would be. He flicked it a bit to get the right feel for the weight, though surprisingly there barely was any. Most elegant and dangerous weapon in the galaxy and it doesn't even have a pound on it. Magnificent. Cal held the blade at his side, slowly pacing to the left, watching Rane, waiting patiently for Xylona's green light.

 

[Darius]

Adonia was in away flattered Ember's comment about her name, it was something very much expected to be said by a younger women and in more way that one, she missed when she could make comments such as that, it brought her back to the days when she ran through the streets of Coruscant with her close friend Matsu, they had not a care in a world, just a lightsaber in one had and dreams of greatness in the other, but those days had long gone down on the horizon, Coruscant was breached and Adonia had the weight of a Jedi Knight on her shoulder, yet she had no intention of failing the people around her."Thank you Ember, it is a blood name of my family and I am proud to have it."


Adonia turned around and raised an eyebrow at the Sarcastic remark of Cal-doran, She had dealt with his type before, while his point was valid it did bring the questions of his actual intentions of being here, this moment bought the same inclination of a memory long forgotten in regards to him, yet rather than dwell on it Adonia decided to return in kind. "Young Master Cal-doran..." Adonia said with a velvet calm, "I think a better question is what manner of folly, would compel a Padawan to come of a class high in the mountains unprepared, This would exhibit a level of ineptitude that borders on the imbecilic. And I mean that in a very caring way." She said warmly smiling patting his chin once as she moved on.


"Remember I will have no egos in my class if I feel you are attempting to hurt your partner I will take you down, that will be your ONLY warning." Adonia finished saying the last very sternly, something out of character for the usually clam and graceful knight. "The first kata it will teach you is called passing the blade, the point of this is to deactivate your light saber effectively passing through your opponents guard, and then reignite it into them, you all however will not aim to kill you will pull your strike if your are indeed successful, I will show you. CT-T5 level five attack pattern if you please."


Out of a hidden door inside the center stone came one droid with a training light saber, before his circuits could process what was happening Adonia dropped her out robe and dashed in to attack, The first few blows where blocked as adonia used Makashi to jab at both the droids knees, and then came in with an overhead strike which she then deactivated her saber and feel through the robots guard, ducking under its saber Adonia kept her momentum and came into a vicious spin, in a flash of sparks she hit the droid five times as she twirled on one foot like a dancer, coming back to both feet the droid fell to the ground in a smoldering heap. "You may begin, remember to mind the fires you are not allowed to hit them, you must work around them use them to outmaneuver you opponent." Adonia finished returning to her statue-like demeanor, her hair and emerald inner robes flowing with he mountain wind.

 

[Tank]

"You may begin, remember to mind the fires you are not allowed to hit them, you must work around them use them to outmaneuver you opponent." Ember watched as Adonia fought masterfully against the droid. Ember watched her method of attack carefully, watched how the droid reacted and how Adonia beat it. Ember thought she discovered a secret to the Trakata method and the key to its success.

"Not Quite. I promise not to use the second. I don't want to beat you too easily. Now I'm ready." Ember’s opponent, Davin, said as he prepared himself. Ember had never sparred anyone without both her sabers and had never sparred anyone who was fighting using a Shoto. She didn’t know much about the Shoto’s strength and weaknesses but she felt confident in her abilities.

“Then let’s get this started.” Ember didn’t wait for another second. She used the force to push forward closing the gap between them quickly. She simultaneously struck out in a horizontal slash. As she did, the light post in front of her and in between the two of them raised up. Ember was force to disable her blade and negate her first attack. She countered the block to her attack by reigniting her saber as she came down in a diagonal slash from her upper left to her lower right. She followed up that attack with an upward slash. It was during this attack that she disabled her saber and reignited it once it was around Davin’s chest.

 

[AlecaiWhite]

The Knights movements were little more than a blur to Davin and whilst seeing a combat demonstration was always useful, personally he felt that it would have been more effective if it wasn't against a droid.Their programming limited them, so after a time even the most unskilled combatant could learn all its tips and tricks. Though this was training and Knight Xylona was the master in this situation.

"You may begin, remember to mind the fires you are not allowed to hit them, you must work around them use them to outmaneuver you opponent."

Embers attack was almost instantaneous and it caught Davin a little off guard. The lightpole igniting directly in her path saved him from what may have been an early hit. Stepping to his right and turning 90 degrees to his left he turned and planted his left foot behind him as he swept his blade upwards, from his original starting position. The blade passed his thigh as he twisted his wrist backwards to sweep the blade up the full length of her torso. Ember easily blocked his attack as her saber reignited, pushing away his blade. The momentum that the counter-attack carried forced Davins' arm to be fully outstretched his blade facing directly down at the floor.

Her attack was quick, though predictable, having forced her blade down in defence she swung it directly back upwards. Without warning her blade disappeared though she kept her upwards motion. Davin was already moving for his counter. He shuffled sideways, his whole body moving so that he was parallel the path that her blade had been taking. The only fault he found with using a shoto was the distance between yourself and your opponent, all attacks had to be closer, counters taken later and he felt completely off balance without his second saber

As she reignited her saber Davin swung his upwards, trying to force the blade high, to expose her torso to an easy sweeping attack.

The next few attacks came in quick succession, both countering and moving. Davins' saber technique was by no means perfect and this showed as he swung towards an opening that had appeared in her defence. His momentum was too great to stop or his reflexes just a bit too slow as the Lightpole in front of him lit up and his blade made contact, a high pitched ringing sound ringing around the training circle.

 

[StandbyRanger]

Rane had adopted a Sorseu stance as Cal began to circle the edge of the ring. Rane did the same, making sure to match Cal in his movements, "Already moving to the smack-talking, huh? I thought that was reserved for people with actual skill?"

Rane's icey-blue blade hummed in his ear, awaiting the go to begin sparring. Eyeing Cal's movements, Rane began to slowly close the distance between the two. "You may begin..." At that instant, Rane dashed at full speed toward his opponent, blade trailing behind him. At sufficient distance, the lightsaber swung up from below aiming at Cal's left leg. A light post appeared from the ground as the weapon's distance closed on its target, causing Rane to deactivate it. He counteracted the momentum of his swing, and as the blade sprang to life once more, came down towards Cal's shoulder. The force of the attack would be diminished, but it allowed Rane to follow up with a slash to the side, if the attack either hit or was blocked. To complete a trio of attacks, Rane pulled his blade in close to his body, then struck out, aiming for the left arm.