Mandalorians

The Mandalorians or Mando'ade in Mando'a, or "Children of Mandalore"—were a nomadic group of clan-based people consisting of members from multiple species and multiple genders, all bound by a common culture. Mandalorians wore very distinctive battle armor, including helmets with T-shaped visors that covered the entirety of their faces, and would provide inspiration for the helmets of the Republic's clone troopers. These helmets would eventually become strongly associated with the Mandalorian people.

History

Historical Archives of Years -13500 CGT to -11000 CGT

A freak accident caused the onboard computer of one of the first colony ships leaving Coruscant to miscalculate a hyperjump, sending the ship and the passengers aboard off in a direction opposite of the one intended. The result left thousands stranded in a previously uncharted solar system with only one inhabitable planet, a world the colonists christened 'Mandalore' after the ship which had stranded them there. With communication outside this planet cut off completely, the colonists, believed to be of the ancient race of Taungs, had to fight to survive, braving the harsh environment of their new home and, over generations, developing into the race now known as the Mandalorians... a race which survived their struggle for life.

That struggle was not an easy one. A period of intense famine and bigotry quickly followed the initial crash on the planet, and within a year, approximately fifteen hundred colonists had died either from starvation or due to carnivorous animal attacks. Political dissent was high, and several strong personalities gathered support for their own plans for survival, splitting the few remaining colonists into five large groups of approximately eight hundred, all of differing opinions where plans for the future were concerned. Ulyna the Wise traveled north with his followers into the plains. Opy're the Powerful took preference to the mountains in the south. Aconouran the Deft went into the vast desert in the east. Finally, Lyrr'va the Inventor traveled west toward the vast ocean. The fifth group, lead by Sti'va the Equate, stayed at the crash site. These five groups were the first five clans of Mandalore, each developping under the influence of their chosen leader and becoming more of a personification of his or her strongest traits as a whole.

Two millennia passed, and all five of the first clan 'colonies' survived, each suffering extreme techological degradation due to the new living conditions and way of life following the great crash. The population of the Mandalorian people at this time was approximately eighty six thousand, which was double the number it had been only a quarter of a millennium ago, signifying clearly for the first time that the Mandalorian people were to survive.

It was also the first time the five great cities clashed. The only civil war in Mandalorian history erupted during this time, stretching out over the next five hundred years. Each clan desired dominance over Mandalore, and set out for victory. What had become the Sti'va den by this time suffered the largest losses, and was almost destroyed... but due to one young Sti'va clansman named Pq'narc, the war was ended and thousands of years of peace followed.

Historical Archives of Years -11000 CGT to -5900 CGT

After the end of the 500 year war, Mandalorians began finding strange scripts containing messages in broken Mandalorian writing describing the existence of another species who called themselves the Juannar and resided on a nearby gas giant. (The Mandalore space system had a white dwarf as a star. In orbit around the sun, named Trnar, are five planets. One is Mandalore, ranging equal distance from the Earth to our sun. There are twin planets on the outskirts of the system, covered in ice. Another molten mass sits in orbit around Trnar. A medium size planet named Io'son follows Mandalore in orbit in a slow dance. Io'son is the home of the Juannar.) These scripts continued to appear over the next four years, eventually telling of a day when the aliens would visit Mandalore. Indeed, as was foretold in the scripts, ten years after the 500 year war a small shuttle landed in the Sti'va clanlands next to the original transport, which had been turned into a monument of heritage.

The Warrior Eminence Pq'narc, five prominent den leaders, and many Mandalorians were on hand at the landing site, waiting for a glimpse of these strange people... and strange they were indeed. The Juannar were large spheres, approximately three feet in diameter, which moved through manipulating their skin to roll themselves along at various speeds. Their skin was black, a protective coating which allowed them to endure the atmosphere of Mandalore. Several sensors and extrusions on their body would move in and out of this black skin, allowing them to gain information about the Mandalorians and their planet.

Relations with this new species were difficult at first, remaining that way for nearly two hundred years. Many of the Mandalorians, upon the Juannar's arrival, were prepared for war with these alien 'intruders', and acceptance of them did not come easily. Furthering the difficulty there, the Juannar themselves could only communicate with the Mandalorians through hindered writing, as they had not yet found a way to speak the Mandalorian language. The Mandalorians discovered the Juannar were a fairly sophisticated society, with technology enough to provide them limited space travel and a means to cloak themselves from the dangers of exposure to environments unlike the gas giant that was their home. After two hundred years of peaceful exposure and communication with the Juannar, the Juannar had learned to speak the Mandalorian language and the majority of the Mandalorian populace had accepted them as friend rather than foe.

Over the next five thousand years, the Mandalorians and Juannar lived together, sharing both culture and moral beliefs. The Juannar imparted their amazing technology to the Mandalorians, and after two thousand years or so, the two species started researching together, enabling the Mandalorians to begin making incredible improvements. The government and social unity remained, and even improved during this transitional time. The Mandalorians began to develop space travel, and soon spanned three planets in three different solar systems (Mandalore, Aldacor, and Thaldoria) as well as the moon orbiting Mandalore (Luna). Aldacor and Thaldoria, mining planets also used for food production and refineries, held the same social unity as Mandalore, developing their own clans and keeping close ties with their cultural base on the Homeworld. At this time, the Mandalorians also began to develop beautiful space stations, most of which were deployed in the Mandalore system, though a few others were spread out to neighboring systems. Using probes, the Mandalorians searched the galaxy habitable areas they could colonize, and at the same time, developed a complex system of transit between the planets they controlled.

Both the Mandalore and Juannar society were prospering. Biological organisms had been engineered to create energy. Sickness was treated by inserting microbes into the body. By the year 7600, Mandalorian society had become a near utopia, expanding into the stars.

Historical Archives of Years -5900 CGT to -34 CGT

The Mandalorians had finally achieved peace, unity and happiness... and then the Vuana came. The Vuana were lanky and tall with a skin color of deep turquoise, ranging from eight to ten feet in height and possessing two legs used to walk and two arms to manipulate objects. The Vuana's skin was completely smooth, and they contained no facial features or sexual organs. To consume food, the Vuana placed their arms into a liquid and would suck out the nutrients.

In the year 7603, after over five thousand years of peace, the Mandalore system came under siege. Out of nowhere, the Vuana attacked viciously for a period of twenty years, and the Mandalorians and Juannar had to fight to survive, spending all their resources and time to developing technology in weapons and defense measures. After twenty years, the Vuana mysteriously disappeared without a trace, and a stretch of subdued peace began, full of anxiety and preparation for war. The peace lasted only two hundred years, after which the Vuana returned.

The Mandalorians and Juannar together fought the Vuana for a hundred and sixty three years, the Juannar having more success than the Mandalorians at surviving the massive assaults. The hundred and sixty fourth year of the war saw the Vuana attack the Mandalore system with three tremendous ships comparable to a dreadnought-class. These dreadnought-like alien vessels sped toward the Juannar's home planet, and even though the combined strength of the Mandalorians and Junnar succeeded in disabling one of the massive ships, it was not fully destroyed and ended up drifting into the planet's surface below. The devastating results of the impact were felt over the next ten years as Io'son slowly drifted out of orbit from the impact and became desolate and barren from the climate change.

Another three hundred years lapsed, and the war between the Mandalorians, Juannar and Vuana continued, even after the Mandalorians destroyed the two dreadnought-like ships which remained. The Juannar who survived the Io'son disaster had relocated to other planets in the system by this time, but soon died out after extreme inbreeding and lack of tolerance for the atmospheres they were forced to endure. This left the Mandalorians alone in their fight for survival.

In the year 7983, the Mandalorians launched a huge offensive against the Vuana, successfully taking an outer planet the Vuana had been using for ship manufacture. This enabled the Mandalorians to study the technology and ship capabilities of the Vuana, and develop an understanding for such weaponry and ship design features as hyperdrive systems, ion cannons, and several other powerful and previously unheard of weapons. The Mandalorians began to implement this technology in their own war fleet, using the Vuana's own advances against them on the battlefield.

The intense war continued until the year 13295, when the Mandalorians finished the mass production of several biological agents designed to annihilate the Vuana and implemented them along with a colossal assault upon the aliens. The Vuana's space defenses were taken out by the Mandalorian fleet while planetary defenses were destroyed by hundreds of elite warriors wearing the special Mandalorian Battle Armor. After the Mandalorian teams were exfiltrated from the Vuana planets, the Mandalorians sent mechanically controlled battleships to all Vuana planets to crash into the surfaces and release the deadly biological agents. By the year 13300, xenocide upon the Vuana was compete.

In the wake of victory, the Mandalorians began assessing their losses. Much of Mandalore was destroyed, as well as huge sections of the other planets that had been in their control. Their armies had taken heavy losses, every space station they had owned was destroyed, and their Naval fleet was crippled. The Mandalorians began to regroup immediately, the next hundred and fifteen years devoted to completely rebuilding their section of the galaxy. Throughout the entire war and recovery period, the social unity of the Mandalorian people never faltered, it merely grew stronger.

Then came the rule of Dy'eDrin in the year 13419, the first period of peace encountered for six thousand years. This time of external peace lasted only until Dy'eDrin's death at the hands of Tm'halk Emig, who challenged the pacifist and his ways. When Tm'halk Emig perished several months later due to an unforseen event, Simone Dra'kmus of the clan V'r'caah assumed the title of Warrior Eminence and started a isolation policy. The Mandalore drew back from the galaxy, remained at the hidden homeworld and only sending out scouts. But all that changed later when the Mandalorians were approached by the sith, which would end in the Sith and Mandalorian wars against the old republic.

The Clone Wars

In -33 CGT, a Mandalorian bounty hunter was recruited by a Sith lord for his prowess and extraordinary hunting skills. The assignments he was given were completed with success and ease. This led to his being used as the genetic template for an army of clones that were to be grown on Kamino for the Republic. To aid in bringing out the full potential of the clones, the Mandalorian was kept on as a military consultant at the Kaminoan facility. He would further assist in the design of the future Clone Trooper armor, which had similarities with his own. In exchange for his services, he received an unaltered clone, which would be his heir.

During the training for the clones, he would pass on many aspects of the Mandalorian culture. One such example is the flash training module, which included the traditional Mandalorian song Vode. He saw this as a useful tool to help instill within them a sense of purpose, modifying it slightly in order to give it meaning for soldiers serving the Republic.

The Alpha-class ARC troopers were trained by him personally. In order to train the other clones, a core of one hundred training sergeants were used, whom are are collectively known as the Cuy'val Dar. These Cuy'val Dar would pass on additional Mandalorian culture into the clone ranks. Some examples are found in the clones that took Mandalorian names for themselves or preferred Mandalorian songs and chants, such as the Dha Werda Verda. One of the training sergeants even went as far as to adopt six Null ARC troopers and several commandos as his sons.

As the wars progressed, some clones would come to resent the Mandalorian culture. This was primarily due to the fact that Mandalore aligned itself with the Confederacy of Independent Systems and began fighting against the Republic and its clone army.

Challenge and Change^[1]

It is true that the power of the Mando’ade who existed before Year 5 CGT was a shadowy remnant of the military powerhouse that held the galaxy by the throat under the leadership of te Ani’la Mand’alor. The Mando’ade were spread out, and the central government led by Mand’alor held only Manda’yaim and a few of the surrounding worlds.

The culture, the most important part of Mando’ade life and only identifying characteristic of a Mando’ad, was mostly intact, although there appears to have been an increased emphasis on bloodlines, a sad parting from the ancient proverb which states “Gar taldin ni jaonyc; gar sa buir, ori'wadaas'la.” (Bloodline is not important, but you as a father are the most valuable thing).

These conditions, coupled with the fact that the Mando’ade were led by a weak Mand’alor, led to the usurpation of leadership by an Imperial Force-user by the name of Tyr DeMeer. DeMeer, claiming his Mando’ade heritage through blood, challenged and defeated Mand'alor, then annoucing himself as the Warrior Eminence and ruler of the Mandalorians. He would then proceed to gather many strong and able individuals to his side, which would include Andrew Panzer, Charles Osten, and Brutus Verlasy. Mandalore would grow and prosper once more into a government as well as having subsidiary mining, item, and ship factions.

The Ba'slan She'vla^[1]

In the immediate period following DeMeer’s usurpation of leadership of the Mandalorians, many Mando’ade aliite elected to remain and rallied behind the aruetii, forming what today is known to the galactic community as “Mandalore.”

However, many other clans opted to not follow the usurper and instead opted for "Ba’slan She’vla" (strategic disappearance). Several also later fled, out of disagreement with DeMeer’s unique views and practices.

Although shunned and cut off from home, they lived as they always had. They drifted from place to place and job to job as mercenaries.

Unification of the Ba'slan She'vla Aliite^[1]

Years passed in this way, and they clearly took their toll on Ba’slan She’vla clans, whose strength and numbers dwindled considerably. However, Kai Oryk, a member of one such clan, decided he would not let these people die without a fight. After telling one of his friends, a wealthy ex-pirate by the name of Derek Shado, of his plans, Shado offered to provide the initial funding for a venture to formally reunite Ba’slan She’vla clans.

Negotiations began with several groups for a new Yaim for the proposed organization, but one was finally found on Argovia, a small temperate world in the Argovia system of the Endocray sector. Once the planet was obtained, a camp was set up and the call for unification sent out. The response was immediate and within days, representatives from dozens of the scattered clans arrived on Argoiva and pledge their support to Kai’s cause, proclaiming him leader of their crusade.

The Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders and the Exodus^[1]

This new group formalised its structure on Day 280 of Year 9, CGT, and adopted the name “The Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders” like the ancient group of the same name. The Neo-Crusaders rejected the current Mand’alor and called for a new crusade to bring honour and glory to the Mando’ade.

Things went well initially, and the clans began to flourish once more. Although jobs were few and far between, those that were taken were handled with the extraordinary proficiency and quality befitting Mandalorian mercenaries, and the group’s reputation began to grow.

The Ba'slan She'vla clans remained unified until Year 10, Day 81 CGT when disagreements between Shado and Kai, regarding Shado's contemptuous conduct, came to a head. On this day, Kai decided that enough was enough. The unification would not last while Shado tainted the Neo-Crusaders, and the organisation couldn’t operate with such a paranoid leader, following Shado's usurpation of the group, whilst Kai and most of the Mando'ade were fighting a contracted battle in the outer-rim. Kai resigned, left the organisation, and invited the other Mando’ade to do so as well. Every clan agreed that Kai was the leader they would follow, and every Mando’ade, to the last, left the Neo-Crusaders and joined Kai’s exodus.

A New Beginning for the Ba’slan She’vla Aliite, Mando’ade^[1]

Directly after the exodus from the now-defunct Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders, the group of clans continued their mercenary style and returned to their nomadic life; moving from job to job.

As the contracts came and went, the collective amount being raised grew and with the discovery of even more vode, from their journeys to other parts of the galaxy, the Mando’ade clans were once again thriving to an exuberant level.

It was only a matter of time before the clans found a new home, which could not only sustain their work, but also offer them the ability for a more permanent settlement. Naming the planet Manda to "Evaar’la’yaim", the clans set about the formation of a more public group, to allow them the ability to fulfill their initial wish: to unite all of the broken Ba’slan She’vla aliite (clans), offer a safe haven for all their vode and bajur’ir (educate) the ignorant masses of aruetiise about Mando culture.

On the 167th day of year 10 CGT, the group publicly announced the founding of the mercenary group, Mando’ade, led by Kai Oryk.

Cultural Library

Over the centuries, the Mandalorians have fought with and against many armies over hundreds of worlds. Their ability to learn and adapt never ceases. Each conflict has brought new alien languages, yet Mandalorian language itself has changed hardly at all. The philosophy, ideals, identity, and bonds have only grown after every battle.

Most Mandalorians are not concerned with biological lineage. Their definition of offspring or parent is more by relationship than birth. Adoption is very common and it is not unusual for soldiers to take war orphans as their sons or daughters if they impress them with their aggression and tenacity.

Mandalorians wear armor for two reasons. One is so that they reduce their chances of death. The second is so they have a means of identifying each other no matter how different their physical appearance maybe.

- The Klath`mor Monolith

- The Story Of Pq'narc

- The Six Legged Spider

Resol'nare^[2]

The most important aspect of Mando'ade culture is the Resol'nare, which translates to Basic as the "Six Actions" or "Six Tenets."

The Resol'nare are:

Ba'jur, beskar'gam,

Ara'nov, aliit,

Mando'a bal Mand'alor-

An vencuyan mhi.

Which translates to basic as

Education, armour,

Self-defence, clan,

Our language, our leader-

All help us survive.

Ba'jur

Education. All Mando'ade are expected to raise their children as Mando'ade. There is no typical education regiment, but most consist of firearm and blade practice, piloting, equipment upkeep and maintenance, Mando'a and the Resol'nare. Some also choose to teach their children other skills, such as hunting, cooking, wilderness survival, battlefield medicine, machine repair, and other practical disciplines.

Beskar'gam

Armour. Beskar'gam is the most outward display of being a Mando. Beskar'gam also says a great deal about its owner. While most aruetiise see identical sets of armour varying only in colour, each set of Beskar'gam is actually quite unique and tailored to suit the comforts, fighiting styles, and abilities of its owner.

In addition to wearing the armour, Mando'ade are expect to be able to care for it and keep it in peak condition, ready for combat at a moment's notice.

Ara'nov

Defence. Other than Beskar'gam, Ara'nov is probably the tenet that sentients most associate with the Mando'ade. All Mando'ade are expected to be able to hold their own in combat, regardless of sex, age, or profession. This fighting prowess is also expected to be put to use to defend ones aliit in times of need. Many assume that because of this tenet all Mando'ade are soldiers by profession, but this is not the case. Mando'ade merely recognize the importance of being able to defend oneself and those they love.

While anyone can obey the other tenets, Ara'nov is what seperates the Mando'ade from the hut'uune.

Aliit

Clan. Unknown to many aruetiise is the emphasis the Mando'ade place on family. Family is such a big part of Mando society that it's organisation is centered around it, in the form of clans. However, aliite in Mando society are far different than those found in most galactic cultures. Mando aliite can best be understood with the old proverb,"Aliit ori'shya tal'din," which translates into basic as "Family is more than blood." While it certainly is important to raise the children one births as Mando'ade, adoption is just as important, and more widespread in some places. Adoptees are given the same status and treated the same as those related by blood. Through this practice, the Mando'ade have managed to keep strong throughout the centuries.

Mando'a

Language. Although some may disagree, Mando'a is extremely important. It sets us apart from the aruetiise and it strengthens our bonds with those who have come before. It serves as a form of universal communication and way to tie together what is otherwise an extremely diverse group of sentients. It also allows us to express ourselves; through proverbs, poetry, and song. Not only that but it allows us to express that which is indescribable in any other language. Because of Mando'a, your vode will understand you when you say shereshoy, even when no one else in the galaxy can.. It is Mando through and through.

Mand'alor

Sole ruler, Mandalore. It is no coincidence Mandalorians call themselves the "Mando'ade". This word translates to Basic as the "Sons and Daughters of Mandalore." Mand'alor is never Mand'alore. He is our one ruler and leader of the clans. He is the most worthy warrior who takes the place of the previous Mand'alor after he joins the Manda. He leads us against those who would do us harm and those who he would have us harm. He is the embodiment of the ideals of te Sol'yc Mand'alor and the guardian of Mando values and life.