Ardgal Raxis
More than a Man
Source
Name: Vode Shock Troops
Intent: To provide Shock Troops for the Aka'liit
Affiliation: The Aka'liit, those within the faction Aka'liit
Availability: Uncommon
Quality: B--Veteran
Type: mobile assault Infantry
Strength: 50 per unit
Description:
Rodien. Wookie. Human. Twi'lek. Man. Woman.
All are vode in the Aka'liit. With the Mandalorian's fall from grace, the brothers realized they had to band together to rebuild their culture or they would lose themselves in the vastness of the galaxy. At the threat of loosing their souls, their culture, and their religion to the eternal nothingness of dar'manda they banded together.
The Vode division Shock troopers are not just elite warriors wielding rifles, flexing their muscles, and screaming 'Su'cuy vode?' They are a unit that is based around the need to preserve what it is to be Mandalorian. Candidates are not just picked on how well they know the resole'nare but how well they live it out on the day to day basis and how it applies to their lives. They must be upstanding citizens in their clans, their community, and their family. Their integrity must be impeccable, their respect undeniable. Warriors who kill for the sake of killing and slap the term "Mando" on themselves are not accepted. It is the preservation of culture, not the rampant destruction of life that brings these men and women together. In short, these men and women need to be the type of troops who inspire others to be better, not the type that make you question whether or not you want to be in this galaxy.
Source
"We almost lost ourselves, we almost forgot what it meant to be Mando. May we never ever face that again."
--Gerenalla Worthvot, member of Saber Company, Vode trooper, returning to Mandalore as she viewed its destruction
Like most all Mandalorians, members of the Vode units are trained by their aliit to become warriors. They learn in their formative years weapon safety, how to live out of their armor like normal clothing, and how to push through some of even the hardest times. Not all of the members of the Vode are born Mandos. There are a fair share of first generation Mandalorians who have adopted the culture with unparalleled zeal.
This basic understanding of what it means to be a warrior is then lived through combat. Whether they serve as mercenaries or work in the previous Mandalorian regimes that held planets under sway, they hone their combat skills to razor-edged lethality. From zero G gravity to double Standard, from jungles to the arid deserts these troops function in a variety of combat fields. They are at home fighting in every and all warfare fields.
"There is no glamor in war, boy. You crawl through mud, you rub osik on your armor to cover your scent, you dedicate yourself to keep from losing your sniper position, you shake with fear and you keep on goin'. You look a man in the eye as you take his life and you do it all for one thing. Family. Those around you and those back home."
--Merdo Vedunn, member of Rancor Company, Vode Trooper, recalling his time fighting against the One Sith on Atrisia
In combat, they are Shock Troops to a core. They strike hard and fast at the enemy's weak points, operating as a well-oiled machine. They hit hard and deep, where their fire will be the most effective. Through their time in prior combat work, they have learned how to use a variety of weapons and wield a variety of armors--essentially their limits are only to what they are provided by their leadership. It is not uncommon for units of Vode troopers to fall under the leadership of one or two Mandos frequently (E.g: if writer Bob wants to write with say Vode unit Alpha, they could use this as a template and write up a unit known as "Alpha" to serve under them. Or, just as they write have "alpha" as their unit. Whatever they wanna do).
The Vode division of Shock troopers are not force adepts--or if they are it does not really come into play and they are untrained. When it comes to the old Sith-Jedi conflict that has gone one for ages, they choose team "Mando". They don't care to meddle in their religious affairs, they have families to feed and a culture to preserve.
"I don't care what it takes. We bring our boys home, dead or alive. We're called Vode Troopers because we're brothers, and we don't leave a fellow Mando behind. So with all due respect, you can take your 'retreat' order and shove it up your shebs."
--Marron Denax, in response to the order to leave half the other Vode Troops behind for a suicide defense during a mercenary defense.
When they are not waging war, members of the Vode Shock troopers can normally be found with their families, enjoying what they are fighting to preserve. Instead of hoarding their treasured knowledge, wisdom and culture, the Vode members gladly give it to their fellow Mandos and help proselytize those interested in becoming an Aliit.
Links:
Common gear:
Assault Blaster Rifles
Sonic rifles
Mandalorian Armor (Non-beskar variety)
Thermal Detonators
Concussion grenades
Vibroblades
Heavy blaster pistols
Mandalorian Energy Shields
Shock Troops (for reference)
