Duel Terrogate vs Xuurdjem

Iron Knight Terrogate’s T class personal cruiser Roar-1 descends onto the worldship of the Blodraald. He has been called out by his apprentice prior to his task, and so it will be.  The Cathar has seen his apprentice already in battle.. the young man had much promise and his natural skill was obvious. After all it was the reason he was accepted as Terrogates apprentice to start with. Today was his 4th lesson... a lesson in warfare.

Iron apprentice Xuurdjem Xctal'ix

Post your CS... today you show me your quality.

(\*note this is our duel thread\*)

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The Iron knight stands waiting in the open arena for his apprentice to arrive. Both sabers in his hands, neither ignited. His light leather armour felt the heat above and it's waist straps flittered lazily in the soft breeze.. The Cathar had bled here many times during his apprenticeship as he tread his own iron path. Today he would see how his apprentice fairs.

Terrogate closed his eyes and slips into a meditative state until Xuurdjem Xctal'ix arrives... Preparing himself.

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Xuurdjem was under a lot of stress from the exalted ones’ expectations. Both his Master and his God held him in high regard yet each would produce their own tests and teachings in time. The heavy togrutan was already filled with the tumultuous energies storming inside of him. Typhojem was incessant in his vice grip upon the apprentice. Ever tightening, oppressively so, upon his soul. The fight he had asked for in a breakdown of overwhelming influence was one he would never forget. This was a penance and a lesson. In reality his walk was simple and only several hundred meters away, however in his mind this was an eternity. Under the brooding facade was a tempest of rage and malevolence waiting for its time. It was now. Xuurdjem looked up from the ground he was so entranced in he was within hugging distance of his Master. Looking into the eyes of the Cathar, Xuurdjem’s own exploded in a sunburst as if he had awoken from a deep sleep and this was his first glimpse of reality in a century. With a wry grin on his face Xuurdjem’s head tilts to the side noticeably before asking, “Shall we, Master?”

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“Greetings my young apprentice.. “ Said the large Cathar opening his eyes and pulling himself from his meditations. Terrogates' pre duel ritual of delving deeply into the force often gave him an edge, and already he could feel the force surging through his body, the knight had been preparing for this lesson but how much his apprentice would learn was entirely up to him.

Terrogate ignites his right saber, the familiar golden beam of crackling energy humming to life.

“I’m excited to see what you have learned so far Xurrdjem.” Said the Cathar starting to circle to the right and turning his body diagonally so that his left hand was closest to the apprentice .. raising his force defences as he spoke.

“Well…. what are you waiting for?”

Force power used

Force Barrier 3

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Xuurdjem watched his Master stand. Felt the energy swelling within him and when it was released there was no pain or assault on Xuurdjem’s body he knew this was a defensive move. The saber hummed, glowing gold hot enough to melt sand. His Master turned so that his blade hand was closest to Xuurdjem. What was the meaning of this? He expected his Master to come in swinging, but his course of action was to the contrary. Knight Terrogate circled the young apprentice goading him into taking mindless attacks; however that would not work so well. The Force clung to the air like the scent of blood that was all too prevalent.

Xuurdjem felt it soaking into his skin. The sensation was strong enough that he almost lost track of his standings. His Master was to his side when Xuurdjem ignited the long saber in his right hand. Having it pointed straight down the crimson blade pierced it, turning the sand below into molten glass. Facing Knight Terrogate, Xuurdjem took a step back leaving the saber tip where it was in the ground. Raising the weapon into a defensive stance with a flick to toss some of the liquified sand at his Master. He takes a gliding step forward leaning his saber point towards the opponent and grips it with half of the other hand. Keeping his grip of it tucked in his palm could serve as a useful levering position to quickly maneuver such a lengthy blade.

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Already in motion circling the apprentice, seemingly just a slightly faster half step would be enough to dodge the small amount of flicked up moten sand.

The Cathar smiles.. Not a bad effort, very cautious... Terrogate takes several steps closer to his apprentice, his ignited saber outstretched and coming into reach of Xuurdejms own.. Terrogate quickly executes a quick series of seven fast waist height stabs and slashes in an Ataru move known as the “Saber Swarm” looking to put his apprentice immediately onto the defensive.

On the seventh strike of his right lightsaber the Cathar knight ignites his secondary lightsaber in his left hand, turning he attempts to bring it down with an overhead diagonal strike to xuurdjems right shoulder.

Ataru: 3

Force Barrier 2 (carried over unused)

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When Knight Terrogate came within reach he lunged out trying to catch Xuurdjem off guard with a technique he’d not seen before except once. As if lost in a foggy memory to time. His parries were coupled with backstepping to give room for blows he was unable to block fast enough. The Cathar was a light-footed and heavy handed opponent yet he could tell that his Master was using precise form. On the seventh strike his Master activates a secondary lightsaber while Xuurdjem moves to avoid the initial strike. The cut was set to land across his chest though it came from a little high. There were two blades to be reckoned with on the opponent’s side now and one still for the apprentice.

Regardless of what possibilities lie within the moments leading to contact Xuurdjem took the opportunity to gain a step back from his Master. Stepping to the right, Xuurdjem brings his saber up in a high block angled down over his left shoulder. The length of the blade ran down to the middle of his thigh creating a guard stance. However that changed abruptly when Xuurdjem issued his counter attack. Lowering his body into the stance as the secondary saber glided across it the Togrutan dropped his elbows and turned his wrists. Unorthodox perhaps, but Xuurdjem unleashed a reverse attack pulling in the hand on the pummel to assist its momentum. As he moved to strike his body released the Force energy that surged through him and he dashed forward. Standing behind his Master Xuurdjem turned sharply to face the man he’d just tried to cleave in half.

Force Powers Used:

Augmentation - 1

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The Cathars left blade glides across the apprentices block without a threat to it's target, the sparks of the two sabers gently kissing each other explode in an electric bridging display like two positively charged terminals arching on a fuse.

Terrogate keeps his eyes on the apprentice's posture rather than the strike, noticing the drop and of his shoulders and closely following that, his large lightsaber turning to the horizontal.

The Cathar twists his body keeping the left to right momentum of his overhead strike, spinning and switching seamlessly to allow his right saber to mirror his apprentice's vertical block, their sabers would once again clash before the knight was cut in half.

Terrogate backs out several steps following the block looking to follow up with a neck high reverse slash but only to find his opponent had moved, then pulls out of the blow.. Only a few meters now separate the Tollere warriors. Suddenly the alpha males stood face to face.

“Well done my apprentice” said the Cathar.. Smile on his face and both ignited sabers in front of him. “You’ve been able to defend two attacks… Now how do you deal with three?”

The knight surges forward with natural speed, both golden sabers coming down over head, one aimed at hitting the top of each shoulder.. At the same time the Cathar extends his right foot outwards, in a force kick aimed at the Apprentices chest.

Powers used

Force kick 3

Force Barrier 1 (carried over unused)

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His Master smiled and offered praise to his sword skills, which Xuurdjem appreciated yet did not allow it to distract him. This he owed to the Mandalorians of his past taking him under their wing. Their vibroswords felt similar to the saber in weight, bit like his father Xuurdjem preferred a longer weapon than normal. He'd one day bleed his own crystal to fit the energies within. Chuckling aloud he retorted, "I blame the Mandos for that." Pausing momentarily he adds, "Let's kick it up a notch!"

The Cathar moved in to bring down his sabers upon Xuurdjem's shoulders. Both being swung at the same time, which was confusing to the apprentice until the kick got coiled. A wry grin crosses Xuurdjem's face again. This time he did not dodge, raising his saber above his head Xuurdjem kicked out with his left foot to interrupt the third assault with a short jabbing snap kick to set it back in place. Xuurdjem’s saber clashes against Knight Terrogates in a small explosion of crimson, gold and orange sparks. His body was turned to the side and both hands set on the saber. The Cathar weighed on the togruta man with both hands pressing down on Xuurdjem’s guard causing him to slowly ease back until the glow of all three sabers set his face aglow.

That’s when Xuurdjem shoved back to knock the sabers aside, twisting in his stance and gliding his back foot around until he faced across Terrogate’s line of sight. He stood in a defensive stance for half a second off to the Knight’s left before making a chop downward aiming at ankles. However a foot away from contact Xuurdjem pushed down with his pummel hand shifting the trajectory to his Master’s waist. This was followed by a repostle step and a sweeping lunge meant to look like a normal cross slash. He starts to laugh as he feels the excitement of combat coursing through his veins.

Powers Used:

Force Bellow - 1 (for dramatic effect)

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“\*Ooff, that one must have hurt\*, thought the knight as his apprentice used a kick of his own to block the force charged kick of the Cathar, right before using his physical strength to push aside the dual overhead strikes.

Terrogate reshapes his stance back to a classic defensive form just in time for Xuurdjem to sweep in low with a saber strike which the Cathar believed to be a leg sweep. Terrogate pointed his left lightsaber towards the ground holding the hilt at his waist height, hoping to block the strike. Terrogate raised his right hand and extended his index and pinky fingers towards the apprentice while still holding his ignited saber, sending a blast of darkside force fire at the apprentice's torso as he lunged in, testing his force defenses.

The lightsaber of his apprentice suddenly shifted upwards as the knight took his attention from the weapon to focus on releasing the energy needed for his fiery counter. The apprentice's saber runs up his golden blade, catching the hilt and shorting it out.

Jumping back several meters to create separation, Kight Terrogate looks at the damaged left saber. He tries to ignite it, but all that happens is sparks.. No humm… No golden glow.... And so he holsters it, crouching low he places his left hand to the arena floor, holding his right saber in front of his face in the classic Ataru pre-attach stance, coiled and ready.

Force powers used

Pyrokinesis: 3 force flame

Force Barrier: 1 (carried over unused)

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The pain surging through the man’s leg was agonizingly drum-like. Throbbing as he went to extend for the shifting attack, his weight carried with it, and with the tissues in his leg being weaker Xuurdjem faltered as his Master’s hand flew up. He’d chosen to use the Force aggressively for the second time in the match and Xuurdjem knew to keep a presence of mind, Actively analyzing all within his field of immediate concern and felt the swell just half a second before the burst of flames ignited. His eyes closed instinctively leaving him exposed, but Xuurdjem could hear a lightsaber fizz out and only one hummed besides the one he carried in hand. Synchronizing the low hum of your sabers was a skill not usually seen in warriors.

The blaze left his skin sensitive to the wind, much less touch. His left leg was weakened by a severe oversight and Knight Terrogate had the advantage. This was not better than Xuurdjem used to be. This was reckless. This was self destructive. ‘Listen to the Dark Side….’ a deep and powerful voice called out to him. The memories it tried to conjure only angered him and he listened. The apprentice rolled to the ground with his lightsaber extended trying to make a feeble attempt at an attack on the Knigh’s feet, crashing across the ground slowly.

Summoning the strength to stand as he drew on the Force, Xuurdjem called for the glass to rise into the air sharply. The Dark Side aided his steps as the pain was drowned out by it all. Xuurdjem stood with an upward diagonal slash across the chest followed by dipping his right hand down. Xuurdjem’s left hand came up to meet the pummel of his saber midway to his waist, just as the blade reached out in a one-handed vertical slash. The Togrutan rolled to stand in front of his opponent, quickly changing his position by stepping to Terrogate’s left with his own left foot. The saber shifts as the blade’s angle turns towards the Cathatr’s wrists and then even further when Xuurdjem transitions to a roll of the blade behind him ending in a downward vertical strike much like the first.

Powers Used:

Control Pain - 1

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Crouched and coiled, Knight Terrogate jumps upwards vertically in an attempt to avoid his apprentice's much lower than normal swing at him, allowing Xuurdjmes saber to sweep below him as it dragged along against the sand.

The Apprentice then called on the power of the force flicks up the hot sand in an effort to burn the feline Knight mid air just before he could land.

The molten glass flicks up, but glances off of the Cathars raised force defensive barrier, and with a small sizzle dropped harmlessly back to the ground below. The shimmer of force protection raised at the beginning of the duel fading out completely now.

Terrogate was hoping the Togruta was keeping notes, failing to prepare was to prepare for failure. Just one of several items they would be sure to discuss afterwards in a review.

Landing, the Artifex of Tollere goes instantly onto the defensive, changing stance to that of form 3, the way of the Mynock or otherwise called the resilience form.

The large Iron apprentice Xuurdjem stands and  presses with a vertical slash which changed angle midway through the strike, followed by a roll and a follow up saber strikes at his Cathar Master who absorbed the vertical strike.

Keeping his saber and body facing his opponent as he circled to the left during his move, relying on his knowledge of the third saber discipline taught to him personally by the dark lord Grievance Vexx the Cathar knight wards off the downward vertical strike of the apprentice.

On the defensive the Cathar gives up little ground to the apprentice's aggressive saber style, trusting his defensive form, gathering the force once more into him and biding his time, readying himself for his chance to counter..

As soon as Xuurdjem finishes his vertical strike the Cathar pushes out with the force.. casting a force blind at the Apprentice. Hopefully allowing a break in the flurry of strikes enough for the knight to change his momentum back to a more aggressive style.

Terrogate immediately cuts in diagonally and to the left of the apprentice attempting to use the lack of the Togrutas vision to get inside his sabers defences.

Once passed, Terrogate would make a downwards slash with his own golden bladed lightsaber in his right hand, not aimed at Xuurdjems body, but as to meet the apprentice's lightsaber.

If successful, at the very moment the blades touched the Cathar would then swing a powerful left hook, aimed at Xuurdjems right ribs with a hard force punch looking to crack bones and possibly puncture a lung.

Force powers used

Force Barrier: 1 (carried over and now depleted)

Force blinding: 3

Force punch: 3

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Xuurdjem is in serious pain, knowing as he fights that this will catch up to him and make the damage worse. In practice this works wonders in being able to yield without reproche. Outside of practice you are not afforded such luxuries. His training would only get him so far. A time would come where he no longer had access to a clear mind. The endless amount of possibilities are what he thought about in his downtime as he lay in bed trying to sleep. He dreamt of things lately that he could not explain… Another time.

The sand slag he sent flying interrupted the Knight’s defenses midair only for them to rise again as the Knight landed. This would be a very intense fight and Xuurdjem felt exhilarated. His strikes putter out with parry after parry, but his final strike would be hearty. His Master takes the brunt of the blow through his saber. Stepping to the left, Knight Terrogate deflects the vertical strike with ease yet gives ground to switch his stance. He felt the swell of energy closeby. Xuurdjem felt it coming and knew. Knew it would come at some time and knew that when it came to that time he would not waste the chance.When his master began to change stances the apprentice moved on instinct. No mind to what he would do. Only the instinct instilled upon him from the unhinged energy in this place.

Accessing it to fuel his speed of reflex, Xuurdjem utilizes a dash feeling some force to guide his movements. He would move and flow with the one he faced. Where ground was given he would take it, coupled with his senses. Where his opponent aggressed, Xuurdjem would give. Offering little room only to come back as his strike finished he fell forward to roll, but what came he could not avoid. The flash of blinding light was too bright and his eyes now saw only white.  Deactivating his saber, Xuurdjem used his right arm to guide his roll. He heard the sound of sand being packed down as his weight rolled across it and the hum of Knight Terrogate’s saber. Xuurdjem’s leku told him that he’d narrowly avoided a severe blow.

Rising to his feet at the end of his unknowing dodge the Togrutan pivoted on the fronts of his feet. He works on slowing his breath and relaxing while opening his mind to his environment. The wind passing through the arena, his Master’s breath and the hum of his saber created a rythme that told of a deep bond. Pain shot through his leg, but Xuurdjem’s mind held it at bay. He realized how much he was drawing on the Force and held himself back from dipping into it too far. The pain comes in and almost drops the apprentice if it weren’t for his drive. For the first time in a long time the apprentice holds up his hands and calls out to his Master, “I yield, Master. If I may, Sir.”

Powers Used:

Augmentation -1

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Knight Terrogate was on his apprentice in a flash as Xuurdjem deactivated his lightsaber once blinded and began to roll. The upright Cathar moved in fast, pulling his saber back for the killing strike as he lunged forwards to Togruta mid evasive roll, but then held it… There would be no lesson in death. And his apprentice had overall performed quite well despite his lack of form.

Xuurrjem stands in obvious pain and holds up his hands.. “I yield, Master. If I may, Sir.”

Terrogate notices the apprentice's deactivated lightsaber in his hand. “Not until the lesson is done..” responded the Cathar through teeth bared and sweat matted fur.

Terrogate then raised his saber in an overhead strike, looking to come down right on the apprentice's head. The reaction of the wounded apprentice was as expected, igniting his lightsaber and lifting it in to block the strike.

Just as the sabers were about to hit however, the Cathar deactivated his own lightsaber, not allowing the expected clash of energy bades and then followed through with a hard punch to the apprentice's face.

Not enough to permanently harm the large warrior apprentice.. But to send a message