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The late Karki Eusith's Armor, Shield, Temple Guard Lightsaber mounted on the wall)
HK-88 Robes, Battle Armor,Toraynor-Henkan(mind crystal added) Advanced Jedi Utility Belt
Starship: Spectre, (NC-1000 X-wing (Jedi Variant) in the hangar, Dilorian, and Bike both in the cargo bay,
Sanctuary Island
LOCATION:Sanctuary Island | OBJECTIVE:Meeting | POST #: 11
TAG (ALLIES) : Katarine Ryiah
TAG (FOES) : @
No, you are yourself right now. However, when you are facing an opponent, be it training or combat, you are someone else.
Caltin understood why Kat was confused, he was being vague. Time to clear things up.
Let me rephrase my question. You're an investigator, if you were tasked with searching for… say a royal who has been kidnapped. You have no leads and the only starting point is where the kidnapping took place. Would you make blind allegations and walk around shaking your finger at everyone?
He smirked, holding back a laugh, knowing how ridiculous that sounded.
Of course not, you would follow your instincts, right?
Nodding, Caltin was momentarily distracted by one of the puppies that had “the zoomies.”
When you are in combat… you are not confident, but are trying to compensate. Not in your own way, but in a manner as if you are subconsciously thinking it is the way that others do.
The Puppy was was back with one of his “fetch” toys, the big man of course reciprocated.
I am at a Master level of all major Saber forms, sub-forms and created my own. I am at a Master level of Broken Gate, K’tara, and Rek’Dul. I am even adept in Teras Kasi. I know what I know, and am well aware that there is someone out there better than I am. No matter how much I learn, how much I train, there will always be one, that is reality.
I accept if because I am who I am.
Just like you. If you want to tighten your skills, I’ll be more than happy to help. Same if you want to learn a new form… but Kat… you're trying to be the next Aayla Secura, or Romi Jade, or Valery Noble when all you need to do is be the first Katarine Ryiah.
He shrugged calmly. She was fine, she just had to believe it herself.
Location: Training Area
Objective: Work on Confidence
Tags: Caltin Vanagor
Just like you. If you want to tighten your skills, I'll be more than happy to help. Same if you want to learn a new form… but Kat… you're trying to be the next Aayla Secura, or Romi Jade, or Valery Noble when all you need to do is be the first Katarine Ryiah.
Katarine huffed slightly and shook her head. She didn't think the world needed any Katarine Ryiah's, but it could certainly do with another Valery Noble.
"Jedi Masters are supposed to be great. They are supposed to be wise and helpful and do something to make the galaxy a better place. I just don't feel like I've achieved that."
She deactivated her training saber and rubbed her head.
"So you are saying I need to find my own way of fighting? Not to become someone else..." She frowned. Was she really doing that? She knew deep down yes. She was always trying to think how Hawk, or Valery or Spark or Anakin or anybody else would handle a match.
"Vanguard" (Secondary - Long Handle)
The late Karki Eusith's Armor, Shield, Temple Guard Lightsaber mounted on the wall)
HK-88 Robes, Battle Armor,Toraynor-Henkan(mind crystal added) Advanced Jedi Utility Belt
Starship: Spectre, (NC-1000 X-wing (Jedi Variant) in the hangar, Dilorian, and Bike both in the cargo bay,
Sanctuary Island
LOCATION:Sanctuary Island | OBJECTIVE:Meeting | POST #: 12
TAG (ALLIES) : Katarine Ryiah
TAG (FOES) : @
You're absolutely right. Jedi Masters are all great, we all do greatthings from the moment we wake up to tue moment we lay down at night. What was your station again?
He didn't like sarcasm, but she wasn't getting it.
How many Padawans have you had in your time, How many of them have you Knighted? I think they wojld have something different to say.
A deep, frustrated sigh escaped his lips as Caltin rubbed his face with his left hand.
Look, I get it, you have imposter syndrome. It has happened to me more than once. On more than one occasion I was given a full and thorough dressing down in public by Padawans.
Shaking his head in disgust, those moments, all three of them were sore subjects.
Each time, I was left to wonder what I was doing, if there was still a place for me among the Jedi.
Looking past her, sucking his gumline, Caltin scoffed.
Each time this happened, I reminded myself that I do what I do, not for other Jedi, but for every life I have saved. For every life I have changed for the better. Those are who matter to me.
… I have to be able to look at myself in the mirror… I can't do that worrying about opinion when everyone has one.
He shrugged calmly.
You are a Jedi Master. That makes you worthy of being counted among everything you think a Master should be. Whether you get it or not. Never hide your heart.
Katarine couldn’t help but smile as the man unknowingly spoke the motto by which she lived her life. Maybe she felt so out of place because she was out of place and time. A thousand years had changed the galaxy and Katarine felt like she was behind. Perhaps that was the real issue here. She felt like she hadn’t accomplished enough in her short time since the freeze was reversed.
“I know you are right. It’s just an issue I don’t know how to fix. I think maybe being out of time has messed with my head.”
Location: Training Grounds
Objective: Train
Tags: Caltin Vanagor
Katarine went through a few more rounds with the training droid while Caltin observed. She really wasn't bad with her saber. It was more her perspective that needed to be changed. As a sentinel sometimes Katarine felt she wasn't what a Jedi should be, but Caltin was right. She needed to figure out how to move past that.
After a few more rounds she deactivated her saber and took a drink of the water bottles they had brought with them.
"Well I guess that could have been worse."
She smiled but was actually pleased to see that she wasn't as terrible as she thought. She pushed her hair out of her eyes and examined her training saber for a while before asking a question that had been brewing in her mind. She didn't want to pry and she wasn't sure if it was her place, but she was worried about the situation. Connel was dealing with some serious anger issues and Kat was concerned, but she didn't want to overstep so she simply asked,
"Have you seen much of Connel lately? "
"Vanguard" (Secondary - Long Handle)
The late Karki Eusith's Armor, Shield, Temple Guard Lightsaber mounted on the wall)
HK-88 Robes, Battle Armor,Toraynor-Henkan(mind crystal added) Advanced Jedi Utility Belt
Starship: Spectre, (NC-1000 X-wing (Jedi Variant) in the hangar, Dilorian, and Bike both in the cargo bay,
Sanctuary Island
LOCATION:Sanctuary Island | OBJECTIVE:Meeting | POST #: 14
TAG (ALLIES) : Katarine Ryiah
TAG (FOES) : @
Caltin watched as Katarine was working with the training droid. She had not decided if she wanted to learn a new form, or wanted to hone her skills. He could tell her what he thought she might need to work on in that department, but would not offer it unless asked, after all, this was more for her to work on her confidence. She would be fine as is, but just needed to realize it herself. She clearly was starting to “get it” too so that was important.
Then she asked about Connel. That brought a bit of a scoff. Nothing bad, just that there was more to the thought than he would admit… or truly knew. The big man had a feeling about what he was about to say, but…
Connel is going through something that I went through when I was scalped by a Hutt’s crew long ago. Those in my bloodline… we have always worn our emotions on our sleeve.
The big man openly laughed at the observation.
Worst.Understatement.Ever.(Think “Comic Book Guy” from The Simpsons)
Realizing how weird that sounded, Caltin shook his head.
... but I digress. Anyway, he is learning how to handle his natural emotions in balance with his sense of duty. I know, I know, this is what every Jedi is supposed to do. The problem is with Vanagors, and this is not meant to be arrogant or self serving… this is like… for us… a video on fast forward. As his father, I very much want to help. As his former Master, I can’t. He has to learn this for himself.
Caltin truly had no idea how wrong he was. The big man had a feeling, because Connel was acting “differently” and had the issue of prosthetics and implants everywhere in his body. Anything that he brought up right now was conjecture.
Luckily, he gets his will, determination… let’s face it… thick headedness… from his mother and I.
His father did not seem overly concerned and probably knew Connel better than Katarine did. She couldn't help but worry though. Connel didn't seem like the young man she'd met at that social event who so joyfully played with his dog, and had such light in his eyes that Katarine had developed a crush. He now seemed like an entirely different person, not just physically but also mentally. There was anger and frustration brimming within the young man, so much so that it had pushed her feelings for him into a completely different direction. While this wasn't a bad thing per say, especially because she'd let herself get too close and accidentally read the mans mind without even realizing it, Katarine couldn't help but feel the change was meaningful and meant Connel might be headed down a dark path.
"I'm just worried that he might be.... struggling."
She didn't know how to explain it, but Caltin seemed to think it was a normal thing that all the men of this family went through and truthfully Katarine didn't know Connel that well. Perhaps she should trust that a father did indeed know best.
"So... do you want to teach me that new form?"
"Vanguard" (Secondary - Long Handle)
The late Karki Eusith's Armor, Shield, Temple Guard Lightsaber mounted on the wall)
HK-88 Robes, Battle Armor,Toraynor-Henkan(mind crystal added) Advanced Jedi Utility Belt
Starship: Spectre, (NC-1000 X-wing (Jedi Variant) in the hangar, Dilorian, and Bike both in the cargo bay,
Sanctuary Island
LOCATION:Sanctuary Island | OBJECTIVE:Meeting | POST #: 15
TAG (ALLIES) : Katarine Ryiah
TAG (FOES) : @
She wasn’t convinced.
Frankly neither was he. Chrysa was even more worried about her son than he was, and Caltin did want to bring it up and check up on his son. However, if Connel was going to trust his mother and father, they had to trust him. The younger Vanagor had a good head on his shoulders and was smart enough to reach out of help was needed.
No wonder you’re an investigator…
It wasn’t his intention, but that sounded (to him) a bit condescending.
You know as well as I do, he needs to trust in the Force.
Then she finally decided what she wanted to do. Which was absolutely fine, but the problem is, Caltin did not want to teach lightsaber combat here. Yes, there was a training droid, but that was more fo evaluation. Picking up the two training pieces, Caltin nodded.
Walk with me.
Walking over to what looked like a rock, Caltin pressed a button and waved for Kat to get closer. Not for personal reasons, but the fact that they were on a lift and he did not want her getting caught on anything. As it went down two levels to a landing bay, there was a huge ship. It was clearly the old man’s (used by Chrysa). Walking up the ramp and through a corridor lead them to what was clearly a training room.
This is “The Starlight Sentinel”. I don’t really use it because I would rather my wife be safe and this thing could outfly ships a fraction her size. Alright, have a seat in the middle.
Turning on the training vid projector, it replayed a holocron image of… him.
Howdy… I guess you were not expecting to see me.
Focus…
Alright… This is “The Way of the Saber” or a “Saber Kata”. This technique adapts to the style of the person. There are movesets and tiers but the style depends on the Jedi. The purpose of this technique is to create as many angles and openings for you to use a lightsaber without giving up a defensive position.
While this is highly aggressive, there is no need to worry about emotions because this is meant to be so fluid and natural that you are not even thinking about what you are going to do. You just come out and do it.
The three tier system works in a manner of punches and kicks as well as defensive moves and takedowns. While there are tactics and maneuvers suggested, it is more important to take away from this how to maneuver in order to open up opportunities to use your weapon. This is not considered a ‘lethal’ style, but one that will adapt and morph itself to you and what you are capable of.
If you’re a brawler, it works for you, if you are shadowy and speed is your ally it works for you, if you are aerial it works for you. Quite simply, footwork and creating openings for yourself is more important.
Caltin looked on and smirked before craning his neck and matching eye contact with Ryiah.
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION Intent: To create a personal starship for Jedi Master Caltin Vanagor Image Source: Josh Atack at Artignition.com, Canon Link: N/A Permissions: My Subs, Gir Quee Primary Source: N/A PRODUCTION INFORMATION Manufacturer: Guardian Authority Ltd. with tech from Lucerne...
Katarine followed the large man up a lift and surprisingly to a starship. She bit her lip for a second, wondering if they were going to have to fly. Kat was an absolute abysmal pilot and hated flying, but as it turned out they were here to watch a training video. At least to start. It explained how this style was easily adaptable and fluid and worked to the persons strengths. In theory this sounded like a great form, but probably difficult to learn.
"Vanguard" (Secondary - Long Handle)
The late Karki Eusith's Armor, Shield, Temple Guard Lightsaber mounted on the wall)
HK-88 Robes, Battle Armor,Toraynor-Henkan(mind crystal added) Advanced Jedi Utility Belt
Starship: Spectre, (NC-1000 X-wing (Jedi Variant) in the hangar, Dilorian, and Bike both in the cargo bay,
Sanctuary Island
LOCATION:Sanctuary Island | OBJECTIVE:Meeting | POST #: 16
TAG (ALLIES) : Katarine Ryiah
TAG (FOES) : @
Alright, as I said, this is something you learn, but unlike other forms, this adapts to you. As I mentioned, my ultimate goal is to allow Jedi to reach their goals offensively and learn methods that will save their lives without worry of their emotions controlling them, if they are using these techniques as intended, they won't even have to try to do anything. They just will.
It is difficult to teach one particular Martial Art, or one particular Lightsaber form when you are proficient in several of each. It has become one of the things that makes me more or less unapproachable in many respects (to which I hate). Thus as I was less and less "trying to fight" and just "fighting" I just started to go with what he was comfortable with and not using one particular technique or form, just what made me comfortable. More and more what came along was a method that I was finding himself more and more able to teach. The first attempt was a real (censored) show, but that is okay, those things happen. So I have been working on this holocron in my free time since. The purpose of it was that once you were permitted to learn (you have to answer a specific set of questions) you will be matched up with techniques that fit your personality and body type. The method is quite literally custom made for each user. Or at least that is the hope.
Cracking his neck as he looked at the training droid, Caltin sent this one away and clicked a button on his gauntlet and brought out NAHK. This was the best droid to use.
Slowly, the droid walked out with an air of familiarity. There is a reason for that as it is and was designed with all of the big man’s mannerisms and abilities physically. Caltin began to limber up as he looked up to a holoviewer and waved (his wife and her staff were watching).
Alright, a not so quick review… The focus of saber kata is both artistic style(to an extent) and the usage of lightsabers in ways that they were not designed to be used. Use of a lightsaber in either hand (usually paired with jumping to the side at the same time), dual wielding, attacks and defenses from behind the back, as well as the use of lightsabers both activated and inert (usually knife fights) are all common. Other moves can involve lightwhips, lightsaber pikes, saberstaffs, lights-shotos, and just about anything else that can be worked into a combat scenario. It is often mixed with grappling maneuvers.
Saber Kata has become a staple of Vanagor's "arsenal" not because of its effectiveness but due to its simplicity, a result of often impressive instincts and physical prowess, regardless of its surrounding elements when compared to other types of martial arts and close quarters warfare.
"Completely geared around mastery of the lightsaber regardless of the form, this method makes a lightsaber truly an extension of the user. Students are only taught the basics of surviving a duel: stay constantly moving, attack until your opponent is down (preferably from as close a distance as possible), count your moves. When you are out of position don't hesitate to find another angle or method of attack instead of taking the time to get back to where you were forced out of. If you are hit don't think about it till you're down or your enemies are, never panic and above all keep your opponent on the defensive. Once a student has learned the basics the only way for him to advance in his art is through combat, so beginners don't stay beginners long, they are either downed or they become better. A master is a truly magnificent sight in a lightsaber battle."
The user of this ability is capable of calculating the most precise angle for targeting an opponent and predicting where to be in order to avoid counter-attack by the enemy. This, combined with good form results in the most proficient combatant of the modern age, a brawler, a martial artist, a warrior that uses lightsabers along with what he has naturally. The best combatants are still bound by a form of the Jedi Code, but still handle themselves in a scenario that plays to their strengths and not their emotions. Some lightsaber forms require focused use of the Force and possible domination of or by it but practitioners of Saber Kata, once a level of Mastery is exhibited counter the consequence of the lightsaber form because of the natural feel of the melee technique.
The defenses, the movements, they are designed to be so natural and free flowing thatany and all emotions are taken completely out of any equation. This is not to say that the wielder will not feel them, but that there will be no risk of being controlled by them.
Cracking his neck as he waved to the droid, who activated an actual lightsaber and approached him, Caltin began to go through several moves.
Alright… this is Tier one… this is not to “order”... in other words, you don’t start with one and work to the next one listed, but… starting with a simple front kick to keep distance and the opponent honest, which opens them up to a jab of your hilt. There is also the basic punch. If they move to attack you can either sidestep leading into a slash, or an extended ship and another hit with your hilt. If you are comfortable… you can use a rooted stance block… plant your feet and drive your shoulder into them before grabbing them by the body and throwing them to the ground. Another one is a forearm shot followed quickly by a takedown.
Going through a few more on the tier, it was quickly becoming vivid that this may be intricate, and detailed, but it was easy to use. Caltin was literally taking what the droid was giving him and using it to his advantage. There was a few more exchanges before the droid stopped. Caltin nodded and NAH went to pick up a training saber. He would not let Kat train against a regular weapon, it would not be fair.
Location: Training Area
Objective: Learn New Form
Tags: Caltin Vanagor
Katarine was not as theoretically versed in martial arts as Caltin was. While he was speaking she tried to keep up but she felt like a lot of it went over her head. His demonstration helped to clarify things. Kat still was not sure how this mode would adapt to the individual but she felt like only by trying it would she truly begin to understand. As with most things, concepts can sometimes be easier to understand when put into practice.
When it was her turn she readied the training saber he had given her and tried to root her footing like he had done. It was weird to her, to use her body instead of the lightsaber, but she did throw a punch like he had and even used the hilt of her saber once to hit the droid. The elbow strike was clumsy but she realized her mistake and corrected quickly. It came easier the longer she practiced but it definitely felt off. When Kat fought she almost never threw her own punches. It was always with the saber or her legs. Katarine was a kicker more than a puncher but she did the best she could.
When the session was done she turned off her own saber and brushed sweat off her forehead.
"Vanguard" (Secondary - Long Handle)
The late Karki Eusith's Armor, Shield, Temple Guard Lightsaber mounted on the wall)
HK-88 Robes, Battle Armor,Toraynor-Henkan(mind crystal added) Advanced Jedi Utility Belt
Starship: Spectre, (NC-1000 X-wing (Jedi Variant) in the hangar, Dilorian, and Bike both in the cargo bay,
Sanctuary Island
LOCATION:Sanctuary Island | OBJECTIVE:Meeting | POST #: 17
TAG (ALLIES) : Katarine Ryiah
TAG (FOES) : @
Take your time, relax and do this in your best practice.
Leaning against the wall and folding his arms, there was something “not quite right” about her stance and start to this. No, she clearly was not an expert yet, she was clumsy, but this was her first time. What did she expect to happen?
Again, he watched as Kat was approaching this as if trying to be like she was someone else. This was to be her approach and no one else’s. That is what the form is for and why it was created. She was right, it would take some getting used to, but it takes practice.
You were a lot better than you think you were. Don’t doubt yourself. Alright… let’s try some “velocities”. Those are distinctive moves and patterns that you focus on and repeat over and over increasing speed each time until you are all but fluent in them.
Pressing a button on the panel next to him, a holovid projector lit up and played both the list of “Tier One” moves and the practices of each.
Alright, pick one, two, three, however many you are comfortable with. Tell the training droid “Velocities” and then begin. You will start by going extremely slow and once you finish the move or moves you picked, take a step back. That will tell the droid you are ready to restart a little faster. Repeat this until either you are completely comfortable or the maximum speed is released. The droid will tell you when it cannot go any faster… make sense?
Katarine nodded and took a deep breath. It was encouraging to know she wasn't entirely bad at this. She'd have to put in some training to make sure she was on par though.
"Velocities."
The droid understood her immediately. She started with a punch, then a slash, then a block. Then she took a step back. The droid got faster. Punch, slash, block, step back. Faster. Punch, slash, block, step back. Faster. Punch, slash, block, step back. Faster. On and on it went. She faltered a little at the begining but by the third round she really had the hang of it. She got into a good rhythm and almost lost herself in the movements. Again.
Punch
Slash
Block
Again
She was actually quite fast since she lacked a lot of physical strength. One thing Kat wanted to learn was hand to hand combat. She knew a little but she wanted to learn a style that used the legs (like karate) so she could really play to her strengths. She was fast and light but less strong.
Finally the training was over and Katarine deactivated her saber, panting slightly to catch her breath.
"That actually wasn't too bad."
"Vanguard" (Secondary - Long Handle)
The late Karki Eusith's Armor, Shield, Temple Guard Lightsaber mounted on the wall)
HK-88 Robes, Battle Armor,Toraynor-Henkan(mind crystal added) Advanced Jedi Utility Belt
Starship: Spectre, (NC-1000 X-wing (Jedi Variant) in the hangar, Dilorian, and Bike both in the cargo bay,
Sanctuary Island
LOCATION:Sanctuary Island | OBJECTIVE:Meeting | POST #: 18
TAG (ALLIES) : Katarine Ryiah
TAG (FOES) : @
That is the point of it all.
Coming away from the wall and standing in the middle. Caltin was holding a holocron and offered it to Katarine.
Every form is important, but their singular difficulty is their uniformity. You are needing to conform to the skill itself. This takes what you know and works around you. For example, you showed your strengths in simple practice and it was relatively simple to do so. I could run that same velocity you did, run the exact same moves in the exact same pattern and an onloooker would see two different routines.
Nodding in approval, the big man sent the training droids away.
Alright, unless you think you need to practice some more, which is okay, we can. I think that is enough for today. You have the holocron detailing this, and the keeper on it will recognize you. You can continue practicing and utilizing the first tier. We can meet again at another date and work on more down the line, cool?
"That sounds great. Thank you very much for helping me. It's also been a pleasure to see your home and meet your wife. "
She smiled at him and hesitated. She wanted one more time to mention Connel but she decided against it. He was the mans father, she should trust that he knew his son well enough to know if he was in trouble or not.
Katarine Ryiah
