Mandalorian Sons of Anarchy

[Dredwulf60]

I've recently been running a game where the PCs are all members of a Mandalorian Clan. The feel of the game is inspired by the TV show Sons of Anarchy. (about an outlaw motorcycle club, for those who may not know).

a few weeks ago we wrapped up a fairly significant story arc during the 29th session of play.

I decided to go with a TV show feel and write a 'retrospective' for the players as if it was a Magazine article about the "show".

Without them knowing what i was up to, i sent them each a little questionnaire asking a bit about how they like the game so far etc.

The responses formed the basis for the quotes from the "actors".

Here it is if anyone is interested...

It was fun to write. They liked; hope its still interesting to third party reader despite some of the inside jokes.

http://1drv.ms/1PknpCK

[Jedi Skyler]

I haven't watched the show yet myself, but I figure at some point I'll binge watch it thru Netflix. I know generally what it's about, but beyond that I have no clue as to story line.

That said, I would LOVE to run in this game! I've not yet had the chance to run a Mandalorian, and it would be an interesting game.

What time frame is your game? Does this clan have anything to do with any of the clone troopers who escaped when the Republic was switching over to the Empire?

[Dredwulf60]

[Dredwulf60]

A lot of these NPCs can be seen in the photo-manips I did on my SWAG blog:

http://www.swagonline.net/blog/dredwulf60/mandalorian-characters

[CRMcNeill]

Just to clarify, is this Mandalorians as a tight-knit outlaw clan, or is this a straight-up Mandalorian swoop gang?
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[Dredwulf60]

[Jedi Skyler]

Wow! Very nicely developed!

Gotta say, I'm jealous; it's been a VERY long time since I've gotten to play face to face. Heck, it's been a long time since I've been in an active Star Wars game, period; all the ones I've been a part of dried up.

[Dredwulf60]

At the end of each session, each player can try to earn resol'nare points. The other players are encouraged to help by reminding them of certain incidents that happened.

Resol'nare points are like CP but only used to increase a character's Iijat (honor) score...

Iijat is a dice-based representation...like a skill that shows how much esteem the character has in mandalorian culture. It also dictates how much 'stuff' they can build into their armor.

It prevents starting characters from having every piece of equipment and the 'fresher sink crammed into their armor.

Basically mando armor and equipment have a 'Kando' rating. Kando (literally Importance) When you add up all the kando points, you are fine as long as it doesn't surpass your character's iijat level.

If you do surpass it, you are kind of ostracized a bit for being a bit beyond your means; think of it like the people being busted on those stolen valor vids. Go more than a couple points past and your liable to make enemies.


The resolnare document I give to the players:

(i did not write the the resol'nare decription; I can't remember where off the internet I got it, but I did write the examples to illustrate to the players what I'm looking for.)

Resol'nare, The Six Actions


The Resol'nare, or Six Actions, are the core tenets that every Mandalorian is expected to follow in order to belong to the culture.

A character earns a point in ijaat when they effectively demonstrate in a game session their adherence to one of the tenets.




• Ba'jur (education; raising children)

Every Mando'ad is expected to raise their children as Mandalorians, teaching them the art of war, of honor and tradition, and the Resol'nare.

It is a Mandalorian's responsibility to raise children in the traditions of their culture. However this is not simply an imperative to breed, as it might seem on the surface. Mandalorians often adopt their children, caring very little for blood lineage and bowing to the necessities created by their lifestyles as nomadic warriors. This act is a mandate to perpetuate the culture, as are the majority of the Six Acts, by passing it down to both offspring and adopted war orphans.

Examples:
A character who spends time teaching a child, their own or another mando’s earns a point. A character who takes steps to successfully pass on training or experience to another less experienced mandalorian would also earn a point.



• Beskar'gam (armor)

Once Mandalorians reach adulthood, they assemble a suit of armor that suits their needs and skills and wear it in public through their daily lives. This armor serves as a tool, a visual designation of their status as warriors and a symbol of their cultural identity. When among outsiders, many Mandalorians will not even remove their helmets.

Armor is the most outward display of being Mando'ad and says a great deal about its owner. While most outsiders see identical sets of armor varying only in color or minute details, every set of armor is actually quite unique and tailored to suit the comforts, fighting styles, and abilities of its owner.

In addition to wearing the armor, Mandalorians are expected to take care of it and keep it in peak condition, ready for combat at a moment's notice.

Examples:
A character who upgrades his armor or repairs his damaged armor would earn a point. A character who takes a hit while wearing his armor and survives would earn a point. A character who successfully intimidates an aruetii (ah-roo-AY-tee: an outsider) or meets and makes a good impression on a Mando he doesn’t know while whering their armor would earn a point.




• Ara'nov (defense)

Other than armor, Ara'nov is the tenet that sentients most associate with the Mandalorians. All Mando'ade must be able to hold their own in combat, regardless of gender, age, or profession. This concept also extends to defending one's clan in times of need. Many outsiders assume that this tenet infers that all Mandalorians are soldiers by profession, but that is not the case. Mandalorians merely recognize the importance of being able to defend oneself, their clan, and what they believe in.

While anyone can obey the other tenets, Ara'nov is what separates the Mandalorians from most outsiders.

Examples:
A character who fights and defeats a threat in combat would earn a point. A character who puts on an impressive display of skill at arms would earn a point.


• Aliit (family; clan)

While the Mandalorians are best known as a warrior culture, they are also fiercely family oriented. It is expected that Mandlorians will start families once they are able to do so. Not wanting to do so is difficult for a Mandalorian to understand. Each member of a family is expected to protect the others.

. Family is such a crucial part of Mando society that its organization is centered around it, which is made most obvious by their clan structure. However, clans in Mando society are far different than those found in most other galactic cultures.

Mando clans can best be understood with the old proverb, "Aliit ori'shya tal'din," which translates into Basic as, "Family is more than blood." While it is very important to raise the children one births as Mando'ade, adoption is just as important and often more widespread.

Adoptees are given the same status and treated the same as those related by blood. Through this practice, the Mandaorians have managed to remain strong and tight- knit throughout the centuries.

Examples:
A character that goes out of their way to help a clan member would earn a point. A character that displays familial affection would earn a point. A character that displays respect and devotion to senior members of their family would earn a point, as would a character that forgives a mistake of a junior member of their family.


• Mando'a (Mandalorian language)

Although some may disagree, Mando'a is an extremely important part of Mando society and culture. It sets Mandalorians apart from outsiders and it strengthens their bonds with those who have come before. It serves as a form of universal communication and a way to tie together what is otherwise an extremely diverse group of sentients from all species and walks of life. It also allows them to express themselves through proverbs, poetry, and song.

Not only that, but it allows them to express that which is indescribable in any other language. It also serves as a very clear and concise form of communication well adapted to battlefield environments where time is of the essence and long explanations are a frivolous convenience that none can afford.

Because ofMando'a, only a fellow Mandalorian will understand when another uses words like shereshoy and aay'han, even when no one else in the galaxy can. It is part of the cultural identity.

Examples:
A character who makes an honest effort to insert a phrase of mando’a into their in-character role-play, and if the effect is not random but genuinely enhances the encounter would earn a point. If a character picks up on another character’s use of mando’a with a quick response indicating that he understood the exchange without having to do some research would likewise earn a point.

Note that two characters can use their skill in mando’a to communicate effectively and directly with each other by making skill rolls. This is efficient but does not earn a point. Looking for the effort of the players to speak mando'a.

• Mand'alor (Mandalore; leader of the Clans)

It is no coincidence that Mandalorians call themselves "Mando'ade." In Basic, this word translates to, "sons and daughters of Mandalore." Mand'alor is the sole ruler and leader of the Clans. He is the most capable, skilled, and experienced warrior among them.

He leads the Mandalorians against those who would do them harm and those who he would have harmed. He is the embodiment of what it means to be a Mandalorian and he is the guardian of Mando values, traditions, and life. When the Mand'alor calls upon the Clans, it is their sworn duty to answer the call and rally to him. This is Mando law.

Example: Any time the character takes on any mission or activity as dictated by the Mand’alor it is worth a point. This is rare except in times of turmoil.

[CRMcNeill]

[Dredwulf60]

[CRMcNeill]

Awww. I was addicted to SoA for the first 2-3 seasons (had to stop watching when I became a trucker; not a lot of TV time on the road). When you said Mandalorian Sons of Anarchy, it immediately conjured images of a swoop gang in Mando armor. As fast as swoops are, IMO, it would actually make sense to have the pilot in a full armor suit, complete with a helmet-mounted HUD to help navigate...
_________________
"No set of rules can cover every situation. It's expected that you will make up new rules to suit the needs of your game." - The Star Wars Roleplaying Game, 2R&E, pg. 69, WEG, 1996.

The CRMcNeill Stat/Rule Index

[Jedi Skyler]