(Training) Form V: Twice the Work

[Roshim Talsung]

The loose-fitting robes of the Jedi Order engulfed the over two-meter tall cathar; doing nothing to conceal his large and muscular frame. Hailing from a tribalistic homeworld that shared their species' name, the fierce feline race were raised in a dangerous environment. Hunting to survive and constant struggle with territorial wars between clans; the cathar way of life lead to only the strongest surviving.

In a cross-legged sitting position, the cathar meditated with slow and even breaths. He pushed away the harsh life that he had on Cathar; old memories that did nothing for him here. How long had he been waiting? One hour? Four? He had no idea. Today was to be his first formal Jedi training, and was instructed to wait in the courtyard outside the Academy for his teacher. They didn't tell him what time, so in fear of being late, he had arrived before daybreak. Continuing to meditate, his eyes closed and mind open, he felt a prescience in the Force. Opening his eyes, the cathar stood. Was this his master? Turning, he pulled the robes around himself.


[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian did what Kian often did when meeting with someone for the first time.....he showed up early and he watched for a while. When Kian had arrived, the Cathar padawan was already sitting meditatively in the courtyard. Rather then going up immediately, Kian hung back and watched. He didn't seem impatient, he didn't seem disappointed that Kian hadn't arrived yet. That was a good start. He was a large framed man, but that was often the case with Cathar. A smile spread across Kian's masked face at how odd it would look for that large man to be dueling Kian.....who was in no regards tall for a Jedi.

Finally, feeling as if he had kept Roshim waiting long enough, Kian walked out of the shadows and made his way toward the middle of the courtyard. As he approached, he noticed the tell-tale signs of a predatory race. The ears flicked in Kian's direction, the nostrils flared. Even without the force, Roshim would have known Kian was approaching. When the padawan rose up, he towered over the shorter Kel Dor.

"Jedi Talsung I suppose." Kian said extending his hand out, the long talon on his middle finger pointed directly at the Jedi's chest. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

[member="Roshim Talsung"]

 

[Roshim Talsung]

Cathar was an isolated planet that rarely seen outsiders. So, as one could imagine, Roshim was still in awe at the Jedi Academy. Such diverse beings from all parts of the galaxy. Briefly, he thought about how strange it was that sentient beings could look so different from planet to planet, and still communicate and interact with one another. But, despite how many light-years away, or how deviant the appearance, everyone here had one thing in common. They were all connected and motivated, and that was enough to quell his thoughts.

Seeing the Master approach, he watched as he put forth his hand towards him. If there was some custom in meeting with a being such as he, the cathar knew nothing about it, so as he was informed by his former master, he bowed deeply. "An honor, my master." He seemed very polite, and refined. Respectable, something Roshim supposed came with the territory of his rank.

Rosim was truly excited, getting trained by a master. For an instant, he wondered what he was going to learn.


[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

"There is no need for that." Kian said waving Roshim up from his bow. "You can call me Kian." Kian was never much for formal titles and such. He preferred to be called by his name, especially by other Jedi. They were his colleagues and friends, regardless of title.

Kian signaled for Roshim to sit back down, and Kian knelt down in the grass across from him. Kian hadn't had the opportunity to meet many Cathar in his time with the Jedi, but the few he had met had shown a particular prowess in battle. Kian knew this to be a trait of the species as well as a byproduct of the dedication and training of the Jedi he'd met.

"Why don't you tell me about how you came to be among the Jedi?" Kian asked, wanting to get to know the padawan further before beginning their training. "And about why you are drawn to Form V?"

​

[member="Roshim Talsung"]​

 

[Roshim Talsung]

Roshim sat back down in the short grass, his thick arms resting on his thighs. He had no problem relaxing around the master. Kian was very interesting to the young padawan; the master didn't seem to care about formal titles of rank. It wasn't that Roshim was simply following proper etiquette by calling him 'master', but a sign of acknowledgement. Where he came from, when someone earned a title such as master, they deserved the proper recognition. But he appreciated the sentiment. He himself wouldn't know how to act if people were bowing to him all the time!

"Why don't you tell me about how you came to be among the Jedi?" Kian was kneeling now, in front of him. "And about why you are drawn to Form V?"

"Of course, mas -- Kian." The cathar wasn't nervous or intimidated, he was simply from a proud people whom raised Roshim in the strict codes of honor. Referring to a teacher by just his name would be a hard habit to break. But, oh was that first question a complicated one. He wasn't quite sure how to answer that. Rather, he wasn't sure how in-depth he should go about how he had gotten there. Roshim sat there a moment, before responding.

"I chose to leave my tribe when a knight from the Order happened upon my home-world." He paused, then continued. "There was an argument between the Elders of my clan and I, on my actions in the Sung'datta -- a rite of passage that all young cathar must undergo to be accepted as an adult in the tribe." His tail shifted slightly, and he took another breath. "My Elders decided that I had failed, but the Jedi Knight said that I had passed in his eyes. After a long discussion, I chose to come here to learn the way of the Force to help others. It was he that told me I would be most comfortable with the Fifth Form, despite him preferring the Makashi style."


[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian listened quietly to the story. He was always pleased with Jedi finding force sensitives on other worlds....it seemed as if the force was guiding them to these charges. It seemed so fortuitous. Kian considered the circumstances surrounding the Sung'datta and while another Jedi might have held their tongue out of respect....Kian dealt in intelligence. He loved new information.

"Well, your size, strength, and abilities will certainly give you an edge as a Form V practitioner."

"Can you tell me more about the Sung'datta as a tradition?" Kian asked, the academic in him coming out. "And more about your Sung'datta?" Kian pressed further, the Shadow in him bleeding through with that question.

[member="Roshim Talsung"]

 

[Roshim Talsung]

Smiling, Roshim nodded his head compliantly, brushing one thick dreaded strand of hair behind his ear. He appreciated his master's interest in his peoples' ways, even if they weren't his ways any longer. Looking back, it was good practice before becoming a Jedi; they too put their padawans through tests and challenges. The cathar, however, expected completely different results. Taking a deep breath, Roshim began the explanation of the cathar way.

"Cathar is a very harsh world, and my people are very simplistic. Each of us have to earn our place in the clan, for only the strong can survive there. With all of the scavenging in the out-lands, and fighting off rival tribes, I can see now why they were so harsh. Sung'datta means Blood-Rite in basic, and at the age of ten, we were expected to prove our worth. Failure was a great dishonor, bringing shame to your blood-line. If you failed, you would be shunned by your family until you retook the tests the next year, and failure again got you banished from the clan." Roshim stopped for a moment, and looked at Kian.

"I know now how wrong our ways were. It was brutal, but so was the planet. You must understand, Kian, that I was raised in that world. I knew nothing of the Jedi then. But I knew something was wrong with our -- the cathars' -- beliefs. The Sung'datta not only decided whether we became part of the tribe, but also what our role would be. Hunter, scavenger, warrior, a future elder among other less noble positions.

There were three tests, spanning three days. The first was to climb a mountain, and return an egg to the Elders. I had completed that, but just barely. One of the other young cathar was something of a bully, and pushed my friend down, breaking his egg. Now, I had scaled the mountain easily, I gave my egg to him so he could pass the first test. I had to go get another one, making me look like the weakest." He exhaled, shaking his head at the memories his story had brought back to the surface. He had felt like a failure, his future ruined, at that time. Looking back up, he continued his story.

"The next day, we had to make it through a kiltik-infested nest, from one end to the other. We almost died in that cave! But we made it out. When we got lost in the deep underground, I was able to lead us all back to the top. I had gained the honor that day. But the final test is what decided my fate, and lead me here.

"My former master had landed near our village, on his way to Dathomir -- one of the closest planets in our sector. When we assembled for the third test, he had taken an interest and was watching. We had to prove our strength in combat. The bully I spoke of earlier, his name was Colbin. He and I ended up being the final two. I disarmed him, and hesitated. I thought I had won, but he ended up throwing dirt in my eyes, and beating me. Literally. The Elders decided that I wasn't ready to join the tribe, saying that 'hesitation in battle was death'. But the Jedi came to me in confidence, and told me about the Force, and the code. He discovered that I was force-sensitive, and brought me here."

Roshim missed his former master, and told himself that he was now one with the Force. Without him, who knows how far he would have fallen from the light.




[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian sat quietly and listened to the Roshim's story. Roshim seemed bothered by the path his people were on and perhaps a bit guilty of his actions amongst them. Kian didn't view it that way though. He had heard many tell their stories on what brought them to the Jedi, and while Roshim's people were treading a dangerous path, it was far from the worst beginning. But he felt for the young Cathar. To be told by his tribe that he wasn't worthy and to have to leave them before finishing his rites was surely hard, even if he did view them as wrong. It was the culture he'd grown up in after all.

"Sounds like this Jedi was a good man." Kian said after the story had finished. "He saw the potential in you as well as the value in your actions."

"Why don't you tell me about him?" Kian asked. "I may have known him, or at least of him."

[member="Roshim Talsung"]

 

[Roshim Talsung]

"His name was Raxl Vokex, and he died saving my life." Roshim missed him, despite what the Code says. "He was a human, so you know how... crazy they can be sometimes." Despite his loss, Roshim couldn't help but smile at his former master's eccentric behavior. "That man was fearless. He would shout out advise in the middle of a battle, demonstrating what he wanted me to do on the guy he was fighting. Acting like nothing was going on around him!"

Roshim started laughing, remembering one of the first "lessons" Raxl had taught him. "Trust the Force. That was his catch-phrase, the first thing he taught me. After he repaired his ship, and I agreed to leave with him, we went to Dathomir -- since it was our neighboring planet. He wanted to complete his mission, then take me back to the Council. In the middle of, well, a blaster fight, he was just standing there dodging the laser bolts, talking like nothing was going on. I truly thought the man was insane!"

"I doubt you would have heard of him, though," the padawan continued. "He rarely ever came back to the Temple. He always contacted the Council through holo's."

Looking back to Kian, he asked, "What about you? What made you choose to study Djem-so? No offense, but I wouldn't have pictured you as a fifth-form practitioner."


[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian listened to Roshim speaking of his former Master Raxl Vokex and it brought a smile to Kian's face. It made Kian think of his own Master Talon Vosra, who always seemed so ready to face off against overwhelming odds with little concern.

"I know the type." Kian said chuckling softly. "He sounds like an extraordinary Jedi." Kian said, and as Roshim had guessed, Kian hadn't heard of him before.

Then Kian had to consider the question from Roshim. He lifting his hand up to his mask and ran his fingers over the spikes as if stroking a beard. Kian certainly wasn't what most likely pictured when they considered a Form V practitioner. He was heavier built than most Kel Dor and had a stronger constitution than many humans, but he wasn't rippling with muscle or particularly overwhelming looking. So what had drawn Kian to Form V?

"I suppose I was always a Form V practitioner....even before I learned the form." Kian said, being cryptic on purpose, a broad smile on his masked face. "The Baran Do, where my training began, are not a martial order like the Jedi." Kian said, laying out the foundation. "Most of my time there was spent in meditation and learning various telekinetic abilities. However, we did spar a bit for exercise and to learn the basics. Many in the Baran Do prefer to fight with a wooden staff, but I always preferred a wooden training blade." Kian said, thinking back to the times he had fought with his fellow sages. These were good memories.

"I always preferred to lure my adversaries into an attack, and to strike with a counter, turning their attack against them. Which is likely why I prefer Shien over Djem So, because of its more defensive roots." Kian said returning his hands to his lap.

"Besides, if you and I were to suddenly fall into combat, would you expect me to strike out with the powerful blows of Djem So?" Kian asked and, if he could, he would have winked at the Cathar. "I like my enemies to be caught off guard."

[member="Roshim Talsung"]

 

[Roshim Talsung]

"That makes sense." Roshim replied, thinking back to his old master. Raxl insisted that he learn and incorporate other forms in his style, for exactly that same reason. Since Roshim did fit the Form's standards, more than likely his opponents would be able to guess his affinity towards Djem-so.

"I guess I won't have that advantage." Roshim smiled.

It didn't really matter how big you were, he thought. With the Force, any Jedi could make use of the form. He thought for a moment, wondering how he could have an advantage like that, while still using the same form. Ah, he would think of something eventually.


[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

"No, you won't." Kian said smiling and rising up to his feet. "But I think it is time we started working on why I brought you here." Kian said, deciding that he had taken enough time to get to know the padawan a bit. He would learn even more about him during the training session. How a person handled learning and being taught, plus how they fought, spoke volumes about them.

"You say Master Vokex was a Makashi user." Kian said clasping his hands behind his back. "What did he teach you about lightsaber combat?" Kian asked. As a Makashi user, Kian was sure the Jedi Master had gone over the basics of lightsaber combat but he wasn't sure how much more he would have taught Roshim about other lightsaber forms. Makashi users tended to look down on other lightsaber Forms, though certainly not all. Kian's friend, Kana Truden, was a dedicated Makashi user and he never got that sense from her.

"Are you practiced in Shii Cho?"

[member="Roshim Talsung"]​

 

[Roshim Talsung]

Roshim, following the lead of his master, stood before him in the courtyard. He liked this Jedi Master; he took the time to get to know his pupil. He took an interest in the individual, and Roshim had great respect for that.

"Are you practiced in Shii Cho?" Kian had asked him. Shaking his head slightly, the cathar replied.

"Nuh-uh. He taught me the basics of Shien, to deflect blaster bolts. He was adamant about me learning a Form that was made for what the situation called for. He said that in a duel, I should either learn Djem-so or Makashi, because they were created specifically for it. But, when outnumbered, I should fall back to Shien defense. He never got the chance to teach me anything more than a little Shien, and I only know what I've seen him use of the Makashi. I know nothing of Shii Cho."

Silently, he wondered what Shii Cho had to do with their lesson. He knew the name of the form, but had no idea of the theory behind it.

[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian smiled at the answer and wondered if Roshim was confused as to why Kian had suddenly mentioned another form of lightsaber combat.

"Shii Cho is the first form of lightsaber combat and is essentially the backbone of all other forms." Kian said. "If Masker Vokex had started you on Shien, then you've had some Shii Cho training and not realized it." Kian said smiling. "Besides, if you ever fought with a vibroblade amongst the Cathar, you'd understand Shii Cho."

Kian took a few steps to give some distance between them and pulled his lightsaber from his belt, igniting the golden blade and held it before him. He went through a series of simple slashes and hacks, then brought his blade up in the blocks that would be necessary to defend from those attacks.

"For example, if I were to strike directly at your head right now." Kian said bringing his blade up in a two-handed hold above his head indicating it would be a downward chop meant to bisect Roshim's head. "How would you block it with your blade?"

[member="Roshim Talsung"]

 

[Roshim Talsung]

That makes sense, Roshim thought, as he instinctively unclipped the lightsaber from the wide sash around his waist. With one smooth motion he brought his weapon up above him in the horizontal block, releasing the vibrant emerald blade with a loud snap-hiss along the way. His body moved on it's own, falling into the stance of the fifth form; his right leg back and knees slightly bent, holding the hilt in the center-grip with his other hand reinforcing the guard at the end-cap.

"Like this?"



[member="Kian Karr"]

 

[Kian Karr]

"Yes." Kian said watching him block the phantom attack. "That there is a textbook block to the attack I just made, and it is a Shii Cho maneuver." Kian said nodding his head in approval.

"So, with a basic understanding of sword play, we won't have to go into too much work on the basics." Kian said and was relieved. He enjoyed teaching students, even those who were coming to the academies with virtually no understanding of combat, but it was easier to teach a new form to someone who had at least a basic understanding of combat.

"The thing to understand about Shien and Djem So is that, at their most basic philosophical standing, they are similar to a verbal argument or debate." Kian said lowered his lightsaber into a typical guard position.

"In a debate, opponent A makes an argument and opponent B counters and so forth, and so forth. This is how Shien and Djem So operate. An attack is made, and rather then passively defending from it, you block the attack and counter it."

"Every argument should have a rebuttal." Kian said, trying to put the philosophies of Form V into a basic example.

"Where the two variants of Form V diverge is in the Forms they arose from. Shien came from Soresu practitioners, while Djem So comes from Makashi. Shien is more defensive, countering an enemies attacks but still focusing on defending from attack. Djem So is more aggressive, not waiting for an attack to counter but pushing the offensive, dictating the pace of the fight."

[member="Roshim Talsung"]​

 

[Roshim Talsung]

"I think I understand." Still standing in the guard, he added, "So, basically, I should have an attack for every block then?" Using the leverage of his left hand, and pushing down with his right hand, Roshim maneuvered the weapon to perform an upward vertical slash from left to right in the air between them. The green blade made a low buzzing noise as it arced upward.

Roshim was starting to understand why his former master had recommended him to pursue Djem-So; it was a modified version of Makashi! Master [member="Kian Karr"] had given him a lot to think about, and the lesson had only just begun! For a moment, he pictured in his mind different guards, and what he would do to turn them into an attack. He was going to master this style, he promised himself; knowing full and well that it would take countless years of practice before he would have a right to brag.

Calming himself, he realized he was getting excited. But, he couldn't help it. A master was about to share with him all the things he had learned over the years, tricks and tips and the like. A great feeling of honor started to build up inside him.

But now wasn't the time to start feeling all warm and fuzzy. He was busy learning how to fight with a lightsaber! Roshim wanted to soak up all the knowledge Master Karr was willing to give him, and planned to practice every day from now on.

 

[Kian Karr]

"Yes and no." Kian said smiling to himself and realizing that he had always been very frustrated with answers like that when he was a padawan.

"As a Form V practitioner you should have a counter in mind for every attack, and by countering attacks, you take the initiative and dictate the flow of the battle. However, you won't be fighting a passive opponent who is going to play by the rules." Kian said considering Empress Teta, where he'd faced a lightsaber wielding opponent for the first time.

"There will be times when you don't have a counter, or you have to go on the defensive in order to protect yourself. This is fine, combat is about adaptability. But you should always strive to take the initiative or regain it if lost." As Kian said this he pulled a small training remote off of his belt and activated it, the droid floating into the air.

"Why don't you show me what you've learned of Shien?" Kian suggested. Once Roshim was ready, the droid would begin firing training bolts at him.

[member="Roshim Talsung"]

 

[Roshim Talsung]

Seeing the droid hovering in the air, Roshim immediately assumed the ready-position of Shien; holding his lightsaber high and to the right with the hilt being shoulder high and the blade pointing straight up. Being one of the first things he had been taught after first constructing his weapon, he fell into the defensive form fluidly and giving a curt nod to the master.

Using his intuition more than his eyes, he could feel where the bolts were going to hit him. Trusting those feelings, he moved the blade in front of his chest slightly before the first bolt was fired. The unnatural Tchew broke the monotonous hum of his lightsaber, followed by the higher-pitched Pew as the bolt ricocheted off the blade and buried itself in the ground before him.

He remembered having to learn this trick, being able to sense where attacks were going to land. He had felt the pain of those non-lethal bolts before, many times, before he allowed himself to be fully controlled by his intuition. It was a hard thing for the cathar, trusting instinct over vision. But, once that threshold was crossed, the exercise was fairly simple, as long as he wasn't distracted.

One after the other, the padawan deflected the shots, careful not to send them back at the Kel Dor. That would be a very bad first impression!


[member="Kian Karr"]


(OOC: So sorry! I've had to work 12 hours for the last 9 days, and couldn't get the time to post. Don't hate me )

 

[Kian Karr]

Kian watched as Roshim took up the ready stance and began to defend himself from the training remotes. His form was decent for someone who was beginning to learn Shien. His movements were confident and smooth, something that Kian liked to see. What little training his master had given him was well done. The only thing Kian wasn't seeing was the redirection of the blaster bolts.

"Your doing well." Kian said stepping further out of the way to allow Roshim the room to work. "Master Vokex taught you well. However, part of Shien is not only deflecting the blaster bolts, but also redirecting them into an attack."

Kian brought his own lightsaber up and a for a moment the remote stopped firing at Roshim and began firing at Kian. His blade moved fluidly as it intercepted the bolts. His blade's tip angled slightly forward, toward the remote and he punched his blade forward hitting the bolts and sending them back toward the target.

"By angling the blade slightly and punching forward you can redirect the bolts back toward the target. With practice you'll be able to hit a target, even a small one." Kian said deactivating his lightsaber and the remote targeted Roshim once more.

[member="Roshim Talsung"]​

​

(OOC: No worries!!))