Crusader Period

CRUSADER PERIOD

GENERAL NOTES

•        The later Crusaders outfitted themselves with vastly improved technology as the advancements accelerated between the Pathfinder age and the second crusade timeline. The armor was a mixture of aging out early crusader design with a new more heavier armored factor. Full metal is acceptable, but care should be used if combining parts from the Pathfinder era. Therefore, if using Pathfinder parts, a percentage system between bone, leather-like material, and metal should apply to the overall armoring as following: Metal 60%, Bone 30%, Leather 10%.

•        Advancements in industrial designed armor components resulted in more “sleeker” armor designs that the Crusaders utilized in their galaxy wide blitz during the Mandalorian Wars. The organic armor primarily using bone and leather as protection was mostly phased out by this timeline, but there was still some warriors that utilized parts of the aged out design in conjunction with the new and more wide-spread metallic based armor.

•        Armor aesthetics should follow comic references closely, so more full body metal armor in appearance. Coloring at this point began to diverge into a wide range due to the many clans that made up the Mandalorian forces under the Ultimate. Metal was more refined and polished in design than the previous era. Bone and leather were used in conjunction less and less, but still present in reference materials, most likely from clan heirlooms, but still functional.

•        Outside era [post crusader era's] armor parts that are recognizable will not be permitted as is and can ONLY be used as a base but will be required to be heavily modified to eliminate all elements of the outside era.

•        Attachment items are required to adhere to the aesthetics of the era. Nylon straps, Nylon material, plastic clips/buckles/closures have to match reference pictures with plastic parts being painted and weathered for a metallic look. Leather and leather-like material is acceptable for attachment purposes when subtle hidden attachment methods are not viable. Rivets that are painted to match the piece are permitted, but quantity should be limited to avoid resembling earth like items [aka Renaissance leather armor]

•        Battle damage is recommended, as the Crusaders in this era were on a galaxy wide conquest and battle was an everyday occurrence. However, excessive battle damage that would indicate the central life saving undersuit being compromised would require additional attention to show the damage was repaired in a manner to preserve the integrity of the suit beneath. [Think expedited field repairs to armoring]

ARMOR

HELMET

•        Full helmets are required for this CRL. Masks are only allowed for a canon build of Mandalore the Ultimate.

•        Combination of bone and metal is acceptable, but the helmet should follow the ratio listed in General Notes #1.

•        Technological greeblies are highly encouraged. Care should be taken to ensure they are mounted/affixed in a manner that makes sense.

•        Helmet texture should be sleeker in nature for metal based material. [See General Notes bullet #3]

•        Overall design to the comic references available is required.

•        Visor style is a mix of “Y”, “T”, & “TT/+” shaped. “Peaks” similar to the Night Owl style are acceptable in conjunction with the comic reference designs for “Y” style visors. Slight variations of these visor styles is acceptable within reason. Visor's should not allow a wearers face to be seen.

•        Self-contained breathing systems were introduced during this era, but it was not yet widespread amongst the Mandalorian forces. Tubes/hoses for this purpose is not required, but if done it should still follow principles listed in the Pathfinder CRL, namely a hose should be attached in a manner that makes sense and is practical.

•        Helmets that are obviously from era's outside of the Crusader era not permitted. Used for a base is tolerable, but they will have to be SIGNIFICANTLY modified to remove traces of any outside era designs.

TORSO

•        Chest plates are required, and must be fitted to the wearer appropriately.

•        Comic references indicate metal is primarily used for chest plates, however bone and leather can be used in conjunction but fitment to the wearer and the proper ratio must be kept in compliance. [See General Notes bullet #1]

•        Chest pieces do not have to be separate parts and may be a one-piece design. Separate parts should not overlap.

•        Armor should extend to the wearer's abdomen for full coverage.

•        Texture and appearance should follow General Notes bullet #3.

•        Trophies from non-sentient creatures is permitted, but must be cautious to not break the ratio laid out in General Notes bullet #1. [Bone/Spike/Teeth/Horn decorations]

•        Any attachments that is not star wars related [rivets, snaps, etc] should be colored to match and blend in with armor parts. [See General Notes bullet #5]

•        Hoses/Tubes used in conjunction with the helmet can attach to the chest, but has to attach to a device that resembles a breathing apparatus. Tubes/Hoses running to bare leather will not suffice. Typically they should be routed to a back item [jump pack, jetpack, tank, etc]

•        Hoses/Tubes can also attach from a chest piece to a back item [jump pack, jetpack, tank, etc]

•        Some type of armor covering should be present over the cod area. Loin cloth is the bare minimum requirement.

•        Technological greeblies are highly encouraged. Care should be taken to ensure they are mounted/affixed in a manner that makes sense.

SHOULDER

•        Shoulder designs from this era is heavily asymmetric, and thus should follow the reference material closely.

•        Shoulder bells and plates are acceptable, and can be bulky or sleek in design.

•        Combinations of leather/bone/metal can be used but must not exceed the ratio listed in General Notes bullet #1 to the overall kit.

GAUNTLETS

•        Minimum covering should not be below 75% the length of the forearm.

•        Comic references indicate most gauntlets were primarily metal based and housed tech gadgets/weaponry similar to post crusader era's [design however should not match outside era references]

•        Bone/leather can be used in conjunction with metal, but must adhere to the overall kit ratio requirements [See General Notes bullet #1]

•        Gauntlets should cover 100% of forearm circumference. Half-bracer style can be used but a foundation layer must still cover 100% of the forearm circumference, such as a fabric wrap.

•        Attachment methods for gauntlets should match in era designs. [Buckles/leather straps, hinges etc]

•        Technological greeblies are highly encouraged. Care should be taken to ensure they are mounted/affixed in a manner that makes sense.

•        Bicep and elbow plates are common use in this era. If used, they should not overlap each other or the gauntlets.

BACK

•        Back coverings should follow the comic and old republic game references that are available.

•        Back armor plates, capes, air tank apparatus, jet-pack, or a “jump pack” can be used as stand alone items or in conjunction with one another.

•        Jet-packs must not resemble outside era styles. Follow examples set forth in the reference materials.

•        Jump packs should have very small directional nozzles and a dedicated fuel tank.

LOWER BODY

•        Comic references indicate a mix of light and heavy leg armor. A mix of bone/leather/metal can be used if ratio is adhered to [See General Notes bullet #1]

•        Wrap around armor is encouraged but not required.

•        Leg, knee, and shin armor is required.

•        Knees and shins can be joined, aka “shknees” or separate, however for joined parts there should be enough distinction in design to tell knee armor from shin armor.

•        Armored boot coverings are encouraged but not required.

SOFT PART ITEMS

•        Balaclava head coverings are recommended to hide any part of the head that may be seen underneath the lip of the helmet/masks.

•        Neck seals are a must due to the technology of the era and the importance of an air-tight suit for atmospheric battles. They can be integrated into the undersuit or as a stand alone soft part item.

•        Flak vests are not typically present in the comic references. Therefore are not required, and the armor parts can be directly attached to the undersuit and/or strapped on.

•        As with other era's, a flight/undersuit that gives the appearance of a one single piece is required. No skin may show, as the suits in this era were meant to be airtight and completely protective to the wearer in all environments.

•        Suit should fit the wearer appropriately with no excessive bagginess in the areas where the bulk of the suit will be exposed between armor.

•        Gloves are required to be full-fingered. Bracer/Gauntlet should hide edges of gloves. No brand/marking not related to the era should be eliminated and/or hidden. Leather-like material gloves are encouraged.

•        Belt items must follow the aesthetics of the comic references. The belt options are similar to other eras. Technological gadgets, ammo pouches, weapons, etc are suitable to adorn belts.

•        A standalone girth belt and/or sash is acceptable.

•        Belt items can be used in conjunction with one another.

•        Bandoliers are acceptable for use but not a replacement for waist items.

•        If a loin cloth is used in lieu of cod armoring, it's top should be secured under the waist item.

•        Boots should be heavy in appearance, such as combat boots. No laces should be visible.

•        Feminine heels are not permitted.

WEAPONS

•        Minimum requirement is 1 weapon item.

•        Recognizable weapons from outside the era or in aesthetics to outside the era is not permitted.

•        Melee weapons are in less use during this era, with blaster rifle technology starting to gain momentum, but vibro-style melee weapons are more popular than traditional static melee arms.

•        Slug throwers, Bow casters, blaster pistols and rifles are acceptable.

ATTACHMENT METHODS AND MATERIALS

•        Kits can be 3D printed, or can be made from Sintra (PVC board), PVC piping, Kydex, fiberglass, ABS, or various metals. Eva foam, Worbla and cardboard are not permitted for use as materials.

•        Worbla may ONLY be used to add detail to armor, if desired. Vaccuformed armor will be judged on a case by case basis.

•        If kit parts are 3d printed, any and all print lines MUST BE SANDED AWAY OR OTHERWISE REMOVED. No print lines should be visible whatsoever. Printed parts will be heavily scrutinized for print lines.

•        No chainmail parts are permitted.

•        Neon colors will be heavily scrutinized to ensure the kit as a whole appears in-universe. This era however, does not show neon color schemes in the reference materials.

•        Overall quality of kit and neatness of wear will be judged separately from actual requirements. A kit may technically meet requirements for specific parts and still not be approved if it is not worn neatly or if the overall kit itself looks sloppy or messy.

•        Plating can be secured via industrial strength velcro, snaps, bolts, rivets, screws, strapping, or magnets.

•        Glue or tape of any kind is not an appropriate method of attaching plates to soft parts and is not permitted.

•        Bolts, rivets, or screws can be visible but must be incorporated into the armor and be weathered to look like they serve an actual function.

•        Lightsaber trophies make sense given the era of this timeline, but they should be made to look as inoperable pieces worn as pure trophies. They cannot be carried as weapons.

“Crusaders” CRL v1.0 – 1/16/2023 by Dra'kar 

This CRL is a living document and can be edited or amended at any time.