Throwing Knives - 101 (Lucian)

[Shaaw]

ooc: Your last post...

Seeming to understand the old katta, more by his actions than his words. But the words still hung heavy in the air,"..anyone who breaks my trust is usually... ...dealth with."

Still fresh to this game, Lucian knew it would be best to keep his mouth shut. There were things he didnt understand going on, and he felt it would be best he kept it that way.

"Truthfully, no. I have seen both kinds at the shop but I guess it has to do with how you throw them?"

Lucian was eager to get his training started, but he also understood that patience is a virtue. One that he was willing to cultivate.

ic: Jar'lan indicated for Lucian to follow him. He led the young man to a back room that had several targets set up on a wall. He then laid down the two sheaths on a small cheap table.

"You are correct, they are for different types of throwing. Or rather, I find them best for different types. The ones with the hilts, they are for a side armed swing technique, the one I prefer to use. This gives nearly the same amount of accuracy early on, and more once a master, but less power in your throw. The biggest problem is that it is harder to learn. The good thing is that it is a very easily concealed throw."

Jar'lan took one of the hilted blade, and with that hand, slung it around quickly from his hip foreward, straight to the center of the target.

"The other technique I use, is the more common overarmed throw. This is the way most people learn. It is easier, and quicker to learn, and more powerful, but not very easily concealed. If you don't want anyone to know you threw the knife, this is definatly not the type you want."

Jar'lan took an unhilted blade, brought it back, and threw it about 1cm from the other knife in the same target.

"Which would you like to learn?"

[Lucian DiVilli]

Slightly suprised by there being such a room, Lucian followed the Katta. He listened intently to catch everything that Jar'lan told him. Amazed by the expetese of his teacher Lucian thought of the questioin posed by Jar'lan. Knowing that he would probably first off us the skills for protection, he figured it would already be known that he was the wielder.

"I think I should first off learn the easier one, and later if you allow it learn the other. I was wanting to learn the skill for self defense, so the subtle use of the otheris not needed. At least until i gain some skill in the heavier one."

Lucian looks back from the target to the katta, to see if his teacher seemed to agree with his choice.

[Shaaw]

Jar'lan nodded at his student's choice.

"That is acceptable. Now, take one knife. I will first teach you the throwing technique, then teach how to hit the target." he said, grabbing one of the knives for himself, "First off, take a knife, and hold it by the tip of the blade. Use your thumb and index finger to hold it, and the others to keep it stable. Now, when you throw, you bring your hand up to just above your shoulder and throw it foreward. That part is easy, but you try it. It is the first step. Throw your knife at the target."

[Lucian DiVilli]

Lucian takes one of the blades that are offered. He holds

the blade for one moment to get used to its weight. When

Jar'lan takes a blade, and explains the throw Lucian

mirrors his stance and hold. He then focuses on balancing

the blades tip, while not cutting himself, using his thumb

and index finger. He raises his arm, getting accustomed to

he feel of the position, and makes a few half tosses

without releasing.

After a moment he looks to his teacher to see if he is

correct. Lucian thinks about the concentration that must be

maintained to not injure yourself, and to hit the target.

Once comfortable, Lucian pulls his arm back and throws the

blade forward. He attempts to make the motion fluid, and

holds it till it hit something... Hoping he at least hits

the target.

[Shaaw]

Lucian's throw was not a bad one for technique, but his accuracy was still in need of much improvement. His throwing knife hit about 2 feet to the right and bit down from the target.

"Technique is quite good for your first throw, but the accuracy is bad. It'll get better with practise." said Jar'lan, before an unexpected weezing fit that lasted about 15 seconds. "Sorry, exuse me. Now, the next thing, is getting the spin on it. When throwing overhand, a spin is nessesary because otherwise it may not not get the blade into the target, but just smack with the hilt. When you are about to release the blade, snap your wrist back slightly, making the blade start twirling back, giving it a spin that should be about twice as fast as the blade is travelling. Now try..."

Right then he started wheezing again, motioned for you to start throwing the knives. Jar'lan walked away, continually coughing so hard it seemed to come from deep in his chest, and dissapeared back into the main room of the shop.

[Lucian DiVilli]

As Jar'lan begins to cough Lucian steps back. Not know ing what to really do. But as he seems to recover Lucian listens intentely. Knowing he must concentrate, though his teachers condition worries him. Jar'lan motioned for him to start so that is what he did. Pulling his hand back towards his ear, remembering what he was taught. Then he moved his arm forward, then as smoothly as possible he let it go, slightly snaping his wrist back. Trying several times, using what daggers are availible.

When he finishes he walks to look for his teacher.

"Jar'lan are you ok? Is there anything I can do or get you?"

[Shaaw]

Lucian threw the four remaining knives, doing better with each throw. His last throw ended up only a couple inches from the center of the target.

Jar'lan was sitting in his chair, head down with a glass of a tea. There was an open bottle on the display case, and a small eye dropper beside the bottle. He had stopped coughing and his breathing was steady, even if rather shallow. At first, the old jagara did not answer his student's question, but after about ten seconds of silence he spoke.

"I'll be fine, just a side effect of being old m'boy. Just give me a to recoup then we'll continue your lesson. How did you do with your throws?"

[Lucian DiVilli]

The practice blade spun end over end, embedding its self a

few mere inches from the center. Yeah, I think I may be

getting it. As Lucian is mentally congratulating

himself, he remembers his teacher walk off into the other

room. With out further thought he heads to the front room.

Seeing the old katta sitting with a cup of tea Lucian asks

him if he needs any assistance. Worry can be seen in

Lucian's eyes as his teacher gets worse before he gets

better. Thier short relationship was felt strongly by

Lucian, maybe the fact the old katta reminded him of his

uncle. Lucian could sense he wanted to move on.

"I believe that I am getting the feel of them. I threw them

from the postition you showed me. They got closer and

closer each time. When you are ready you can come see

them."

[Shaaw]

Jar'lan smiled when Lucian told him of his success. The young man had such hope in his eyes. Hope for the future, and for success, and a general passion for existence that rivaled his own. Plus, Lucian's thirst for knowledge, though not readily apparent, was there and gulping, somehting the old jagara admired greatly. Lucian actually reminded Jar'lan of himself as a boy, only with much less hair.

"Excellent m'boy! You must be a quick learner. Now, go practise again while I finish my tea, and I'll be right there." he said, his voice sounding a bit better, though not much.

[Lucian DiVilli]

The approval of the old Katta pleased Lucian greatly. He

went looking to find a teacher, but was hoping to to met a

mentor. Lucian hoped he would not disapoint his teacher,

and be allowed to learn more of the katta's secrets.

"I need to be if I want to survive. You know that more

than me though."

Lucian turns to make his way back to the practice area.

Pausing for a moment to take slight glimps at Jar'lan.

Seems like he is better now, I wonder what he put in his

mug.

In the room he retrieves the four daggers. He bounces them

to get a better feel for them. When at the proper distance,

he prepares to throw them. Lucian takes a deep breath, and

brings the first dagger up. Jar'lans instruction rings in

his ear as he raises arm. Reading the blade by the side of

his head, with his finger tips keeping it stable. He then

pulls his arm back and goes through the throwing motion.

Snapping his wrist as he is about to release the dagger.

Once released he follows its path, paying attention to his

form. Based on his past attempts he tries again, each time

twicking his movements to get a better throw.

[Shaaw]

The first knife Lucian threw was worse than his last of his previous bout, but by the time he threw the last of the four knives he had taken, he had a near bullseye.

"Good job!" said Jar'lan, appearing from the other room, stronger and healed, but still looking rather weakened. His voice still had a slight raspiness to it. "You are indeed a quick learner. You'll be a competant knife thrower in no time. Now, practise one more time, and this time I'll watch the whole thing. This time however, I don't want you to take as much time to throw the knife. Within a moment of picking up the knife, I want it in the target. Speed is nearly as important to a knife thrower as accuracy."

ooc: There are actually six knives... Also... The way I judge the skill level of knife throwing training is this...

Beginner: Can hit a stationary target within a few inches from bullseye ten times in a row.
Intermediate: Always hits a near bullseye on stationary targets when taking nearly no time to focuss on the throw. Can hit a slow-medium moving target, though not terribly accuractly every time.
Skilled: Always gets a bullseye with little or no 'lag time' and always hits a slow moving target with near bullseye and little 'lag time' Can usually hit a fast moving target with limited accuracy and 'lag time.'
Master: Always hits stationary and slow-medium speed targets and almost always hits a quickly moving target with near bullseye. No 'lag time' in throws.
Throwing God: Always hits everything dead on no matter the speed or difficualty of the target. (Jar'lan before his old age... Now he is in between Master and Throwing God )

[Lucian DiVilli]

Slightly taken back from his first throw, Lucian calms

himself to make the rest of his throws. Carefully going

through each movement, to hit the target. When he threw the

last blade he was, he was overjoyed. A near bullseye. It

looked as if Jar'lan was impressed as well.

As the katta spoke Lucian retrieved the daggers. What his

teacher said was true, the speed of the marks man was as

near as important as the accuracy. First you had to be able

to hit the target, but would probably need to use more than

one blade. Due to blocked blades, improper throws, or

multiple targets. Lucian had to now work on his speed.

The six daggers lay spread out on the counter where Jar'lan

had them. Lucian paused for a moment to think out his

motions. He was going to go through each movement he was

taught. Raised to his ear, holding with fingertips,

snapping of the wrist. When Lucian felt he could go through

the motion, he picked up the first dagger. Attemping to

move as fluid as could, he raised the blade up and let it

fly. He was trying to start slow and move up after each

throw.

When he finshed he looked to the old katta again. Gauging

his teachers reaction, and to listen to any advice.

"How was that teacher?"

[Shaaw]

The first dagger was relativly good, hitting near the center of the target, but the second hit near the edge and the third missed it completly by about a foot. After that, he managed to improve, getting the fourth and fifth near the edge of the target, and the last knife just outside of the innermost ring. (The target is made of six rings about two inches wide, plus the center spot which is also two inches wide.)

"Quite good. Now, that is all I can teach you today. I am quite tired and need my rest or this frail old body of mine may get sick." he said with a sad yet humorous smile. "You may keep those knives, a gift from me, and I'll see you tomorrow?"

[Lucian DiVilli]

The thick air of Imperia stuck in Lucian's throat as he

threw the first three knives. He took a hair of a moment to

draw a breath and released the following three. As they

stuck into the target much closer to the than before he

felt much better. This was getting a little easier, he

thought.

'Thank you, Teacher. I understand, I there anything I

can do for you? More of that mixture you had in the

mug?
after the gift...
'That is great, thank you very much. I can always use

such a set of knives. I will practice at home. I will check

in tomorrow to see if you feel like continuing the lessons.

Take care Teacher.'

Lucian takes his leave, wandering the streets of Imperia.

Once at his home clears the area around one wall, and paces

back to a good distance. He then practices several hours,

forgetting to eat. Hoping to emulate his master one day.

[Shaaw]

Jar'lan declined the offer for any assistance and bid his student farewell.

The next day, Jar'lan could be found sleeping in his chair, though as soon as Lucian entered he would snap awake, though still quite groggy.