SWRPG - The Force

[Pinky]

The Lightsaber

"This lightsaber is your life." - Obi-Wan

In the later years of the Old Republic, Jedi harvested focusing crystals from a single cave that was rich in Force-sensitive minerals. This is why the vast majority of Jedi sabers have limited color. The Order employed a special group of Jedi to produce most lightsabers, and the wielders were expected only to keep them with the same detached care that they kept their own lives.

Unlike Jedi, Sith quest for their focusing crystals as a rite of passage. Most often a Sith's crystals were artificially made by means that according to one's knowledge, available resources, and the Force. Synthesized crystals almost always shone red. "Synth" crystals wear out quickly, and due to their unstable nature on very rare occasions Sith sabers overload Jedi sabers when the bladebeams collide.

There are seven recognized methods of wielding a saber, each with its own ideal. These styles are taught only from practitioner to student, or occasionally by holocron, making it impossible for anyone to learn them outside of Jedi and Sith lineage. Most saber battles take seconds and consist of a few high-speed clashes until someone makes a mistake. The exceptions to this rule are Soresu practitioners, or combat between two saber masters, whose battles may go up to five or ten minutes.

-Form I (aka Shii-Cho, aka Determination) was derived from conventional swordplay, it was popularized due to its effectiveness against superior numbers. Outdated, but still brutal in the hands of a dedicated stylist. Designed for two-handed single sabers, with the off-hand next to the emitter and the other on the pommel, striking in wild arcs. Most practitioners find it clumsy to deflect blasters and lacking against powerful foes.
Paragon: Master Kit Fisto.

-Form II (aka Makashi, aka Contention) is the counter to Form I, a minimalist style, the first dedicated saber battle method. Most often seen in Jedi-Sith wars and schisms, praised for its lack of excess. For one-handed single sabers, best for curved hilts, it uses measured footwork to maintain proper distance and quickly flows from defense to offense with artful grace. Lacks strength, is poor at blaster deflection and worse against multiple opponents.
Paragon: Count Dooku / Lord Tyranus.

-Form III (aka Soresu, aka Resilience), developed as blaster rifles became common, the first Form dedicated to blaster deflection. It also defends well against other Forms, having no defensive weakness to seize upon. The duelist keeps their saber close to the body, using it as a shield until the opponent makes a critical error. Its flaw is in its lack of offense, tending to stalemate skilled duelists, and has some difficulty dealing with multiple opponents.
Paragon: Master Obi-Wan Kenobi.

-Form IV (aka Ataru, aka Aggression) is a blistering style that overflows with high-speed attacks. Intended for two-handed single sabers with both hands grasping the center of the hilt loosely, using acrobatics to evade and fueling non-stop offense with the motion. Better at avoiding blaster fire than deflecting it, it's weak against multiple duelists, with its worst flaws being rapid exhaustion and a need of open space to maneuver in.
Paragon: Grand Master Yoda.

-Form V (aka Shien/Djem-So, aka Perseverance) are hybrids of Forms II & III, combining defense and offense. Shien holds the saber overhead angled upwards, using precise strikes to return blaster fire, and is adequate against multiple foes; Djem-So grips the lower portion of the hilt tightly, held overhead angled down and back, intercepting other bladebeams with tremendous force, blocking and attacking simultaneously. Shien is poor against a powerful duelist; Djem-So is labored, making it vulnerable to Forms III and IV.
Paragon: Master Anikin Skywalker / Lord Vader.

-Form VI (aka Niman, aka Moderation) is a hybrid of all lower Forms. Niman is the balanced style, needing little practice to learn but many years to master, leaving time open to pursue other endeavors. Highly favored by the Jedi Order at the time of the Naboo Crisis. Best for dual sabers, the weakness of Form VI is that it has no exceptional virtue, depending more on the practitioner's own ability than the strength inherent to the Form.
Paragon: Master Cin Drallig.

-Form VII (aka Juyo/Vaapad, aka Ferocity) revels in conflict. Juyo is favored by Sith as it exalts the self, turning passion into power. Vaapad was created as a Jedi answer to Juyo, accepting the foe's malice and reflecting it back. Both derivatives share a critical weakness against telekinesis and Force abilities that attack the mind, and both are restricted among the Jedi Order.
Paragon: Lord Maul & Master Mace Windu.