Stava

To understand Stava one must understand the culture that created it, the Noghri of Honoghr. Having been enslaved under the Infinite Empire of the Rakata the Noghri saw their masters as more than mortal overseers, they saw them as gods.

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Stava

Taking the warlike culture of the Rakata and making it their own the Noghri established a warrior society not unlike the Wookiees of Kashyyyk (who were also Rakatan slaves). Strength and Honor are prized above all else and to this end the Noghri created Stava that they might be strengthened by it and so that their traditions would not be forgotten, but would be passed on to each new generation in their time.

Being a clan based society the Noghri fought almost constantly amongst themselves before being exposed to the rest of the galaxy. It was therefore imperative that they develop a system of fighting that was both efficient and practical. Utilizing their own natural weapons such as teeth and claws and then the other primitive weapons of their culture (e.g., swords and axes) the various Noghri clans created different aspects of what would come to be known as Stava.

Stava first evolved from a series of posture and balance exercises into a complete martial art that encompasses both empty-hand and weapon techniques. Stava however is intended to be a flexible set of principles instead of techniques, focusing on finding the lines of attack and defense in any combat situation and exploiting them to the student's benefit. Stava practitioners begin by learning basic stances and balance and then engage in weapons training by using staffs or cudgels but may in time progress to use battle-axes, swords, and eventually the bare-handed stage.

Details

Stance

Unlike other martial arts, the Stava stance is one of plain aggression (as befits the Noghri culture). The practitioner faces their opponent head on, neither angling nor attempting to beguile. It is stated that once a battle has been thus engaged attempting to disguise the matter is dishonorable and utterly a useless gesture. The feet are slightly greater than shoulder width apart and the knees are bent slightly (as the Noghri are small in stature this gives them a better posture from which to use their lower center of gravity). The hands if they are holding weapons are at the ready covering the chest and legs, if no weapons are held claws are extended outwards ready to deflect, block, or strike.

Striking

Short powerful strikes are the key to Stava offense. Economy of energy is of the utmost importance thus prolonged and overly showy techniques are shunned in favor of practical and oftentimes ugly maneuvers. Quick slashes with blades or claws, and short jabs with blunt weapons are favored over long complicated attack patterns.

Defense

Constant motion is essential in the practice of Stava, for while the practitioner does not fear the potential ultimate consequence of battle, the purpose is still to walk away with minimal injury. With this in mind the motion of the weapons in defensive circles about the body, or dodging and weaving of the body are key elements to Stava-style defense. Deflection of attacks is important in that they allow the practitioner to enter his opponent’s inner circle and strike a deadly close range blow.

Training

As stated above Stava is more a philosophy than a series of techniques so to this end once the basics of balance, breathing, and stance have been learned the rest is taught in a freestyle sparring environment. Students are taught how to look for weaknesses to exploit in their enemies while simultaneously examining themselves for any openings they may present to an opponent. Stava can only be learned on Honoghr at a clan approved school. Instruction is given in group sessions with private instruction reserved for advanced students. Sparring is done with few regulations and no protective padding or armor. Injury is a commonplace occurrence during practice. For a non-Noghri the blessing of a clan Matrakh must be sought before any instruction will be given. As the Noghri value strength and honor it is common for the offworlder to be given a seemingly impossible task to accomplish in order to gain the blessing of the Matrakh. Often it is not the accomplishment of the task that gains the Matrakh’s approval but the manner in which the task was carried out.

Weapons

The Noghri possess a variety of natural weapons such as teeth and claws, but like most galactic civilizations have found other means of destroying one-another. Swords, axes, staves, and cudgels of various shapes and sizes are all common among the armories of the Noghri.