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Post by Jedi Initiate Linis Moonrider on Aug 4, 2014 0:32:36 GMT -8
Linis sensed a good nature from this woman and something about her seemed to make Linis calm.
"Greetings Master Bel, my name is Linis Moonrider. I have been told that I am to study the ways of the Force to become a Jedi. My dream was to study at Alderaan much like my mother however I've heard that the teachings of the Jedi open the mind into a deeper understanding of the universe which intrigues me. They say that I am Force sensitive and I have a little understanding of what this means but am yet to understand the deeper complexities of what being Force sensitive is. If you would Master, I need help to begin my training. I am ready to devote myself to the life of a Jedi. I've heard that there is an initiation trial that I must pass before I am accepted into the Order, could you please share with me what information you know about this?"
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Will Sontir
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Post by Will Sontir on Aug 5, 2014 22:58:03 GMT -8
The beautiful jedi knight crinkles her nose in an amused smile at the mistake and being referred to as 'master.'
"Well, those are some lofty goals. If you have come to learn more about the Force and the ways of the jedi. You have come to the right place. You will have to pass your trial in order to become a fully initiated member of the Jedi Order, but that's not until you have received your training as a learner, then picked up as a padawan to study under a master before you are ready to take your trials."
The Hapan's jade eyes flick back up, to the jedi hopeful. "So, where would you like to start? Begin with meditation? Learning the tenets of the Order? Combat training? Or would you prefer to go to your new quarters while I process your intake?"
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Post by Jedi Initiate Linis Moonrider on Aug 7, 2014 2:04:16 GMT -8
Linis felt nervous all of this was so sudden, but he would do what was required of him.
"Oh sorry Master Bel, I am still learning the exact initiation required to become a Jedi."
Linis thought momentarily "Hmm, I think learning the tenets of the Order would be best before doing combat training. It seems important to learn why I wield a blade before I wield it and when that blade should be used."
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Will Sontir
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Post by Will Sontir on Aug 19, 2014 17:28:46 GMT -8
The beautiful Hapan knight smile broadly.
Very well, I encourage you to head to the archives and research the basic tenets of the Jedi Order there, I will make sure quarters are made up for you during your studies if at anytime you feel you require rest. There will be protocol droids there if you are having any troubles.
When you are finished, I would also encourage you to meet up with Instructor Soloiem Dem, one of our resident jedi instructors of the Force.
The Deputy Administrator bows and moves along with her duties
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Post by J'lisko Corunner on Dec 3, 2014 6:35:16 GMT -8
*An adolescent Rattataki boy walks placidly through one of the many corridors of the Academy Wing here in the Coruscant Temple. His eyes, jet black, are focused on the path ahead of him-- but not the one right in front of his feet. He has known these halls since before he could even remember thought; he could walk them in pitch blackness. What he looks at now is his future, and it gives him reason for concern.*
*This boy's name is J'lisko Corunner, and what worries him the most is the passage of time. Every minute that goes by in this Temple spells the ever-approaching moment when he is deemed 'too old', and sent away. Too old, to begin the trials. Too old, to be taken as a Padawan. Too old, and cast into a culture of darkness of which he has no knowledge. Fear seeks to seize him in its clutches.*
*But J'lisko is a Jedi-- not a Jedi yet, but he has learned much over these past twelve years. He knows how to shed fear. He knows how to meditate on the Light Side of the Force.*
*Idly, his footsteps lead him into one of the vacant lightsaber training rooms.*
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Miras
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Post by Miras on Dec 5, 2014 11:26:03 GMT -8
Miras circled the target in a grim dance, his lightsaber flashing out periodically to snarl and hiss against its phrik surface. His form was relentless, inevitable yet unpredictable. Long, sweeping slashes gave way abruptly to brutal chops, each lightning fast stroke flowing seamlessly into the next as he continued his solitary assault. With each jolt of contact the Padawan felt his anger and frustration ebb away. The training emptied him out, replacing his forbidden emotions with a total focus upon his movement. In his mind's eye the Council sat before him, grave and disapproving, and he redoubled his efforts.
Waiting to be reassigned was driving him mad. After Adieumus' disappearance he'd been shipped back to Coruscant and taken into custody by the Temple for debriefing. After two months he had finally been approved to return to the field. That had been six weeks ago, and the Council had still not decided where to send the Corellian.
With one last cut to the outside of the target's frame, Miras deactivated his saber and clipped it back on his belt. The phrik gleamed in the training room's bright light as if it had never been touched. Snorting his derision, the Jedi crossed through the sparring field to retrieve his water bottle from the bench where he'd stowed his gear. His satchel, datapad, and the tattered cloak he'd worn since Carida lay in a haphazard pile; he'd been this room's only occupant for most of the afternoon, so the concern that a Master- or even worse, one of those self-righteous, newly appointed Knights- would discover it and decide to give him grief was minor.
Behind him the door panel hissed open. The Padawan started, nearly choked on his drink, and hastily kicked his gear under the bench before wheeling around.
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Post by J'lisko Corunner on Dec 5, 2014 15:46:15 GMT -8
*J'lisko pauses at the door, alarmed at what he'd just stumbled upon.*
"I'm sorry, I thought..."
*His words simply trail off.*
*It is only slightly unusual that he would walk into a room, expecting it to be empty, only to have an occupant after all. A note should be filed with the Masters so that the erroneous computer systems could be fixed. It should be that the room indicates when it is in use. But what is more unusual is the disturbance in the Force emanating from this place. As J'lisko peers upon the face of the man before him, it is clear enough that his approach was unexpected, and basically unwelcome. There was a certain feeling of annoyance...or maybe distraught...*
*Corunner got the vague impression that this was a place of retreat. That his presence here was not a part of the grand scheme of things.*
*Yet, the stranger using this room for training purposes and venting of emotion was the one who was really not a part of things. J'lisko's anxiety about the future receded as he considered the new turn of events. The one who ought to feel out of place here was the occupant! The one who has every right to feel that his territory has been seized by the presence of another is none other than he, himself! And, with that thought, what comes to mind is only the natural, hospitable reaction: for J'lisko is a member of the Temple here, so he should naturally be gracious to its guests, invited or not; and Miras is unfamiliar to him, so he must be a guest.*
*He unclips his lightsaber from its belt and gives a low bow, then extends his left arm, saber unlit but pointing towards Miras.*
"Would you like to..."
*His words fall off again without concluding the line of thought, and internally he rebukes himself. He should be clear in his thought process! For the heaving breaths, the heavy clothes discarded in the corner, the slight gleam of sweat...it's obvious this man came here for lightsaber practice! And, as a long-term resident, it's only natural to offer more than what the simulations have as an extension of hospitality! But J'lisko is not particularly adept with words, otherwise-- you know, he might have identified himself first. Or made obvious the fact that he would put his saber on a reduced-power mode, for a training duel. Since that is all he has to give at the moment.*
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Miras
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Post by Miras on Dec 7, 2014 18:32:55 GMT -8
His guilty expression dissolved into a sigh equally relieved and annoyed. The Jedi that entered was no Master or Knight but a mere Initiate. 'Which is all I am now, too,' he thought ruefully.
Picking up on a non-human's body language could be tricky, but had never been the only medium that Miras relied on. The force around the Initiate was drenched with a thousand shades of feeling, minuscule nuances that only a sentient mind could produce. Curiosity colored the new arrival's aura, and beneath it a desperate anxiety only momentarily forgotten. A look of pity crossed the Corellian's face. 'I thought he looked a little old to be an Initiate,' he mused, 'probably worried about being shipped off to be a farmer.' It was a fear he could sympathize with; his poor attitude and lack of respect for those Masters who had come to evaluate him had nearly cost him his shot at Knighthood. If not for Matango, Miras could have very well been sent to the AgroCorps himself.
The Initiate started to mumble a question and then trailed off, but when he pulled the saber from its place on his belt it became obvious that he was asking to spar. "Sure thing."
Still breathing heavily from his earlier exertion, the Jedi tossed his bottle onto the pile with the rest of his belongings and stretched, arms crossed behind his head and a pleased smirk on his face. Having a living opponent to spar with was always more entertaining than running through forms with a target or practicing with droid units. Besides, he felt bad for the Rattakan. It would be good for them both to take their minds off of their troubles for a time.
He plucked the hilt from his belt and began adjusting one of the knobs situated along its length. When the blade's power was low enough to cause no more than a superficial burn his thumb slipped across the activation stud, and a brilliant emerald blade flared to life with its characteristic hiss. Lifting his right arm out away from his side, with the tip of his weapon aimed at the Initiate, Miras widened his stance and gave the Initiate an expectant look.
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Post by J'lisko Corunner on Dec 8, 2014 6:42:39 GMT -8
*His soon-to-be opponent lit his blade in agreement to the spar, and J'lisko's own blue saber ignites in response. Then he starts to move.*
*The first step is to adjust his posture. He withdraws his left arm and twists his hips clockwise, meeting the saber hilt with his right hand as comfortably close to hip level as possible. The blade point is vertical. Then, he extends his left leg to the exact distance, just as he has practiced a hundred times, and bends his knees to sink his weight. And now, left leg towards Miras, he advances a step at a time, reducing the distance between them with a slow, methodical pace.*
*He is not the best in the Academy at sparring...but he is not the worst, either.*
*J'lisko takes the time in his advance to consciously gather information about Miras. He had to adjust his saber-- so, apart from the Masters, this is J'lisko's first time against someone who has his own lightsaber. That doesn't mean much, on its own-- but the stance he takes is a one-handed, open stance, which makes J'lisko suspect that he might be a fluid fighter, perhaps even acrobatic. But as for what J'lisko is portraying, it should be relatively obvious that he has a preference for adherence to form. And it's worth pointing out, too, that Miras has been exercising to the point of some physical signs of fatigue, and against holograms, at that. This reinforces J'lisko's thoughts:*
As the host, the initiator of the duel, the younger, and the fresher one, it's my duty to make the first move...
*But where?*
*As he advances, his eyes flick up and down the opponent; they rest for a moment on his left hip, and on his right underarm. And then, to warm his muscles up a bit more, he increases his speed slightly until he makes his way just inside what he estimates to be Miras's striking range. His black eyes peer into the Corellian's. Right now, he could be attacked without being able to mount a counterattack, because Miras is taller.*
*But he suspects Miras will not. If he does, J'lisko will simply move back out of range and adjust angle. No, he suspects that Miras wants him to make the first move, so, if Miras does not attack now, Corunner will continue.*
*After the slight pause at just inside Miras's range, J'lisko takes another step forward and swings both hands from their ready position on his right, utilizing the power of his hips and torso, aiming waist-high at the left side of Miras's body.*
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Miras
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Post by Miras on Dec 8, 2014 16:40:23 GMT -8
Miras' expression remained neutral as the younger boy fell into what he could only describe as the most orthodox guard he'd seen since departing Coruscant with Adieumus almost a year ago. His own stance likely appeared sloppy rather than well-practiced to the youngling. In truth, it lay somewhere in the middle. Before becoming a Padawan he'd assumed his skills with a saber to be peerless- partly because, since his peers were the other Initiates at the time, they were. That arrogance had been beaten out of him on Carida, however, and now he eyed even the youngling in his rigid stance almost warily.
'It will likely be a matter of picking apart his guard and confusing his footwork,' the Jedi mused as J'lisko advanced further, 'he seems so focused on adherence to form that it isn't likely he'll prove innovative. Still, you never know.'
His partner's focus was admirable. Miras doubted he could have kept his own composure while approaching in such a way. He accepted the reprieve gratefully, though, taking in deep, measured breaths and sinking into the force. Its touch was akin to a cool hand on his brow. Refreshing, but not restorative. His arms and legs ached from his assault on the practice system, and his white cloth robes were soaked through with sweat. While nowhere near exhaustion, the Jedi had to admit that his fatigue was likely to take a toll on his reflexes and strength.
Miras' grip tightened on the hilt of his lightsaber as J'lisko drew near, readying himself for the inevitable attack. He noted the youngling's split-second hesitation when he came into range and almost smiled. Personally he would have broke into a rush at that point, pressing the attack before his foe could take advantage, but the fact that he noted his vulnerability at all was impressive. The Jedi's silent praise was short lived; with his next step would come a blow.
Twisting his hips to the left, Miras slid his left foot back and half-turned toward the incoming strike. Simultaneously he snapped his saber into a vertical position with a flick of his wrist and swept it across his body to meet J'lisko's blade. His left hand was raised and ready to receive the hilt as it approached, fingers curling around it a split second before the impact sent a jolt through both arms. He let J'lisko's blade force his own toward him rather than waste his energy killing momentum completely. The force of the blow bent his elbows slightly just before he punched back out with full force, intending to shove the azure blade away.
Angled toward the space just to the youngling's right, with his right shoulder pointed at J'lisko's center mass, Miras moved to counterattack and snapped the emerald blade of his saber down , releasing the hilt with his left hand as the weapon lay horizontal. In the same, ceaseless motion that had begun with his block, the Jedi swept the blade out to his right in a lateral slash at the side of J'lisko's neck. He doubted the youngling had trained in more than disarming or disabling opponents. It was his hope that facing a foe who opted for vital targets would make his defenses hasty and sloppy.
In the wake of his strike Miras pulled his right foot back, retreating a step. If J'lisko was not very quick with his counter, he would be forced to advance again before he could strike, and that was Miras' intention. Mostly he wanted to see if the youngling would pursue him or remain on the defensive.
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Post by J'lisko Corunner on Dec 9, 2014 6:32:25 GMT -8
*J'lisko was disappointed as he viewed the results of his attack. For his age, he is taller and larger than most (probably a trait of his species), so when he performs a two-handed attack like this, it usually succeeds in blowing through a guard. But the older opponent coolly deflected it. It was not what J'lisko had had in mind.*
*But he wasted too much time on thinking about it, and as his saber is rebuffed, Miras's blade is suddenly inside his guard, with J'lisko's own saber lazily where it should not be.*
*Fortunately, the same advantages that permit Miras to guard and counter so aggressively-- namely, his advantage in stature-- are what will ultimately permit his swing to miss high. J'lisko is not particularly fazed by the choice of target. However, he has had trouble with this in the past. He used to play too much of the 'metagame': knowing that the sabers are on low power, in the past he would have intercepted this attack with his forearm, while striking for a better target on his opponent. But the Masters rebuked him for that, since this is training, and in a true situation his forearm would be severed and the original target would be struck.*
*So, he learned that it was better to dodge, and the solution he had worked out back then was just to drop. And since he is smaller, getting lower to the ground is more effective against Miras than it would be against, say, Yoda. From his stance, it is easy; and, while not as automatic and fluid as it would be in a practiced duelist, still quick enough to lower the half foot or so needed to clear his head from the jade saber's slash.*
*This next part is more mechanically smooth, but also slower. As he drops, Corunner decides to continue all the way to the floor; he lets his right hand free itself from the saber, to plant on the palm for more support. His right knee touches stone, and then he swings his left leg out along the ground. Miras has, by this time, stepped back with his right foot. But his forward left foot might still be in range for the sweep kick that J'lisko responds with.*
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Miras
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Post by Miras on Dec 13, 2014 23:36:41 GMT -8
His mouth quirked as J'lisko ducked below his strike, but otherwise his expression remained unchanged. He'd expected the youngling to be rattled by a bar of plasma swinging toward his face, but he'd reacted quickly and without incident. Inwardly the Padawan berated himself; had Adieumus not taught him that expectation was a killer? The blonde haired git had been hard to take seriously most of the time, but when it had come to dueling Miras had found it best to pay the kriff attention. An exaggerated exhale issued from the youth as he cleared the matter from his mind. Better to fight as an empty conduit and allow his instincts to rule than tangle up his own reflexes with a head game he wasn't experienced enough to play yet.
Corunner was dropping to low for a simple evasion, his knee dropping to find purchase on the ground. With his weight on his right foot as he prepared to retreat, Miras instead lifted his left foot and pushed off with his back leg, hopping a foot or so backward and out of the sweep's range.
He wastes no time going on the offensive, bursting back toward the youngling the moment he's landed. His lightsaber hilt lingers near his left hip as he takes the single, lunging step forward that is necessary to close, and then he lashes out in a backhanded, left-to-right slash at Corunner's right elbow. With his left foot forward and planted, his hips pivot with the strike to give it added power, and hopefully make any awkward block the youngling could conjure up in his current position insufficient.
Even in the chaotic tangle of the duel Miras could feel his mind emptying of conscious thought, replaced by a sense of oneness with the force and a calm focus on his opponent. A shiver of delight ran up his spine as he embraced the sensation. 'Ashla, guide me.'
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Post by J'lisko Corunner on Dec 15, 2014 6:20:00 GMT -8
*The feeling of desperation as Miras dodged his leg sweep did not really set in for J'lisko. The spar has not gone on long enough for that. But, despite the brevity, it is about to come to a finish-- because, the moment it becomes obvious that Miras is going to counter-strike, Corunner decides not to defend.*
*In slight defiance of the Masters, Corunner will instead opt for a faster hit, or perhaps a simultaneous finish.*
*As Miras steps in and commits to his backhanded swipe at J'lisko's arm, J'lisko takes the only recourse for action that can salvage the outcome of this duel for him: he drives his saber point-first with his left hand, not into a block, but straight towards the midsection of the charging opponent in a crude, yet swift, stab.*
*In terms of target choice, it vaguely occurs to J'lisko that his is the better attack. He presumes that Miras has come too far to do anything but continue his attack; to redirect his blade to deflect the stab would be too much movement, but since the saber is on low-power mode, it cannot move through J'lisko's arm, either; Corunner has naturally not had any exposure to Trakata (being an advanced technique), so he concludes that it will come down to either a trade of blows, or Miras performing some acrobatic maneuver to avoid the strike (which might also cause his own attack not to land). A straight thrust is always faster than a slash, so the final question is whether, if both land, J'lisko's lands ahead of Miras's, or at the same time.*
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dyvius
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Post by dyvius on Jul 13, 2015 12:34:46 GMT -8
Sometime in the past... (Private Storyline)
The Jedi Order was a symbol for peace and order throughout the galaxy and all the millennia for which it existed. How strange was it, then, that the Jedi always appointed a Battlemaster among them to serve as the leading expert on combat? Truly, the Jedi had always answered this seemingly contradictory quandary with the notion that their combat skills were used specifically for the protection of the innocent and the eradication of evil.
Jedi Battlemaster Templus Cro understood the fine points of this philosophy behind the Jedi being a martial force with the ultimate goal being peace. After all, the Force itself, which granted all Jedi their abilities, was generated from life, something that could only thrive when peace reigned supreme. Templus had often been told that he was a living embodiment of the Jedi's greatest irony. Standing at 1.96 meters tall and weighing 104 kilos of pure, limber muscle, the Battlemaster was a hulking show of intimidating brute force. However, knowing Templus told a different story. The man had been trained by a Togruta Jedi Master, a self-proclaimed Sage of the Force, named Avei Arlah. As such, the most intricate philosophies of life and the Force were no mystery to Templus, and his temperament was gentle yet firm.
Wearing his Jedi robes; cream and tan, Templus stood at the edge of one of the Jedi Temple's many sparring arenas. Down in the circular pit were a group of about ten Jedi Padawans, all of them nearing the age and proclivity at which they could be considered for pairing with a worthy Jedi Master for the completion of their training. Currently, the younglings were stood spaced evenly apart, and all of them held glowing training lightsabers in a variety of colors, mostly greens and blues, but one or two yellow blades in the mix. The Padawans were waging battle against individual training remotes, helmets blinding them all and requiring the use of the Force to safely deflect the bolts. Templus watched with vested interest, after all these were the future of the Jedi Order, and at some level or another the combat readiness of these young, aspiring Jedi was his responsibility.
Then, unobtrusively, Templus senses a familiar presence enter the sparring facility. Turning on his heel and walking to the other side of the raised walkway between two adjacent sparring pits, Templus gazed down into the second pit with hands resting casually on his hips. In this ring, there were eight teenage Padawans sitting in a semicircle near the wall to Templus' left. They had their full attention focused on the events transpiring in the middle. A pair of young Jedi were sparring openly, training sabers both of green in use, while a Jedi Knight, a Twi'lek named Vance Telil, watched carefully, ready to offer advice or provide corrective instructions as necessary. The two Jedi were clearly working in Form Five, the powerful strikes of Djem So obvious to Templus' trained eye.
Scanning the far rim of the sparring pit, Templus spotted the presence who had caught his attention. Standing with burly arms crossed, meaty tail laying on the walkway behind him, was Jedi Master Haska Herotyne, a Barabel. Standing even taller than Templus and at an equivalent number of kilos more, Haska was an imposing being to behold, and having the ferocious instincts and skills of a predator in addition to the complete martial training of a Jedi Master, he was a fearsome opponent for even Templus to face. Seeing him gave Templus the beginning of an idea...
Down in the pit, the two Padawans were currently locked in a struggle for dominance, with their blades clashing without either apprentice giving ground. Vance looked like he was ready to step in, when instead Templus sent a burst of intention across the way through the Force to Haska. Predatorial eyes sharpening to see the human Battlemaster, Haska sent back a feeling that he understood exactly what the Jedi had in mind. The pair of Masters leaped quietly into the pit, landing with aid of the Force, and caught tha attention of the spectating apprentices as well as Vance. The pair of Padawan still sparring paid no mind as the two Jedi Masters strode towards them, and finally one of them, growing frustrated that he could not break the lock with his adversary, lashed out with the Force, sending his opponent sprawling.
Or rather, his opponent would have gone sprawling, had not Templus reached out with the Force and caught the Padawan before he even hit the ground. Suddenly taking notice of the two newcomers to the sparring pit, the two Padawan scrambled to a more respectable stance, deactivating their training lightsabers and mumbling a greeting despite their apparent exhaustion. All the while, Vance was shaking his head, and he addressed the Padawan that had let his frustration get the best of him.
"To lash out with feelings of aggression is not the Jedi way, Fyo. You must learn to control your emotions no matter the situation you find yourself in, or else you will find yourself in a more dire position than anything else."
Then, Vance turned towards the Padawan who had been a victim of the Force attack and addressed him as well.
"As for you, Juntu, you must learn to keep your guard up and be more prepared for anything. In a true battle, your opponent will do whatever it takes to overpower you, even if it means using the Force in aggressive ways. I expect you to be more prepared in the future."
Giving acknowledgements to Vance's pointers, both Padawans stowed their training sabers and began to trudge back towards their peers, who had come closer as Templus and Haska turned to face them. Vance smiled warmly at the two towering Masters, saying,
"A pleasure to have you join us today, Battlemaster Cro; Master Herotyne."
Templus smiled back and passed an evaluating gaze over the line of wide-eyed Padawans. It was still sometimes a marvel to Templus that he could evoke such responses in others.
"I happened to notice that you were practicing Form Five today, yes?"
The Padawans nodded, saying "Yes, Master" in response. Haska, in his reptilian voice, added,
"Excellent. I was heartened to sssee young Jedi like yourssselves training in the Form closssest to my own heart."
Templus nodded at this,
"Indeed, and Djem So is my favorite Form as well."
Knowing where this was headed, Vance supplied,
"Ah, then I take it you would be willing to give these apprentices a demonstration, so as to provide them with a visual aid?"
Templus and Haska glanced at each other. Templus said,
"We'd be delighted, Jedi Telil."
Excitement coursed through the Force in all ten Padawan assembled, and Vance felt only satisfaction. For the young Jedi, all tired from their exertions, this was a welcome treat to watch two Jedi Masters at work. Templus strode away from Haska until they were spaced a reasonable distance apart. All the while, Vance was herding the apprentices towards the edge of the pit, where they each climb out in turn to sit on the rim and watch from a safe location.
The Barabel Master turned to Templus, holding his lightsaber unlit in his right hand, tail flicking behind him, betraying his own eagerness. Templus pulled his own lightsaber from his belt clip and held it loosely at his side, mirroring Haska's posture. They did not need to speak to understand that this would be a high-level fight, with no holds barred save the actual taking of life or limb. However, any bumps or bruises were fair game, however, in order to give the best example for the apprentices, they knew to stick to actual lightsaber combat without including too much martial arts most useful on the true field of battle.
It's good to have FUN, Templus thought to himself.
Simultaneously, the Masters activated their lightsabers. Haska's glowed with a soft orange light. Templus had chosen, of his two sabers, his brilliant blue blade. With an identical salute, the Masters charged at each other.
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dyvius
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Post by dyvius on Dec 4, 2015 19:17:19 GMT -8
Sometime in the past... (Private Storyline)
"Hello, young ones, I am Jedi Knight Nalliana Zuk."
The Academy Wing of the Jedi Temple held facilities for physical training, for combat, for Force powers, and for general education. The Jedi youngling, from the ages of 3 all the way to their late teens would practice and hone the skills that characterize them as Jedi hopefuls. Today a group of 14 year-old Jedi initiates, those that were awaiting selection by Jedi Knights and Masters to begin their Padawan years, were seated in a meditative position in a semi-circle facing the opening of the classroom. Standing at the opening of the semi-circle was a tall and lithe woman wearing darker robes and sporting thick dark hair tied in a braid and laying over her shoulder like an inert lekku. This was Nalliana Zuk.
"Master Hrssek asked me to join you all today for a lesson on alternative Force philosophy. I think this is an area that I am familiar with, and one that all of you should be aware of as you grow as Force-users. It is important to understand that while Jedi exist to keep Balance in the Force, there are trillions upon trillions of people that live in this galaxy and there are those that believe in different uses of the Force."
A girl with curly blonde hair sitting near the back of the circle raised her hand. Inquiries during lectures, if made respectfully, were always honored. Knowledge was an important tool for all Jedi, as per the Code. The elder members of the Order knew to encourage the pursuit of Knowledge in the students.
"Yes, Padawan Aviola?"
"Jedi Zuk, are you talking about the Sith?"
Nalliana looked evenly at the girl and shook her head, "While you are correct in assuming that the Sith do hold a differing Force philosophy than the Jedi, it is not one that should ever be explored in great detail. What is most important about the Sith is that they exist as an eternal enemy of the Jedi and seek to be the exact opposite of everything that we as an Order stand for.
"No, what I am referring to is the Force philosophy practiced by the Nightsisters and Witches of Dathomir. You may have seen references to these beings in your studies of history."
"Master Hrssek asked me to lead this lecture because I come from the planet Dathomir. As you can tell by my darker skin and countenance, I was initially raised as a Dathomiri Witch. At the age of seven, a Master no longer with us, Cloud Fisher, found me on one of his missions and brought me here to the Temple to train in the ways of the Jedi. He insisted, when I asked him later during my Apprenticeship to him, that he could feel that the Force had greater plans for me than remaining on a single planet and communing with nature."
Another hand went up. This time, it was scaly and green, belonging to a Rodian Padawan named Zeet. He asked, in heavily accented Basic, "Jedi Zuk, did the Force have bigger plans for you?"
Nalliana smiled, "I would learn over the course of my many years in service to the Order that the Force did have greater designs for me than remaining on Dathomir as a Witch. That is not to say that the things I was already learning as a Witch-in-Training were not important to me or useful even today. For example, my skills with Plant Manipulation and Animal Friendship, rare Force powers for the typical Jedi, come out of my early affinity with the way that the Dathomiri Witches view the Force.
"On Dathomir, all Force sensitives learn that their powers come from two sources: the Winged Goddess and the Fanged God. All aggressive actions stem from the will and power of the Fanged God while all benign and defensive Force powers are granted to us by the Winged Goddess. Obviously, as I eventually learned and as you all may be able to guess, when the Witches and Nightsisters 'commune' with these paired deities, they are calling upon the Force as they understand it. For a time, I too called upon the Force in this manner, and it gave me a different perspective than is taught in the Order today.
"You see, in believing that all of the Force came from living deities, we more easily see the connection to all life around us. Whether it leads to manipulations of sentient life such that we can create talismans of eternal life, or in mere plant and animal-based control, the philosophy and application of the Witches means that all life to us is as one and is meant to be considered as such. While every Jedi in this Order, you all included, learn about the connectivity of life through the Living Force, the Force itself is not emphasized as a living entity itself. At least, in my experience when I was reconditioned upon reaching Coruscant, the Living Force becomes a binding factor and less of an actual being.
"I never lost my understanding of the Force as a living, breathing creature. It is precisely why, despite my retraining as a true Jedi, I have special skills with flora and fauna across the galaxy. Not to mention my skills with the meteorological aspects of nature."
Aviola's hand was up again, "Jedi Zuk, why don't the Jedi believe in the Force the same way as the Witches?"
"There is a very specific drawback to holding the Force as the embodiment of two immortal deities and of giving the Force an aspect of actual living essence. The Force, as the Jedi understand, provides the ability for life to exist, but it is not life itself, not quite. When the Witches commune with the Force as life itself, they begin to sacrifice the uniqueness of their own life in favor of the less-intelligent life that surrounds. The Nightsisters, for example, have a set of skills as provided by the Fanged God which when summoned through special rituals, give animal attributes to the user. They can see like a Veshet, move like a Toocha, or summon powers like that of a Ssurian dragon. When doing this, the Nightsisters, and some arcane Witches, lose their individuality as sentient life forms. They become more animal-like and they begin to lose touch with what makes them the species they actually are.
"If you ever, in your possible missions across the galaxy, wind up visiting Dathomir, you will very likely meet a clan of Witches. You will see how they can begin to blur the line between a human and an unthinking animal. Think of a Bothan, young ones, how while possessing canine features, they maintain and air of unmistakable intelligence and sentience about them. Even in the grip of strong emotion, a Bothan is still a thinking being. Witches lose this thinking aspect if they spend too much time in the grip of their own Force doctrine. My kin are a wild group, and the Nightsisters even more so. It is dangerous to let one get this way, because of our potential as sentient species, for we can begin to use our massive potential in ways destructive to life.
"This is the path to the Dark side. Truly, even the most kindhearted of Dathomir's Witches bare an unmistakable dark feeling to them, even if they have never done anything outright evil. It is the debasement of the natural Light of Life that leads to this dark feeling. Only once have I been on Dathomir's soil since Master Fisher brought me to the Order and I cannot deny that the feral brand of the Force is one of darkness no matter how safely it is used."
The young ones had been listening with mostly rapt attention. Listening about the arcane and mystical was always a treat for curious minds, especially when the rote and habit of the Jedi Training regimen left anything out of the ordinary like a bright candle in a dark cave. A third hand shot towards the ceiling. This was a boy with a nutty brown head of hair, "Jedi Zuk, what about the Nightsisters, how are they different than the Witches?"
Nalliana expected this question to pop up eventually, especially with how many times she had mentioned the name even this far.
"The Nightsisters are to the Witches of Dathomir as the Sith are to the Jedi, young Padawan Giunn."
The boy nodded his understanding, but Nalliana was more than willing to press on.
"The Witches of Dathomir, while ultimately practicing a craft that will not destroy them but only alter their basic existence, are not doing anything inherently harmful. While less perfect than Jedi philosophy, the Witches cannot be faulted for creating a culture such as they do. The Witches respect life due to their conception of the Force. They would never do anything to anger the Fanged God or Winged Goddess. These two entities give gifts to the Witches, in theirs minds, and they do so through life and everything nature has to offer.
"The Nightsisters also commune with the Fanged God and Winged Goddess. But they do not respect life. How can this be? I mentioned already the use of Talismans and arcane spells of temporary transformation. The Nightsisters are forever pressing the boundaries of nature. They see nature and all of its gifts and attributes as tools to be exploited to the fullest. They believe that because something is possible, it should be attempted or else the full potential of nature is wasted. The Nightsisters have arcane arts, the likes of which I have only seen reports about, which allow them to defy the rules of life and reanimate the dead, alter the physical nature of beings, and defy the laws of physics upon which the galaxy is based. These things do not show an ultimate communion with nature and the universe, but instead show a perversion and selfish control of it. All things the Nightsisters do are to be avoided at all costs."
Nalliana had not been entirely truthful in her account of the Nightsisters. In her early years before Cloud Fisher had found her among the Tribe she called her own, the Nightsister threat had been on the rise. They were seeded within the tribes of Witches where they could not be rooted out. They would steal prospective young girls who seemed to be a brilliant fit for their order of arcane rituals and train them in dark applications of the Force that made all but the most seasoned of Witches toss and turn in their bunks. Nalliana was targeted as her powers in the Force blossomed. She had a dark look about her, the elders of her Tribe had always said when considering her, but they also could not deny that her affinity with the natural world was so strong and her mind so pure that to give her up to the Nightsisters would be a direct affront to the Winged Goddess.
She was about six and a half, and already becoming familiar with the more advanced tenets of the Living Force and learning her place among the natural world. The elder Witches of her Tribe refused to let her powers go to waste, for they knew that Nalliana could better defend herself against a possible kidnapping by the Nightsisters if she had the Winged Goddess by her side.
They were half right. The Nightsisters struck one evening when the moon high above Dathomir was only the faintest sliver. The Witches rushed to the defense of the Tribe's village, and all the while the Tribe elder was hustling Nalliana for the edge of the forest, reminding her that concealing her presence with the plants and animals around her was the surest chance of survival. Nalliana remembered, scared mostly out of her wits, that she had reached out in all directions from her at that moment and had felt the forest, the insects, and the animals. She had sampled their essences and made herself one among those essences. She remembered seeing the Tribe elder nod grimly, pull her animal skins about her and set off back to the village. As Nalliana shrunk into the darkness of the forest, she remembered seeing the green tendrils of arcane Nightsister magic stretching throughout the huts and she saw the Witches fighting back with every ounce of power they had.
Half asleep and half conscious, Nalliana waited out the entire night. She watched from a very safe distance as the village was destroyed thoroughly by the Nightsisters as they first overpowered the Witches and then tore the whole place looking for the little girl they had wanted to claim for their own. But the envy they had for their target was justified; they never located Nalliana, for she had managed, in her dazed and panicked state to go far beyond merely melding her Force presence with the jungle surrounding her. Nalliana had gone beyond this and had bent even the light rays around her, controlling the temperature and air pressure so as to completely vanish without a trace.
The Nightsisters had assumed that the girl they were searching for had escaped into the jungle prior to their assault. Leaving nothing but scorched remains of the Tribal village behind, they moved on, hoping to pick up her trail. But as far as Nalliana was concerned, they never did. Armed with a hunting knife and her burgeoning skills with the Living Force, Nalliana spent the next couple of months wandering about the jungle, befriending the wildlife and coming to a new understanding almost each and every day with the natural world around her. But unlike the warning Nalliana had bestowed upon the younglings in the class, she never succumbed to feral impulses. No, after seeing the destruction wrought by the Nightsisters, Nalliana held the world with a sense of detachment while maintaining her place within it. The emotional trauma became her greatest strength, and her greatest quality to Master Fisher when he arrived as part of a requested taskforce that had the mission of subduing the rampant Nightsister influence on the planet to a more manageable level. Nalliana already had the emotional detachment sought after by most Jedi, and she already had learned to operate within the Force despite it.
Having no life worth living on Dathomir, and feeling comforted in another human being taking interest in her, the almost-seven-years-old Nalliana joined Master Fisher, returned to the Temple, underwent reconditioning training as an actual Jedi Initiate, and then was chosen officially by Master Fisher as his Apprentice. That was decades ago, but still, there were sometimes when images from that horrifying night returned to Nalliana in dreams or visions....
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Post by notjonnjonzz on Feb 15, 2018 8:23:00 GMT -8
Jax wiped the sweat off of his forehead. He had just finished sparring with his master, Rand Zarvic. Zarvic was in complete mastery in all lightsaber forms(except vapaad, it was strictly forbidden, although some masters has theoretical knowledge of it). Jax was preparing for the Jedi Knight trials that were taking place the following week. He insisted on some last minute practice, even though Zarvic felt that Jax was at the standard where it wasn't necessary.
*panting* Well done my padawan. You really gave me a run for my money. Put an old fart's bones to good work.
Thanks, master. You taught me well.
*chuckles* Well I do have to take some credit. Rest well padawan, enjoy the weekend. The trials will certainly put your abilities to the test, and you deserve the break, seeing from your excellent sparring today. Although I certainly think you're more than ready for the trials!
Thank you master, you flatter me. I'll head back to the dorms and take a hot shower.
They both bow and leave
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Min
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Post by Min on Sept 26, 2024 13:39:59 GMT -8
[ Eamin “Min” Thunderstone | Unused Classroom 13 | Academy Wing | Jedi Temple | Coruscant ] Like with the Halls of Healing, only the section closest to the wing's entrance had frequent visits. So the deeper sections and levels were relatively ignored.
Setting up a similar protection of holoprojectors to reflect the illusion of a place still unused, Min set up her station to access the Holonet and communications centre. Essentially she'd use this place to stay in touch with the galaxy or her ships, but she also slaved some of the basics to her dwelling in the temple, to ensure she could make a speedy response when necessary.
She had to slice into Coruscant's main power supply mainframes to reroute any detection of increased power usage to other less suspicious areas, but it'd at least ensure she wasn't setting off alarms or drawing attention to her hideout. Once again, it would probably have been easier to just buy a hideout warehouse on Coruscant, but she was once again overruled by her childish desire to be a Sith living in a former Jedi Temple.
“It's all miiiiiiine! Muahahahahaha!” Min cackled madly, frightening her droid assistants.
With all devices set up, she left.
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