Ulrh'adak Martial Arts: The Introduction

[Omnis]

There was a chamber on Korriban in an old, nearly forgotten portion of the Academy that Nox preferred. It was dusty, simplistic, and all made of hard surfaces. It barely had any equipment. But it hummed powerfully with the Dark Side, casting faint echoes of ancient ghosts whispering secrets and chanting forgotten knowledge. It was his favorite place to train, but it was not suitable for such a large class. He had the responsibility to four other Sith at once: Aioru Aufheben, Zoroc, Raslekx, Satsuki, and Sin'ryk. All Acolytes, but they deserved the best he could give.

He did not host his first class in Ulrh'adak martial arts in the ancient chamber. Instead, he gave each of the participants directions to the new facility he had been able to requisition. It was a complex, truly. Hidden away underground in the mountainous hills of the Academy, it was accessible only through the tunnels and lacked any skylight. All of the rooms inside were very large. Some had multiple stories. A few only had wide open balconies on the edges of the room, but others had stairs up to another floor or holes where a trainee was forced to find other means up. The central most chamber was the most natural, with dirt covering the floor and plants growing all around. The equipment in each room varied, with some containing weapons racks with impressive arsenals of different types.

Nox of the Ulrh'adak, known better as Death's Figment, sat in the center of the central chamber. Flaps of dark robes splayed out over the dirt where he sat cross legged, hands empty. His silver mask shone from the overhead lights, which were uninhibited by a second floor except where two balconies sat on each side wall. A wide circle had been carved into the dirt around him, devoid of the vegetation that had been planted around the rim of the room. The walls were colored a dark burgundy, leaving the room with an earthy impression that was calming but equally fit for brooding.

He stood as the first student entered, fists locked together at the knuckles, and gave a bow.

"Welcome."

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

The power of the Dark Side swelled within the hills Sin'ryk found himself under; it made him almost feel giddy with how much power swelled within the very crust of Korriban. Today however was not a class on the Force...today the Red Sith had come to further enhance his close combat fighting abilities with what Nox had to teach his fellow Sith. Ancestors only knew, Sin'ryk could use every edge he can find, to further enhance his warrior capabilities and strength. Still he pressed on, letting the Force guide him to his due destination. When he finally came across the chamber the lesson was being held within.. The Red Sith noted how surprisingly verdant the room was, when his fiery eyes caught sight of the Noghri who spoke his welcomes. Today Sin'ryk chose to wear the mask Nox had given him, but attached to his sash, since he did not want an acolyte to break their hands.

"Well met good friend, I look forward to learning the deadly secrets your people have created throughout generations."

 

[Rector_Ras]

Korriban was all to familiar to Raslekx now. It had been a very long time on this planet and there were very few places he hadent been inside before. The room he was to find was one of them. He had heard of it being built over the last while but never actually went looking for it and now he was expected to for a class. Luckily the directions were simple to follow and it didn't take much effort to find the room the class was taking place in. Walking into the room he saw two others. Both seemed to be waiting and both shouldn't outrank him if he was in the right place and so he only nodded were he would usually give an introduction to the teacher. Another acolyte didn't deserve the respect of a crusader even if he was hosting a class.

 

[Table]

Aioru took her time in walking to the training room. She had, first of all, two holobooks that she had no reason to put down until the class actually was near a point of beginning, and she also could easily see that the last acolyte was going to arrive after her, so there was no reason to rush. When she did arrive, she stowed the books way respectfully, offering what was for her a friendly nod to Nox. The other two who had already arrived received short glances, but underneath her facial coverings the gesture would probably go unnoticed.

 

[Pyromaniac]

Zoroc came in after the Miraluka girl, his hood pulled up in its usual manner. He breathed in the power of the Dark Side and exhaled with joy. It was why he loved Korriban. The raw power in the very air was like a drug.

Walking forward in his simple black robe and tool belt, the Zabrak glanced at the host of the class. He would not bow before this man, even if he was his better, but he would acknowledge him. The Acolyte muttered, "Thank you for letting me join.", and nodded, but that was it. He then moved to stand behind everyone, keeping the greatest distance from all of them.

He hated being near sentients, but so many times had it been proven he needed to stomach their presence to gain power more quickly than he could on his own.

 

[Omnis]

Because of considerations regarding time and thread momentum, I will be advancing this thread now. Participants that have yet to post will have to insert themselves as available, and all participants should endeavor to follow a relatively organized posting order. Thanks for understanding.

---

Nox gave a respectful nod to each of the students as they walked in, barring Raslekx. That particular young Human had proven to be somewhat thick, for want of an all-encompassing word. The Ulrh'adak warrior did not choose to spend much time dwelling on Raslekx or his failings. He was young, from a different culture, and suffered his own struggles in life. Up until the point where the young man's actions became detrimental to Nox's own, until that point when the boy was in the way, Nox would not bother to deal with him. There were more worthy endeavors.

"It is well to see you, Sin'ryk and Aioru. Zoroc, you are welcome also."

In a ritualistic series of motions, Nox began to shed layers of clothing. He started with his mask, casting it aside with a flick of his wrist and abandoning it to the side of the room. Next were his gloves, then his large cloak. Unstrapping his vest, he threw that on top of everything else. He was left with a tight black tank top shirt, wide black pants, and his combat boots. A thin harness was strapped around his torso, holding various knives. The hilt of a thin short sword peeked out from above the rim of his pants, where they were strapped tightly to one leg inside. His two lightsabers still clung to the belt around his waist. Raising both hands, Nox directed the lightsabers more gently using the Force to join his haphazard pile of uniform items on the side of the room. The knives and short sword remained.

"I will now allow the students to voice opinions on the start of the class. The options are as stands. The instructor can assault the students, the students must defend, and the style of the Ulrh'adak will be demonstrated before principle teaching begins. The instructor can begin principle training, then the students will be directed straight into sparring sessions between each other rather than myself.

Students should be made aware, no use of the Force will be permitted during the course of this class. To demonstrate my dedication to the principle teaching of Ulrh'adak martial arts, I will refrain from all use of it as well. I will not mention this rule again."

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Sin'ryk pondered Nox's question; whilst he did so, he stripped himself of the outer layers of his robe until one could definitely see the fineries that the Red Sith wore. He then proceeded to remove the ones that would impede, until all that remained were his tendril jewellery, necklace and wrist bangles. Afterwards, Sin'ryk then fully tied up his crimson hair, to remove the inconvenience of having his hair get in the way and too remove an opportunity for an opponent to grab it. As he finished, two things manifested in the Pureblood's mind.

"If we were to come across another Noghri from a different clan, would his martial arts bare similarities to that of your clan? Or would it be a completely different fighting discipline all together?

Then the next statement emerged, related to the current topic.

"I think you should show us as if we were your clan mates; I believe it would create a more authentic learning experience since I highly doubt other Noghri would show little, if any mercy in a fight."

 

[Table]

"I agree. We will learn more effectively from seeing the proper form in use and before having the principles explained than the other way around."


As she spoke, she removed her robes like the other two, leaving her in a deep purple tank top and pants. She then followed the Pureblood in tying her hair back, which made her eye coverings visible, as they generally remained underneath her long bangs.

 

[Pyromaniac]

Zoroc sighed and began to disrobe. He had black pants under his robes and a thin cloth under shirt, but he took off the shirt and kept on only his pants and boots. Underneath his robes, his entire body was tattooed with black designs much like his face.

His muscle was lean and toned, but untrained for the most part. Other than with Grima or a few droids, he never physically spars, focusing on the Force Training.

It was time to change that.

Looking to his instructor, he nodded to him, his eyes as calculating and sharp as a surgical droid's scalpel.

 

[Omnis]

"Very well," Nox said, letting out a long, forceful sigh. The toned abdomen muscles bulging beneath his tight black shirt rippled and sank, then swelled as he took a breath back in just as forcefully. "Defend yourselves," Nox told them. "And do what you must."

It might have been predictable, but it was the brutal, savage way of the Ulrh'adak; striking out at the nearest person to him, Nox displayed the infamous aggression of his clan with a powerful back fist aimed at Sin'ryk's face. The strike was aided by a hard twist at the hips, lending torque, leverage, and momentum to its power. However, neither Nox nor the Ulrh'adak were the simple kind of savages. Nor were they as flashy or showy as some of the Sith dominating the Academy and Temples lately. Following up with his other arm, the gloveless Noghri swiped his black claws around to slash at Sin's face again.

If the Red Sith dodged the first strike and was not ready for the second, the claws would slash his face. However, without a lightsaber or the Force to interfere, Sin'ryk would be subjected to Nox's next plan if he tried to block. It was the sort of thing Nox got to use rarely anymore, so even Sin'ryk, a well accustomed sparring partner, would not be able to anticipate what would come next if he tried to block Nox's second strike. With his hand already in an open claw, it would be a simple thing to turn his hand, slide it down the Red Sith's bare arm, yank it back to his own chest, and deliver a nasty knee to the stomach. That should leave the Pureblood stunned for an extra second.

The Ulrh'adak were expert combatants and Nox was an elite amongst them. He did not need his supernatural senses to keep tabs on the positions of the others in the room. Years of training and battlefield experience honed his mind into a powerful calculating machine, one that was constantly running the numbers and computing several steps ahead in the fight all at the same time. Death's Figment had not survived the years by being less than exceptional. And the Acolytes were in his realm now.

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Just as Nox finished speaking, he launched himself at Sin'ryk with backfist. The Red Sith proceeded to block this, the force behind the strike caused his hand bones to jar with the impact. However, the Noghri lashed back with his claws, something the Red Sith did not anticipate despite many long hours of practice between them. He tried to block it, only for the Noghri to grab the defending arm and pull him into a knee that pounded into his stomach. The force of the impact knocked Sin'ryk to his knees. Clutching his stomach as he rose, he laughed somewhat painfully. Before attempting to an uppercut claw at the Noghri with his own claws as Red Sith unarmed traditions applied. He swiftly noticed his unarmed abilities were lacking, but simply smiled.

"Seems I was right to come here."

 

[Pyromaniac]

Zoroc watched as Nox beat the Red Sith with ease. It was almost frightening. If that more experienced member of the Sith Order was taken down that easily, then how would he fair? The Zabrak let no emotion betray his nervousness, but he analyzed every move...

If he had jumped back, instead of trying to block the barrage, he might have fared better.

The Acolyte didn't say a word though, instead, continued to analyze every movement Nox made...

 

[Omnis]

"Seems I was right to come here."

Sin'ryk tried to throw a retaliatory uppercut as he rose, which Nox immediately neutralized and overpowered by grabbing the wrist and redirecting it, then using his other hand to smash into the man's elbow. Normally, at full strength, that kind of blow would pop the joint out of place and rip a few tendons along the way. Nox did not do that, but the blow definitely hurt and overextended the Red Sith's arm some. At the same time, Nox kicked his heel against Sin's own and swept him to the floor. The hand that had delivered the strike to the elbow whipped down toward's Sin's face, but stopped just short. The air around his hand made a swishing sound momentarily, and Nox's long time sparring partner felt a rush of air hit his face.

Not wasting time, the Ulrh'adak warrior silently rushed the next Acolyte. Aioru was the next closest. Going for an efficiency born of savage intent and cunning study, the Noghri man slipped forward on his last stride, allowing the momentum to carry him the last bit of distance across the ground, and delivered an arcing kick from the side to her right knee. His left hand followed around, hand cupped to create a pocket of air in his palm as it aimed to slam against her ear. If successful, the blow would both topple her to the ground and stun her. Having a pocket of air forced into the ear canal could rupture an ear drum, but if not forced hard enough, as Nox intended, it would merely stun a person. After all, a humanoid's equilibrium was based in the ear canal and corresponding brain sectors.

 

[Table]

It wasn't clear how long Nox would remain attacking each individual person, so Aioru was doing her best to keep track of sudden moments in order to be prepared, at least mentally, for when Nox chose to target her. The movement that brought the assassin towards her was not exactly sudden, however, so the less experienced Sith did not have much of a chance to prepare anything quickly enough to disrupt his attack.

Taking in the force of the attack on her leg, Aioru would attempt to twist around using her left leg in order to move out of the way of, or at least less in the way of, the Noghri's punch. If she was not somehow stopped - and she presumably would be - she would end up arching her upper body enough to avoid the punch and close enough to the man's body that he could not initiate another wide attack. Even if he allowed her to get this far, he could easily outmaneuver her from there; she expected him to anticipate her attempt at dodging before she got that far, however, but was not experienced enough in unarmed combat to be able to predict when he would do this.

 

[Omnis]

Aioru had a knack for not being wrong. Unfortunately, that didn't mean things went right for her, either. The sweeping kick missed, Aioru's support going unmolested. As she dodged the punch, however, he simply planted his foot and ripped his arm down quickly. His hand caught onto her arm, grabbing tightly and crushing her flesh beneath his grip. That would leave bruises, easily. Now that she was closer, with only one foot really supporting her, and both of his feet planted, he yanked her arm towards him and bent down. The poor girl rolled up and over his hip, dumping out hard onto the ground beside him. His boot dug into her armpit as he twisted her arm, showing that he could do all kinds of damage to it if he wished.

Truth be told, he was surprised that none of the other Acolytes were attacking him yet. From his experience, most Acolytes had been in classes were displays of martial prowess against the instructor were part of the lesson. He hoped they were not under the impression that they were simply to endure his attacks until he decided to stop torturing them. That was not at all the point of this display. Instead, the more resistance they gave the better they would understand the principles of Ulrh'adak martial arts.

Zoroc was standing farther aside. He was being given too much time to calculate, to plan. Interrupting those formulations would prove important to maintaining the upper hand in the combat, so Nox dashed to him next. The next series of attacks were weird, displaying a bit more of Ulrh'adak ingenuity and adaptability. After all, adaptation was one of the highest principles of his clan. The Zabrac had horns, so Nox decided to use them. He delivered a frontal snap kick low, directly to the face of Zoroc's kneecap, and stepped through the kick so that he could plant his foot again. It would be amusing if the boy went for a foot trap, but there wasn't really time for that. Reaching up with his extended reach from having a foot planted forward, and utilizing his notable Noghri speed to its fullest, he grabbed at the top of Zoroc's head.

If those horns got into his hands, he would have extra leverage and torque to yank down on the boy's head. With that complete, he could then twist powerfully at the hip and deliver a knee strike into the torso. Though the chest would be a prime target, as a blow that powerful and with that much leverage could easily break bones, he aimed for the soft flesh of the Zabrac's belly instead. It would hurt and bruise badly, also knocking the wind out of him if he didn't have the wisdom to exhale during the hit, but it would leave him a lot less handicapped for the remainder of the class. Even then, Nox could have made it worse. He could have tried to bring his knee to the student's face. That would really ruin his day.

 

[Pyromaniac]

Zoroc saw Nox coming, and while his mind was able to catch the moves he used on the others, he was curious to see how his reflexes worked in tune with his analysis skills.

Nox's kick was avoided, as Zoroc moved in time for the Ulrh'adak's kick to sail between his legs, missing the knee. Zoroc felt the Assassin grab his horns and pull them down, using them for leverage for another attack. His mind quickly registered the movement and couldn't exhale completely before the kick connected, knocking the wind out of him. However, despite the pain and loss of breath, Zoroc had a counter attack of his own the moment the kick hit. The Zabrak went with the momentum of the pull Nox had on his horns, and brought his horned forehead crashing down for Nox's own forehead, just above his ridged eyebrows. If this connected, perhaps it would buy Zoroc time for the next attack, and or damage Nox enough to cause him to back up a step.
Then, the Zabrak would make a quick jab for the Noghri's throat, hoping to stun, just before the Zabrak sucked in a lot of air and began to cough again, spittle dripping down his lip.

Should Nox try to use Zoroc's own momentum against him, and fling him over his head and attempt to get him on the floor, Zoroc was ready to use his legs catch himself, grab the Noghri's forearms, and take him to the ground with him, before launching his next attack, depending on Nox's next move. Either way, Zoroc knew he was at a disadvantage for the loss of breath.

 

[Omnis]

The Zabrac boy dodged the kick as he expected, allowing him to plant that foot like he wanted. To be fair, not dodging the kick would hurt very badly. He was justified in getting away from it. But there was a lot to be said for the way other martial artists were very committed to the principles of striking. There seemed to be either an aversion to or an ignorance of control tactics in close combat. The Noghri man hoped they were starting to understand.

Clever Zoroc decided to go with the momentum of the pull. That would have worked on almost any other combatant. Again, most fighters weren't used to thinking in control tactics. It was a good counter attack, but Nox was still thinking ahead of the daring Zabrac. Pivoting around and sliding past the Zabrac boy, Nox ripped down even harder on the boy's horns. Zoroc flipped harshly as Nox continued to step through and around, winding up behind a stunned Zoroc whose rear was then planted firmly on the floor. The impact had not been kind. One arm snaked under his neck as the hand holding his head slid around to hold his forehead. A slow, slight twist showed Zoroc that would have been the end.

The cunning boy had done well, so Nox chose not to push the point further by being cruel as he discarded him and went after the next few Acolytes.

It went much the same.

After, Nox stood in the center of the room with his knuckles pressed together. He gave a bow to each of the Acolytes.

"Now you see the power of Ulrh'adak style in its most basic form. Do any of the students have questions or concerns before we proceed further? Medical attention can be rendered if necessary."

 

[Pureblood-Sin]

Rubbing the parts of him that still ached, Sin'ryk only had one question.

"I only have two questions friend; I assume there are techniques that allow a person to kill with their bare hands? Also, is what you're teaching the basics of an entire strain of martial arts, or is it merely one style among others?"

 

[Pyromaniac]

Zoroc was furious. He was taken down so easily. His thoughts of Grima's warnings, her teachings, rang though his head. He had to become a master combatant, not in just the Force, but with physical combat. That was why he is here, and yet... losing that first round nearly made him...

He took a deep breath and bottled his rage deep down. He knew he was not good at hand-to-hand combat, and that is why he was here. He had to remember that, and be patient. Zoroc was not as physically strong as the others, or had as much endurance, but he had to change that.

The thought that if that fight had been real, Zoroc would have been dead so quickly... it drove him mad.

A mask of cold calm was all anyone saw of his features as the Red Sith spoke.

 

[Table]

Aioru didn't immediately rise once Nox had finished her off. The initial motions of the pain caused by the Noghri's attack would give her more insight into what he had done and any strategies that might be built into the Ulrh'adak style regarding pressure points or the locations of other vital systems; most, if not all, of that would be the same as the points targeted by most humanoid species, but it was rare to be able to investigate a post-loss condition, so it was worth the time. She didn't need to be at eye level with anyone to see what was happening, anyway, so she wasn't missing anything else by doing this.

She finally lifted herself up when Zoroc was thrown to the ground. And, since she had nothing to add to the questions that had been asked by the Pureblood, she quietly waited for Nox to speak again.