[Image ID: A picture of the title page of the book. At the centre is an image of a being in Mandalorian armour, holding a spear in their right hand. The armour looks to be unpainted; the undersuit is blue; they're wearing a wide belt of brown or red, and a cowl around their shoulders that is red; their helmet has discs on either side, out of which a thin rod points up and slightly back. Above the Mandalorian, in bold, all caps, text, is written "Death Watch" and under that, "Ba'jurne Kyr'tsad Mando'ad". Below the image is the text "My name is Tor Vizsla. I am commander of the Death Watch, and the secret Mand'alor. In darkness I don beskar'gam, so that one day the faithful may do so in daylight. In secret I wield the Darksaber, so that one day our honor shall be apparent to all. In silence I summon the worthy, so that one day our cause will ring out." Above the title, at the very top of the page, are two handwritten notes. On the left, written by Jango, is "For you, my son, a glimpse into the minds of my enemies." On the right, written by Boba, is "For you, my daughter, may you begin to understand."]
Notes from Bats
This is from the Legends-era Star Wars: The Bounty Hunter Code reference book, published in 2015. The first part of the book is the Bounty Hunters Guild Handbook. The second part is Ba'jurne Kyr'tsad Mando'ad, a manifesto of the in-universe terrorist group, known as Death Watch. Both 'books' have handwritten commentary from in-universe characters. (I was having trouble figuring out how to input them, so they only exist if they're part of an image, and one correction about Jaster from Jango, which I couldn't not add. If folks really want them, I can try to find a way to include them, but I'm not gonna stress myself unless there's requests.)
I originally typed up just the section of Ba'jurne Kyr'tsad Mando'ad that pertained to beskar'gam, or Mandalorian armour, since I referenced it a few times for my own fics, and wanted to provide a resource for readers and other writers who were curious, but did not wish to, or could not, buy a copy of their own. That section remains on google docs, and can be viewed here, but it is also been copied onto this site.
Images in the text are from the book. Most of them I took with my mobile's camera and uploaded, but the armour diagram is borrowed from this tumblr post by archeo-starwars, as it's much neater than I could have managed. All of them have image descriptions as captions, and they should all be links to the original photos, so you can get a better look at them if you're on mobile.
Minor edits were made to the text as I was typing it up in the form of adding a few commas where literary rules dictate they really should have been.
I did fix some Mando'a words—'kom'rke' when the text had 'kom'rks'; 'Mand'alor' instead of 'Mandalore' and 'Mand'alore' instead of 'Mandalores', when referring to the the leaders; 'aruetiise' instead of 'dar'manda', when the text was referring to Republic forces; 'hut'uunla' instead of 'hut'uune', because adjective, not noun, text; and I added 'se' to the ends of 'gebaru'e' and 'chaajaru'e' to show they're plural, since 'aru'e' is given as singular in the dictionary—but most of it is as it was in the text.
The text uses American English, and I did my best to do the same, but I may have boo-booed once or twice, and image IDs will likely use British spellings.
Please send any questions or comments to me at tumblr or twitter. Thank you!
FOREWORD
You are reading this because you have been chosen as a Rally Master, charged with training recruits, preparing Watchers for operations and commanding them in battle. Like Cassus Fett's Rally Masters of ancient times, you must educate and inspire our warriors, so they understand their heritage and will sacrifice their lives for it.
What is that heritage? Here, you will read the true history of our warriors, passed covertly from armored hand to armored hand, untainted by the lies of the so-called New Mandalorians, the Republic, or the Jedi sorcerers.
Here, too, you shall learn of our armor, weapons, strategies, and goals—information vital to our survival. For we are Mando'ade—the Mandalorians. War is our birthright, and in war we measure ourselves against our forebears.
THE TRUE HISTORY OF THE MANDALORIANS
Our history begins with the Taung, the Shadow Warriors we honor as our Progenitors. They originally dwelled on Coruscant, but their enemies drove them into the Outer Rim. Their clans traveled from planet to planet on orders from their war chief, who interpreted the will of their now-extinct gods: Kad Ha'rangir, the all-seeing creator of tests and trials; Hod Ha'ran the trickster, agent of fickle fortune; and Arasuum the god of sloth, an enemy whispering and seducing with promises of peace. Many planets fell to the Progenitors' blades, and many civilizations quaked at the mere mention of their names.
[Image ID: Three humanoid-shaped beings are standing, all wearing Mandalorian face-plates with the T-shaped visor. The one on the left is wearing what looks like leather armour, worn in strips, and has long needles sticking out of it; on their hands they wear spiked gauntlets; in their hands, they hold a long handle horizontally, with a long blade jutting out on both sides. The one in the centre is wearing a gold or yellow robe with an orange caplet over their shoulders; they're holding a long staff vertically, which has blades jutting out on either side at the top. The figure on the right is wearing a red robes, lined with gold; they're wearing large shoulder plates, the top of a chestplate, and gauntlets, all of which are gold and decorated with jewels; their hands are folded together over the top of a gold stick at their waist. Beneath the image is a caption, which reads, "The ancient Mandalorian deities were led by the all-seeing Kad Ha'rangir (left), shown here beside the trickster god Hod Ha'ran (center) and the slothful Arasuum (left)."]
Some seven millennia ago, the Shadow Warriors came to Mandalore and cleansed surrounding space of species unworthy and unclean—the Fenelar, Tlönians, and others. Here, in Mandalore Space, they took the technologies of conquered species and reshaped them for warcraft. Here, amid Mandalore's lush forests and fields, their strength grew and their great purpose was revealed: a generations-long endeavor that would prepare the way for us.
We call the Shadow Warriors our Progenitors, though we do not share their blood, and their bodies were those of beasts, not humans. We do so because their leaders forged the Mando'ade into warrior bands and taught them to treasure family, clan, and honor. Their teachings became the Resol'nare, the Six Actions that make us Mandalorians: raising the young to seek honor and glory, wearing armor, defending one's self and one's family, supporting one's clan, speaking a common language, and owing fealty to the leader of the clans.
Four millennia ago, the Progenitors began the Great Shadow Crusade, which others call the Great Sith War. Led by Mand'alor the Indomitable, they attacked the central systems from which they had been driven. Ultimately, they were betrayed by the Jedi and their Sith brethren, but from that day forward, the name Mandalorian was feared by the Republic's decadent and useless idlers. Closer to home, the stage was set for the Emergence—the transformation of the clans into the modern Mando'ade.
Of the ancient Mand'alore, we hold none in higher esteem than Mand'alor the Ultimate, the Great Shadow Father of our clans. On Shogun—then, as now, the planet of visions—Mand'alor the Ultimate received a staggering prophecy:
The age of the Taung was ending, but their great work was unfinished. To survive, the Mando'ade must be transformed.
It was a terrible burden, but Mand'alor the Ultimate bore it with honor. He opened the clans to all who proved themselves in battle and followed the warrior codes. Non-Taung were no longer confined to vassalship, but could be full-fledged Mandalorian warriors. Our forefathers were among these new Mando'ade, and soon proved that they were ready to lead the clans.
[Image ID: A humanoid wearing a Mandalorian helmet stands. They have a breathing tube going from their helmet to their right armpit, and are wearing what looks like cloth robes , a cape, and stiff shoulder pauldrons. In their right hand they hold a spear, in their left a shield. The caption reads "Mandalore the Indomitable"]
These new warriors became known as the Neo-Crusaders, and their crucible was the Onslaught, remembered by the Republic as the Mandalorian Wars. The Onslaught would ultimately fail, turned back by the scheming of Republic machinesmiths and the sheer numbers of the aruetiise. Mand'alor the Ultimate died on Malachor V, in the clash we know as Ani'la Akaan, the Great Last Battle. The clans were scattered and the Republic was triumphant.
[Image ID: A group of five humanoids standing behind or aside a flag caught in a wind, with explosions and streaks like blasterfire all around them. The caption reads "Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders advancing under fire during the Onslaught"]
Ani'la Akaan was a dark day, but the Onslaught's purpose was never galactic conquest. Rather, it was meant to engineer the Emergence. In that respect, it succeeded: our forefathers became the new clan chiefs, chosen to continue the Progenitors' struggle. Within another generation, they would found a new ling of Mandalorians, and the days of the Shadow Warriors were ended.
The Progenitors are extinct, but we do not mourn them, for they fulfilled their destiny. While gone in flesh, in spirit they dwell within us still—the very planes and angles of our helmets and visors recall their faces. We are their legacy, their vengeance on a galaxy that scorned and exiled them. This is why, when we chant Dha Werda Verda, the first words are:
The ash of the Taung beats strong within the Mandalorians' hearts
We are the rage of the Warriors of the Shadow
The first noble sons of Mandalore.
The millennia since Ani'la Akaan have brought constant tests for the Mando'ade, with our enemies conspiring endlessly to destroy us. But fire strengthens beskar. Pain, defeat, and loss eliminate the weak and elevate the strong. Amid darkness and misery, we have persevered, and our enemies' machinations have only sharpened our purpose and strengthened our resolve.
After Ani'la Akaan, weak Mand'alore led the clans, and our honor ebbed—these were the years of the Arasuum, the Stagnation. Then, eleven centuries ago, with the galaxy plunged into darkness by war and disease, Mand'alor the Uniter called the best and the brightest Mandalorians home from the distant stars to which fate had cast them.
[Image ID: A humanoid in beskar'gam, visible from the thighs up, staring off towards the right. The caption reads "Mandalore the Uniter"]
The Return strengthened Mandalore, which emerged as a rival of the Republic. Under the Uniter and the strong Mandalorians who followed him, our homeworld became the protector of many star systems and the center of an honorable civilization. Warriors ruled, protecting the artisans, manufacturers, and laborers who supported them, and who were supported in turn by vassals and servants.
This perfect society threatened the Republic. Seven centuries ago, their craven, hut'uunla warships and Jedi bombarded our worlds. The incinerated Mandalore's farmland and forests, leaving much of our homeworld a forsaken desert of fine white sand, and then occupied our worlds. They killed, exiled, or disarmed our warriors and suppressed our ancient codes. The Republic called this dishonorable assault the Mandalorian Excision, as if we were a cancerous tissue to be cut out of the galaxy. We call it the Dral'Han—the Annihilation.
[Image ID: Starfighters are in both the fore- and background, looking like a cross between an X-wing (the body shape) and a Tie Interceptor (the wings). Above them are battleships, which look like modern-world ocean liners. Explosions and billowing clouds fill the background. The caption reads "Republic warships scour Mandalore during the Annihilation."]
The Annihilation birthed the evils we now fight against. To rule us, the Republic installed puppets who had sought a foolish peace with the Senators and their Jedi. In the centuries since the Annihilation, this line of Anti-Mand'alore—leaders of the self-styled New Mandalorians—have forfeited our honor, buying us soft lives of sloth and dependence.
Weary of war and deluded by lies, many of the Mando'ade accepted the Anti-Mand'alore and the illegitimate rule of the Faithless, as we now call the New Mandalorians. But, others passed the old ways down in secret, teaching their children the Six Actions and keeping our history alive. These brave few became known as the Aka'liit, the Mandalorians Faithful. The division between the Faithful and the Faithless split every clan: members of the Ordos, Fetts, Kryzes, Awauds, Priests, Gedycs, and, yes, Vizslas belonged to both sides in our long struggle.
The Faithful forged a secret network of clan representatives. A generation after the Annihilation, this network appointed the first of a line of True Mand'alore, to whom the Faithful secretly offered allegiance. This was the time of the ba'slan shev'la, the decision to disappear and wait for an opportune chance to strike back. Our warriors became known as the Alor'a Aka'liit—the Vanguard of the Faithful.
Two centuries ago, we saw the corrupt Republic finally dying of old age. But, tragically, the Faithful found themselves divided. This division began with a crusade against the Ithullans, whose machinations had become a threat. We seized their orbital stations, blacking out their communications and deactivating the power-beam arrays. Then, we raided the darkened cloudtop cities, splitting their reactor bulbs like overripe Kalevalan quench-gourds. One by one, they plunged into the fathomless Ithullan Depths, until Ithull was clean.
[Image ID: In the foreground, a green spaceship is flying towards the viewer and to the right. In the background, tall, thin rock-like formations are standing, most tapering to a point, but one has an egg-shaped bulb on top. There are more spaceships in the far background, and explosions and billows of smoke. The caption reads "The Faithful hunt down Ithullan holdouts."]
As always, the soft, sentimental Republic professed shock that others might take decisive action, and pretended to admire a weak and unworthy species. whole we had expected that, we had never imagined that some among the Faithful would take their side, arguing that in upholding our honor, we had damaged our cause. As thought any worthy cause can exist without honor!
Other disagreements soon followed. Some of the Faithful, the so-called True Mandalorians, wanted to dictate how all of us should earn credits for ourselves and our families, and they sought to supervise our conduct in a hostile galaxy. The wiser among us understood that, in times of war, it is only the ruthless—those who freed themselves of the traps of pity and vacillation—who survive.
The breaking point came nearly three decades ago, when the Faithful made a terrible error, choosing Jaster Mereel as the True Mand'alor. Mereel had been a lawman, a Journeyman Protector on Concord Dawn, until he murdered a superior officer. Wracked by guilt, he concluded that the flaw lay, not in his own heart, but in the universe. Unable to contain his own passions, he sought to eliminate them in everyone else. His blinkered view of Mandalorian honor would have reduced the Faithful to mere hirelings, helpless against the Faithless.
[Comment from Jango: These are LIES. Jaster sought true honor, not the right to ignore laws or moral codes. Vizsla's Death Watch was nothing but a license for murder.]
And so, we did what we had to do: We rejected this deluded Mand'alor as thoroughly as we rejected the Anti-Mand'alore of the Faithless. Because we were willing to die for our cause, we became the Death Watch, led by the Secret Mand'alore. To ensure we would be led by the most powerful, we decreed that any could challenge the Secret Mand'alor for leadership of Death Watch. And, as our symbol of authority, we chose the Darksaber, an ancient weapon liberated from the Jedi long ago.
[Image ID: A humanoid in unpainted beskar'gam stands, holding a sword with a glowing black blade in their right hand, with their left arm crossing their body and pointing off towards the right. It looks as though their face has been smeared out, or someone attempted to cover their face with ink and it smeared. The caption reads "Tor Vizsla wields the Darksaber, a weapon liberated from the Jedi Order that became the symbol of the Secret Mandalore's authority."]
The responsibility of wielding it fell to me.
My first task was to eliminate Mereel and his followers, lest the New Mandalorians exploit our divisions. After many battles, we engineered a trap for them on Korda VI. There, I shot Mereel down, erasing him from the history of the Mando'ade. Then, a decade ago, we tricked the Jedi into eliminating the True Mandalorians. We lured the True Mandalorians to Galidraan to put down a pointless insurrection, then brought the Jedi to the same place on the trail of false information. The Jedi slaughtered the True Mandalorians like nerfs on market day, and, at last, our long struggle was over.
But, even as Mereel's ideas died on Galidraan, Mandalore was in flames. The Great Clan Wars had begun. We declared ourselves and sought to rally our kinsmen to our standard, but we were too few, weakened by petty clan disputes that had flared into conflagrations while the fight with the True Mandalorians distracted us.
[Image ID: In the foreground is a being in Mandalorian armour which is mostly unpainted, with blue accents. They have a cape billowing to their right and a jetpack on their back. They're wielding two narrow blasters, very like Jango's pair in Attack of the Clones, which are firing towards and to the right of the viewer. In the background, beings in white or light grey beskar'gam are shooting at beings in brown robes wielding lightsabres. They are fighting on uneven, white ground. The caption reads "The Jedi and True Mandalorians square off on Galidraan."]
Meanwhile, centuries of New Mandalorian lies had left the Mando'ade weak and soft. One of my kinswomen, the Duchess Satine Kryze, had been sent offworld as a child by her father, a mighty clan warlord, and she fell prey to the lies of the Jedi. After her father perished in the Great Clan Wars, she betrayed his memory by becoming the leader of the New Mandalorians. Aided by Jedi tricks, she became the newest Anti-Mand'alor, whereupon the exhausted Mando'ade flocked to her banner. Some of our warriors were exiled to the moon Concordia. Others—myself included—slipped away to resume the ba'slan shev'la.
Satine is weak-minded, like a child, with a child's faith in goodness and rationality. She has proved all too ready to believe the exiles have given up their fight. In fact, the Death Watch is being rebuilt. As always, our trials have made us stronger.
With the True Mandalorians gone, the Faithful are united again. Satine's people slumber on, begging to be awakened. We shall be the ones to do it. We have backers now, powerful beings who believe in our cause and whom we are using, even as they scheme to use us. When we return, it shall be as an army. Our order, professionalism, and honor will be the keys that open the hearts of the Mando'ade.
[Image ID: A group of humanoids in beskar'gam are spread out, walking towards the viewer. Most of them have helmets with slightly different shapes or paint, but the rest of their beskar'gam looks unpainted. All of them are armed, and most of them have capes. The sky above them is lightly blue and lightly clouded, and there is a mountain range behind them. The caption reads "Death Watch members on a training mission"]
The Death Watch is thriving under my secret care. Soon, the mines of Concordia will rumble with the sound of Mandalorian iron scraped from the rock, and the moon's canyons will fill with warriors clad in beskar'gam. We shall cross the white sands of Mandalore in force, and our people will greet us a liberators.
I am the Secret Mand'alor, defender of our people's honor. I wield the Darksaber, and I shall see Satine overthrown, and her false idols of pacifism and accommodation thrown down. Then, the name Mandalorian will inspire fear once again.
This is my burden and my oath.
BESKAR'GAM (ARMOR)
To outsiders beholding us, our helmets are our faces, just as our suits of armor are our bodies.
The planets and moons of the Mandalore system are rich in beskar, or Mandalorian iron. According to legend, this boon brought the Progenitors to our world. Beskar is enormously strong, able to deflect blaster bolts and even lightsaber blades. Yet it is light and flexible, particularly when forged with carbon and ciridium. A skilled naur'alor can shape beskar into almost any form, manipulating its strength, color, and other properties. This knowledge is ours alone—the penalty for sharing it with outsiders is death.
The Progenitors saw hand-to-hand combat as the warrior's highest calling. Their helmets resembled their own faces, and each suit was custom-made for its wearer, with the armor of venerated ancestors melted down and reforged to equip a particularly valorous war chief or clan leader. Some forged their own armor, while others left that task to metalsmiths serving their clans as vassals.
In battle, the Taung Crusaders relied primarily on handheld weapons such as beskade and Mythosaur axes. The beskad is a single-edged, curved sword made of Mandalorian iron and used to batter down enemies' defenses, while the Mythosaur Ax was assembled from calcified plates of mythosaur bone, sharpened and arrayed in a fan shape atop a staff. Crusaders often carried a kal—dagger made of beskar—in their off hand.
[Image ID: Three weapons are drawn. One is a single-sided blade, with a rectangle cut out of the centre of the blade. Behind the blade is an axe, as described in the text. Above the crossed sword and axe is a double-sided dagger, with the rectangular hole through the centre. On the bottom right is a sketch showing the relative size of the weapons, compared to a humanoid: The axe is about as tall as the being's hip, the sword about as long as their arm from hilt to point, and the dagger about half the length of the sword. The caption reads "Taung weapon forms inspire modern Mandalorian designs."]
During the Great Shadow Crusade, many Progenitors supplemented their armor with a combat suit hardened against vacuum and supplying several hours' worth of air. After early engagements with the Republic's rocket-jumpers, the Crusaders introduced rocket packs into their arsenal, becoming masters of aerial combat.
The next phase of beskar'gam's evolution came after Mand'alor the Ultimate admitted non-Taung to the clans. The look and form of Crusader armor had been shaped by individualism and clan tradition, but now the Mando'ade included many species, united only by adherence to the warrior codes. These newcomers had to be transformed into effective fighting units that could work together against the Republic.
[Image ID: A humanoid in golden beskar'gam with an addition to their helmet that looks like they're wearing a hood. The caption reads "Cassus Fett's ideas about unit organization reshaped the clans into a potent military machine."]
Cassus Fett, Mand'alor the Ultimate's chief strategist, forged the clans into an army. After their defeat at the hands of the Republic, some Crusaders had created a new chain of command based not on clan bonds, but on experience and success in warfare. Some found such ideas heretical, but the so-called Neo-Crusaders proved themselves in raids on the Republic borders. Fett persuaded the Ultimate to experiment with their reforms, distributing Neo-Crusader units throughout the ranks of the clans.
The Neo-Crusaders' armor was sleeker and more uniform, though by necessity adapted to fit any number of species. It was also color-coded by rank: blue for rank-and-file troops, silver for front-line units and veterans, red for Rally Masters, and gold for Field Marshals. Most startling to tradition-minded Mandalorians, it was rarely made of beskar. There was no way to mine and forge beskar quickly enough to outfit the greatly expanded Mandalorian force.
[Image ID: Four beings in beskar'gam standing in a group. From the left: A being in blue beskar'gam is looking off towards the left, holding a hand blaster in their right hand; a being in gold beskar'gam stands at the head of the group, looking slightly to the right of the viewer; slightly behind the gold being is one in red beskar'gam, looking straight at the viewer; a being in white or silver beskar'gam is half behind the red one, looking off towards the right, their left hand up and holding the strap of a weapon against their chest, the weapon is on their back and mostly behind the red being. The caption reads "The color-coded ranks of the Neo-Crusaders: regular troops (blue), field marshals (gold), rally masters (red), and front-line troops/veteran units (silver)"]
The Mando'ade have yet to field a fighting force as potent or organized as that destroyed at Ani'la Akaan. During the long centuries of the Stagnation, Mandalorians returned to the individualism of the Crusaders' time, combining pieces of inherited, repurposed, scavenged, and stolen armor. Mand'alor the Uniter restarted the mass production of beskar'gam, but Mandalorians' personal preferences continued to determine their choice of weapons and armor, and thus their battle styles, techniques, and strengths.
But, while allowing for such individuality, the Uniter created a new order of shocktroopers more mobile than the Neo-Crusaders—warriors who would rely on speed and surprise in making their attacks.
The armor of the Uniter's shocktroopers was stripped down and light, so as not to overburden a jetpack's fuel supplies. A liner shirt with a micro energy-field projector and two layers of ceramic plating offered basic protection for the torso. Next came a flight suit to protect against everything from water to hard vacuum, stiffened with beskar armorweave. Atop that were plates of beskar or duraplast, designed to protect vital organs. Special units wore kamas to protect against shrapnel, blast damage, and jetpack wash. The Uniter's armor remains the basis for that worn by the Faithful today.
No two Watchers are the same, and any warrior is free to customize his or her armor to best fit responsibilities and fighting styles. But, to modify armor effectively, one must first understand the basics of beskar'gam.
Many armor components are paired. The right piece is known as the beskad, while the left piece is the kal. This terminology holds even for warriors who favor their left hands.
[Image ID: A humanoid in beskar'gam, with each of the pieces labelled.]
The buy'ce (barbute or helmet) is both a symbol of the Mando'ade and the most important piece of one's kit (see separate entry on Death Watch helmets).
The haalas (cuirass) protects the torso and consists of five components. The main pieces are the beskad and kal hal'cabure, or breastplates. At the juncture of the breastplates sits a small, lozenge-shaped piece of armor known as the ka'rta beskar or tapul. Beneath the breastplates is the shar'tas, or placard, which protects a humanoid's stomach and innards. Above the breastplates is the ghet'bur, or gorget, protecting the upper chest. Earlier Mandalorian armor included a jatne ghet'bur, or upper gorget, which protected the throat, but it could hinder free movement and so is rarely used today. The gorget attaches to the nor'cabur, or backplate, which is reinforced to help bear the weight of the jetpack.
The bes'marbure, or spaulders, protect the shoulders, and are reduced in size from the pauldrons of ancient Mandalorian armor. The kal spaulder is for unit insignia; clan or personal marks go on the beskad spaulder.
Ancient Mandalorian armor included shun'bure, or rerebraces, to protect the biceps, but these have been dropped from modern armor. The kom'rke (vambraces or gauntlets) protecting the forearms remain, though primarily as weapon mounts. Note that left-handed Death Watch members often mount their weapons in reverse, a factor that strategists must take into account when planning unit actions.
The groin is protected by the ven'cabur, or codpiece. Some warriors wear a corresponding back piece, the hut'uun cabur, or cutlet.
The thighs are protected by motun'bure, or cuissards, which vary in form. Some warriors favor full cuissards that protect the back and front of the thighs, which others opt for front protection only. Other warriors omit cuissards altogether.
The knees are protected by the bes'lovike (poleyns), which offer both protection and a site for mounting additional weapons.
The shins and calves are protected by tadun'bure (greaves) though most warriors dispense with rear greaves. The cetar'bure (sabatons) protect the tops of the feet.
Our secret mining operations on Mandalore and Concordia are producing more and more beskar, but Mandalorian armor remains hard to find—and the New Mandalorians treacherously destroyed many heirloom suits of beskar'gam. Most of our modern armor is forged from duraplast or alum.
Traditionally, warriors have decorated their armor with clan colors and insignia, inscribed it with sigils celebrating victories, painted it in recognition of goals or causes, or customized it in other ways. The Death Watch honors these traditions, but for now our highest priority is to appear as a single united, disciplined military force. Until our fight becomes our people's fight, therefore, our standard uniform shall be polished beskar'gam with blue accents, the color signifying our devotion.
[Image ID: Painting of a large, dinosaur or dragon-like creature roaring, while a number of warriors attempt to fight it. One particular warrior is in the foreground, back to the viewer, with a sword raised over their head. The caption reads "The Taung prove their valor against a mythosaur on ancient Mandalore."]
SYMBOLS AND UNIT DESIGNS
MYTHOSAUR SKULL: When the Progenitors arrived, Mandalore was inhabited by hugged horned creatures—the savage mythosaurs. The clans tested themselves in battle against these great beasts, until all had fallen before their axes and swords. The mask of Mand'alor the First was made from the ridged sternum over the mythosaur's heart, and during the Great Shadow Crusade, the image of the massive skull was the sigil of Clan Keldau, famed for its combat trainers. Both mythosaurs and Clan Keldau are long gone, but the skull sigil remains a common symbol of the Mando'ade.
CRUSADER LOGO: The ancient symbol of the Mandalorians Crusaders is a ring adorned with sharp points. The points represent the weapons of warriors, while the ring symbolizes the cycles that govern life—birth and death, conquest and defeat, and the promise that new warriors will arise to carry on the traditions of the departed.
NEO-CRUSADER LOGO: Said to be the invention of Cassus Fett, the logo of the Neo-Crusaders pairs the symbol of their Crusader forbears with a stylized Mandalorian skull, symbolizing the authority of the Mand'alor to interpret the will of the war gods.
JAIG EYES: No sound is more terrifying to the creatures of the Mandalorian night than the piercing cry of the jai'galaar, the shriek-hawk. Shriek-hawks are peerless hunters, but never more dangerous than when defending their nests. The stylized eyes of the shriek-hawk are awarded to warriors showing conspicuous bravery in defense of their clan or unit, or of Mandalorians in general.
DEATH WATCH: Upon becoming the leader of Death Watch, I chose the sigil of my own clan to represent it. Why? Because our clan symbol represents the shriek-hawk in threat display, a noble Mandalorian symbol if ever there was one. And because, if we are to reclaim our honor, clans such as my own must decide where their loyalties lie. When Vizslas see their own sigil adorning the armor of those fighting for the ancient warrior ways, perhaps they will remember their lost honor.
[Image ID: A hand drawn circle bisected diagonally with a grain stem. Above the grain stem is a coloured-in drop; below the grain stem is the number 7.
[insert from Jango: This was Jaster Mereel's sigil as a Journeyman Protector of Concord Dawn. I displayed it to honor him and to remind myself that you never know the heart of another. Always assume betrayal is just a moment away. You'll live longer.]
THE HELMET
The modern Mandalorian helmet is a technological marvel, one that allows a well-trained Watcher to see in all directions, communicate easily, and fight more effectively than a dozen common soldiers.
The helmet's viewplate automatically augments vision in low-light conditions and protects it from peaks in intensity, preventing a Watcher from being blinded by explosions or luma-weapons. The viewplate's macrobinocular lenses interface with the rangefinder, selecting as many as 10 targets for tracking via the heads-up display, controlled by either voice commands or eye movements and blinking. A pineal sensor and microcameras let the wearer see behind him. An encrypted internal comlink allows communications with other Watchers, while a broadband antenna is included for longer-range transmissions. The helmet has a two-hour reserve air tank and an environmental filter to eliminate contaminants.
[Image ID: Image of a Mandalorian helmet, from the front and slightly to one side, with the viewfinder above the crown. To the right, an image of a Mandalorian helmet bisected, showing the internal mechanics. There are handwritten notes to either side of the helmets, see the text for relevant text. The caption reads "A modern Mandalorian helmet"]
Commentary written around the diagram of the helmets:
Improvements:
Voice-control abilities to interface with Slave I
Voice control of weapons suite and jetpack
Video recording/playback analysis unit
Infrared scanning lenses
Fine-grain motion sensors
Sound amplification unit
HoloNet/database access voice-controlled search
-Jango
• RANGEFINDER UPGRADED TO TRACK AS MANY AS 30 TARGETS
• WEAPONS CONTROL INTERFACE UPGRADED
• CUSTOMIZED ADVANCED PENETRATING RADAR LENSES
• INFRARED SCANNING LENSES AUGMENTED
• OLFACTORY SENSORS (1 PART PER BILLION SENSITIVITY), SCENT DATABASE
• HOLONET/DATABASE SEARCH SUBROUTINES AUGMENTED
-BOBA
THE JETPACK
To fulfill mission objectives as quickly as possible, a Watcher must strike with speed and decisive force, and engage targets with surgical precision. Our aerial assault capabilities give us something critical our opponents lack. We can attack targets all across Mandalore and on Republic worlds, appearing and disappearing while our adversaries are still trying to take stock of the damage we've caused. Our jetpacks are the key to this capability.
[Image ID: A missile and a jetpack, detached from each other. Above the jetpack is a note from Aurra Sing, which reads "Great for quick getaways, but murder on the spine." To the right is a note from Boba Fett, which is partially cut off. The entire note reads "A jetpack lets you disguise a change of position as a fall and regain the advantage. Plus, at top velocity, you yourself become a weapon." The caption reads "Mitrinomon's Z-6 fine-bore missile (left) and a Merr-Sonn JT-12 jetpack"]
In ancient time, Mandalorian Crusaders and shocktroopers were the pride of the Mando'ade, swooping down without warning. Every sighting of the Watchers racing across the sky in formation is a reminder of what has been taken from us by the Anti-Mandalorians and their conspirators among the Jedi and the Republic. Jetpack units, organized along the same lines as armadas of starfighter or gunships—with flight leaders, clear missions objectives, constant communications, linked fields of fire, and well-defined coverage responsibilities—are magnificent examples of skill, training, and precision.
The jetpack is simultaneously a means of propulsion and a valuable weapon. A Watcher must master both aspects of its use.
The standard model used by the Death Watch is the Merr-Sonn JT-12, a compact, lightweight jetpack with fuel for one minute of continuous operation. It's possible to carry additional fuel bladders, but this increases weight. We are working with sympathizers within Merr-Sonn and other corporations to find light, solid-state fuel that will increase our packs' versatility.
The JT-12's standard armament is a missile launcher carrying a single concussion warhead. Because the missile thrust vent is located on the bottom of the jetpack, some Death Watchmen wear kamas for protection against the exhaust. The JT-12 launcher can carry a variety of missiles. The Z- fine-bore missile from Mitrinomon, which can be set ot explode upon impact or be locked "dead" and used as a grappling hook, is a popular choice.
RECRUITING
We cannot openly recruit and train personnel. As the New Mandalorians consider us outlaws to be exiled or disarmed, we must be aware of double agents whose true allegiance lies with the New Mandalorians, the remnants of the True Mandalorians, the Republic, the Hutts, or others.
Therefore, we are ever-vigilant about those we adopt into our ranks, constantly supervising and rigorously testing recruits and even experienced Watchers. Should you suspect a recruit or fellow Death Watchman of divided loyalties or treason, inform your commanding officer, who will assist you in following our protocols: spot, monitor, isolate, interrogate. Do not fear the effect on your relationship with an individual soldier. If Watchers lose focus when interrogated by their peers during a mere training exercise, how will they react when under fire by our enemies? The honorable do not fear questions, just as the worthy do not fear testing.
Where do you find potential Watchers? Many places:
CLAN: Every clan has been divided between supporters of the Faithful and adherents of the Faithless since the Annihilation, and rivalries among clans have existed for far longer than that.
Death Watch is a secret affiliation, not to be shared with kin and clan. But we also know that clans are ideal recruiting grounds. To balance the benefits of clan recruitment against the dangers of exposure, three Watchers must endorse a potential recruit found through clan ties, and one of those Watchers must be from a different clan.
INDUSTRY: The New Mandalorians have channeled our people's spirit and ingenuity into making ships, vehicles, and equipment for outsiders. But, within every Mandalorian corporation, we find frustrated artisans and creators who know their talents are being wasted, and who yearn for an opportunity to harness them in service to our cause. Why else would MandalMotors and MandalTech models prove so readily adaptable to military uses?
We have spotters in Mandalorian companies who watch for potential Death Watch recruits. These spotters never make contact directly—they are too valuable to risk exposing. Rather, they contact another Watcher about a potential recruit, and that Watcher contacts a third, who is tasked with the actual recruiting effort.
LAW ENFORCEMENT: Mandalore's police and emergency services are part of the Mandalorian Guard and attract Mando'ade who want to protect their people. This makes them logical sources of recruitment. Such recruits come to Death Watch with substantial training in arms and working as part of a unit. At the same time, we must be mindful that the New Mandalorian government closely monitors the Mandalorian Guard, particularly its elite units. Recruits from these units are valuable, but must be carefully screened. As with our industry efforts, we maintain a system of spotters and recruiters and carefully maintain distance between the two.
MANDALORIAN WORLDS/ENCLAVES: The Mando'ade are spread across the worlds of Mandalorian Space, and enclaves of our people exist across the galaxy. These populations offer great potential for filling the ranks of the Death Watch. Remember that some of the greatest Mand'alore were born or grew up far from our homeworld. Mand'alor the Binder was born the son of a rug weaver on Harswee, while Mand'alor the Hammerborn grew up in the alleys of Kol Atorn, learning accented Mando'a from the emigrants and exiles who had settled there.
[Image ID: A humanoid in beskar'gam, viewed from the thighs up. Their body is faced towards the viewer, but their helmet is turned towards their left. The caption reads "Mandalore the Binder"]
MERCENARIES/BOUNTY HUNTERS: Many veteran Watchers have served as mercs or bounty hunters, and experienced fighters are an obvious help to us. But, not ever Mandalorian merc is a proper recruit. Some are Mandalorian in name only, trading on our reputation and appearance without embracing the Six Actions. And, while there is no dishonor in mercenary service or the Crimson Trade, those who work for the highest bidder may change sides for a few credits more.
The recruits are carefully screened and watched during training. We welcome those who are willing to put aside their old ways, and we quickly part company with those who are not.
Finally, a note on outsiders. Yes, any warriors who prove themselves in battle and follow the Six Actions may become Mando'ade. Our society is based on actions and achievement, not on birth or background. The creed has kept our society strong for millennia.
But these are not typical times. The Mando'ade have been divided and lied to, lured away from their heritage by the Faithless and their laandur Duchess. We cannot defeat her on the battlefield just yet. Instead, our victories must come on more private territory: the hearts and minds of the Mando'ade. For that reason, we must look like a uniform fighting force, with similar helmets and human faces beneath them. When we restore our traditions, perhaps we will welcome outsiders once again. But, until then, we are at war. Incorporating beast species undermines security and works against the image we must project.
TRAINING
Death Watch recruits go through four weeks of basic training, learning not only the basic skills of combat, but also the fundamentals of operating within a military unit. Even experienced soldiers go through basic training; weeding out the unworthy or poorly motivated is as important as the teaching process. By the end of basic training, recruits will have learned to accept authority and be able to perform basic combat maneuvers automatically, even when disoriented or exhausted. Such training will pay off in lives saved and mission objectives accomplished.
Typically, we train recruits in squads of ten, each squad divided into two fire teams. Rally Masters serve as drill sergeants for the duration of basic training, which takes place in one of our secure locations. For operational security, recruits are never told where they're going.
[Image ID: In the foreground, a humanoid in red beskar'gam is standing to the left, looking towards the right, one hand on a hip-height ledge. In the background, one being in beskar'gam has a dark-skinned humanoid on the ground, a blaster held threatening next to their head, while two more humanoids in beskar'gam and a crowd of unarmoured humanoids watch on. The caption reads "A Death watch training squad under the watchful eye of its Rally Master"]
After basic training, the remaining recruits are reorganized into fire teams and squads; physical training continues for another two to four weeks, though the emphasis shifts to ranged and melee weapons and then to unarmed combat techniques. Recruits who complete this stage learn tactics as well as Mandalorian history and Death Watch objectives. This stage of training culminates in live-fire drills and war games.
The fourth and final stage of training, takes two weeks and focuses primarily on jetpack operation, maneuvers, and tactics. Once jetpack training is complete, the recruits take the oath of the Death Watch and don their beskar'gam.
[Image ID: A humanoid in beskar'gam is wearing wearing a jetpack, flying towards the viewer with one fist extended. The caption reads "Jetpack training is the final stage before recruits take the Death Watch oath."]
OPERATION PROFILES
Our struggle against the New Mandalorians will not end with the capture of a fortress or city. We must be flexible and opportunistic, seizing moments when they present themselves and constantly reassessing situations and changing the strategies that address them.
Regardless of the operation, we are never captured, never leave dead or wounded behind, and never abandon equipment if it can be helped. There are multiple reasons for this:
We don't want our adversaries to know about our equipment, tactics, or membership.
We are more effective when rumors and misinformation increase our perceived numbers and decrease our perceived casualties.
We are Mando'ade—better to die than live in dishonor.
These are the six common operation profiles every Watcher must be prepared to carry out with minimal notice:
RECON: Soldiers need information as much as bravery and training. Recon missions teach us about our enemies' strengths, weaknesses, movements, and positions. Recon missions can make use of informers and sympathetic civilians and benefit from slicing into data networks or satellite feeds, but there's no substitute for a soldier's firsthand assessment of the situation on the ground.
RAID: The simplest operations involve getting in, eliminating opposition, fulfilling mission objectives, and getting out. Objectives can vary, from inflicting casualties or destroying matériel, to gaining information and equipment, but the tactic is always to get in and out with lightning speed.
AMBUSH: The combination of well-trained soldiers and a chokepoint in terrain or construction is a natural force multiplier. There is nothing dishonorable about ambush tactics. Making the best use of the battlefield and one's resources is a tactic as old as war itself.
[Image ID: Three humanoids in beskar'gam are crouched behind grass, with one partially hidden behind a boulder. The one hiding behind the boulder is on the left and pointing towards the left in the direction of the viewer, while the other two appear to be looking in the same direction. The caption reads "Death Watch warriors gathering intelligence for a successful strike"]
STRIKE: The difference between a raid and a strike is that the objective of a strike is a game-changer: the elimination of a key individual, the destruction of a complex, or the seizure of key equipment or intelligence. Strike are more carefully planned than raids, and often require multiple fire teams or squads acting in concert.
INFILTRATION: Infiltration operations can be a precursor to a raid or strike, with Death Watchmen penetrating enemy security and remaining in place to support our forces. Such operations may require the cooperation of informers and sympathizers and may be conducted out of uniform. To avoid losing assets to friendly fire, recognition signals must be established for use during infiltration activities.
DESTABILIZATION: Lacking the numbers or resources to oppose the Faithless in conventional warfare, we undermine them by demonstrating that they are unfit to rule Mandalore and cannot guarantee safety and security. Destabilization can take many forms—propaganda inserted into New Mandalorian targets, destruction of symbols of the regime, and so forth. Destabilization operations rely on clear objectives: What do we seek to accomplish, and will this accomplishment improve the perception of Death Watch while diminishing that of the New Mandalorians? An ill-advised destabilization operation does our cause more damage than good.
INTRODUCTION TO TACTICS
Operational profiles vary, but general principles always apply. Follow these principles and your operations have a better chance of success. Neglect them, and failure is all but certain.
REDUNDANCY: Things go wrong. Soldiers are unfit for duty or get lost, equipment malfunctions, batteries fail, weather conditions turn. A wise commander plans for contingencies.
ECONOMY: Committing all available assets to a single mission is dangerous. Soldiers can get in one another's way, and ill fortune can be devastating. Figure out the optimum force for fulfilling a mission objective, and keep additional units in reserve or use them to bolster the main force elsewhere.
CLARITY: Soldiers must understand their mission objectives, tactics, and chain of command. Drill them until their responses are as close to automatic as possible. A well-trained unit can see through the fog of war because it has encountered problems in simulations and learned to apply solutions.
FOCUS: Do not waver from the mission objective. Time and resources are precious in battle; use them for their intended purpose.
FLEXIBILITY: The mission objective is paramount, but there may be different ways to achieve it. Commanders should be alert for unexpected opportunities.
INITIATIVE: Opportunities come to the commander with a history of seizing them, and Death Watch acts where the New Mandalorians merely react. Do not surrender this advantage.
MOBILITY: Keep moving. Small forces need surprise, speed, and skill to prevent larger forces from bringing their numerical and resource advantages to bear. Get pinned down and advantages quickly turn into disadvantages.
SECURITY: Soldiers who talk endanger the mission and the lives of fellow Watchers. Be particularly careful if a mission involves informers or sympathizers. Consider using a second informer or sympathizer as a spotter to look for breaches of operational security, and deal immediately and harshly with any loose talk within a Death Watch unit.
PURPOSE: We are the Death Watch, the standard bearers of Mandalorian destiny. Our enemies are misguided architects of a weak and flawed new order, one that cannot stand. This alone will not guarantee victory, but it is an advantage that will see a resolute heart through many difficulties.
KNOW YOUR ENEMIES
Many in the galaxy detest the idea of a renewed, ascendant Mandalore, whose people are united by pride in their common heritage. In combating our enemies, though, we must distinguish between the gebaru'ese and the chaajaru'ese—the near and far enemies.
The bulk of the gebaru'ese are the forces of the New Mandalorians, pursuing Duchess Satine's misguided program of pacifism. Some among these Faithless actively seek our destruction. They will die, either when we invade or later, when interrogations reveal who was faithful and who was not. But, others among the gebaur'ese are reluctant combatants at best. It is from their ranks that the Death Watch will grow and draw strength.
In determining mission objectives, we should consider the impact on the gebaur'ese. Sometimes, a show of disciplined, carefully calibrated force will gain us more, than an extravagant display of that force.
Most of the chaajaur'ese are the forces in the Republic, our ancient enemies. The Republic is decadent and dissipated, a great beast whose death throes threaten to crush the free peoples of the galaxy. The chaajaur'ese have overwhelming advantages in resources and technology, which we must remember in seeking to thwart their plots. One day, our sacrifices will create a Mandalore powerful enough to challenge the chaajaur'ese openly. But this will be the work of our children and our children's children. As members of Death Watch, we must be not just brave, but patient.
THE MANDALORIAN GUARD: The Mandalorian Guard include law-enforcement and public-safety units. It also includes operating authorities throughout the sector.
After the Great Clan Wars, Satine reorganized the Guard, whose units had become power bases for the clans. Guard units are now typically drawn from multiple clans, with promotions and chains of command engineered to break of clan concentrations. This has bred resentment, as veteran Guardsmen see promotions go to less-qualified members of other clans, rather than to deserving members of their own. Those passed over are potential Death Watch recruits, but they must understand that we also demand the subordination of clan loyalties to a larger cause.
[Image ID: A vehicle of some sort—likely a speeder bike—is in the foreground. Behind it are three humanoids holding large shields. They are all wearing armour, but it looks more like armour worn by real world western jousting knights, than the more familiar Mandalorian beskar'gam. The caption reads "Mandalorian Guard units vary greatly in ability and loyalty to the New Mandalorians."]
Most Guardsmen wear body armor and use stun batons and shields. They train with blasters, flamethrowers, and heavy weapons, but they use them only as a last resort. Elite units, such as the Mandalorian Secret Service, have trained with jetpacks and are formidable opponents.
MANDALORIAN ROYAL GUARD: This unit defends Duchess Satine and her top-ranking ministers. While an elite unit, the Royal Guard contains few truly superior warriors. Duchess Satine abhors violence, and insists that her protectors use great restraint in their duties. We have tried to infiltrate the Royal Guard, but the Duchess has so far chosen wisely in filling its ranks, and our efforts have come to naught.
Royal Guardsmen are typically armed with electrostaffs, and they fight in concert effectively. We suspect they have heavier weapons as well, but have no credible reports that they have used them.
MANDALORIAN PATROL: These Guard units defend Mandalorian Space. They are more aggressive than regular Guardsmen, intercepting smugglers and suspicious craft with deadly force, if required. Beyond a handful of heavy cruisers, the Patrol has few capital ships, relying on small, speedy patrol craft backed up by corvettes and frigates.
Where possible, avoid Patrolmen. They are more concerned with criminals and the kunaru'a than with us. The Patrol contain many Death Watch sympathizers, and in recent years, we have had little trouble learning of routes and maneuvers in advance, allowing us to keep out of each other's way.
TRUE MANDALORIAN REMNANTS: Though we vanquished the True Mandalorians at Galidraan, their creed is not yet extinct. We must remember that those True Mandalorians who escaped Galidraan are as familiar with the ba'slan shev'la as we are. Be watchful for signs that they—or others espousing their goals—have reorganized.
THE REPUBLIC MILITARY: Nearly a millennium ago, the Republic largely abandoned its standing military, ceding responsibility for most security to local Planetary Security Forces, such as the Mandalorian Patrol. The Republic's lone centrally controlled military organization is the small group of task forces and fleets known as the Judicial Forces. While limited in capabilities, the Judicials can requisition military units from sectors and star systems during times of crisis, and their rapid-response fleets are designed to respond to trouble anywhere in the galaxy.
The Judicials have been weakened by political strife and corruption, and the galaxy's best warship crews (as well as some of the worst) are found among the Planetary Security Forces. These forces' capabilities and resources vary widely; to conduct a successful mission outside Mandalorian Space, it is essential to know the composition, routines, and protocols of local forces.
We must also keep careful watch on Republic politics. Recent incidents have energized a political movement to restore the Republic's centralized military capabilities. A force created by such actions would be far stronger than the Judicials and presumably less hampered by bureaucracy.
JEDI AND SITH: These sorcerers have interfered in our affairs for millennia. The ancient Jedi demolished Mand'alor the Ultimate's empire and broke our clans at Ani'la Akaan, and their descendants oversaw the Annihilation. Today, Jedi agents work in secret to thwart our aims. The Sith are no better, having repeatedly beguiled the Mando'ade into serving as their shock troops.
Do not underestimate Jedi powers. Most Jedi are superb warriors with heightened senses and reflexes. Jedi lightsabers can redirect blaster bolts; to counter this, maintain sufficient distance so that you have a better chance to react to reflected bolts, and do not fire unnecessarily. A better tactic is to use your flamethrower. Jedi powers and weapons are far less effective against attacks that cover a large area.
[Image ID: A group of 8 humanoids in beskar'gam surround a humanoid in a hooded robe. The apparent Jedi is crouched or kneeling, their hands bound with a silver cord coming from the vambrace of a Mandalorian with their back to the viewer. One Mandalorian kneels at the Jedi's left, holding a lit green lightsaber over their head. The caption reads "The aftermath of a successful swarm offense against a Jedi Knight". Under the caption is a handwritten note from Aurra Sing, which reads "Jedi pinned by a fibercord launcher. Nice."]
Another effective tactic is to pin Jedi using your fibercord launcher. This is best done as a group—a valuable strategy in all combat with Jedi. They are dangerous opponents, but not ever their powers allow them to escape dozens of bolts, overlapping fields of flame, or multiple grapples.
Remember that Jedi powers are not limited to the battlefield. They can manipulate objects and devices, and they use their abilities to confuse the unwary, erase memories, and even implant suggestions. The strong-minded can resist these powers, but this takes training and dedication. If a Jedi or a Sith is in the area, Rally Masters should note strange incidents, peculiar behavior, or other unexpected phenomena. These may be evidence of Jedi sorcery at work.
CONCLUSION
We live in an era in which we are beset by enemies and stand in danger of seeing our very heritage and history expunged by the most insidious foes of all—our own people.
Yet, the Mando'ade have always been tested, subjected to trials by both the weak who stand among us, and the strong who stand apart from us. Both seek our destruction, but neither will succeed. For we are strengthened by many things: skill at arms and the craft of war, toughness of mind and clarity of vision, and faith in the ancient values that have preserved us.
By studying this manual, you become a more resolute leader. By learning other Death Watch lore, you become a more effective teacher. By subjecting yourself to trials, you become a more capable warrior. Every lesson and every victory brings us closer to the triumph of our cause and the resurgence of our people.
[Image ID: In the foreground are 4 humanoids in mostly unpainted, save for blue around their visors, beskar'gam and blue undersuits, all facing and moving towards the right. The one closest to the viewer is pointing; the one behind them has one fist raised like they're about to fire something from their vambrace; the one behind them is just taking off with their jetpack, and the last one looks to be running. In the background, above the 4 Mandalorians, there are 7 tiny figures with jetstreams trailing them, flying in front of the Clan Vizsla/Death Watch symbol in white with a thick black border. The caption reads "Every resolute warrior brings the glorious future of Mandalore closer to reality."]
Mando'a Glossary
Formulated as:
Mando'a word — translation as given in text (if applicable)
translation from Mandoa.org (if none is given in text & it's in the dictionary) OR breakdown of word to component parts (if not on Mandoa.org)
Aka'liit — the Mandalorian Faithful
aliit means clan
'aka' likely comes from aka, meaning mission or akaan, meaning warAlor'a Aka'liit — the Vanguard of the Faithful
alor means leader; the 'a' at the end could be a nod to alor'ad, meaning captain, or it could indicate a plural, although the use of the -a suffix in such a manner is considered archaic.Ani'la Akaan — the Great Last Battle
ani means total, and the -la suffix makes it an adjective
akaan means warAnti-Mand'alore/Anti-Mand'alor — leader of New Mandalorian faction
anti is actually an English word; jehaat, meaning lie, may be a better fit, here
Arasuum — the sloth-god
from arasuum, meaning stagnation
first mentioned in Traviss' SW Insider article The Mandalorians: People and Culture (mandowords@tumblr has a scanned version of the article here)
Arasuum — the Stagnation
Ba'jurne Kyr'tsad Mando'ad
Kyr'tsad is the Mando'a name for Death Watch
Mando'ad, singular form of the Mando'a word for Mandalorians
bajur means education, -ne is a prefix which makes a word superlative; generally accepted to translate to manifestoba'slan shev'la — the decision to disappear and wait for an opportune time to strike back
ba'slanar is the verb form of leave or exit
shev'la is the adjective form of silentbeskad(e) — single-edged, curved sword(s) made of Mandalorian iron
beskad — the right side of a matched piece of armour
beskar — Mandalorian iron
beskar'gam — armour
bes'lovik(e) — poleyn(s)
'bes' is likely from beskar
lovik means kneebes'marbur(e) — spaulder(s)
'bes' is likely from beskar
cabur means protector, and is likely the origin of the -bur suffix
'mar' may come from marev, meaning fist; there is no word for shoulder in the dictionarybuy'ce — barbute or helmet
cetar'bur(e) — sabaton(s)
cetare means boots
cabur means protector, and is likely the origin of the -bur suffixchaajaru'e(se) — far enemies
chaaj'yc is the adverb form of far
aru'e means enemy
-se is the suffix to make plural a noun ending in a vowelDha Werda Verda — a Mandalorian poem/chant
translates to 'Warriors of the Shadow', and uses the archaic plural form, owing to its age
Wookieepedia has an article with variations of the poem and chant in both Mando'a and English
Dral'Han — the Annihilation
dral can mean bright/glowing or strong/powerful
the only word in the dictionary with 'han' is aay'han, which is used to describe the bittersweet moment mourning and joygebaru'e(se) — near enemies
gebi means near or close
aru'e means enemy
-se is the suffix to make plural a noun ending in a vowelghet'bur — gorget
'ghet' doesn't exist anywhere in the dictionary; potentially a phonetic variation on gett'se, which means courage or nerve
cabur means protector, and is likely the origin of the -bur suffix
(vedek is the word for neck)
haalas — cuirass (the whole of the chest armour, including the ghet'bur, jatne ghet'bur, hal'cabure, ka'rta beskar, shar'tas, and nor'cabur)
haalas is means chesthal'cabur(e) — breastplate(s)
haal means breath
cabur means protectorHod Ha'ran — the trickster god
hodar means to deceive, hodayc means cunning
haran means hell (literally, destruction in the cosmic annihilation sense); haranov means cache
this is the first mention of Hod Ha'ran in the SW canon
hut'uun cabur — culet
hut'uun means coward
cabur means protector
(tbh, hut'cabur would be more in holding with the words for armour pieces)
hut'uunla
hut'uun means coward
-la is a suffix which turns a noun into an adjectivejai'galaar — shriek-hawk
Jaig Eyes — a symbol awarded to warriors who show conspicuous bravery; stylized (and simplified, presumably) eyes of the shriek-hawk
jatne ghet'bur — upper gorget
jatne means best
see above for ghet'burKad Ha'rangir — the all-seeing creator of tests and trials (according to Vizsla)
kad means sword
rang means ash; rangir is given to mean 'to hell with it!'
'ha' may come from a number of sources, such as haar, which is Mando'a for 'the', and rarely used outside of emphasis
referred to as the destroyer god when they were first mentioned in Traviss' SW Insider article The Mandalorians: People and Culture (mandowords@tumblr has a scanned version of the article here)
kal — dagger (made of beskar)
kal — the left side of a matched piece of armour
kama
kama is translated as belt-spat; it's the half-skirt a number of the clones wear
(should probably actually have changed all uses of 'kamas' to 'kamase' in the text, since it's a Mando'a word, but I didn't)
ka'rta beskar — tapul
kar'ta means heart
see above for beskarkom'rk(e) — vambrace(s) or gauntlet(s)
kunaru'a
this one had me stumped, tbh, since there is no 'kun' in the Mando'a dictionary, and the only words with 'ku' are kurs (forest) and kute (bodysuit), which doesn't suit the context it's used in at all
arianaderalte@tumblr suggested it may be a phonetic mistranslation of cuun, which means our; matched with aru'e (or aru'a, as the case may be), that would make the word to mean 'our enemies'; potentially colloquially understood to mean enemies of the state
Mand'alor(e) — leader(s) of Mandalore
Mando'ade — Mandalorians
literally 'children of Mandalore'motun'bur — cuissards
motir means to stand
cabur means protector, and is likely the origin of the -bur suffixnaur'alor
nau'ur kad means forge (literally, light up a sword)
alor means leader
(there isn't actually a Mando'a word in the dictionary for a forge/smithy; there is a word for an armourer (goran), which I assume the writing/editing team missed while working on the text)
Resol'nare — the Six Actions
shar'tas — placard
(I legit have no idea what the roots of this are; the only Mando'a word with 'shar' in it is sharal, which means lazy, and there are no Mando'a words with 'tas' in them)
(epan means stomach or guts, so epan'bur would have been a more sensible choice, I think)
shun'bur(e) — rerebrace(s)
cabur means protector, and is likely the origin of the -bur suffix
(I got nothing for the origin of 'shun', save for shuner, which can mean bread or flour/meal)
tadun'bur(e) — greave(s)
cabur means protector, and is likely the origin of the -bur suffix
(e'tad means seven? but that's as close as I can get to 'tadun')
ven'cabur — codpiece
ven- is a prefix indicating a word is future tense; vencuyanir means to keep alive or to sustain
cabur means protector