Form VI - Niman

Form VI, also known as Niman, the Way of the Rancor, the Moderation Form, and the diplomat's form, is the sixth form of the seven forms of lightsaber combat. This fighting style is a hybrid martial art created by effectively combining elements of the preceding lightsaber forms into a single, generalized form. Niman balances out between the various specializations of the other forms, covering many of the basic moves, but focuses on overall moderation. This results in a fluid fighting style that lacks a significant advantage, but also lacks any serious drawbacks, and thereby does not leaves adherents as exposed as some of the more aggressive / specialised forms. Overall, Niman has a fairly relaxed focus on bladework, and was designed as a simple, easily mastered fighting form for Jedi who preferred to devote most of their time to study and diplomacy. Despite this, it can be absolutely deadly in the hands of a skilled practitioner, as demonstrated by such notables as Exar Kun.
To compensate for the relaxed focus on bladework and lack of significant specialisation, Niman training regimens encourage the inclusion of Force-based attacks in combat, such as telekinetic pulls and shoves used in sync with lightsaber strikes. Also, as Niman is developed from two pre-existing martial arts fighting forms that both emphasize the use of dual-blades, it provides a firm foundation for duellists looking to study into such practices. Ultimately, Niman's success in combat is dependent on a practitioner's intuition and creativity in combat, rather than the rote responses common to the other forms.


History
The original Niman fighting style was practiced by the Royale Macheteros of the Kashi Mer Dynasty, who named it for the dual triumvirate of the Kashi deities. The style was adopted by the Legions of Lettow, a group of Dark-siders involved in the First Great Schism of the Jedi Order. After the defeat of the Legion at the hands of the Jedi, Niman was adopted by the Jedi Order, eventually being refined into the sixth form of lightsaber combat, referred to by the same name. While Form VI was largely adapted from this earlier fighting style, several noted Jedi considered the pure root of Form VI to be Form III. Being a "jack-of-all-trades" style with broad emphasis and little need for continuous and dedicated practice, Niman found a niche amongst Jedi Consulars who instead preferred to focus on diplomacy and meditation on the Force rather than combat. Ironically, Niman became the chosen discipline of the fallen Jedi-turned-Sith Lord, Exar Kun.
Exar Kun chose to specialise in Niman, and while there is little doubt that he found the dual-blade training regiments useful when he converted his lightsaber into a double-bladed weapon, he often preferred to fight with a single blade. His skill marked him as one of the finest duellists of his era, demonstrated when he defeated his instructor, renowned Jedi Weapon Master Vodo-Siosk Baas, in a sparring match, indicating his mastery of the fighting form. However, rather than adhere to its philosophy of moderation over aggression, Kun was a vicious duellist who favoured brutal power moves and had little compunction against lashing out against his foes with physical attacks. These tendencies were exacerbated by his turn to the dark side of the Force, when he actively took to drawing on his rage in combat. However, while he failed to observe the core concepts of Form VI, Kun was never defeated in a lightsaber duel, and only his fellow Darksider, Ulic Qel-Droma, was able to match him on neutral ground.
Derived from a fighting form cantered around the use of dual-blades, Niman is considered a foundation for this challenging practice and has become something of a gateway form to Jar'Kai. Form VI dual-blade training encourages the use of the shoto short lightsaber in the off-hand, as the smaller blade is easier to handle. Niman is commonly studied by duellists looking to brush up on dual-blade combat, though few actually master Niman itself, as this requires at least ten years of study.


Description
A hybrid fighting style, Niman incorporates elements from the previous forms, mainly Forms I through V (excluding Form II), but balances out between their various specializations in keeping with the Jedi quest to achieve harmony and justice without resorting to the rule of power. Form VI covers many of the various moves of lightsaber combat, but due to its emphasis on overall moderation its focus on bladework is somewhat relaxed. Thusly, the form is often mastered by those who prefer to devote high percentages of their time to study and peacekeeping, which has made it the preferred form of Jedi Consulars in the Jedi Order. While the generalization makes it ill-suited for lightsaber duelling or fighting on the open battlefield, it is perfectly adequate for facing down criminals and thugs. Due to its "jack-of-all-trades" nature, the success of this form is largely dependent on the practitioner's intuition, improvisation, and creativity in combat rather than the rote responses derived from other forms.
To compensate for its relaxed focus on bladework, Niman training regimens encourage adherents of the style to incorporate Force powers into combat. Proper management of these tools allows a Form VI master to control and eliminate an entire group of enemies, though many lower level initiates experience difficulty attempting this. As Form VI lightsaber combat was derived from the dual-bladed Niman style practiced by the Royale Macheteros of the Kashi Mer, it provides a foundation for the challenging practice. However, while hailed as a practical, all-around fighting form, it is heavily criticised by many for being insufficiently demanding. It should be noted that while Niman provides no decisive edge in battle, it achieves its worth by not leaving its wielder as exposed as some of the more aggressive forms. Due to the relaxed bladework of the form, it is said that most Niman practitioners will find it almost impossible to defeat a Makashi practitioner.
If a duellist dedicates exclusively to Form VI, one can expect to study the style for at least ten years before achieving mastery.

Moves and Maneuvers
The opening stance of the Niman form is wide and open, with the blade held out from the body in a one-handed grip, the blade angled upwards and back, while the off-hand is folded across the chest with the feet evenly spaced. Another Niman stance features the blade held at head-height in a two-handed grip, angled upwards and slightly in, with the dominant foot placed forwards. A third position is a two-handed low guard, with the hilt held at waist height in both hands, blade held back and to the side, angled downwards, with the feet closely spaced.
In keeping with the tactic of incorporating Force powers into combat, two primary Form VI manoeuvres, the "draw closer" and the "pushing slash", are conjunctions between lightsaber moves and telekinetic attacks. Effectively polar opposites of one another, the "draw closer" involves telekinetically seizing an opponent and pulling the enemy into the path of their blade, while the "pushing slash" slams the opponent with a Force push after scoring an attack.
Many Niman manoeuvres incorporate the use of Force powers chained into the combat sequences, to compensate for the relaxed focus on bladework.