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29-04-2023, 10:09 PM
((The information contained within is on a bio-locked Datapad that Alencia has stashed away in one of the vents within the Archives on the Th'Asidra, making it both difficult to find and (more to the point), incredibly difficult to unlock without Alencia being present.))
[entry #1: lightsaber combat.]
[indent] In a bid to understand more about the Lightsaber and how to use it more efficiently in the duels against other Acolytes that I will inevitably have to undertake, I have been digging in the archives. They seemed as good a place as any to start, and entirely less likely to cause me grievous injuries than tracking down the Sith responsible for imparting knowledge onto the Acolytes.
During my research, I came across an interesting document, detailing more forms of combat with a Lightsaber than I have previously been allowed to learn on Korriban. I have taken to reading through this, in an effort to learn more about what I could come up against while dueling the other Acolytes of House Horuset, and have increasingly found myself drawn to a section of redacted information within the document, entitled only as Soresu, Form III. While this did cause me to poke more around the archives, I have found that there is little knowledge available about Form III, also known as "Soresu", that the Acolytes have any real access to, meaning that the only information one can glean from the Archives is what is already within the document known as "The Art of the Lightsaber".
The individual who redacted the information on Form III was not perhaps as cautious with their editing as they could have been - removing only the section on Soresu, and not what information the remainder of the document has on it. As such, while impossible to learn the true theory of the Form, it's basics are still stashed away within the remainder of the document. Certainly an oversight on the individual's part, but one that I intend to exploit and learn from.
Other than the redacted section, the first mention of Soresu is contained within the writings on form IV - Ataru, an offensive form that apparently focuses on an incredibly overwhelming attack pattern, combining gymnastics with broad, kinetic attacks that are designed to end a duel or confrontation as quickly as possible. The document explains during it's discourse on the art of Ataru explicitly that the form is entirely "unlike Soresu, which was defense focused and built around tight minimalist moves" - leading me to believe at this point that while an Ataru user might press the attack, one who uses Soresu should allow the attack to come to them.
The use of minimalist as a contrast to kinetic interests me here - it implies that while Ataru is quick and aggressive, Soresu is more.. Precise - perhaps just as quick, but much more reserved, saving one's energy as ones opponent expends theirs. This sounds familiar to me, especially as I have heard others speak of Makashi before. The document in question also goes into what is known as "Form II", which, again, from the document relies "on balance and efficient economy of movement" as it "requires an adherent to be patient and incredibly disciplined"- from what I gather the use of Makashi also acts as a direct counter to the disarming tactics of Shii-Cho, a form I am already familiar with. Perhaps if both forms are so minimalist, and by the reading of Form II so defensive, then there could be similar footing in Makashi as there is in Soresu?
Yet this is not all I have uncovered.
According to the document, Form V, also known as Shien or Djem So is a direct descendant of Soresu, with Shien focusing on the deflection of Lightsaber bolts to their source and Djem So being a varient focusing on counter-attacking. The main philosophy of Form V is to turn ones opponents attack back on them, thus creating ones own openings to punish an opponents mistakes. If this Form was developed as a reaction to Soresu being overly defensive, as I am starting to get the impression of, then I am inclined to believe that Soresu is more of a waiting game - which ties into Makashi's similarly defensive patience.
So, from what I have gathered, Soresu, or Form III is a defensive style of combat, which relies more on economy of movement, minimalism and careful positioning of the blade to deflect attacks (regardless of their direction, so long as it is away from ones body). It is not offensive in the slightest, thus leading me to believe that it is designed to prolong a duel and wear ones opponent down as opposed to ending it as quickly as possible.
I doubt those involved in the training of Acolytes will freely dispense information on the Form, given that it has been redacted, so this is as far as my studies have gone so far. I intend to try and observe those who utilize Makashi, Ataru and Shien/Djem So in the future, as Form II will show me how to be more economical with my movements, Form IV will show me what not to do, and Form V will likely have similar footwork to begin with (even if it's counter strikes and pacing are different) if it is a direct derivative of Soresu.
I will endeavor to learn more of this form, and it's secrets, without those who impose themselves upon me learning of it.[/indent]
- Acolyte Alencia Dista
[entry #1: lightsaber combat.]
[indent] In a bid to understand more about the Lightsaber and how to use it more efficiently in the duels against other Acolytes that I will inevitably have to undertake, I have been digging in the archives. They seemed as good a place as any to start, and entirely less likely to cause me grievous injuries than tracking down the Sith responsible for imparting knowledge onto the Acolytes.
During my research, I came across an interesting document, detailing more forms of combat with a Lightsaber than I have previously been allowed to learn on Korriban. I have taken to reading through this, in an effort to learn more about what I could come up against while dueling the other Acolytes of House Horuset, and have increasingly found myself drawn to a section of redacted information within the document, entitled only as Soresu, Form III. While this did cause me to poke more around the archives, I have found that there is little knowledge available about Form III, also known as "Soresu", that the Acolytes have any real access to, meaning that the only information one can glean from the Archives is what is already within the document known as "The Art of the Lightsaber".
The individual who redacted the information on Form III was not perhaps as cautious with their editing as they could have been - removing only the section on Soresu, and not what information the remainder of the document has on it. As such, while impossible to learn the true theory of the Form, it's basics are still stashed away within the remainder of the document. Certainly an oversight on the individual's part, but one that I intend to exploit and learn from.
Other than the redacted section, the first mention of Soresu is contained within the writings on form IV - Ataru, an offensive form that apparently focuses on an incredibly overwhelming attack pattern, combining gymnastics with broad, kinetic attacks that are designed to end a duel or confrontation as quickly as possible. The document explains during it's discourse on the art of Ataru explicitly that the form is entirely "unlike Soresu, which was defense focused and built around tight minimalist moves" - leading me to believe at this point that while an Ataru user might press the attack, one who uses Soresu should allow the attack to come to them.
The use of minimalist as a contrast to kinetic interests me here - it implies that while Ataru is quick and aggressive, Soresu is more.. Precise - perhaps just as quick, but much more reserved, saving one's energy as ones opponent expends theirs. This sounds familiar to me, especially as I have heard others speak of Makashi before. The document in question also goes into what is known as "Form II", which, again, from the document relies "on balance and efficient economy of movement" as it "requires an adherent to be patient and incredibly disciplined"- from what I gather the use of Makashi also acts as a direct counter to the disarming tactics of Shii-Cho, a form I am already familiar with. Perhaps if both forms are so minimalist, and by the reading of Form II so defensive, then there could be similar footing in Makashi as there is in Soresu?
Yet this is not all I have uncovered.
According to the document, Form V, also known as Shien or Djem So is a direct descendant of Soresu, with Shien focusing on the deflection of Lightsaber bolts to their source and Djem So being a varient focusing on counter-attacking. The main philosophy of Form V is to turn ones opponents attack back on them, thus creating ones own openings to punish an opponents mistakes. If this Form was developed as a reaction to Soresu being overly defensive, as I am starting to get the impression of, then I am inclined to believe that Soresu is more of a waiting game - which ties into Makashi's similarly defensive patience.
So, from what I have gathered, Soresu, or Form III is a defensive style of combat, which relies more on economy of movement, minimalism and careful positioning of the blade to deflect attacks (regardless of their direction, so long as it is away from ones body). It is not offensive in the slightest, thus leading me to believe that it is designed to prolong a duel and wear ones opponent down as opposed to ending it as quickly as possible.
I doubt those involved in the training of Acolytes will freely dispense information on the Form, given that it has been redacted, so this is as far as my studies have gone so far. I intend to try and observe those who utilize Makashi, Ataru and Shien/Djem So in the future, as Form II will show me how to be more economical with my movements, Form IV will show me what not to do, and Form V will likely have similar footwork to begin with (even if it's counter strikes and pacing are different) if it is a direct derivative of Soresu.
I will endeavor to learn more of this form, and it's secrets, without those who impose themselves upon me learning of it.[/indent]
- Acolyte Alencia Dista
Discord:
lord_saltaeon
