Post by Sidro Haanc on Aug 1, 2005 18:27:32 GMT -5
Lightsabers have changed little in the thousands of years of their employ by the Jedi Knights. Those who believe the Jedi order began on the ancient world of Ossus point to the abundance of Adegan crystals in the system as proof. These crystals are ideal for the creation of lightsabers, as they focus the energy released from a saber's power cell into the tight, blade-like beam. Early lightsabers did not have self-contained power cells, and were instead connected by a conducting cable to a belt-worn power pack.
Once unleashed, the power channels through a positively charged continuous energy lens at the center of the handle. The beam then arcs circumferentially back to a negatively charged high energy flux aperture. A superconductor transfers the power from the flux aperture to the power cell. As a result, a lightsaber only expends power when its blade cuts through something. So efficient is the blade, that it does not radiate heat unless it comes into contact with something.
The blade's color depends on the nature of the jewel it springs from, and while its length is fixed in the case of a single-jewel lightsaber, lightsabers equipped with multiple crystals can have their length varied by rotating a knob that allows the focusing crystal activator to subtly modify the refraction pattern between the gems.
With the Sith long believed extinct, lightsaber dueling occurred only within the practice chambers of the Jedi Temple. To a Jedi, a lightsaber is not just a weapon. It is a means of concentrating attention and becoming attuned with the Force.
Saber Forms
Form I
Millennia before the Empire, advanced technology replaced metal swords with lightsabers.
It was during this transition that Form I was created. Jedi Masters created Form I from
ancient sword-fighting traditions, since the principles of blade combat remained much the
same. The basics of attack, parry, body target zones, and the practice drills called
velocities are all here.
Form II
The ultimate refinement of lightsaber-to-lightsaber fighting became Form II, advancing
the precision of blade manipulation to it's finest possible degree and producing the
greatest dueling masters the galaxy has ever seen.
Today Form II is an archaism studied by almost no one in the Jedi Order, because it's not
relevant to currant tactical situations, as most lightsaber battles are now lightsaber-to-
blaster. Even with the resurgence of the Sith, confrontation of an enemy with a lightsaber
is an exceedingly rare prospect for a Jedi. So, they continue to focus on more practical
Forms.
Sith expecting to battle a Jedi, however, find Form II a powerful technique.
Form III
The third great lightsaber discipline was first developed in response to the advancement of
blaster technology in the galaxy. As these weapons spread widely into the hands of evil-
doers, Jedi had to develop unique means of defending themselves. Form III thus arose from
"laserblast" deflection training. Over the centuries it has transcended this origin to
become a highly refined expression of non-aggressive Jedi philosophy. Form III maximizes
defensive protection in a style characterized by tight, efficient movements that expose
minimal target area compared to the relatively open style of some of the other Forms. True
Form III masters are considered invincible.
Form IV
Form IV is the acrobatic Form, heavily emphasizing Jedi abilities to run, jump, and spin in
phenomenal ways by using the Force. Masters of Form IV incorporate all of the ways in
which the Force helps them go beyond what is physically possible. Their lightsaber combat
is astonishing to watch, filled with elaborate moves in the center of which a Jedi may be
all but a blur.
Form V
During an era when Jedi were called upon to more actively maintain the peace in the galaxy,
Form V arose alongside Form IV to address a a need for greater power among the Jedi. Jedi
Masters who felt that Form III could be too passive for developed Form V. A Form III master
might be undefeatable, but neither could he necessarily overcome his enemy. Form V focuses
on strength and lightsaber attack moves. This Form exploits the ability of the lightsaber
to block a blaster bolt and turns this defensive move into an offensive attack by deflecting
the bolt deliberately towards an opponent. A dedication to the power and strength necessary
to defeat an enemy characterizes the philosophy of Form V, which some Jedi describe by the
maxim "peace through superior firepower."
To some Jedi Knights, Form V represents a worthy discipline prepared for any threat; to
others, Form V seems to foster an inappropriate focus on dominating others.
Form VI
In the time of Palpatine's Chancellorship, Form VI is the current standard in Jedi
lightsaber training. This Form balances the emphases of other Forms with overall moderation,
in keeping with the Jedi quest to achieve true harmony and justice without resorting to the
rule of power. It is considered the "diplomat's Form" because it is less intensive in it's
demands than the other disciplines, allowing Jedi to spend more time developing their skills
in perception, political strategy, and negotiation. In practice, Form VI is a combination
of Forms I, III, IV, and V.
Young Jedi spend their first few years studying Form I and then a year or two with each
additional Form before completing their training. By comparison, a Form VI master will spend
at least ten years studying only that Form after completing basic Form I training. Form VI
well suits the modern Jedi's role in the galaxy, in which a Knight overly trained in martial
combat might be at a loss to resolve a complex political conflict between star systems.
However, full masters of other Forms sometimes consider Form VI to be insufficiently
demanding.
Form VII
Only high-level masters of multiple Forms can achieve and control the ultimate discipline
known as Form VII. This is most difficult and demanding of all Forms, but it can eventually
lead to fantastic power and skill. Form VII employs bold, direct movements, more open and
kinetic than Form V, but not so elaborate in appearance as Form IV. In addition to very
advanced Force-assisted jumps and movements, Form VII tactics over-whelm opponents with
seemingly unconnected staccato sequences, making the Form highly unpredictable in battle.
This makes for a much more difficult execution than the graceful, linked move sequences of
Form IV. Form VII requires the intensity of Form V, but much greater energy since that focus
is wielded more broadly. Form VII draws upon a deeper well of emotion than even Form V, yet
masters it more fully. The outward bearing of a Form VII practitioner is one of calm, but
the inner pressure verges on explosion. Form VII is still under development since so few
can achieve the necessary master to advance the art. And most people who do study this
Form are Sith, or Dark Jedi.
Once unleashed, the power channels through a positively charged continuous energy lens at the center of the handle. The beam then arcs circumferentially back to a negatively charged high energy flux aperture. A superconductor transfers the power from the flux aperture to the power cell. As a result, a lightsaber only expends power when its blade cuts through something. So efficient is the blade, that it does not radiate heat unless it comes into contact with something.
The blade's color depends on the nature of the jewel it springs from, and while its length is fixed in the case of a single-jewel lightsaber, lightsabers equipped with multiple crystals can have their length varied by rotating a knob that allows the focusing crystal activator to subtly modify the refraction pattern between the gems.
With the Sith long believed extinct, lightsaber dueling occurred only within the practice chambers of the Jedi Temple. To a Jedi, a lightsaber is not just a weapon. It is a means of concentrating attention and becoming attuned with the Force.
Saber Forms
Form I
Millennia before the Empire, advanced technology replaced metal swords with lightsabers.
It was during this transition that Form I was created. Jedi Masters created Form I from
ancient sword-fighting traditions, since the principles of blade combat remained much the
same. The basics of attack, parry, body target zones, and the practice drills called
velocities are all here.
Form II
The ultimate refinement of lightsaber-to-lightsaber fighting became Form II, advancing
the precision of blade manipulation to it's finest possible degree and producing the
greatest dueling masters the galaxy has ever seen.
Today Form II is an archaism studied by almost no one in the Jedi Order, because it's not
relevant to currant tactical situations, as most lightsaber battles are now lightsaber-to-
blaster. Even with the resurgence of the Sith, confrontation of an enemy with a lightsaber
is an exceedingly rare prospect for a Jedi. So, they continue to focus on more practical
Forms.
Sith expecting to battle a Jedi, however, find Form II a powerful technique.
Form III
The third great lightsaber discipline was first developed in response to the advancement of
blaster technology in the galaxy. As these weapons spread widely into the hands of evil-
doers, Jedi had to develop unique means of defending themselves. Form III thus arose from
"laserblast" deflection training. Over the centuries it has transcended this origin to
become a highly refined expression of non-aggressive Jedi philosophy. Form III maximizes
defensive protection in a style characterized by tight, efficient movements that expose
minimal target area compared to the relatively open style of some of the other Forms. True
Form III masters are considered invincible.
Form IV
Form IV is the acrobatic Form, heavily emphasizing Jedi abilities to run, jump, and spin in
phenomenal ways by using the Force. Masters of Form IV incorporate all of the ways in
which the Force helps them go beyond what is physically possible. Their lightsaber combat
is astonishing to watch, filled with elaborate moves in the center of which a Jedi may be
all but a blur.
Form V
During an era when Jedi were called upon to more actively maintain the peace in the galaxy,
Form V arose alongside Form IV to address a a need for greater power among the Jedi. Jedi
Masters who felt that Form III could be too passive for developed Form V. A Form III master
might be undefeatable, but neither could he necessarily overcome his enemy. Form V focuses
on strength and lightsaber attack moves. This Form exploits the ability of the lightsaber
to block a blaster bolt and turns this defensive move into an offensive attack by deflecting
the bolt deliberately towards an opponent. A dedication to the power and strength necessary
to defeat an enemy characterizes the philosophy of Form V, which some Jedi describe by the
maxim "peace through superior firepower."
To some Jedi Knights, Form V represents a worthy discipline prepared for any threat; to
others, Form V seems to foster an inappropriate focus on dominating others.
Form VI
In the time of Palpatine's Chancellorship, Form VI is the current standard in Jedi
lightsaber training. This Form balances the emphases of other Forms with overall moderation,
in keeping with the Jedi quest to achieve true harmony and justice without resorting to the
rule of power. It is considered the "diplomat's Form" because it is less intensive in it's
demands than the other disciplines, allowing Jedi to spend more time developing their skills
in perception, political strategy, and negotiation. In practice, Form VI is a combination
of Forms I, III, IV, and V.
Young Jedi spend their first few years studying Form I and then a year or two with each
additional Form before completing their training. By comparison, a Form VI master will spend
at least ten years studying only that Form after completing basic Form I training. Form VI
well suits the modern Jedi's role in the galaxy, in which a Knight overly trained in martial
combat might be at a loss to resolve a complex political conflict between star systems.
However, full masters of other Forms sometimes consider Form VI to be insufficiently
demanding.
Form VII
Only high-level masters of multiple Forms can achieve and control the ultimate discipline
known as Form VII. This is most difficult and demanding of all Forms, but it can eventually
lead to fantastic power and skill. Form VII employs bold, direct movements, more open and
kinetic than Form V, but not so elaborate in appearance as Form IV. In addition to very
advanced Force-assisted jumps and movements, Form VII tactics over-whelm opponents with
seemingly unconnected staccato sequences, making the Form highly unpredictable in battle.
This makes for a much more difficult execution than the graceful, linked move sequences of
Form IV. Form VII requires the intensity of Form V, but much greater energy since that focus
is wielded more broadly. Form VII draws upon a deeper well of emotion than even Form V, yet
masters it more fully. The outward bearing of a Form VII practitioner is one of calm, but
the inner pressure verges on explosion. Form VII is still under development since so few
can achieve the necessary master to advance the art. And most people who do study this
Form are Sith, or Dark Jedi.