Approved Lore The Mandokarla

[Runi Kuryida]

M A N D O K A R L A
P A R A G ON S​

• Intent: To add a Culturally focused or Religious organization option for Mandalorian characters that seek to ensure the prosperity of the Mandalorian people without the focus on hunting or conflict.
• Image Credit: ArchZine (Dragon Head), Max Haig, Artstation (Header Background), Shutterstock (Ensō Circle), The Quartermaster (Div Template)
• Canon: N/A
• Permissions: N/A
• Links: Ensō Circle
  
  

• Organization Name: The Mandokarla (Basic: The Paragons)
• Classification: Non-Profit Organization
• Affiliation: Mandalorians (In General), The Mandalorian Enclave (In Particular), The Mandokarla
• Organization Symbol:

The Dragon's Head: Vigilant, Devoted, Relentless

The Ensō Circle: Eternal, All Encompassing, Oneness

• Description: The Mandokarla follow the Manda Ha'rud (The Sacred Way). They believe that a Soul is born into the world to grow stronger through trials and adversity in order to strengthen the Manda (the Oversoul or Afterlife). As a Soul walks their Path through life, sometimes they are faced with great challenges they cannot overcome alone or those of a spiritual natural that a Son or Daughter of Mandalore is ill-equipped to combat directly; in such times the Pathfinders (non-Force Users) and Shaman (Force Users) of the Mandokarla are there to help bolster vod physically, mentally, emotionally, and -- at times -- by use of what is commonly referred to as 'The Force.'
  
  When not supporting their fellow Mandalorian, members of the Mandokarla spend their time giving back to the community and ensuring a strong, prosperous future for all Mandalorians. Ensuring a balance between sustainable industry and a healthy world, an adequate and well-rounded academic system, and training men and women in various crafts or trades are common priorities. While Mandalorians are well-known throughout the galaxy as formidable warriors, even a warrior-society requires a strong homefront to return to and fight for that in turn ensures a good body-heart-mind balance for a strong soul.
  
  Additionally, all Mandalorians are welcome to request spiritual guidance, emotional or mental counseling, or training in a craft or trade. All activities are conducted on a Not-for-Profit basis, as members feel the service is self-fulfilling and a duty to their people.
  
  

• Headquarters: Resa, Kestri
  
  
  
  
• Domain: The Mandokarla's influence can span to any place there are Mandalorians, but they are currently most concentrated within the Mandalorian Enclave near Wild Space. They only claim the buildings used by Pathfinders, Shaman, and the masses gather for counseling, advice, and training. Otherwise, while they make no legal claim over great parcels of land; even so, they believe that the entire Universe is united in Oneness and as such should be treated with respect. Those that destroy and pollute the land or exploit the people are often at odds with the Mandokarla.
  
  It is their belief that all is One and that the greater Soul (the Manda) grows through growth of what is perceived to be an individual's soul (by strengthening the body, mind, and heart). Therefore, the Mandokarla does not seek to become the governing body of large cities or planets, but to shape and guide the members of a community to seek to better themselves. To become rulers of a land is to take on the daily burdens of management, which hampers the Mandokarla desire to address the weaknesses of the countless smaller pieces (people) that make up the whole (galactic society); it is for this reason they also do not desire to become the galactic police or warriors as Jedi and Sith often do. Nonetheless, corrupt officials in particular should be wary of Mandokarla in their area.
  
  
  
  
• Notable Assets: The Mandokarla or those seeking their guidance may engage in crafting hand-made products, but any profit is used to maintain a modest living with any excess used to bolster the local community.
  
  

• Hierarchy:

Jorhaa'ir (Speaker)
The Leader of the Mandokarla

Y'ivra (Pathfinder) || Gtinarah (Shaman)
Pathfinders and Shaman are of equal rank of those demonstrating mastery of their fields. Pathfinders do not use the Force, while Shaman do; that is where the distinction ends. Shaman may be called upon to exorcise demonic or Sith influences from the mind, or combat ancient spirits, but the Mandokarla does not teach these talents make them any more worthy in the eyes of the Manda than the Pathfinders.

Chaaj (Ranger)
An Intermediate level denoting a member has been instructed in the Way and can be entrusted to guide others in finding or walking their Path in life.

Hibir (Student)
The beginning of a member's walk with the Mandokarla if they seek to become a Pathfinder or Shaman in support of Mandalorians throughout the galaxy. They are instructed in the Way and how to utilize their natural talents and learned skills to support Mandalorians everywhere.

Jada (Wandering)
A Soul that has not expressed a desire to join the Mandokarla or an interest in becoming Mandalorian. Perhaps they will do so later in this life or the next.

Echoy'la (Lost)
One whose Soul has become truly damned. This is not the same as dar'manda, which may only signify a Jada or someone that's stopped adhering to the Way or Resol'nare. An Echoy'la is a truly irredeemable entity that unless some great means of purification can be found will never find its way back to the Manda -- in fact such a being might desire nothing more than to destroy the Manda.

• Membership: There are hundreds of Mandokarla scattered throughout the galaxy. Many more may reside in villages or townships in which Mandokarla oversee as refuge from the trials of mega-cities, but not all seek to become Pathfinders or Shaman. For those that seek to become a Mandokarla: seek the tutelage of a Ranger, Pathfinder, or Shaman. There is no formal ceremony or trial required to join, but there is one to graduate from Hibir (Student) to Chaaj (Ranger) called the Rite of Dedication; this is to ensure practitioners truly understand the roles and responsibilities of the Shaman and Pathfinders.
  • The Rite of Recognition (Baptism): A New Found Soul (Foundling) may be brought before Pathfinders and Shaman to be recognized before the Manda as a symbolic gesture of the start of their new life.
    
    
    
    
  • The Rite of Dedication (Graduation): A Mandalorian that seeks to walk The Path of a Pathfinder or Shaman must face four opponents at once. Their conduct is judged by those they seek to join and their response to critique weighed to determine if one has begun to grasp the beginning of wisdom.
    
    
    
    
  • The Trial of Purification (Absolution): A Fallen Soul (Dar'manda) that desires to purify themselves in order to begin their Path anew toward the Manda in this life rather than the next, may offer themselves to Pathfinders and Shaman to undertake this trial. It is a grueling ordeal many have perished in the undertaking, but necessary for one to demonstrate the strength of their conviction.
    
    
    
    
  • The Trial of Sanctification (Judgement): A Pathfinder or Shaman that believes another to be leading Mandalorians astray of the Manda may demand this Trial. The Challenger and Challenged duel to the death as witnessed by no fewer than a single witness each that pledges themself to accurately convey the intent and strength of their champion. The witnesses affirm the validity of the duel and its outcome.
    
    
• Climate: Calm, disciplined, and attentive to the needs of those seeking their help and one another.
• Reputation: Not everyone is aware the Mandokarla exist and so they may be neutral if they hear their name. Those that are aware of them and their works, however, are usually overwhelmingly positive. Some may question their focus on the home front, but usually such thoughts are kept to one's self seeing how the Mandokarla do not strive to make Mandalorians pacifists.
• Curios: A set of Veshok Akaanir Bevik (Wooden Fighting Sticks) all Mandokarla are trained to fight with proficiently.
  
  
  
  
• Rules:
  
  To Strengthen our Souls, we Train;
  Because we Train, we Overcome;
  Because we Overcome, we Survive;
  Because we Survive, we Live;
  Because we Live are Our People kept safe.
  
  
  The Resol'nare is the foundation of belief, but the Mandokarla have a set of philosophies to expound upon it and help Mandalorians understand the intent behind the words.
  • Foundation of the Mandalorian
    • The Body and the Soul are One. This World and the Next are One. What we perceive is a construct -- a crucible where the rigors and trials of life burn away imperfections in a soul or reveal facets that require attention in this life or the next. Each cycle of life, death, and rebirth strengthens a soul, which in turn strengthens the Manda.
    • There are no Perfect or True Souls as The Path is ever changing and the challenges never-ending; yet the greatest of our number may be called upon to defend the Manda from Dark Powers and Principalities.
    • All life is of the Manda, but not all are prepared to walk their Path. Embrace and instruct those that seek a Light, shield those that do not walk their Path yet do not conduct themselves dishonorably, and excise the depraved that they may be reborn and given a chance to find both a Light and their Path to the Manda.
    • You will know another Mandalorian by their words and deeds -- that they respect the Manda, nature, themselves, and their clan. Do not seek to find a "True Mandalorian"; focus instead on the brightness of your own Light, and trueness of your own Path in striving to be worthy of the Manda.
    • All Mandalorian are as One. Conduct yourselves honestly, truthfully, and with honor in all things.
    • Not everything worthy of respect bleeds.
      
      
  • Life of the Mandalorian
    • Survival is not enough, you must Live; but to Live, sometimes you must first Survive.
    • Hone the Body, Enrich the Soul, Tend the Heart -- balance these to fortify the Soul and honor the Manda.
    • Live simply, but fully. Much seeks to pull a soul from its Path; do not surrender to the temptation of material acquisition for it distracts from the growth of the body, the mind, and the heart.
    • Do not forego the advancements of medical, scientific, and other sustainable quality-of-life technologies or practices; but do not rely on them in order to survive. Learn to dress a wound, survive in the woods, and not to complain of shifting winds but how to endure them.
      
      
  • Heart of the Mandalorian
    • The only one that decides your fate is you.
    • You are Strong even Weak, Brave even Afraid, Calm even Enraged.
    • We are the judges of our own heart, but not its jury; even a just act may be decried by the living, but understood - even demanded - by the Manda.
      
      
  • Justice of the Mandalorian
    • Conflict should be resolved by an honest word, but if that fails then by honorable combat.
    • Do not rush to judgement nor be excessive in sentencing; but once punishment is warranted do not delay its execution.
    • To take life is no mortal sin; but to do so needlessly, for sport, or for pleasure wounds the soul.
    • Be certain you do not fight for greed, for pride, or without purpose as these things wound the soul.
    • Mandalorian should not battle Mandalorian, but if given no alternative do not restrain yourself - defend yourself and your clan with honor.
      
      
  • Conduct of the Mandalorian
    • To win a war and lose your soul is no victory.
    • Do not apologize - recognize the fault and correct it.
    • The greatest adversary of a Mandalorian is themselves.
    • Give honor to that which is slain in order to survive.
    • Found orphans must be returned to their family if possible and are deemed honorable. Otherwise restore their strength and train them in our ways.
    • To those able to conjure the Will of the Manda (the Force): do not call upon it to aid you in every battle; yet those with the gift should study it and develop it as one would the body, mind, or heart. Use it when it uplifts the People, use it to keep them safe from Agents of Darkness, but do not use it out of convenience. Not all struggle is to be avoided when much can be learned by the trial.
    • In battle, do not reveal your face to the enemy; you do not fight for your own glory, but for the protection and honor of all Mandalorians. Among one another, do not conceal your face; let them see you for who you are that you sharpen each other. In public, reflect the values of your clan and do your fellow vod honor.
      
      
• Goals: To ensure the health, safety, prosperity, and stability of Mandalorian society and its people; often by monitoring and championing matters related to education, healthcare, sustainable development, environmental protection, and many other domestic matters. They seek to provide refuge for those troubled by emotional and mental issues, and give spiritual guidance for those questioning their role in this life.
  
  

Speaker of the Mandokarla: Runi Kuryida
Roster and Reference​

There was no beginning.

The Manda has always existed and from it all of existence came to be. As spiritual beings took form a physical manifestation emerged, and in it they were born, grew, and died. New souls took their place and they too lived and died. New and old souls alike then came into being, and the cycle has continued in this fashion for well before recorded or known history.

Souls that left the Manda to be born to grow stronger before their return once more began to ask questions. They questioned the nature of the world. They questioned their place in it. They could not recall the Manda, and some began to stagnate in their time in the physical realm. Soon, souls became damaged by emotional and spiritual wounds that drew them further and further into darkness.

It was then, as Souls began to flounder, that The Runi appeared. It is said this Mandalorian wandered to every planet in the galaxy and carried with them countless teachings on how the living should conduct themselves honorably and pursue more than physical strength in order that they be even stronger in the next life. They did not come that the living should cast all their weapons away, but that they use them justly along their Path through life.

When it came time for The Runi to return to the Manda, they charged a small group of men and women to carry on being a Light to all those that came after them. In time, the beliefs were codified and an organization structure built around it as the living desired a sense of order and stability in an ever changing world. Thus what would become the Mandokarla was founded; and the one chosen to lead them was known as the Speaker.

Members of the Mandokarla believe in elevating the Soul from one life to the next to honor the Manda. While throughout the long history of the universe not all have performed this charge altruistically, its core tenants do not contain an overwhelming need to proselytize, expand, rule, or govern the lives of the masses. Everyone and everything is of the Manda, but not all Souls may be prepared to walk their Path in the life they inhabit now; even so, such Souls should be guided and treated with respect in the hopes they will renew their journey to become stronger personally, and in the Manda. Pathfinders and Shaman help guide other Mandalorians -- those that hold to the Manda in this life -- spiritually rather than in martial or armed combat (which the Mandalorian culture handles quite well on its own).

Its broader history is a subject of some academic debate as the Mandokarla does not raise flags or martial armies to force conversions. Those that follow its teachings may do so silently without others aware of their membership into that society. Therefore, what major events in history may or may not be attributed to the Mandokarla is difficult at best to document.

In recent times, however, the Mandokarla has constructed the Briirud in Resa on Kestri from which they have invited Mandalorians that required time to heal away from the bustle of major cities and battles to join them until they were ready to depart once more. While they did not force anyone to leave, it is not their intention to draw even more people to their community; instead it is best people return to the wider world to seek out, find, and overcome new challenges in order to grow stronger -- when they were equipped to do so.

From Resa the Mandokarla under Runi Kuryida seek to ensure the development of Kestri, Hefi, and the other worlds that have fallen under Mandalorian influence proceeds in a sustainable manner. All too often have worlds fallen into the trap of industry and laid waste to the natural splendor around them, or allowed corporations to take advantage of the people.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Approved.