Lightsaber: Training Saber Notes
Overview
The one most identifiable part of a Jedi or Dark Jedi is their lightsaber. There are many different forms of lightsabers most of which are constructed to the wielder's desires. This is not always the case here in the Dark Brotherhood though, as different ranks determine the type of lightsaber and even how many you are permitted to carry. Once a member has achieved the rank of Novice and completed their Shadow Academy Standard Tranining, they are prime candidate for desiring a Training Lightsaber. Though it is not much to look at with the bare eye, these lightsabers can often determine life and death situations for the new and learning disciples of the Dark Side. Depending on how well the Training Lightsaber is maintained, how often it is practiced with, and how it is used, it's wielder will either become a powerful force to face or a common weakling awaiting their death. It is ultimately up to you to determine your skill with a lightsaber.
Upon completing the Lightsaber Construction Course and Lightsaber Tactics Course you will have learned much about how lightsabers are constructed, and the different forms in which you may use your weapon. It is also required that you have completed both of these courses before you are permitted to take this course which will give you the licence required to carry the Training Lightsaber. The knowledges learned during the time a member carries their Training Lightsaber are very valuable and will last a lifetime. Even though all the Training Lightsabers issued by the Dark Brotherhood are nearly identical, the same cannot be said about how each Dark Jedi shall wield theirs.
Your Training Lightsaber and how you use it will be a direct image of you on the inside. Some will rarely even use their lightsaber, others use it for everything. The important thing to remember is that even though this weapon is a large part of what you are, it is not WHO you are and you must learn to survive without it should a situation come that you do not have your trusted weapon. Even the Jedi learned how to survive without their lightsaber, but it was just as much important that they learned to never be placed in the situation to where they would not have it.
The Training Lightsaber itself is an elegant weapon much like the regular lightsaber. It is a simple silver shaft with one red, blue or purple button to activate the blade. Depending on the order of the learner using the lightsaber, the blade shall either be Red for Sith, Blue for Obelisk or Purple for Krath. Each Training Lightsaber is the property of the Shadow Academy until the user reaches the rank of Guardian, at which time the Training Lightsaber is officialy theirs. This means that even though you may have all the required courses and certifications to wield your Training Lightsaber, it may be taken from you as a form of punishment or to make your training more effective, though it is possible for the Shadow Academy to take it for any reason. Each Training Lightsaber is the same in power and effectiveness as far as damage goes. There are two settings which can be changed by twisting the shaft until it either locks to the left or to the right, much like how one would adjust a flashlight. If twisted completely to the left and locked into place, the Training Lightsaber will be in its most common phase, which is the Stun Setting. If twisted to the right completely and locked into place the Training Lightsaber will be set to Lethal Setting in which the blade will be only slightly weaker than that of a normal Lightsaber and is fully capable of slaying the enemy of the wielder.
The Training Lightsaber has a very weak charge compared to that of a regular Lightsaber, so weak that it must be recharged every week to ensure that optimum performance is kept. The Training Lightsaber does not hold the two crystals in the hilt which emit the bifurcating cyclical-ignition pulse, thus making the Training Lightsaber vulnerable to water. When used against another Training Lightsaber the blade will last in combat for up to 12 hours, but if used against a standard Lightsaber, the setting must be turned to Lethal and the energy will only last for 4 to 5 hours worth of combat. It is also more difficult to cut through some metals and objects with the Training Lightsaber and if not set on Lethal the blade will not cut, only bounce and bend.
Use
As previously stated, how you intend to use your Training Lightsaber and how well you can wield it will greatly be determined by you and how much time you place into training with it. Still, it is wise to understand the uses of your Training Lightsaber and when to use it or when to run. The blade of your Training Lightsaber is weaker than that of a standard Lightsaber and quickly saps itself of energy when set on the Lethal setting, Thus, it is wise to only use a Training Lightsaber to stun an enemy then kill the enemy by some other means. It is possible to deflect minor energy bolts such as a blaster bolt with the Training Lightsaber, but in an attempt to deflect heavy blaster fire or anything more damaging than that your blade will most usually sizzle out and leave you for dead. So never attempt to deflect bolts larger than that of an E-11s.
The Training Lightsaber is intended for exactly what it is named after, TRAINING. This should never be your first choice of weapon when in a life or death situation, but if left with only this weapon it can save your life. It is best to use a mixture of firearms and the Force with this weapon rather than depend on its abilities alone. But in the hands of a very skilled and talented Dark Jedi, even the Training Lightsaber can strike down a Dark Jedi Knight. It is reccomended that you spend a lot of time training with this weapon before you attempt to use it in live combat situations else you end up like a majority of the foolish and weak. Other than combat though, the Training Lightsaber does have several other advantages and uses. Due to its low power you can use the Stun Setting of the saber to fry a computer panel thus unlocking doors, or knocking out a security grid without causing mass amounts of damage for the enemy to track you with. Also with the Stun Setting, it gives the Dark Jedi greater ability to capture those that they need to capture without the risk of inflicting a severe or mortal wound.
If pushed to the situation, the Training Lightsaber can be set to Lethal and be used as a lightsaber with only a slightly weaker blade, though if combating against Equites or Elders with custom lightsabers it is not guaranteed that the energy in the Training Lightsaber will even last the entire duel, so it may be best to dodge and not block, and only use the blade to strike openings. You must always remember that your blade will not last long so use it wisely when in Lethal Setting. It is quite obvious to tell when the Training Lightsaber is set to lethal simply by looking at the blade. When in Stun Setting the blade is thin and dim with a very slight hum compared to other lightsabers, yet when switched to Lethal the blade thickens and gains a darker color as well as the hum of the energy being used is quite louder.
Even when Lethal Setting, the blade will only be useful against lightly armored opponents. Heavily armored opponents and heavy weapons will quickly sap energy from your weapon and leave you open to attack. Only some metals can be cut but this greatly depends on how thick the metal is because the blade does not emit enough energy to slice through very thick things. Shielded opponents or doors are best to be left alone when all you have is your Training Lightsaber because even on Lethal it would take more energy than granted by the weapon to defeat the shield. Just keep in mind that this is more of a tool than a weapon, and it's granted to you mostly just to train.
As stated previously once a member reaches the rank of Guardian the Training Lightsaber is no longer the property of the Shadow Academy and is granted to the learner as their own possession. At this point in time, the Training Lightsaber is equipped with a stronger crystal which will give the Training Lightsaber a bit more power, but not much. The energy cell is also upgraded to increase the amount of time of use as a weapon so that Dark Jedi can start using their Training Lightsaber for combat rather than just training.
Maintenance
Even with your new Training Lightsaber, the Force is not simply enough to make this weapon effective all the time. Proper care for the weapon is also required, and if you fail to do this it will end up costing you your weapon and possibly your life. There are five things that must be done on a weekly basis to keep the Training Lightsaber at optimal performance:
- Recharge Energy Cell
- Remove Excess Carbon
- Inspect Crystals for damage
- Polish Crystals
- Lubricate Switches