Jameth Gyrus' Bogan Training

[D.C.]

Although the stern look on Koran's face did not show it, he was quite pleased with Jameth's question. Apparently the boy was patient enough to refine his Force Ablities before wanting to rush into the next part of the training. That was a very good sign indeed.

"You seem to be wiser than I first anticipated, acolyte," he said. "What you speak of is a technique usually referred to as: Force Absorb. A power which is quite useful when you fight against another Force User, but absolutely useless against other opponents, but that speaks for itself.

"We shall practice this power right away, because you - as a Warrior of the Dark Side - are ought to know it. I had planned to teach it later on, but we could as well do it now," Koran went on. "We will do it in the following way: I will unleash a blast of Force Energy upon you and you must absorb the energy. We will repeat this and each time I will unleash more powerful blasts, ending with lethal blasts that could kill if not absorbed."

Already he began to gather Force Energy for the first blast, but of course he would not unleash it until he had explained how to Absorb in detail.

"Close your eyes, acolyte Jameth, and return to the void where you first awakened to the Force. Remember the warmth you felt on your skin and how it allowed you to move again. Call upon this warmth and as you let it course throughout your body, you must let it create a layer of Force Energy on your skin. This layer of energy will Absorb Force attacks unleashed upon you and thus protect you against them. For now, just try to maintain the layer of Force Energy. Later on I shall teach you how to reflect the Force attacks back to the attacker."

The Force was now swirling around Koran and his eyes seemed to glow with a faint blue hue of Force Energy. He said: "Tell me when you are ready and we shall begin. If you have questions, ask ahead."

 

[Garuga]

Jameth nodded, running over his masters' words again in his mind. Anger and fear would have no place in the training of this power. He closed his eyes once again, embracing the force that he could now detect. The tingling sensation returned, pleasant and comforting. Jameth raised his hands slightly, using it as a guide to shape and mould the force currents moving in and out of his body.

It was a difficult process, especially as it was the first time Jameth had attempted it. However, he maintained his cool, and didn't give into the impatience which would foil his hard efforts. Eventually, he could gradually feel the force enveloping his body, forming into a layer on his skin like a protective sheen. Jameth waited for a brief moment to make sure that he had maintained control over the layer, and opened his eyes when he was ready.

"I am ready, my master..." Jameth said, detecting the build-up of force within the man in front of him. He raised his two hands forward, it was not neccesary, but it made him feel more confident to have a visual aid in front of him. His eyes flashed, determined.

 

[D.C.]

Without speaking a word to warn his acolyte, Koran lunged out his hands and unleashed the first blow of Force Energy. The blow was not weak, but not powerful either. It was somewhere in between weak and medium, and that was exactly what Koran wanted. He thought Jameth should get used to the blows first before he would unleash the more powerful ones.

After the first blow he retracted his hands and let them fall to his sides again. The Force was still swirling around him, but he paused to see how Jameth was doing while preparing for the next blow already.

 

[Garuga]

Jameth stared intently towards his master, and barely had time to react after detecting the force blow. With both of his hands out, me maintained his composure, and kept the force layer on his skin alive. The force blow struck his hands. Jameths' eyes teared up slightly. It was as though as if all the air had been driven out of him by a powerful punch. Jameth kept his mind focusing on the force layer in front of his body, and the force blow eventually dissapated.

Jameth coughed twice and inhaled deeply to regain his bearings. After a brief moment, he stood upright, and looked towards his master. "Odd sensation, but I am ready for the next wave" He said, puffing a little. He raised his hands once again, and gathered the force layer around him, slightly faster than last time.

 

[D.C.]

The next wave was slightly more powerful at medium power. Those who did not protect themselves with Absorb would be be knocked off their feet and probably lose consciousness, but with the aid of Force Absorb no serious damage would be done.

After the second wave Koran retracted his hands again and looked at his apprentice to see how he was doing while at same time preparing for the third wave.

Two more waves to go.

"Don't forget to try to make your layer of Absorbtion stronger," he adviced. "Mainly because my waves become stronger and stronger and also because you must learn to make your layer stronger. Ready?"

 

[Garuga]

Jameth thrust his hands forward, trying to anticipate the increased strength of the incoming force wave. He focused on the force layer, his eyes seemingly illuminated slightly by the force currents passing through him. Jameth felt the impact of the wave against the force layer he was projecting, and immediately backtracked a few steps due to the force of it.

It was indeed more difficult this time to maintain both the force layer and footing this time, but Jameth also found that the initial discomfort he had experienced the first time had been largely reduced. Jameth focused his attentions completely, and eventually the force wave dissapated.

Jameth puffed and leaned forward slightly, but quickly stood back up, determined to continue the exercise without too much of a rest. After all, in battle his opponents would hardly give him that chance. "Yes Master." Jameth said cooly, focusing his mind to project a more intense force layer around his body. "I am ready."

 

[D.C.]

A moment after Jameth said he was ready, Koran lunged out his hands to unleash the third blast. This one was between a medium and a heavy blow, so it was quite powerful.

After the blast Koran once again stood to look at his apprentice.

"Ready for the final blow?" he asked.

 

[Garuga]

The moment his Master released the force wave, Jameth knew that the force layer he had formed previously was most likely not strong enough. Sure enough, the moment the force wave hit his crossed arms, jameth was half-skidding across the room, staggering back a few meters. The pressure the force wave was inducing on his mind and body was immense, and Jameth nearly blanked out.

It seems like there is no end to this wave... Jameth thought to himself, his face curling with exertion. Jameth snarled, and focused his mind on what he wanted to achieve. I will complete this, and I will reach further! He mentally shouted in his mind. The force layer regained it's intensity, and was further augmented by his emotions.

After what appeared to be a lifetime, the force wave dissapeared and Jameth fell onto one knee. He was too tired to speak, but his mind continuously shouted at him to stand back up again. Jameth couldn't help it, his body demanded some rest, but he forced himself to stand back up, his hands holding his knees for support.

"Yes..." It was barely a whisper, but Jameth's lips formed a small smile.

 

[D.C.]

Koran spread his arms and the Force was now like a hurricane around him. His dreadlocks danced in the wind and he suddenly lunged out his muscular arms. He carefully aimed the blast so it would only hit Jameth, and not all the precious weapons, artifacts and chests in the room. He did not want to damage those items.

After the very powerful blast of Force Energy he allowed the Force Power to flow away and he let himself calm down. He looked at his apprentice to see how he was doing.

 

[Garuga]

Jameth licked his lips. This is it then. Rapidly, he formed the force layer around his body, allowing it to envelop him. Jameth raised his hands, and awaited the incoming storm. It struck hard. His force layer nearly crumbled completely under the stress it was taking, and Jameth was forced to his knees by it's power.

He felt blood rising in his throat as he tried to absorb the powerful wave before him. Jameth's vision was fading, and the scenes before him were blurred and colourless. Is this the end? A tiny voice in his mind asked. Jameth's mouth opened into a full snarl, trying to stay resolute. He slowly got his feet, still bracing himself fully against the force wave. The force layer was in a vigorous conflict, constantly fading but still shimmering back to life.

His vision turned once again, this time a red blur outlining the colourless scene before him. I won't let myself be destroyed... Jameth thought, as the force wave continued to throw itself against him.

Finally, agonizingly, the force currents ceased, and Jameth felt his body drained of nearly all it's energy. He slumped to the ground, holding himself up with one knee and a hand. Jameth was silent for a few minutes, incapable of any actions. Eventually, he mustered enough energy to speak. Still out of breathe and nearly knocked out cold, he whispered. "How have I done, master?"

 

[D.C.]

"It was ok," Koran said, "but you must keep practicing this technique. The more you practice it, the easier it will become to shield yourself from Force-based attacks."

He folded his hands behind his back and said: "You might have questions about Absorb, or whatever it is you're thinking of. Ask, acolyte, and I shall answer these questions. Otherwise we'll move on to the next lesson, the lightsaber."

 

[Garuga]

Jameth nodded. "None for now, though you said you will teach me the more advanced forms of this technique in the future." He said politely, "It seems fairly apparent that constant use of this technique will also be very draining."

Now comes what Jameth had been engrossed with. The lightsaber. He palmed the curved hilt of the lightsaber clipped onto his belt, being familiar with the angles of curvature. "I am ready to move onto the lightsaber, master."

 

[D.C.]

"Don't underestimate the process of learning lightsaber combat," Koran said, leaving his saber at his belt. "We will not just rush into the lessons with the saber, first of all there's lots of reading that has to be done. If this scares you, and if you're too lazy to do that, I don't see any reason for you to attain the rank of Crusader. But you have already shown me you are willing to learn, so I have faith.

"First of all," he explained, "there are several forms of which you will have to choose one. Tell me, Jameth, do you prefer defense or offense?"

 

[Garuga]

"I prefer offense, but not mindless offense." Jameth said politely. "Elegance and practical fighting that helps conserve energy." He had always been more a thoughtful fighter, not giving blindly into his instincts. Keeping a cool head had helped him out on a number of occasions.

"I don't know the name of it, but I suspect there is a fighting style that focuses on lightsaber to lightsaber combat." Jameth replied. "Perhaps that is the right choice for me." He wasn't afraid of tentative of the hard work to come. The training had given him a new goal and he would be as diligent a student as it comes.

((I will be making a character for the shade :p))

 

[D.C.]

"Makashi," Koran instantly responded. "Or Niman, although Niman might not be what you are looking for after all.

"I have an assignment for you. It might be easy, depends on how you deal with it."

He gestured at the door and then let his hand fall to his side again.

"Go to our library and search for information about all the seven forms, including Juyo, but especially about Makashi. Study its theory, strengths and weaknesses, but don't forget to look up information about the other forms, because you might change your mind when you come across a different one. Unless you have questions, I suggest you go now. I will be here, waiting for you."

((OOC: Sorry for the short post.......))

 

[Garuga]

((No problem :)))

Jameth nodded. His master's instructions had been clear enough. Turning on his heels, Jameth left the main training hall and into the inner realms of the Bogan sanctuary. So there are seven... The 20 year old thought to himself as he stepped cautiously. A few faces walked by him, though no one bothered to spare him a look. That's fine by me." Jameth mused. He had seen enough of the Dark Jedi to know that any of them would be perfectly willing to kill him given a single excuse. Gradually, he made his way to the archives of the Bogan, but found that he was alone.

Jameth chuckled to himself. What did he expect? A librarian or an assistance droid? He quickly took it upon himself to find everything, and shuffled over to a nearby console. It was a hard task, given that Jameth was no computer genius, but he eventually found what he needed. Given that his master had said, "Especially about Makashi", Jameth decided to leave it to last. He browsed through every scrap of information about the forms, poring over every detail. Determination, Resilience, Aggression, Perseverance, Moderation, Ferocity. And finally... Contention.

He knew that this was the form that suited him, the sleek and patient hunter. Jameth gave a small smile. He knew what he wanted. Returning to the training hall, he remained ever cautious, knowing that the Bogan were full of twists and surprises. "I understand what form suits me master, it is indeed Makashi."

 

[D.C.]

"Indeed," Koran said and he nodded to his apprentice. "Well done."

He had been meditating until his apprentice returned. He had sensed his presence in the Force a few minutes before Jameth entered the room, and when he did, the towering Kiffar immediately rose to his feet. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and fixed his red eyes on the Human.

"What did you learn about Makashi? It's weaknesses, it's strengths? It is important for you to understand all this, otherwise you will have a hard time when you end up in a real duel."

 

[Garuga]

Jameth nodded, meeting his master's gaze respectfully. "Makashi, Form II, focuses on blade to blade combat. Precise thrusts, jabs, and light cuts are preferred over clumsy sweeps. In combat, footwork is essential as the focus of Makashi is on using minimum energy to defeat an opponent. The strengths of Form II is it's efficiency, and the unpredictable yet orthodox attacking and retreating patterns. However, it's weakness is also apparent. Because Makashi focuses on efficient and precise control of the blade, it is more difficult to generate brute strength and powerful strikes." Jameth recounted, hoping that he had learned enough through his study.

He paused for a moment, then decided to call upon his own surmisations. "Nevertheless, I feel that this is the right form for me. I see myself as being a more strategic fighter, and against opponents who are much more physically overbearing than me, surprise and tact will also serve me well."

Jameth bowed his head, anxiously awaiting his master's response.