Wooden Lightsaber: Gungi's Rare Blade

Gungi

This website is named after one of the most iconic weapons ever imagined in fiction, the lightsaber.  A weapon with the hilt of a sword and a blade made of laser. So from time to time I like to highlight unique and cool lightsabers that appear in Star Wars.

In season five of The Clone Wars we are introduced to a group of younglings who are constructing their first lightsabers.  Among these Younglings is Gungi, a rarity among the Jedi because he is a Wookiee.

Gungi's blade fits into the Expanded Universe's tradition of the Wookiees blending organic and inorganic technology. They are a species not only are very skilled with technology but also in integrating wood into their technology.

At the heart of Gungi's lightsaber is a kyber crystal, collected from the Jedi's sacred cave on Ilum.

We now know more about the lightsaber crystal, courtesy of the Star Wars Encyclopedia:

"At the heart of every Jedi lighstaber is a kyber crystal harvested from the icebound caves of Ilum. This crystal is attuned to the Force, and connected to a Jedi Knight on a deeply personal level. In this way, a lightsaber is an extension of a Jedi's Force awareness. Because Jedi let the Force guide their selection of the crystal, the vibration that the crystal creates in the lightsaber blade helps Jedi center themselves and find balance in the Force. In this way, a Jedi can center his or her attention beyond the distractions of combat. A lightsaber crystal is colorless until first attuned and connected to a Jedi -- at which times it glows either blue or green, or in some rare instances, another shade. From that point on, it retains that hue."

Lightsaber components in detail.

There is a number of materials and variations in constructing the rest of the saber. The exterior of Gungi's lighsaber hilt is carved from the wood of a brylark tree. In constructing his lightsaber Gungi uses the Force to combine organic and inorganic components into a unified weapon, his lightsaber.

Gungi meditating and using the Force to move his lightsaber's components.

Gungi uses the Force to begin the lightsaber assembly.

Close up of pieces coming into alignment.

Gungi seats his lightsaber crystal inside his lightsaber.

Assembly of interior portion of lightsaber complete, attaching activation switch. 

Inserting the lightsaber's internal components into the brylark wood casing of the hilt.

Gungi admires his work.

Successful ignition of a green lightsaber blade. 

SOURCE: STARWARS.COM

Battle Meditation Review: Star Wars: The Clone Wars: A Test of Strenth (5.07)

In this week's episode of TCW we meet the Star Wars universe's Ollivander, in this case an ancient droid named Huyang voiced by Dr. Who actor David Tennant. As Ahoska and Huyang instruct the younglings aboard the Jedi transport the Crucible, Hondo and his pirates board the ship in an attempt to steal the lightsaber crystals.

"The young are often underestimated."As the younglings return from Ilum with Ahsoka, their ship comes under attack by Hondo's gang of pirates. The children must use ingenious and improvised traps to thwart the brigands.

A Test of Strength presents a pretty straight forward story, our two mentors Ahsoka and Huyang are helping the younglings decide on components and begin constructing their lightsabers when the pirtates attack and board the Crucible.  We have a violent game of hide and go seek as the younglings attemp to keep their lightsaber crystals out of Hondo's hands.  In the end both the mentors are incapacitated, Ahoska is captured and taken aboard Hondo's ship, while Huyang suffers a couple "flesh wounds"  losing his arms and his head. This sets up the younglings at the end of the episode to have to mature and in next weeks episode come ot he aid of both Huyang, by repariring him, and Ahsoka, by rescuing her.

This episode was littered to little Original Trilogy references. Hiding below the deck echoes A New Hope as the Falcon is brought aboard the Death Star. Petro's remote practice also brings us back to Luke's early training aboard the Falcon.

The younglings addressing Huyang as "Professor" made me think of Han's sarcastic nickname for C-3PO in Empire Strikes Back, when Solo said, "Chewie! Take the Professor in back and plug him into the hyperdrive!"

It was also interesting to think of storytelling possibilties based on one of Huyang's throw away lines. Much like Obi-Wan in A New Hope when he mentioned "the Clone Wars," Huyang drops a couple references to important events in galactic history that are new.  The Battles of Rashfond and the Peacekeeping of Parliock are implied to be ancient events, will they provide story fodder down the road?

Of course the OT wasn't the only thing to get references, The Old Republic computer game got a shout out by the inclusion of the TOR era Jedi symbol on the hatches inside the Crucible.

Of course my favorite part of this entire story arc is the lightsaber lore and we get even more in this episode. We have a description of by Huyang of some of the component materials and shapes for lightsabers. You would be hard pressed not to notice the influence of the Harry Potter franchise and it's wandlore and the enigmatic wand builder Ollivander. I really liked this touch.

When the Wookiee youngling Gungi chooses a material for his hilt he picks wood. Apparently there is one wood that is strong enough like metal to act as a lightsaber hilt, the wood of the brylark tree.  Additionaly we get the following line form Huyang, "a simple grip, a curved approach, one inlaid with the bone of the Cartusion whale, pastillion ore or black onk." 

We also get the added tidbit that lightsaber crystals must have the Force awakened within the crystal before the lightsaber can be used. We also learn that Huyang keeps a record of the design of every lightsaber created by a Jedi.

It is interesting that the awakening of the crystal and the use of the Force in assembling the lightsabers is similar yet slightly different than the portrayal of lightsaber construction that we get in the EU.  The EU novel I, Jedi has some of the most in-depth description of lightsaber construction and the use of the Force to unify the various components of the lightsaber at something beyond the mechanical level.

The use of Huyang, the Gathering and the Crucible makes me wonder what George is saying about lightsaber construction and whether or not this implies that all Jedi lightsabers before the Empire where created on expeditions aboard the Crucible under Huyang's supervision. If this is the standard practice then it stands to invalidate tons of EU stories about how and when Jedi construct their lightsabers.

The importance of lightsaber construction and Petro's reckless disregard reminded me of an important moment in the Expanded Universe. Adult EU fans may have missed this because it occurred in a young adult novel, but Tenel Ka's accident at the Jedi Academy would have long lasting implications to the EU.

In Kevin J. Anderon and Rebecca Moesta's Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights: Lightsabers, Tenel Ka constructs her lightsaber out of a rancor tooth and uses a flawed crystal inside the lightsaber. During a sparing session with Jacen Solo, her blade fails and Jacen's lightsaber chops of Tenel Ka's arm. 

In this week's episode we see Petro use his miss assembled lightsaber as a makeshift explosive to allow the younglings to flee to safety. 

Rating: Like all the episodes of the "younglins" arc, I will be grading this episode on a curve. By targeting the episodes at a younger demographic, it is a different flavor than the majority of TCW episodes at this point in the series' development. That being said, A Test of Strength gets a 8.5. Lots of little references, a very cool set of lightsaber lore, a great new droid, and pirates makes this episode a fun one.

Direct Link to Watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars: A Test of Strength (5.07)

Clone Wars Download: Webisode 5.07: A Pirate's Life


Coming up on Star Wars: The Clone Wars: 

11/17/12: Episode 5.08: Bound for Rescue 

"The younglings attempt to rescue Ahsoka from Hondo's pirates."

11/24/12: Episode 5.09: A Necessary Bond

"Pirates and Jedi reluctantly join forces after Grievous attacks Hondo's settlement on Florrum."

SOURCE: Starwars.com

Battle Meditation Review: Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Gathering (5.06)

Every season on TCW we get a story arc that takes a break from the darkening drama of the series and targets the younger viewers. This weeks episode is the first in an arc focusing on a group of Jedi younglings. While the younger viewer arc is usually my least favorite arc of the season, I think this one may be different.  As you may have guessed I am a bit of a lightsaber fan, so the fact that we are getting more lightsaber lore is just awesome. To steal from Harry Potter, the crystal chooses the Jedi.

"He who faces himself, finds himself."
Ahsoka escorts a group of younglings to Ilum, where they will learn from Yoda and undergo a crucial rite of passage: the construction of their lightsabers. They grapple with both physical and inner challenges as they face the dangerous task ahead of them.

The Gathering further pulls back the curtain on how Jedi training occurs. In this week's episode we see a series of Jedi Younglings who are ready to take the next step in their advancement. But before they can become apprentices they must construct their lightsabers. In order to construct their lightsabers they must travel to the Jedi's sacred planet of Ilum and find their lightsaber crystal.  As with many Jedi training exercises there is much more to this mission than simply finding crystals, the young Jedi must confront and overcome their own flaws.  After all a Jedi like a crystal is weak if it contains flaws but strong if it is pure.

There are six Jedi younglings featured in this episode:

Katooni: "A bright-eyed Tholothian girl, Katooni was a Jedi youngling during the time of the Clone Wars. During that conflict, she underwent the ancient Jedi ritual of The Gathering, where she explored the Crystal Cave of Ilum to seek out her lightsaber crystal. Inexperienced and timid, Katooni needed to find confidence in her abilities in order to succeed."

Byph: "A wide-eyed Ithorian boy, Byph was a Jedi youngling studying at the Jedi Temple during the time of the Clone Wars. At the height of the galactic conflict, he was selected as a top student to undergo The Gathering, an important Jedi rite of passage that tested students on the frozen world of Ilum. Byph had to overcome his fearful nature and find the Ilum crystal that would become the heart of his lightsaber."

Ganodi: "A starry-eyed Rodian girl, Ganodi was a bright student in the Jedi Temple during the Clone Wars. She underwent an important rite of passage called The Gathering, which required her to enter the heart of the Crystal Cave on Ilum, and discover the crystal that was perfectly attuned to her through the Force. This gem would become the heart of her lightsaber, but first, she needed to overcome despair at the overwhelming nature of the challenge before her."

Petro: "An impulsive Jedi youngling, Petro had a fiery competitive streak that sometimes rubbed his fellow students the wrong way. He was a young boy during the Clone Wars, when the Jedi Knights were overextended fighting in the galactic conflict to protect the Republic. Because the Jedi Order needed a new generation of Jedi Knights, it was important that he undergo a crucial Jedi ritual known as The Gathering. On the frozen world of Ilum, Petro had to seek out the crystal that would become the heart of his lightsaber. He longed to construct his Jedi weapon, and become a new legend in the history of Jedi warriors."

Gungi: "A rare example of a Wookiee in the Jedi Order, Gungi had a lively, inquisitive face whose wide smile was punctuated with a snaggletooth emerging from his lower jaw. Like many Wookiees, Gungi was temperamental and expressive -- and controlling his patience proved to be a real challenge. When Gungi was a Jedi youngling during the time of the Clone Wars, he needed to learn to slow down his impulsive ways in order to pass the ancient rite of passage ritual known as The Gathering."

Zatt: "A bright Nautolan boy, Zatt was a Jedi youngling during the thick of the Clone Wars. With the Jedi Order spread thin during the galactic conflict, the training of the next generation of Jedi Knights was of priority, and Zatt underwent an important rite of passage supervised by Jedi Master Yoda and Padawan Ahsoka Tano. On the frozen world of Ilum, Zatt had to seek out his lightsaber crystal -- as per the tradition of The Gathering. Zatt had to learn to put aside his love of technology -- and the sensor unit he constantly fiddled with -- and rely on his own instincts to complete his quest."

The overall message of the episode is pretty straight forward and evocative of Luke's facing the Dark Side Cave on Dagobah. You have to face your fears to overcome them and to grow.

Petro is interesting in that he is the sort of youngling/padawan that is common in the SWEU. Talented and cocky, and just smart enough to get himself and others in trouble.

Of all the characters I have to say that Gungi is my favorite.  He looks like a puppy, thus he is adorable.

The new vision of the crystal cave on Ilum is really cool and the Force controlled mechanisms to enter the Temple, and to melt the door of ice to the cave are a nice tough.

We get a couple of interesting tidbits in the Episode:

"The Crucible soars towards the sacred Jedi planet of Ilum. The ancient vessel lands in the frigid wilderness, and the six younglings emerge, bundled in cold weather gear. Ahsoka and R2-D2 lead the children to the apparent dead-end of a frozen cliff face." (The Gathering Episode Gallery #4)

"The crystals are colorless until the young Jedi holds it, upon which it becomes attuned to the Force-user. This appears to be what governs the colors of Jedi lightsabers." (The Gathering Trivia slide #5)

The coolest sort of easter egg in the episode is the inclusion of the first meeting of Jedi Master Plo Koon and future Jedi Ahsoka Tano. We see a very young and adorable Ahsoka here. The plus side of this is that Dave Filoni has long talked about wanting to tell this story. The downside is that by including it in the newsreel, it seems likely that we won't ever get the story  fully told in the show.

Rating: 7.0. Visually and in terms of expanding what we know about Jedi and lightsaber lore this episode was a ton of fun. But the very nature of the episode limits just how much it can appeal to a more mature viewer.

Direct Link to Watch Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Gathering

Clone Wars Download: Crystals and Caves: A Jedi Rite of Passage


Next Time on Star Wars: The Clone Wars: A Test of Strength (5.07)

"The younglings fight pirates with improvised traps after they're attacked on their way home from Ilum." ~TV Guide Description.

SOURCE: StarWars.com

Dual-phase Lightsaber: Reason # 1,459 why Corran Horn is Awesome

As regular readers will know and casual readers could probably guess, one of my favorite aspects of the Star Wars universe is it's iconic weapon, the lightsaber. 

I have always been intrigued by unique or different takes on George Lucas' concept of a laser sword.  I have previously discussed Shoto lightsabers and Dual-bladed lightsabers, but this column will focus on a rather novel lightsaber variant, the Dual-phase lightsaber. 

To the naked eye, the Dual-phase lightsaber will appear to be the same as a typical Jedi blade, however an extra switch can be thrown which alters both the length and width of the blade.

Corran's lightsaber featured a normal blade length of 133 centimeters when using the emerald phase crystal, when he extends the blade, turning the emerald crystal out of the way and using the diamond to focus the blade, the length of the blade extended to 300 centimeters. 

How does one construct a lightsaber?

"Urgency without panic, action without thoughtlessness."

One of the biggest treats for a Star Wars Expanded Universe fans is that Michael Stackpole provided probably the most detailed commentary ever on lightsaber construction.  In Chapter 42 of I, Jedi, we get not only a shopping list of parts needed, the details that there are two different rituals for lightsaber construction, one the traditional one that would take approximately a month to complete and one a quick emergency lightsaber build developed during the Clone Wars that could be accomplished in two days. 

Circumstances dictated that Horn use the quick construction technique for his lightsaber during his undercover operations on Courkrus in his attempts to rescue Mirax. 


The process by which a Jedi constructed a lightsaber was heavily ritualized, Corran Horn used self purification and meditation to prepare for his lightsaber construction.  Meditating surrounded by the components before they are assembled to get a total feel and understanding for all of the pieces that will go into his saber.  Then once assembled a deep meditation is used to fuse the components together on almost a molecular level for optimal performance.  For Horn this meditation took two and a half days.

What components went into Corran Horn's Dual-phase lightsaber?

Hilt:  Speeder bike throttle assembly and handlebar tube.
Activation Loop/Dimetris Circuitry:  old capital-ship-grade ion cannon fire initiation controller.
Recharger Port/Wiring: Comlink
Parabolic High Energy Flux Aperture:  Tri-fighter laser flashback suppressor
Power Cell to Blade Superconductor: dynoric laser feed line from broken laser cannon
Buttons and Switches: Assorted sources, readily available.
Crystals: gifts from Admiral Tavira. durindfire, diamond and emerald.
Power Cell: generic modern power cell.

"At the center, to work as my continuous energy lens, I used the Durindfire.  That same stone gave my grandfather's blade its distinctive silver sheen.  I used a diamond and an emerald in the other two slots.  I wasn't certain what I would get in the way of color tints from the emerald, and with the diamond I hoped for a coruscation effect."

Unfortunately for Corran when he originally constructed his lightsaber, what he thought was a diamond gem stone was in fact a kubaz xurkonia.  Resulting in his failing and the fake diamond melting. Alas, the hazards of making a lightsaber quickly.  I did really enjoy the irony of Horn using Admiral Tavira's gifts of attempted seduction to contruct the instrument by which he used to defeat her and rescue his beloved Mirax.

How practical is such a weapon?

"The longer length is useful for surprising an enemy, but not that practical in a fight.  A simple block and a good swordsman would be inside my range and carving me up.  Blade that long will also cause a lot of collateral damage, which would be fine if I was needing to do a lot of property destruction, but other than that it's really just an impractical novelty item.  Sithspawn, I don't even know of any fighting styles to use with a blade that long."

While the dual-phase lightsaber is an especially novel variation with little utility, it makes sense that as accomplished a lightsaber dualist as Horn became later in the EU, that he could integrate this novelty more comfortably into combat.  I hope we get to see Horn in some action against the Lost Tribe of the Sith in the later books of the Fate of the Jedi series. 

For more information on Dual-phase lightsabers or Corran Horn see the Wookieepedia.

For a tremendous Star Wars novel starring Corran Horn please read Michael Stackpole's I, Jedi.

Double-Bladed Lightsaber: To Savage or Maul Your Opponents

One of the most recognizable aspects of Star Wars is the lightsaber.  Whether its the image of the laser sword, or the familiar snap-hiss noise of its activation.  The lightsaber is synonymous with Star Wars.  While the original trilogy gave us Luke, Obi-Wan and Vader using what can best be described as standard lightsabers (note that Vader's hilt was over sized) .

The Expanded Universe and the Prequel Trilogy gave us more variety in lightsaber design and technology, from the movies most notably, Darth Maul's Dual-bladed lightsaber, Count Dooku's curved hilt, and Master Yoda's minaturized (arguably Shoto length) saber.

The Double-Bladed Lightsaber also referred t as the Saberstaff, is an uncommon weapon for Jedi and Sith alike which gives both new advantages and disadvantages to the wielder.  Most famous for its use was the Sith Lord Darth Maul, seen in Star Wars:  Episode I:  The Phantom Menace, as well as numerous comics and novels.  More recently the double-bladed lightsaber has made a remergence in The Clone Wars TV series through a variant used by Sith Apprentice Asajj Ventress and the soon to be seen Sith Warrior Savage Opress.  Savage Opress the brother of Darth Maul uses a lightsaber that may very well be his brother's old weapon or simply one modeled after it.  Ventress on the other hand has two curved handled lightsabers that have the unique ability to join together to form a double-bladed lightsaber when she so desires. 

 Star Wars is also expanding rapidly in a new time period, with the MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic, and the series of tie-in comics and novels under the same title.  In the cinematic trailer entitled "Hope," we see a battle between Republic forces and Sith on Alderaan including a battle between a double-bladed lightsaber wielding Jedi and Darth Malgus.



Later in the Old Republic Era we have the story of Darth Bane the originator of the Rule of Two and his apprentice and successor Darth Zannah who wields another modified version of the double-bladed lightsaber, this one with slightly shorter blades for increased speed and maneuverability making her movements shorter and quicker. 

In Drew Karpyshyn's novel, Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, Bane receives training at the Sith Academy on Korriban, and learns from Sith Blade Master Kas'im, who wields a double-bladed lightsaber.  Kas'im describes both the benefits and detriments of the weapon.

In combat, your mind tries to keep track of each blade separately, effectively doubling the number of possibilities. But the two blades are connected: by knowing the location of one, you are automatically aware of the location of the other. In actual practice, the double-bladed lightsaber is more limited than the traditional lightsaber. It can do more damage, but it is less precise. It requires longer, sweeping movements that don't transition well into a quick stab or thrust. Because the weapon is difficult to master, however, few among the Jedi-or even the Sith-understand it. They don't know how to attack or defend effectively against it. That gives those of us who use it an advantage over most of our opponents.

With the introduction of Savage Opress into the Clone Wars we are going to see more double-bladed lightsaber action then ever before.  Just wait until you see the incredible duel between Savage, Obi-Wan, and Anakin.  Flashbacks to Maul, Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon Jinn anyone?




For more on Double-Bladed Lightsaber, please see Wookieepedia. 

SHOTO LIGHTSABER: Size Matters Not

One of the most recognizable aspects of Star Wars is the lightsaber.  Whether its the image of the laser sword, or the familiar snap-hiss noise of its activation.  The lightsaber is synonymous with Star Wars.  While the original trilogy gave us Luke, Obi-Wan and Vader using what can best be described as standard lightsabers (note that Vader's hilt was over sized) .

The Expanded Universe and the Prequel Trilogy gave us more variety in lightsaber design and technology, from the movies most notably, Darth Maul's Dual-bladed lightsaber, Count Dooku's curved hilt, and Master Yoda's minaturized (arguably Shoto length) saber.

In the Expanded Universe during the Legacy of the Force novel series, we see the reintroduction of a character Lumiya, a Dark Lady of the Sith who first appeared in the Marvel Comics Star Wars #96: Duel with a Dark Lady.  Lumiya uses a unique weapon, a lightwhip.  In battling Lumiya, Luke Skywalker constructed a Shoto lightsaber to use in addition to his regular lightsaber to attempt to counteract the multi pronged attack advantage that the lightwhip gave Lumiya.

With Lumiya's return as Jacen Solo's Sith mentor Luke and his wife Mara Jade Skywalker see the need and dust off the old Shoto to face the threat from Lumiya.  Admittedly this novel series was my first introduction to the Shoto, as I am not an avid comic reader. The term Shoto is Japanese for "short sword" and it generally referred to a sword that was between one to two feet in blade length.  I thought it was pretty cool that the in universe term for the short lightsaber was taken directly from the sword fighting tradition in Japan.

In terms of Star Wars fans the Shoto is about to explode in popularity.  The reason is that in addition to the new character model for Ahsoka Tano (voiced by Ashley Eckstein), she also got a new weapon.  A shorter green Shoto lightsaber to use in conjunction with her regular lightsaber.  There are two benefits to the Shoto, not only does it provide an offensive advantage, a second means of attack.  But it also can be used like a shield to deflect an opponents attack, while pressing the offensive with your other lightsaber.

There is a very logical reason for (as I believe is rumored) Anakin to build this Shoto for his Padawan.  There are three main lightsaber wielding enemies we have currently seen in the Clone Wars Series.  Dooku, Asajj Ventress, and General Grievous, of these Ventress uses two lightsabers, and Grievous varies from one to four lightsabers.  We also are soon to see the appearance of Darth Maul's brother Savage Opress using either his brother's dual bladed lightsaber or a lightsaber of the same design. 

Anakin clearly wants to increase his Padawan's chance of survival, so giving her a Shoto and teaching her a new fighting style gives her a better chance to survive and potentially win encounters with Ventress, Grievous and Opress. 

From the perspective of a fan of the Clone Wars series, the addition of a second lightsaber, hopefully portends an increase in lightsaber fighting, and the inclusion of multiple lightsabers and different lightsaber combat styles/forms could make for some awesome visuals.

The addition of the Shoto, is also a way to further show the character growth of Ahsoka Tano as she ages and gains more experience as a Jedi and a deeper understanding of the Force.  It makes her character more nuanced and just plain cooler.  I can't wait till we see Ahsoka and her Shoto in action in the series....