Wei's Quest to Lightsaber Mastery

[Wei Wu Wei]

I mentioned in Jenny's idea thread that I had always wanted Wei to master all seven forms of Lighsaber combat. The task is gargantuan, but I thought it would be amazing, especially as I wanted it to be not just a story of mastery of combat, but a mastery of Wei's inner demons.

So, there are seven forms. As a Jedi Knight, I thought it would be reasonable for Wei to know 3 to near full-mastery. Those are Form I, Form III, and Form VI.

I figure as a Padawan, Wei would have spent a great deal of time on Form I, since it's the most basic. I kind of assume any Jedi at Knight level has mastered this form.

Form VI, I figure that every Jedi would know. Like Form I, I supposed every Jedi Knight would be taught the "Diplomat's Form" in the event violence broke out. I supposed only those who really wanted to study Lightsaber combat would move forward after Forms I and VI.

I chose Form III for Wei because I thought it was a good fit for him "pre-Whisky Priest." It's highly defensive and bides its time, kind of like how Wei used to do. Wei used to have unending patience and liked for gaps to appear rather than make his own. So I decided he would have pursued this Form to Mastery, or close enough, before the Purge.

Now, I want him to learn the rest. I figure it would be fun if each thread took place on its own world, with its own teacher--a figure from the Old Jedi Order's past. These threads will probably be supremely lengthy as Wei finds his knowledge source (A holocron or the ghost of a Jedi), begins his training, and deals with a series of obstacles and challenges along the way. Afterwards, a few threads in which Wei utilizes what he learns will help to establish Wei's new skill and seal in that he is mastering the techniques he has learned.

So, I want to do 7 threads, with a few in between aside from random threads Wei joins along the way. So 7 major threads, one for each Form (even the ones Wei has mastered already).

I would like each thread to go in numerical order according to the Lightsaber forms themselves. So the first thread would be Form I, which would visit Wei's past and establish his character, Form II would come next and might involve a fight with a Darksider or an incredibly heated contest of skill against a Jedi Knight of equal or greater skill in lightsaber combat. It would go on from there.

I will make separate posts within this thread for each Form Thread as I create and plan them. Wouldn't want to spoil too much right off the bat!

Let me know what you guys think, and if you would be interested in helping me do this.

Right off, Form I is going to mostly be a flashback to Wei's time as a Padawan up until his Knighthood. More on that later.

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions?

[Aidan Fox]

I think this idea is awesome. I love the concept of using the forms as a base for storytelling, especially with a character like Wei who is so introspective. This kind of personal quest is fantastic for giving a character drive and direction.

I've really slowed down my Star Wars characters since X-Men has picked up, but I could possibly offer Solomon as an instructor in Form II.

And I'm sure you've thought of this, and it's a long way off anyway, but there are two Form VII masters right now, to my knowledge, and a duel against either LD or s'Il would be an epic way to round off this story arc.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

>D

I'd be happy to "teach" you. Of course that sort of blows my cover in the Rebellion, but that story isn't going anywhere.

[Rossos Atrapes]

I agree with Solomon/Firefox totally. This idea is amazing from a storytelling point of view. I've got Tell Cho who's a master of Ataru/Form IV and his own light-staff variant of it for Wei to bounce off of if you want.

[Wei Wu Wei]

One of the reasons I chose for Ghosts to teach was that I wasn't sure there were enough player characters out there that knew all the different forms.

So for instance, If you two hadn't stepped up, I was going to have Wei learn Form II from Shaak Ti, and Form VII from Mace Windu.

Finding living masters changes things a bit, but could also be fun. I still want each thread to happen on a different planet, though.

Even if Wei is not taught by these characters, a follow up thread involving a fight or a sparring match between them and Wei is an alternative.

I didn't see Rossos post, but I could see that as being fun. Maybe I should just see who is already available that knows all the different Forms before I make up my mind. Well, people who have characters that know the forms and would be willing to participate in this storyline.

[Rossos Atrapes]

One of the reasons I chose for Ghosts to teach was that I wasn't sure there were enough player characters out there that knew all the different forms.

So for instance, If you two hadn't stepped up, I was going to have Wei learn Form II from Shaak Ti, and Form VII from Mace Windu.

Finding living masters changes things a bit, but could also be fun. I still want each thread to happen on a different planet, though.

Even if Wei is not taught by these characters, a follow up thread involving a fight or a sparring match between them and Wei is an alternative.

I didn't see Rossos post, but I could see that as being fun. Maybe I should just see who is already available that knows all the different Forms before I make up my mind. Well, people who have characters that know the forms and would be willing to participate in this storyline.

Well, Tell Cho could be on a planet, but he'd most likely be on a ship. I'm close to kick-starting a minor arc that could prove an interesting backdrop for Wei coming to learn/spar.

[Dasquian Belargic]

And I'm sure you've thought of this, and it's a long way off anyway, but there are two Form VII masters right now, to my knowledge, and a duel against either LD or s'Il would be an epic way to round off this story arc.

Salem also.

[Aidan Fox]

Well, then, the only natural conclusion is to have a tag-team battle: Wei and s'Il vs. Salem and LD! ;)

Wow, that would actually be fairly headache-inducing to write...

Solomon has been traveling around the galaxy looking for Force-sensitives to bring to the Wheel, so he could meet Wei anywhere. The other consideration is what you want Wei to learn/discover about himself and the Force in the course of each thread. Solomon's a good choice for helping him to face his past, since Solomon himself has quite a past - former Jedi warrior, fell to the Dark Side after the Purge, and found redemption and rebirth.

[Wei Wu Wei]

It would be, but it's a good idea. We could totally try it when the time comes. :)


Ok, here's what I've decided: We can totally have Wei run into these force users as teachers/sparring partners, but I still want him to travel to the different planets I have chosen to speak to the Force Ghosts there. If not to recieve training, but definitely to gain some wisdom and ask that one question that haunts him: Am I still good enough for this?

So that has to happen. I figure the threads can start with Wei meeting the Force ghosts, gaining the wisdom from them, and a directive to find a teacher/sparring partner for him to learn. Lightsaber mastery is learned most effectively by doing, and as Wei seeks out these people, he considers the old masters' words and tries to find the Force in the "mindset" of the Form he is learning.

I figure it's a good middle road between my original idea and the suggestions made in this thread so far. What do you guys think?

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

You should def. get with Charley. I bet Wei and Anbira would be BFF's :D

[Wei Wu Wei]

I got to get with Charley about a lot of things. But yeah, I think that unless there's any reason not to go with things as I mentioned them, I'll make the Form I post on Monday.

[Wei Wu Wei]

It's beginning. I'm going to post back to back for a bit until I can figure out how I want to transition Wei to a scene of conflict where he can utilize his practice in Form I.

[Kala'ndryl Ryj]

Looks really good so far :)

And you're on my homeworld! Talking to my uncle, no less :)

Looking forward to the rest of it!

[Wei Wu Wei]

Ok, I have more or less re-established Wei's mastery of Form I as a basic review of the power he already possesses. Would anyone care for a friendly sparring match?

Perhaps a person of Padawan status, so Wei can find himself roped into the teacher role he desperately thinks he can't handle?

I kind of want to make a pattern of this: Wei learns/reviews, and finds himself facing a situation where he is forced to act despite his huge misgivings.

If anyone is interested in sparring a half-drunk Jedi Knight, please let me know! :D

[Kala'ndryl Ryj]

Ooo! Ok...this is too perfect for me to pass up! I volunteer :)

:eee

[Wei Wu Wei]

Sounds good to me. :) Currently Wei is on a ship passed out on his way to a destination unknown.

The sparring match can happen in the hold of the ship, but the real issue is making the situation one in which Wei is unable to refuse helping Kala. What is Kala like? Are there any situations she might find herself in that might require outside assistance?

[Kala'ndryl Ryj]

Simply put, Kala is a brash, head-strong Padawan who thinks she has a clue and has only recently been forced to admit she really doesn't. Her Force abilities were dormant until recently (she's a Healer) and without her Master to reign her in (Ilias is absent an awful lot), she's taken to sneaking away from the Wheel at every opportunity.

There's plenty of situations she could be in where she'd need outside help, since she's had only the bare minimum in Force instruction. She does however carry a very real lightsaber that had belonged to her father, and has the Force essence of her dead twin brother lodged in her head...

...and I'm babbling. Gah, sorry, its after three am...I'll try and make this more coherent in the morning. Unless by some miracle something I said struck a chord and you have an idea, in which case I can mold Kala to fit the circumstance which is usually easy to do.

/babble

[Wei Wu Wei]

Well, since Kala is a healer, then I think I know what to do.

We shall have the shuttle Wei is riding have a small holdover on a small planet for a few hours. Any reason will do.

The passengers are encouraged to take a walk around the spaceport and will be summoned when the flight is ready to continue.

Wei comes across a large crowd of people chattering with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. When Wei sees what's going on, he sees Kala, a small child crying over his father, who is on the ground and bleeding from being hit across the face with the butt of a blaster rifle. The Empire is pushing around this man for "assaulting" a member of the Imperial Army.

Kala is standing up for the dad and kid against more troopers than she can reasonably handle. Enter Wei. With Wei's help they beat back the officers and save the day!

[Kala'ndryl Ryj]

:eee You're brilliant! And its such a Kala thing to do...you've been talking to the voices in my head, haven't you...o_O

Alright...would you like me to post next and set up the scene on the new planet, or would you prefer to do that?

[Wei Wu Wei]

How about I post the transition, leading up to Wei elbowing through the crowd, and then you can follow up and set us up the situation.

I'm afraid that my post will have to wait until Monday, though. It's late and I'm about to go out of town for about 24 hours or so. Just gives you time to percolate a good idea.

[Kala'ndryl Ryj]

Sounds like a good plan! I shall percolate & await your post on Monday :)

[Wei Wu Wei]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, GO! :D

[Kala'ndryl Ryj]

I'm sorry it took me so long to post!!! But I have, so let me know if you need me to edit anything :)

[Wei Wu Wei]

It looks good. I'm formulating a reply right now. :)

[Wei Wu Wei]

My Form I thread is nearly finished, so I thought I'd start planning my thread for Form II.

The outline is the same: Wei encounters a Force Ghost, learns Form II, and then applies it.

I did think of changing things up just a little.

I want Wei to duel a Darksider, and I want him to lose. Then when he has learned Form II, he will find that Darksider again and win the battle.

Any dueling Darksiders out there interested in putting a frame around Wei's training?

[Flux]

If you get no other volunteers, I'll bring Zenas out of retirement as a last resort.