Concerning Sword Lore....

[Kell Sangros]

He watched as Tormentous examined his handiwork. He watched as he was very thorough in his examination of his creation. He was proud of what he had made. As he examined the blade, Warvanus regaled him of the trials he had endured, and where he had forged it. Tormentous would be pleased to learn that his advice was taken to heart and heeded. Akaan Burkida was proof. When it was offered back to him, he took it in his hand. To the War-Bringer it felt light as a feather in his grasp. It did indeed yearn for his touch, and anybody who was not him would have difficulty wielding it. Tormentous was the strongest of the Sith which is why he sat upon the throne of skulls. He suspected if any other Sith tried to take his blade that they would have great difficulty or would not be able to lift it at all. Already his weapon had shown him a loyalty that one could not buy.

The blade seemed to hum in the grip of the War-Bringer, inwardly he grinned as he knew what was to come next. He would want to ensure that Darth Warvanus had forged a blade worthy of serving the War-Bringer and by proxy the Emperor. Warvanus had never sparred with his Master. His blood quickened at it, and he also knew that he would not hold back. To do so would be a great disservice not only to the Emperor but to his Hand.

He called upon the Dark Side, letting it flow through him, filling his being, he could feel the Dark Side surround Akaan Burkida and envelop it, the gemstone in the hilt began to glow. He had set his indominatble will to the blade. Now was the time…

Tormentous came on him swift and fast, the Warhound brought his blade up to meet Jidai Maras as a near deafening clash could be heard the sound of steel on steel, met with extreme force. He could see the lightning covering his blade, Akaan Burkida would not succumb to it, nor its bearer. He gripped Akaan Burkida with his other hand and using his own strength would push them from the locked blades, once freed Warvanus would then with speed step in closer to Tormentous and then with his blade stabbing towards his chest, his technique was tight, not sloppy he had kept his footing even, and did not lead with any exaggerated motions. No flourishes here. He knew his Master would block this strike, but it was a good opening salvo.

[Jacobi Wylcott]

They clashed with spark and fire leaden onto solid steel. The ring echoed through the throne room and the guards had instantly leapt into action though they ceased their advance once they witnessed in awe of what was happening. Warvanus accepted the block and turned it aside moving to riposte with exceptional speed. The key to this duel would be down to simple physics and experience. The War-Bringer had carried a lightsaber to battle after battle, for untold engagements and across the galaxy. He was used to the physic of weightless beam weaponry. Now he carried an actual sword, even weightless in his hand the blade no longer traveled with the speed of a simple turn of the wrist. It required tact to wield and precision for a lightsaber opponent would always be faster.

Tormentous was here to teach him these things. First how to carry and wield the sword. Next would be the condition in which he must act. Tormentous was harsh but an excellent teacher. By the end of this day Darth Warvanus would not be an expert in the play of a Sith Warblade but he would be surely proven and tested.

His muscles tensed and he stepped back with his left foot so that he’d have room to rotate his own sword from a tip up position to tip down. This rotation allowed him to slam Akaan Burkida away from midsword. Not at all would this disturb Warvanus’ grip on his sword but this was the perfect moment to show the War-Bringer that the weightless beam of a lightsaber compared to the weight of steel was different. His lightsaber he could have whipped right back, with his sword he would have to readjust and view his opponent. This briefest of moments would reveal fathoms of information and knowledge for the Apprentice of the Dark One.

In the moment that Akaan Burkida / was deflected, Jidai Maras was brought from its pointed down position to sweep up and out. The forward edge of the warblade would pass up towards Warvanus’ chin. Certainly the War-Bringer would see the attack and move out of the way or even manage to parry if he was fast enough. But Tormentous wasn’t going for any kill or incapacitation shot - he was trying to set up his next series.

In doing so he righted his sword and stepped into Warvanus - still he was high on the stairs and now he was going to press the advantage. Tormentous came in hard and fast with an angled thrust aimed at Warvanus’ collarbone, it was a feint, before the point of contact the tip of the bastard sword dipped and shot for the sternum and then dipped again towards Warvanus’ hip. Yet the real attack was to come from the mid steel of the blade that was crossing the body. Once connected he would reverse the momentum and sweep outwards back up through the abdomen and out the collarbone.

This was a potentially vicious attack and Warvanus would be sorely tested to come out unscathed - the thing of it was - Tormentous expected Warvanus to overcome this challenege - such was his faith in the War-Bringer’s ability even with a new weapon type.

[Kell Sangros]

One lesser known fact about Warvanus was he valued and trained in the martial skills as he did in the Force. He was not uninitiated in the ways of the sword. While he was more experienced with his lightsaber, weilding Akaan Burkida was not so different that it would impede his skill. One thing Tormentous could count on, was that Warvanus would learn as much as he can in this spar. He would never stop learning, even at his level of development he yearned to keep learning and here he would definitely do so.

Once Tormentous blocked his attack he took a step down, he was not giving up ground but trying to get on a more level field. As long as Tormentous towered a few steps up he would have the high ground. Then the strike came, his chin was in its path, he could angle himself to block or step aside, he opted for the second option, he was not a fool. He also recognized it for what it was, which was a setup for another attack. He could feel it, not necessarily in the Force but in his gut, his experience. He adjusted his grip on Akaan Burkida.

Tormentous’ attack was nothing short of a combination of sheer brute strength, ferocity , calculated with a level of Mastery. In short it was perfection. The thrust came he did not fall for the feint but brought his blade to meet Jidai Maras when the attack came to the sternum,He dodged the feints but as the steel came to crossing the body he brought the blade up to meet it. Like that first strike the thunderous sound of steel on steel rang through the throne room. Warvanus was aware of his personal guard but as long as they stayed out of the way they would pose no threat to the Warhound. The attack was masterful as he quickly brought the blade up to block the last attack. For the briefest of moments it had messed up his momentum as Tormentous had reversed the momentum. The War-bringer jumped back a step. He was on the defensive now it was time to unleash his own attack a show of quality of the War-Bringer.

Gripping Akaan Burkida, He attacked in a series of flurries aiming in all directions the first two were mid-level aiming for the side, then bringing the attack high aiming for his neck, when he deflected that he spun and brought the blade into a downward arc, swinging hard for his knee. He was attacking on pure ferocity, but displaying a level of skill all his own. He was careful not to overextend himself or put too much momentum into the attack.

He was learning much in the spar,not only about Tormentous but also Akaan Burkida, and himself. This reminded him of that duel with Kroxota he had pushed him to the limit in that duel. Later he would reflect and wonder how he fared against Tormentous. He had no desire to try to kill his Emperor but like him he would not hold back. He was the Master and he was despite all his power and knowledge Warvanus was the Apprentice.

[Jacobi Wylcott]

As the delivering party it was now his prerogative to stand his ground on the stairs and deny his opponent a level field of combat or to advance and take the fight down the stairs which would also capitalize on his suddenly gained momentum. As much respect as he held for Darth Warvanus, to give up the high ground on the premise of allowing an even playing field would have been a disservice to the Warhound Lord. No - Tormentous would do no such thing - if Warvanus desired to take the stairs out of play then he would have to find a way to level the field himself. This had suddenly become a chess match as much as a duel. With that the Dark One uncharacteristically did not descend the stairs to press his advantage in sudden momentum. Instead he stood his ground and forced Warvanus to see to the stairs once again.

From this height Tormentous would be able to deliver hammering blows down with superior strength with more disregard in defense. He was right. When Warvanus came in next - his flurry was robbed of the full potential of its lethality. This noted, the series of strikes were so fierce that Tormentous did give ground. He took a large step back and let the hard swing for the knee pass by.

This allowed the War-Bringer to ascend the stairs several steps. They still weren’t on the even footing but this was progress. There were moments in which Tormentous sense he could have struck out with boot or elbow to strike his foe physically but he refrained. He wasn’t going easy on his opponent but he was strictly keeping this to swordplay. It was the best means of teaching - and learning. It was also important to note that he was not solely teaching for he too was learning. Never before had he gone blade to blade with another physical weapon such as a Sith Sword. He’d gone steel to steel with vibro weapons against the Jidai Maras but nothing so potent. It was an expansion of his own knowledge as much as it was a birth of Warvanus’ own experiences.

Tormentous eyed his foe carefully. Every step, every shift of the shoulders, every check of his own muscled arms. He was being cautious in a way that was calculated. Tormentous could see that Warvanus wasn’t just trying to chop and slam his sword around in a bullish manner - rather his aim was keen and his strikes came with measured speed as to learn how the blade felt in each swing as to not overextend or over swing. It was excellent form all around and Tormentous desired to have the High Priest duel with Warvanus some time - the Echani Lord was a true swordmaster and brooked no comparison. Once he had even disarmed Tormentous in a duel long ago - Tormentous soon after that throttled the Echani with his bare hands but for the moment the Echani Lord had won a slight victory before he’d been rendered unconscious. There was much to learn from the Echani and it would do Warvanus much to spar with him.

A momentary distraction delivered Tormentous another two steps backwards as Warvanus pressed his assault. Tormentous was now upon the dais yet Warvanus was still a few steps down. He had gained much ground and thus the right to stand before the Dark Lord on an even setting was just before him. He need only reach out and take it.

Such was the testament and testimony of Darth Tormentous. Anything that his subject had - they earned it with sweat and blood. Nothing is given, everything is earned.

With that in mind, Tormentous wasn’t about to sit idly by and allow Warvanus to achieve something rather significant without pushing back and pushing back very hard. They fell into a natural lull once the flurry of Warvanus was concluded and Tormentous reciprocated the attack with one of his own.

He drifted or leaned his weight from left to right, crossed his sword diagonally over his body in a high guard - then he came down like a hammer with incredible speed. Nothing about this strike lacked in finesse. From his initial pose of his shoulders to the stature of his back being straight up to his elbows held in tight and his strong base of footing - it was exact. When he initiated the strike would slash down from right ear to left center of Warvanus’ chest. A vicious strike. As the blade moved so did his footing, he stepped right to left now - his weight was not behind the strike yet the momentum of the shift in footing brought additional speed to the strike with an accurate follow-through.

[Kell Sangros]

The loud sounds of clanging could be heard throughout the throne room, the sound of steel on steel, both combatants moving with lightning speed. To the untrained eye it looked like a duel of masters. A long planned out game of chess. The guards In the throne room did not know entirely if it was a spar or if it was an attempt on the Emperor’s life. Though if it were the latter then they would be using every weapon in their arsenal in this battle they weren’t, it was strictly swordplay. No physical assaults, no force tricks, simply a test of resolve, steel on steel, skill vs skill. Warvanus had proven himself several times over as a warrior and a sith. His journey had been a hard fought one. No this was the test for Akaan Burkida to deem if the blade he forged was worthy of service to the bearer and to the Emperor.

Warvanus did not mind not having even ground, that would be too easy and as the duel went on the Warhound did not tire. In fact it was the opposite he was getting warmed up. Here in the thick of battle was where he belonged and while this was a spar. Warvanus like Tormentous held nothing back. One thing Tormentous could pick up from his apprentice turned Hand was that he was in his element, he was enjoying this. He relished it, as the battle lust washed over him, bathing him in it and With each round they both were learning. When Tormentous gave ground, he took it. When Tormentous took ground Warvanus would give it. Warvanus knew Tormentous was more skilled, he was the Master, the embodiment of the power he possessed. This fact did not affect his resolve. He did not dwell on it, or fixate on it. To do so would only hurt his efforts here.

Tormentous’ attack was masterful, precise, fast and brutal. Just the way the Warhound liked it. Warvanus stepped with his right foot as he brought his blade up to meet with Jidai Maras. When the blades met he would then step with his left foot and then followed by another step from his right foot. He broke contact with the blades and went for a similar strike , his shoulders were straight as he brought his attack in a side attack as if going for a slash that was aimed across Tormentous’ upper chest just above the soloplex. One thing different was Warvanus was closing in the gap between them, which would put him in his space. Tormentous could meet the strike and press his footing or give ground to widen the gap again. The grin on the Warhound’s face was not one of gloating or mocking, it was of something the Warbringer rarely showed.

Pure Enjoyment

In this spar he was proving to the Emperor that he picked wisely when he picked Warvanus as his hand, his Wrath, his executioner and as such he had to be among the strongest and deadliest of the Emperor’s servants. His resolve knew no end and so the dance continued on

[Jacobi Wylcott]

Bright flashes erupted as they clashed again, the strike crossing the chest along with Warvanus’ advance so suddenly forced Tormentous to make a decision. He would have to increase his efforts drastically to push his apprentice back which would take a considerable attempt. Or he could give ground and roll into a counter. The choice was obvious. They duo maneuvered with a series of sword exchanges up the final stairs until they were finally on the top tier of the dais - they were on even footing.

It was time for Tormentous to strike back at his worthy opponent. The Dark Lord wasted no time and pivoted left to superimpose himself between the stairs and Warvanus, his change in footing and martial positioning placed the Dark One on the exterior of Warvanus’ right side. He would also have to pivot out and away in exchange. Didn’t mean that he would do so - Warvanus was an unconventional foe and was very capable of fighting even in a poor position.

The Dark One moved into his attack pattern. Sweeping to the midsection to disembowel his foe he followed through, and on the follow up he angled the blade down diagonally and through the space where Warvanus’ thigh would be.

[Kell Sangros]

Their sparring match was more like a dance though Warvanus would not persume to be on equal ground in skill as the Emperor, Nobody was on equal ground with the Emperor that was why he ruled. The Strong Rule. Metal on metal could be heard throughout the throne room, slowly but surely Warvanus was ascending the steps to the throne.

As he superimposed himself between the War-Bringer and the stairs the thought came to him that a well timed Force push could send him hurling down, or a well placed kick. However this was not a fight to the death or a fight between enemies this was spar of steel on steel testing Warvanus’ newly forged blade, and he suspected his skill as well, and Warvanus would not disappoint his Emperor, plus he would keep it thus plus it made it all the more of a challenge for the Bloody hand of the Emperor and he would not disrespect the Emperor in that manner either.

He pivoted back a couple steps, allowing the first strike to miss, but the follow-up the attack to his thigh was met with the crashing of steel on steel as Akaan Burkida swung downward to block, as the blades struck Warvanus made his move

He moved in close, closer than they had been through this duel he brought Akaan Burkida in swinging from a downward angle upward the attack aimed for the Emperor’s chin, a most unconventional attack but one that would either grant him victory or the Emperor would have to back step a few paces to put Warvanus out of his personal space. He honestly did not know how Tormentous would respond to his attack. He was the strongest of them all, and because of that it was his right to rule and even this spar he had no doubt was teaching them both alot about the other. Warrior to Warrior, even if Tormentous was not the Emperor he was in Warvanus’ estimation the mightiest warrior to grace the Sith Empire and he could only hope to follow in those footsteps.

[Jacobi Wylcott]

Again Darth Warvanus advanced - but this time the Dark Lord was unwilling to give ground and the steel of Jidai Maras came to catch Akaan Burkida and they came into the first steel on steel clash of the battle. The unconventional way in which the attack of Warvanus came left Tormentous out of position now that he didn’t step back and give more ground. In order to keep his footing and prevent himself from physically being pushed by simple leverage down the stairs he had to slide his sword down the length of Warvanus’ and catch the cross guard where he then twisted from his awkward angle to a more appropriate station.

This very moment they were face to face and matched with their own respective strengths physically. They held this position for a long moment - their swords locked and the Dark Side of the Force laughing maniacally in the glee as Tormentous broke the rust from his sword arm and Warvanus broke the mold open and became familiar with his weapon of war.

It was this introduction that would make a profound impact on Warvanus’ life. It wasn’t just the solid steel of a sword as opposed to the weightless blade of raw crimson plasma - it was the way that the sword would speak to him during this combat and how the sword would mold with Warvanus’ mind. It would show Warvanus the most pure form of combat that he’d ever experienced and no doubt - just as Tormentous - he would find it beyond intoxicating and he would need more and more and eventually he would find himself unfulfilled. It was the curse of the weapon he carried. He would need to conquer the weapon and in time Tormentous had no doubt that he would do just that.

Their clash would end as both Tormentous and Warvanus shoved on one another. They flew backwards several feet and landed. That the Dark One was facing away from the stair case he landed heavily amid them though his concentration was keen in that his balance was not thrown off, instead he leapt again and further down the steps to the ground floor by the base of the massive heartfire that never died. It gave him warmth to his back and he flourished his sword.

At the end of the flourish he balanced the sword in the Form III Soresu stance. This was a lie. He mimicked the stance and would put it upon Warvanus to make the next move though his intent was not to play the defensive but rather to shift to Form V and go on a severe offensive.

For now he waited for his worthy opponent to engage.

[Kell Sangros]

The Blades held, even as Tormentous slid the blade down to the crossguards on his, they were face to face, the same expression as he had worn through out the spar remained on Warvanus’ face. Not many got the honor to spar with the Emperor, or be in his presence or even hear the voice of the Emperor. He was in the Emperor’s inner circle now and he was proving this was where he belonged. The Dark Side approved as two devotees to its seductive art locked in mortal combat, but not for power or even the throne it was simply a test of the Dark Side’s chosen. For Tormentous to show his majestic power and strength to show it was his right to rule the Sith, the Red Cauldron. For the War-Bringer, to show his quality to show he was worthy of the post he had ascended to, to show his worth of bearing Akaan Burkida the blade he had forged in the same place as Tormentous with Jidas Maras. In a sense these weapons were twins but each served a different master.

Tormentous broke the clash and Warvanus was shoved back several feet, almost off his feet but turned it into a roll and was quickly back on his feet. He looked at the bottom of the stairs and there stood Tormentous.

“I am glad you did not give me ground Master I would have been disappointed if you had” He flourished his weapon.

In the back of his mind something pressed against it. This was new, it was not any Force user speaking to his mind. As impossible as it seemed it was his own voice. No it was Akaan Burkida it sent the inpulse that this fight was about to step up a notch. It wasn’t words but it was the feeling in his mind. His experience would suspected as much but the sword was talking to him. This he did not expect. It was a pleasant surprise to the War-Bringer.

He tightened his grip, he remained open and fluid to the next barrage. He recognized the stance he was in but Tormentous was known to feint styles in the past. He would not fall for it. If anybody was watching this battle they would probably think that it was winding down but in all reality it was doing the opposite

The Battle had just begun…

[Jacobi Wylcott]

Warvanus did not move in as Tormentous had anticipated him too. This wasn’t to the detriment of his strategy it simply meant his feint of Form III was ill-effective. Thusly the Dark One settled not on failure but opportunity - the first moment he tapped into the Force was not to attack but to swiftly ascend the stairs to the even level for he lacked the desire to fight his way up. (Force Speed) With supernatural swiftness the Dark Lord ascended to the top of the stairs where he released his grip on such speed though he used the increased momentum to launch onto what would be a savagely devastating attack.

It began with a two handed upward slash starting low towards the knee and rising up to the midsection. While lacking the speed given by the Force it held immense power behind this attack as he also applied his own naturally impressive strength to the strike, roaring in effort. The strike wasn’t blindly swinging nor leaving him awkwardly open but it was very deliberate and well placed.

He had little doubt that his Apprentice could block the incoming blow but he also anticipated more in counter. He was ready for it and he showed as much for he did not overextend his swing too much in order to allow him to mount his own counter to the counter of keep him in parry range.

Tormentous’ mind flowed with the battle easily and it began to display why he was so efficient in the field of battle. He was known far and wide for his talents and feared for them in equal measure. Warvanus was swiftly making his own name out there among the stars. His Master had every confidence that his chosen general would be more than a match for the Jedi once they finally found those traitorous rats in the holes where they dwelt - and once they found them - the Sith would reap a bloody tally upon them all the likes of which the galaxy had not seen in this age.