The Way of the Sarlaac

[Sirak]

There were some issues transferring the essay from doc to the website, subsequently there are some missing pictures/signatures. If you want a more accurate view of how the essay would appear IC on the datapad, here is the link: Shii-Cho Essay

Form 1 - Shii-Cho

The Way of the Sarlacc

The Determination Form

Contents:
Welcome to my interpretations of the tutorial form. Here, we’ll explore both the knowledge I’ve ascertained from experience, superiors and prior archived lessons, as well as the queries and tribulations I have yet to cinch.

• Style
  
• Titles
  
• History
  
• Stance guideline
  
• Training guideline
  
• Marks of contact
  
• Body target zones
  
• Query and possible answers
  
• Advice on balancing
  
• Pro’s and con’s
  
• Challenge question
  

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Style
Form 1 is a simple but effective style both in and out of combat. Primarily consisting of wide sweeping/arcing motions with the blade with an astute focus on disarming and blows to body target zones. To aid in these priorities, it is crucial to employ use of the Sun Djem, Cho Mai and Cho Sun marks of contact. Or any other techniques of disarming that may prove fruitful. And in keeping with the theme of simplicity, keep strikes mostly intended on specific target zones. Though this is more a guideline than a rule - there are always opportunities that will require breaking this idea. Lastly, is the idea of unpredictability, something the form demands yet keeps juxtaposed with wanting simplicity. I will address this further in the essay alongside my own queries about it. I have noticed some applying uses of a pivot on the back foot, or twisting hips when swinging for extra strength. This is something I would advise against. Shii-Cho doesn’t often require lots of strength and telegraphing such attacks may prove a disservice to the “unpredictability” part of the style.



Outside of combat, there are a fair number of lessons that can be imparted from Form 1. Firstly, there’s the reinforcement and fortitude going back to the basics can give. Regardless of my currently novice ability in saber forms, I can always appreciate a lesson I’ve found to be true throughout life. It is often the case people overlook, or at the very least forget, the foundational pillars they’ve built a skill off of. Be it in solving a scholarly problem, tackling an unfamiliar situation, or in this case approaching a style of combat. Sometimes the biggest advantage you can have over others is a better understanding of the pillars that hold everything up. Another possible lesson could likewise be in its approach to facing multiple opponents. Not every situation and experience you will come across will have the odds in your favour. This disheartens some, emboldens others. Shii-Cho would fall upon the latter of these options. Should you face a difficult situation, sometimes all that’s needed is simply a more appropriate set of tools to address it. Wide swings and crowd control for Shii-Cho being the literal example here.


Beyond this though, there are surely other bits of wisdom we can extrapolate from Shii-Cho. It is here I wish to challenge the reader to think of their own, be it with Form 1 or any other Form they wish.

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Titles
The Tutorial form, the way of the Sarlacc, the Determination form. Shii-cho goes under many monikers, all of which tie closely to its purpose and philosophy. 


The first of the seven forms and known (in)famously for its simplicity and utilisation as a starter form. A form from which even the most novice can learn and brand upon themselves the foundations that will grow into the following forms that sparked across history. Hence the idea of it being a “tutorial” form.


Its other titles such as the “way of the Sarlacc” and “Determination form” likewise come with purpose. The first of which is suspected to be in light of Form 1’s longevity and reliability as a fallback style. It will never come out of fashion due to this and as such, like the creature, will preserve for millenia to come. Or it could in an ironic sense be purely a simple metaphor for the long sweeping attacks of Shii-cho. Similar to the beast's long tentacles.


Lastly, we address its denomination as the “Determination Form”. It’s here I have yet to conclude a compelling argument. Take for example, the workings of “Acolyte Varn” from so long ago. Who determined that the name was with respect to the idea of controlling and “determining” the movements of your opponents when fighting groups. However to call this a stretch would be in my personal opinion an understatement. As the form does not often compel your opponent to make specific moves - and you can hardly call utilising footwork and determining how your opponent will react a skill solely attributed to Shii-Cho. With this in mind, I will continue to question my peers and superiors to gain further insight.

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History
Records suggest that Shii-Cho was developed during the era of physical blades, possibly overlapping into the proto-saber stage. However cryptic and sweeping the exact time may be, there is one obvious fact that can be used to see what the era must’ve been like. With Form 1’s general focus on combat against groups, one may think it an appropriate form for wartime. Following this idea, we know there can’t have been a particular trend of duels between force users, due to Shii-Cho’s disadvantage in that area. Indicating a level of peace between them for the most part. From what I can surmise, I would likely go as far as to say the form was probably created in an era of peace before the separation of dark jedi and jedi. And was probably used as a form of basic self-defence for those that wielded a sword. After discussion with the Blademaster, Sith D’oemir, I have come to conclude that this form was indeed still effective in war. Although its ease of disarming techniques, its wide swinging motions make it incredibly effective for large quantities of enemies. Furthermore, its capability as a safe fall-back form makes it perfect when one should be overwhelmed. Another aspect great for wartime activities. 

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Stance
Opening Stance - 

• Two handed grip held in front of the navel
  
• Angle blade upwards OR downwards 45 degrees
  
• Feet shoulder width apart and posture forward
  
• Dominant foot back (offence) dominant foot forward (defence)
  

Hasso Guard -
Diagonal blade angle allows the protection of zones 1-4 as well as the ability to slide the blade up and down upon impact. Providing both an offence to disarm as well as a defence against the same thing.


Reverse Hasso Guard -
Scooping motion to attacks against you aimed at zones 5 and 6.

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Training
Training with Form 1 usually consists of direct, horizontal and vertical slashes. Defensive motions furthermore are completely perpendicular to the incoming threat. This is useful in practising basic movements as well as velocities should you have a partner to reciprocate movements. When outside the estate, it will likely be the case that you will run into more blaster wielding foes than lightsabers. Due to this it may be best to practise some methodology to blaster deflection. Whether with the use of a droid/probe, or with a partner throwing objects. This will admittedly be a low-priority type of training, but nevertheless useful.


For all forms of training, I strongly suggest the use of a partner or third party to watch your movements. When training alone, you will only embed the faults you cannot perceive.


Despite this fact, I’m sure myself and many others will still occasionally be forced into lonesome training at some point. When this is the case, prioritise exercises that fall short in scrutiny like body/fitness training. Or alternatively, request use of a type of recording system to review footage of your training another time.


Additionally, ‘Dulon’ may be a useful companion alongside velocities for training. This, according to the archives, shares a definition with a lightsaber manoeuvre. A defensive parry followed by a reliable counter-attack. The pommel held at your midsection, blade up and brought back around the body to slash at a high velocity. But I digress from the ‘Dulon’ that matters here. A training method where, should you find yourself solo, you practise known sequences against imaginary opponents. Akin to a form of shadow-boxing.

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Body target zones

• Zone 1 Head/neck
  
• Zone 2 - Body right side
  
• Zone 3 - Body left side
  
• Zone 4 - Torso and back
  
• Zone 5 - Right leg
  
• Zone 6 - Left leg
  

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Marks of contact

• Cho Mai – Cutting off an opponent’s weapon hand
  
• Cho Mok – Cutting off an opponent’s limb
  
• Cho sun – Cutting off an opponent’s weapon arm
  
• Sha Cha – Beheading
  
• Sai Tok – Cutting an opponent in half
  
• Shiak – A stabbing
  
• Shiim – Minute wound usually shallow in nature
  
• Mou Kai – Dismembering multiple limbs
  
• Sun Djem – Normal disarming
  
• The Sarlacc Sweep - Spinning sweep to slash groups
  

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What makes it good as a foundation?
Here, there are a myriad of reasons we can call to. The tutorial forms basic and straightforward bladework, offering an easy starting point to learn from for other forms. On top of that, there’s little massively complex footwork, nor a combination or requirement of intense force aid. It is, perhaps intendedly, the definition of easy to learn but hard to master.


Outside this, there’s also a relatively low tax on the body, mind and spirit that other forms may require. Though it should be noted this is primarily with the beginning stages of the form, not its expert and masterful levels. With no incredible acrobatics, emotional outbursts of energy or deep inner philosophy you need to keep track of.


And whilst I know little of the other forms, it’s hard to imagine them not drawing at least in some part from the basics taught in Shii-Cho’s swings, target zones, training and marks of contact.

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Balancing simplicity and unpredictability
This is a tricky idea that truthfully, I am yet to fully comprehend in its fullest. I suppose if I do this early in my calling as a Sith, I would be classed a master.


It’s likely to be as hard as it sounds, trying to balance simplicity and unpredictability in an intense concentration of your every movement. With the only things I can think of being doing everything you can as a fighter to not telegraph your next movement or attack, meaning no long wound up strikes and keeping everything bare bones. Perhaps on top of this, even going as far as to throw some feints or general misdirection. But the strikes themselves shouldn’t go as far as to be acrobatic or daring in nature.

This is an area of field that I believe will merely come from experience and a little exploration of a master of the forms' view on it.

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Pros

• Ideal form against grouped enemies
  
• Impressive ability to disarm
  
• Impressive defence against disarming
  
• Versatile as a fallback
  
• Inherently simple
  
• Low tax/requirement on the body, mind or spirit to use at beginner levels
  

Cons

• Falls short in one-on-one combat, especially against form 2
  
• Standard middle-guard overly familiar to many Sith/Jedi. Whilst you may not know the nuances of their stance. 
  

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Challenge question
If I were to improve or add onto the form, what would I do?


This part of the essay was purely a challenge to myself to assist in the Sith mindset of constant improvement. I do not take myself to be better than those that have clearly mastered the form in their own regard. And most certainly do not suspect my ideas to be unchallenged.


After reviewing the form throughout the creation of this essay, as well as intense reading of past essays in the archives, I’ve come to what I believe to be two short-comings on its guard. Firstly, those using the guard may be more susceptible to Shiak motions depending on the position of their opening stance’s hilt. Secondly; it’s front position of the blade, forward leaning posture and requirement to not telegraph attacks may make it hard to enact explicitly powerful blows. With this in mind I would propose that the opening stance should focus almost solely on an upward tilted blade held a little to the side. Such that you can more easily bash stabbing motions left or right. Ignoring an opening stance that has the blade held downwards forty five degrees. Then, to try and rectify its lack of power, either encourage use of force abilities in combination with the form more. Like force augmentation and so on. Or instead encourage less unpredictability to enhance the advantage a two-handed grip should already use in its power based blows.

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“This essay has been reviewed, approved and recognised by Sith D'oemir, current acting Blademaster.”

“Further reviewed and likewise approved by Apprentice Rhysand Sekker, both coming together to recognise potential mistakes and offer guidance.”