Open Let's Learn Soresu From A Holocron

[Drow Venn]

Open to any Jedi who wants to learn Soresu on Yavin

"Hey! Grimgar! Either sit still or I'm telling your dad!" Master Drow Venn shouted at the Gamorrean youngling who was chasing one of his classmates with his training lightsaber. The youngster was a member of the Grojuk Gamorrean clan that was defending the Yavin Temple and he had been discovered to be Force sensitive. Now that Drow had taken up some teaching classes utilizing Cin Drallig's holocron, Grimgar had also been discovered to be a handful. But despite his stern warning, Drow actually loved teaching and loved his students. It was fun to embark on a journey of discovery with his fellow Jedi as they plumbed the depths of the newly acquired holocron that Drow had literally had to fight a rancor to obtain.

But it had been so worth it. The wealth of knowledge that Master Drallig had imparted into the holocron was beyond compare. While some had some criticisms on Drallig as a teacher due to his failure to prevent the Temple from falling, Drow had found him a wonderful teacher that he drew a lot of knoweldge from in his new role as Chief of Security of Yavin's Temple. While Drow had been taking the Holocron with him in the nights he was on Yavin to better train in how to become a good Chief of Security and to develop some controversial saber techniques (Drallig recommended not teaching Vaapad to all but the most levelheaded students), he was happy to leave the holocron in the library during the day for all to learn from. In fact, he'd even been leading some classes recently to help other develop their saber skills alongside Drallig's holocron, skills all the more useful in recent days.

"Alright, is that everyone then?" Drow asked, looking for a final roll call before switching the holocron on. Today's lesson was in the defensive Form III also known as Soresu. It wasn't a form Drow was terribly familiar with and he was eager to hear what Master Drallig had to say about it.

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Vayla Mirana had trained under a master of defensive lightsaber combat, Soresu in particular, while seeking to bridge between Shien for an overall versatile approach. Of course, Vayla had encountered enough encounters over the years to know not to hold yourself back to any single form when it came to crossing blades. She had learned this through fights to the death with the average assailant, as well as dark-siders, and even from sparring as with her former friend Mila Tesara.

All in all, the Jedi Knight had learned that a practitioner of the saber had to be confident in one’s own abilities, never blindly submitting to some ‘form’ of this or that simply for the sake of it, and all the while understanding the pros and cons of any given form. Soresu was such a form that relied on defense, focusing the user on the non-aggressive tenets of the Jedi Order, seeking to best the opponent through tight bladework, blocking and economy of energy.

Drow Venn, of course, did not need as many reminders of this. The students? That might be another story. Such may be said for Wurfuhlla, Vayla’s own Padawan. The former had invited the latter to this lesson upon being invited by Master Venn himself. This was a time to go beyond the holocron and engage the Padawans and otherwise; show them how it’s done, be shown how it’s done, teach and learn and permeate the cycle of give and take.

“It is for me and mine,” Vayla expressed near Drow at his question for everyone. She smiled toward her Padawan, her hands clasped behind her back. She wore her white robes streaked in blue, at least for now, her lightsaber hilt tucked away. “I will personally be training with my Padawan, Wurfuhlla.”

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[Wurfuhlla]

The Wookiee Padawan stood quietly next to his master. She had insisted he dress presentably. So he threw a single wrap of fabric, blue in color, over one shoulder and tucking it into his belt. He chose blue in respect of his master.

Preparing for the training he began to stretch after she introduced him. Then introduces himself.

“Good morning everyone! My name is Wurfuhlla, pleased to meet you all.”

Then proceeded to get loose and ready. He had never learned a defensive style before. Perhaps this would come in handy later on. Every sparring encounter, or encounter in general, he had been more the attacker and was good at it, but when on the defensive it was a struggle.

A perfect opportunity came up with this invite. A holocron found with teachings on the form. This was definitely a must for the Wookiee. Once the instructor was ready class would begin.

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[Drow Venn]

"Of course! Glad we have two more! And a Wookiee Jedi? You're a rarity, I'm told!" Drow greeted Vayla and Wurfhulla enthusiastically as he approached the Holocron to turn it on. A large image of the deceased Master Cin Drallig suddenly appeared to all those in the practice room, picking up where things had left off last lesson.

"...Soresu is a style all Jedi should be familiar with. I've seen many smaller and weaker opponents win duels simply because they left no holes in their defense. Now, to refresh your memory, let's begin with position one..." Drallig began, refreshing those already familiar with the style in the various starting poses, parries, and slashes that were often utilized in Form III. Vayla would no doubt be familiar with them, having already mastered the form while Wurfhulla might find the new technique a bit slower and requiring more patience than he was used to. Drow, for his part, walked among the younglings, correcting postures and supplying encouragement when he could.

Time passed.

"Now, let's step up these techniques by incorporating a second lightsaber into these moves. For those of you unfamiliar, this wielding of multiple sabers is called Jar'Kai and it comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. It's not often incorporated into Soresu, which can supply you with the element of surprise if you use it against an experienced duelist." Drallig explained. Drow made his way over to a chest that contained a few training lightsabers and tossed them to those that needed a second saber. For his part, the Ishi Tib withdrew his recently acquired second lightsaber form his belt. It had recently been won in battle from a Sith and its red blade clashed greatly with Drow's yellow-bladed one. The red color displeased Drow and he'd been meaning to replace the crystal but, for now, it'd do.

Cin Drallig continued his lesson, explaining that dual-wielding with Soresu required you to use one saber to block and the other to attack. He showed techniques for how one could use both blades to maintain a nigh inpentrable defense and then strike when their opponent was exhausted. After a while, Drow shut off the holocron with an evil looking grin on his face.

"All these techniques are easy to apply to an opponent wielding one lightsaber. But let's see how we do against a fellow Jar'Kai wielder. Vayla, let's see if you can defend yourself against my attacks. Wurfuhlla, defend against Grimgar." Drow instructed. The Ishi Tib grinned and went into one of the designated dueling circles, waiting for Vayla to join him. Grimgar the Gammorrean youngling, roughly the Wookiee Padawan's size and strength looked excited at the prospect of getting to try out some moves.

"Come on furball - let's see what you got!" Grimgar taunted. Drow would have said something but he was too focused on observing Vayla and seeing what his designated opponent would do.

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[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC

It was a secret delight to see that Wur had chosen blue for his appearance. That color spoke more words than either teacher or student could in those moments that passed between Master Venn engaging the holocron.

Vayla listened intently. Sure, she knew of Soresu already as had her own master, but amid the ongoing ability to learn more there was also the benefit of being reminded of what one already knew. For her own student, less of the reminder and more of the ‘new’.

The Pantoran had trained herself with one hilt first and foremost. It catered to Soresu in its own way and the Wookiee would learn the same as long as the former was teaching him. Drow did not need to check up much on the pair’s progress but Vayla would welcome his own insight amid Drallig’s.

“Soresu!” Vayla flaunted with a flash of her saber in a much more Makashi maneuver. “The Way of the Mynock, Wur!” If he did not already know that then he now did. “Resilient creatures if ever there were!”

Then, just like that, Master Venn called upon a second lightsaber. Unusual… Vayla thought with narrowed brows. Sure, she could Jar’Kai with the rest of them, but her forte was less in dual-wielding and more in wielding one hilt for greater control and offhand Force maneuvers. Still...Soresu is more versatile than most think...including me, perhaps…

She accepted the second hilt just then, as she had the holocron cutting off and a Jedi Master challenging her to a spar. Soresu was the name of the game. Feeling like it was on her to attack first, however, Vayla would assume the role of Jar’Kai Makashi and learn from the reaction of her Soresu opponent.

“It is my honor, Master Venn.” After a gracious bow, Vayla was up and at it. Both hilts ignited, she held her right high, tip to her opponent, while her left jerked forward, tip toward her opponent’s chest. All the while, she gave just her left side to Drow, offering a narrow target, though it would not last long and she knew it.

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[Wurfuhlla]

Wurfuhlla had looked at the two blades Drow had carried. One was.. red. Could that be of a Sith? Why would he have claimed it? So many questions that the Wookiee couldn’t answer as he was given instructions to defend against the likes of Grimgar.

“As you wish.”

Wurfuhlla ignited both of his blades and prepared to defend the attacks of his opponent who also wields two. This should be fairly easy as he would only have to use a blade to block one of his and the other for his other. The Wookiee had a trick up his metaphorical sleeve.

He readied himself as the equal sized fighter was across from him. This was just a training exercise though. So hopefully the Wookiee didn’t lose any limbs. Nor his opponent for that matter.

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[Drow Venn]

Fortunately for Wurfuhlla, all the training sabers that Drow had handed out were permanently on a low-powered mode and, presumbably everyone else's sabers had been adjusted to a similar setting so the risk of dismemberment was minimal. At worst, when one of the saber's struck flesh, a mild stinging sensation would be felt. For his part, Grimgar lunged forward, clearly favoring Form V. His technique was strong, if a bit sloppy as he swung his left saber towards Wurfuhlla's head and his right saber at the Wookiee's feet.

As for Drow and Vayla, the Ishi Tib cracked a smile, enjoying sparring the talented woman. With her thrust towards Drow's chest, the Jedi Master would quickly sidestep so that the blade would go wide, relying on his practiced Makashi footwork. Then if Vayla wasn't quick enough to withdraw her saber from where Drow's chest used to be, he'd bring both of his sabers down upon her blade, hoping to quickly disarm the woman.

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[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Master Venn was a quick one! Vayla had made a passing glance of his footwork that had mirrored her own present practice. This was to be expected from such a Master. Clearly this was going to be as exciting a spar as educational.

Vayla’s attack had yet been a basic jab so it was quick and easy to withdraw her arm and her saber while retracting her left side itself. If Master Venn had swung then his incoming sabers would strike only the air in their descent.

Meanwhile, Vayla pivoted on her right foot and sprung her other arm into action. As her left side twisted backward, the torque followed through into an attack from the Knight’s right saber which had been in a prime position.

She crossed the blade diagonally downward toward her opponent’s shoulder. Depending on his distance perhaps only the tip would connect. Especially if his sabers had already engaged he would have to respond quickly to this attack coming from further above.

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[Wurfuhlla]

Grimgar’s moves were seen from a mile away. Wurfuhlla lifted his right arm placing the saber in and upward position blocking the attack to his head, then his left with the saber in a downward swing outward blocking the attack at his feet.

When the Wookiee had the advantage he sent a powerful Spartan kick to the chest of grimgar to give himself space once again.

Once his opponent was back to being multiple feet away from him he went back to his defensive stance. As close to form 3 in Jar’Kai as he could get. It was different to see from a Jedi of this size, though quite effective at the moment.

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[Drow Venn]

Wurfuhlla was able to successfully block both of Grimgar's strikes sand the kick sent the young Gammorrean on his rump. Clearly flustered, Grimgar leaped upand swung wildly again both sabers coming from a upper left angle and being brought down in a diagnoal pattern to slash across Wurfuhlla's chest. As Grimgar was coming up from a prone position and was attacking an opponent who had already taken a defensive stance, Wurfuhlla would have ample time to react.

As Vayla had withdrawn her arm, Drow did not bring his sabers down and instead, went back into a Soresu defensive stance. As such, when Vayla attacked, he was in position to defend. He locked blades with his left blade countering her right and then sent his own right blade towards Vayla's chest in a stab maneuver.

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[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC [Recurring]

With her left saber retracting, Vayla redirected it toward Drow’s right saber as it stabbed for her chest. Vayla would swipe the opposing blade to her left in a quick jerk designed to offsete Drow's blade toward his right.

Meanwhile, once Vayla’s right saber engaged with Drow’s left saber, she did not immediately break the bind but sidestepped diagonally forward to her right while realigning her front toward her opponent's left flank.

Concurrently, Vayla once more redirected her left saber up toward Drow’s left saber to connect toward its top section from the other side of where her right saber had connected. While her left saber swung, Vayla quickly withdrew her right saber from Drow’s to push it into his left hand.

This set of movements would occur just after the two sabers had hit one another. If Drow sought to withdraw his left saber from the bind then it could still get struck by Vayla’s left saber.

This would force his left arm toward Vayla’s right saber. If her right saber struck his hand, it would sever the hand in two and the hilt, and instantly deignite his blade.

Well, were it a live saber, that is… As a training saber, it would instead give his hand a zap! and likely push his saber-arm away from his opponent.

Spoiler: OOC Note

Edited because not proofread, unrefined and too wordy

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[Wurfuhlla]

This was becoming fun. The one called Grimgar was letting his emotions cloud his judgement on attacks. Which was good for the Wookiee. He was able to easily see what the gammorrean was going to do before he even did it.

The attack from the upward left angle was seen from a mile away. Wurfuhlla swung his left blade up to block the two coming down as he swung his right against the body of his opposition. The blade being set to stun would only shock his body. In that moment Wurfuhlla would have won that duel.

Then as insult to injury Wurfuhlla force pushed his opponent back and then said,

“Master Venn, how many times will I have to beat this guy?”

The Wookiee took another defensive position keeping his eyes on Grimgar. Just to be sure there wouldn’t be any secret attacks.

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[Drow Venn]

Grimgar the Gammorrean found himself falling on his ass for the second time today; the Wookiee's move quite successful. At the Wookiee's taunt, tears actually started welling up in Grimgar's eyes although the burly alien quickly wiped them away. The other younglings averted their gaze, wanting to spare the Gammorrean's feelings.

Vayla's maneuver was also successful...to a degree. Unable to escape the locking blades that trapped his left lightsaber, Drow was forced to endure a mild stinging sensation in his hand as Vayla's saber struck his left hand. However, Vayla would be enduring a similar pain at the exact same time as her pushing Drow's right lightsaber off to the side had worked temporarily. But it was still off to the side near her body, extended and now, near an undefended opponent. Vayla's sidestep would not be enough to prevent Drow from just moving his right arm to the left and impacting it with her upper thigh. In a real fight, this would have resulted in an interesting duel between a one-legged woman and a one-handed man but Drow wasn't focused on that at the moment once he'd heard Wurfuhlla's taunt.

"Hold Vayla!" Drow said, deactivating his saber and withdrawing from combat. Vayla was technically free to strike him at the moment but, given her Padawan's outburst, he was hoping she wouldn't. Drow had a Padawan of his own and he'd been drilling into him the importance of humility and being gracious in defeat. Grimgar was impatient and aggressive but he was still a student seeking to better himself. There was no need for Wurfuhlla to rub in his victory to the young Gammorrean. Not wanting to step on any toes, Drow would let Vayla speak if she had something to say on the matter. It was best to let Masters handle the discipline of their students but if Vayla didn't say anything, Drow certainly would.

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[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Had the Pantoran’s blade cut through the Ishi Tib’s hand then it would also have cut through his hilt and instantly turned his own blade off. From there, the intention would have been to continue pushing her right saber downward as though a knife cutting through walnut pie.

Between the jerking of her opponent’s right saber and her own sidestep, the latter bringing her furthest away from the right saber, neither still might have been enough to avoid getting her leg severed in two. Yet, bringing her right saber back into action just might have resulted in intercepting Drow's right saber.

However, with training swords, well, none of this actually happened in order to be tested out, and for both Jedi Knight and Jedi Master this was something of a blessing. Instead, with Drow’s left hand getting just a zap! his other saber most definitely gave his opponent’s leg a zap! and the irony was not lost on her.

What should have stung did indeed sting but the Pantoran broke into a modest chuckle all the same. She shut herself up as Master Venn suddenly halted the spar for the sake of both their Padawans. Truth be told Vayla had been too busy with her own lesson to keep track of her student’s but she had been informed enough.

Grimgar could be checked upon by his master. Wurfuhlla was all hers as his own master stepped before him and tilted her gaze. There was no longer a chuckle on her countenance; just the look of a teacher who was not so impressed with her student.

Where once she had heard the buzzing of her blade and the beating of her heart, now she heard the world around her and wondered if her Padawan could hear it too, lest he had forgotten his place within it.

“How many times will I have to teach you what your lightsaber is for, Wurfuhlla?” The question came more calmly than coldly but the Wookiee would do well to not look away from the Pantoran. “You think that object in either hand is a toy? That this is a game? Had you been able to watch the spar between Master Venn and I then you would have noticed how serious this is when your blade is live and does more than simply sting.”

Her own sabers deactivated. “Remember our first encounter. Recall the lesson of the hilt. It is dead weight without a hand to hold it and give it life. Are your hands up to the task, Padawan? Is the Force just another lightsaber to you, or a celadon flower to cradle and take care of? If so, and if you are, then show me by apologizing to Grimgar and do not hold back. You did not with showing off, after all.”

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[Wurfuhlla]

Here we go. Another lesson in being a good boy. The Wookiee heard it all before yet, he was still young and full of life. His feelings towards always doing the right thing even in sparring had been bored.

“Yes. Of course master, as you wish.”

The Wookiee turned to face the crybaby and began to walk forward. He extended a hand for Gammorrean to take. As he look at him a smile was on Wurfuhlla’s face. The padawan lifted Grimgar and simply said,

“You’re a worthy opponent. Great strength. Just think before you attack. I apologize for the taunt. Unnecessary. Come, back to training.”

The Wookiee patted an arm on the shoulder of his opponent and walked back to his original position. Once he had made it he looked to his master and gave a slight nod with a smile before turning back to face Grimgar and ready himself in the exact same defensive position.

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[Drow Venn]

Drow made his way over to Grimgar and helped the Gammorrean to his feet. The youngling looked as though he very much wanted to say something nasty to Wurfuhlla but a stern look from Drow silenced any thoughts of that. Wurfuhlla might have been out of line but Drow had taught Grimgar enough times to recognize warning signs of escalating conflict.

"It's alright..." the Gammorrean mumbled, as he got back into his ready stance. "You're a good swordsman"

Satisfied that the conflict had been resolved, Drow made his way back over to Vayla but not before putting a reassuring hand on Wurfuhlla's shoulder. Drow had been young once a long time ago and he knew the bravado and ego trips that came from being a young warrior. But Drow also knew what such bravado brought and the Ishi Tib wanted to set the Wookiee upon a better path than what Drow had been on in his youth.

"Only taunt those who are equal to you - it will motivate them to get better. Weaker opponents should be coached and encouraged." Drow told the Wookiee softly. Then, he made his way back over to Vayla.

"Shall we try again, Knight Mirana?" Drow asked, chuckling. He readied his two sabers and got into position. Soresu was a difficult path but a rewarding one. The afternoon would pass slowly as the group of Jedi sparred with each other and learned from Drallig's Holocron.

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/ExitThread

 

[Vayla Mirana]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Wurfuhlla had not wanted a lecture. He had wanted to play. To show off. Like him. Just like him. His master knew the cost of overconfidence, had witnessed it firsthand; had seen it tear a Jedi into pieces without much help from a Sith. She would not let her Padawan go down the same path.

Yet, the young Wookiee had proven himself yet again in that very moment. He might have stomped off, could have stood still, but he mustered his dignity for the sake of someone else’s and walked toward that Gamorrean so as to help him to his feet. The words, the pat, the nod, the smile—however much was forced, all of it was clear.

In return, Wurfuhlla got a smile and a nod from his master and both were genuine. So was Grimgar’s response. This… Vayla thought as she took a moment to watch and listen. This is who we are. Who we are supposed to be. Spending so much time in the shadows, a Jedi could forget how warm and bright the light was, and right then and there two Padawans, two young males, had just helped to remind her.

Maybe she had been too hard and too heavy with her discipline. Do not hold back, Wur, she had prompted him for an apology. Did you, Vay? All those years ago, when Kint Hashis had been her master, it was as though he had said the very same words to his student as she had just then said to her own.

Any doubts, though, were quickly dismissed as her sparring partner advanced. Vayla had been more concerned than hypocritical; telling Wur not to show off, not to treat this as a game, and all the while she had chuckled from getting struck and had reveled in the fight. You’re not alone, Wur, she remembered as she assumed her fighting stance. I, too, am here to learn.

“First move is yours, Master,” Vayla winked Drow’s way. Only taunt those who are equal to you. “I’ll finish with the last move soon enough!”

[EXIT]​

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