Major Faction The Mandalorian Catechisms

FOREWORD
For centuries, the worst enemy of the Mandalorian people has been ourselves. The dishonorable among us have diluted the meaning of the word to the point that the antithesis of our kind has dared to wield a title so sacred as Mand’alor. We are a fractured and lost people, swept away by the Galactic current.

I have taken it upon myself to rewrite the foundations of our culture, drawing on sacred texts such as the Canons of Honor and Supercommando Codex that in the past have been pillars for Mandalorian behavior and custom.

The Mandalorian Catechisms represent the Mandalorian generation of the modern-day. It is a revitalization of our culture and our people, a return to principles previously ignored or debased. By adhering to these tenets we invite prosperity and glory, heralding the dawn of a new age for the Mando’ade.

- The Quartermaster
(Written before her death)

“A Mandalorian may know how to fight, but if they cannot kill, they will lose every time.”
- Romul Saxon

The foundation of our people is predicated on the fighting spirit in each and every Mandalorian. No matter their occupation, our strengths do not all lie with the blaster and beskad, every Mandalorian should ensure that they are a capable warrior.

A righteous Mandalorian hones their body and mind as sharp as a metalsmith hones a beskad. Their training is a selfless act, as a Mandalorian’s strength comes from the strength of their vod.

“Partners always share a drink after a hard day of fightin’.”
- Vren Rook

Divided, a house falls. In a galaxy with threats that lurk around every dark corner, we must take it upon ourselves to reduce strife with our brothers and sisters. If you see a fellow vod in need of aid, you act expediently to assist them without any hesitation. Quarrels, though fierce, should be solved quickly and fairly lest the cancers of grievance and resentment are allowed to rot.

“Iron sharpens iron.”
- Corbin Vasher

We must continuously hone ourselves and each other. But going as far as to take the life of your fellow Mandalorian is a grave sin. The genocide of the Sith left our people depleted and on the verge of extinction, making every breathing Mandalorian warrior precious, and increasing the gravity of the sin to take a fellow Mandalorian’s life.

Quarrels should be solved honorably, and brawls should never be fought with the intent to take life. If one accidentally takes a fellow’s life in the heat of the moment, one must atone fervently. And if one seeks to take the life of their brothers and sisters, then their soul is tainted and forsaken. Those forsaken few that discard their honor, that seek to bring more terror and suffering to the Mando’ade must be eliminated, but all else shall be spared so that Mandalorians shall have a brighter future.

“Who am I kidding? We’re Mandalorians, of course we have enough firepower.”
- Kreg Jare

I remember the first time I handled a weapon; I could not have been more than two, hardly able to speak, yet my mother caringly set a kal that must have seemed to be a great beskad in my tiny arms. My experience was not unique among Mandalorians; many of us are exposed to weapons from an early age, and by the time we reach adolescence already exhibit proficiency in the blaster and blade.

War and combat is the life of the Mandalorian, and weapons enable us to fight. No Mandalorian should be untrained in any weaponry discipline, nor should their skills in martial arts be inadequate. For the Mando’ade to be strong, each individual must rise above the norm. Constant and vigilant training as well as combat experience are the forges that turn soft iron into hard steel.

“When I lost my Clan, I lost a part of myself.”
- Siv Dragr

The central foundational unit within the Mando’ade is not the squad or legion but the Family and Clan. A Family is the direct blood relatives; parents, siblings, and offspring. The Clan are those close as blood, even if not directly biologically related.

To be Mandalorian is to uphold these ties to Family and Clan; to defend their honor and provide for their welfare. A strong Clan builds strong Mandalorians.

“The old way? I am the old way.”
- Preliat Mantis

Mando’a is the sacred language of our ancestors and is a cornerstone of Mandalorian identity and culture. Every Mandalorian should be well-learned, and able to read and write in the ancient tongue, and it is part of their duty to pass on this knowledge to future generations.

As the sacred tongue of our forbears, Mando’a should not be freely spoken around and taught to outsiders. Academics may study the language if they wish, but it should never be encouraged. The speech of the Mandalorian people is for the Mandalorian people alone.

“A Mandalorian’s word is their bond. To honor that bond is to honor our people.”
- Careena Fett

A Mandalorian is only as good as their word. Contracts, no matter the manner of agreement or the party agreed with, should be honored to be the extent of a Mandalorian’s capabilities. Breaching the terms of an agreement reflects poorly upon the honor of a Mandalorian and the Mando’ade.

The only exception to this may be when a contract violates the tenets of the catechisms. Only then May a Mandalorian forsake their agreement without forsaking their honor.

"My Kiffar heritage? Why would I care about that? I'm Mandalorian. These are my people now."
- Sahan Dragr

War is the way of our people, but we are not butchers. When we wage war, the innocent swept into conflict becomes our responsibility. Mandalorians who discover children and the defenseless abandoned on a battlefield are bound by their honor to rescue and protect them.

A foundling may be adopted into the protector Mandalorian’s clan, or they may be returned to their own people. In either case, the Mandalorian who found them is their protector and responsible for their well-being.

“Whether you were born a Mandalorian or re-born a Mandalorian makes no difference. In the eyes of the mando'ade you are vod.”
- Celt Saxon

The Way of Mandalore is a creed. We are not a people built by lineages; many of our greatest legends and revered warriors were not born as Mandalorians. Foundlings have every right and privilege as natural-born warriors, and like all Mandalorians are given respect based on their deeds, not their blood.

“A gardener waters and tends his crops, like the Mando'ade protects and raises the tribes.”
- Tarre Priest

Not all Foundlings are found by an individual warrior, and more often than not war leaves tens if not hundreds of Foundlings to be gathered. These Foundlings are organized into tribes where they may form bonds of brotherhood with their fellow peers before they are adopted as full-fledged Mandalorian warriors.

These Foundling tribes are under the protection of the Mando’ade, and it is their collective obligation to protect, train, and guide these Tribes. Clans who have a part in raising Foundling Tribes may adopt Foundlings as their own.

“We must never forsake our tribe for anyone or anything outside of it. Our sworn duties are to each other, and only so.”
- Adenn Munin

Every Mandalorian shares a unique bond of brotherhood. We are shaped by our collective culture and history. Thus never should an outsider’s nation, contract, or oath come between a Mandalorian and their kin.

If two groups of Mandalorian sworn to opposing factions should come into conflict, said conflict should be resolved without the needless shedding of Mandalorian blood. If combat is to be conducted, then it must be done honorably and by agreement of both parties, in respect of our ancient traditions. Those who willingly slay their own kin under the orders of an outsider are forsaken of honor and their privilege to be called Mandalorian.

“To me, the Force is a tool. One of the best tools in my arsenal, but a tool nonetheless.”
- Gwyneira Vizsla

The Force is an energy that lies outside of all known laws of reality. From it has sprung religions that follow it fervently, all claiming to understand its true nature while never coming to a true consensus. From these cults vying for power have come many of the galaxy’s and Mandalorian’s greatest woes.

While the Force is not a power to be persecuted, a Mandalorian should never let their allegiance to an outsider’s cult come first over their allegiance to the Mando’ade. If Jedi or Sith a warrior wishes to become, they may, but in doing so they are Mandalorian no more.

“Those who do not follow the Resol'nare are not worthy of raising their voice at us."
- Yael Kandar

Just as our language and culture should not be divulged freely to outsiders, neither is private matters between Mandalorians. Disputes and disagreements between Mandalorians are for Mandalorians to settle alone, and are not the concern of strangers to our culture and our ways.

"Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it."
- Kranak Vizsla

Both the Jedi and the Sith razed our home. Mandalore burned under their armies, and for the grave injustices against our ancestors, their crimes shall never be forgiven.

Do not forsake the memory of your ancestors. Guard yourself from the same lies and manipulations that nearly killed our people. The memories of those fallen shall always be carried within the heart of the Mando’ade, and their sacrifice shall never be forgotten.

"Prey on the weak and you may survive. Prey on the strong and you will truly live."
- Domina Prime

Nature exists on the principle of strength. Should a being, collective, or idea prove its strength to survive, it shall not be overcome. Should they not have the strength to withstand opposition, then their right to existence is forfeit. Some would say this is cruel, but I would argue that nature is indifferent to the abstract morals that softer beings try to impose on it.

Mandalorians have understood this from the beginning, and thus the way of the Manda has strengthened our people for generations uncounted. We are warriors, and war is our profession. All adversaries are given the choice to submit, where they are gracefully accepted into the body of the Manda, or they may choose to prove their right to existence through strength. Should they be victorious, nature allows them to continue. Should they fail, then they die, and they shall rejoice! For through their death -- the natural cycle of all things -- shall we become stronger.

"Most of Clan Ísbjørn can be found buried under the snows of Hoth."
- Kalðr Ísbjørn

When burying the body of a fallen warrior who was honorable in life, their body may be laid to rest in the lands of their ancestors or on the battlefield where they fell. This is done so that their spirit, victorious in death, may pass on to the Manda after they have crossed through the veil.

“If a Mandalorian can not conquer their enemies outside of their armor, they do not deserve it.”
- Shai Maji

Beskar’gam is one of the most sacred artifacts and heritages of our people. When a Mandalorian is slain, the armor they wore in life belongs to their clan so that a new warrior may forge their legend wearing the beskar’gam of their ancestors.

“Ijaat ke'gycero. Honour demands it."
- Kalen Genet

Most grievances and errors can be redressed through the severance of possessions and atonement of sins. But for the sin of dishonorably taking a life — a debt of blood — it must be paid in kind.

To satisfy this debt the blood of the sinner is spilt in turn, or their life is given to servitude in restitution to the people they have wronged. Only then may their soul be repented of their grievous sin.

"I was a slave before I was rescued by my Buir. It is better to be dead than to be reduced to nothing."
- Mevia Vizsla

Slavery, the reduction of sentient beings to property, is beneath the honorable conduct of Mandalorians whether they be the victims of or the perpetrators of it. Slavery is a vile crime and a stain on the soul, and it dishonors the reputation of a Mandalorian and their clan to participate in this practice.

Mandalorians shall treat sentient beings with honor on and off of the battlefield, and no Mandalorian should watch their brother become enslaved without ensuring they are liberated from bondage.

"All Mandalorian are as One. Conduct yourselves honestly, truthfully, and with honor in all things."
- Runi Kuryida

The sacred tenets of the Catechism are written so that all Mandalorians shall have a guide for honorable conduct so that their souls remain pure. Adherence to these tenets is essential to strengthening the Clans and the integrity of a warrior’s soul.

Those who live their life by the code of the Catechism shall carry themselves with honor. Those who reject the guidance of the Catechism and disobey lose the rights and protection afforded to them by their Mandalorian heritage; in the eyes of all honorable Mando’ade, Mandalorian they are no more.

“It is our Way that sets us apart from the others. It is our Way that makes us Mandalorian.”
- The Quartermaster

It is the duty of all Mandalorians to learn and adhere to the Catechisms, and it is their responsibility to pass down these teachings to the generations of the future. It is through this that our culture is preserved and the Mandalorian Clans are strengthened.