Marshal, Journeyman Protector
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: To worldbuild on restoring Mandalore
- Image Credit: Source
- Canon: Clan Rodarch
- Permissions: N/A
- Links: N/A
- Organization Name: Clan Rodarch
- Classification: Mandalorian Clan
- Affiliation: Mandalorian Protectors
- Organization Symbol: Asharl Panther
- Description: A mutually beneficial grouping of tribes and family units
- Headquarters: Mandalore
- Domain: Based around their underground city, the Clan generally keeps to itself and its own lands. A third of the clan is dedicated to exploring this area while another third is dedicated to defending and protecting it. It's a small area on a big planet, but they look after it.
Clan Rodarch hails from Mandalore's southern hemisphere, in an area of vast deserts spotted with small areas of wild and alien vegetation. From above it would be easy to assume that this area is lifeless like much of the planet, especially the ravaged northern hemisphere.
The Clan's home is located in a desert oasis, surrounded by high rocky peaks. In the shadow of the high hills there are some few trees and sparse grasslands. Like much of the planet this area is comprised of much broken terrain and subterranean caverns. The settlement is much like an isolated village on the surface, with a small number of tent-like dwellings among the cliffsides.
Extending far below is the city that is home to the Clan, with the greenery stretching down into the depths, going from surface vegetation to mosses, lichens, and vines that grow even into the areas beyond the sun's light. - Notable Assets: A small splinter colony in the Qena system
- Hierarchy: The Clan operates based mainly on a mix of tradition and common sense. The Alor is the chief, with any elder, warrior, or any other adult able to speak on or raise any issue. The issued raised is usually then debated with the Alor settling anything that can't be worked out by general assent. The reality is far more democratic than the strict hierarchy practised by other Clans with the Alor role being almost but not quite ceremonial among this Clan.
- Membership: Though much smaller than other Clans or Houses who can number in the tens of millions, there are a lot more Rodarch than might be apparent to the galaxy.
As with most mandalorian clans, one can be born into Clan Rodarch, or adopted. Some are adopted as foundlings, some as adults, who may have lost their own Clan or otherwise. There is some mistrust of force users, with what the Sith did to Mandalore.
Any adult, over thirteen and having been recognized as such, is considered a full member of the Clan, expected to contribute, but also respected as any other.
With the abundant genetic and species diversity generally found among Mandalorians, there is little need to marry outside the Clan, though it is not forbidden, it is uncommon. The Clan practices a little known tradition of sha'kajir riduurok, literally 'treaty marriage'.
This tradition weds a younger male or female to an elder male or female. It is implicitly understood that there will be no biological children from the union, which is platonic in nature. The arrangement serves primarily to educate the younger partner on the trials of running a family and raising children. In this tradition the partners will adopt one or more foundlings and provide a family unit. The children get two dedicated parents, the younger partner learns how to be part of a family, and how to raise children, and the elder has a dedicated life partner who will provide companionship until their time of death.
Though there are no enforced marriages or anything of the sort; what Mandalorian would tolerate such a thing? the tradition is encouraged as a duty to younger members of the Clan who might wish to have a family of their own in the future.
Though all of the Clan are united, and share a common gruff aspect, there are three significant types of Mandalorian among Clan Rodarch. These are not exclusive, Mandalorians being as unique as any other beings, but most of the clan fall into one of the three archetypes. All are brave warriors who are loyal to their people.
Most common are the city dwellers, who live in the underground city, and go out among other Mando'ade of the galaxy. These are the most varied among Clan Rodarch, and the most alike with other Mandalorians. These are the most likely Rodarch that other Mandalorians or especially Aruetiise will ever see.
Less common are the desert dwellers, who keep to the surface, and make their lives in the harsh environment. They are expert survivalists with a keen understanding of Mandalore's flora and fauna, and the dangers presented on the planet. They prefer to stay close to the Clan's lands, and are particularly good at ambush and defensive warfare.
The last and rarest are the cave dwellers. These brave and often solitary Mandalorians stay underground, and map out and discover the extensive caves and caverns under the surface. They are extremely well equipped for traversing the dangerous dark depths, and make particularly fantastic scouts.
Despite the different lifestyles, the Clan is made up of those who understand survival against all odds. These are the survivors of the purge, the cataclysm, and all the many travails visited upon the Mandalorian people. They have endured, and they have built to endure.
Even with all that has been done to them, the Clan has existed unbroken for thousands of years. They have rebuilt and recruited well, thoughtfully, quietly, and efficiently. Though they show few numbers to the galaxy and therefore to any enemies of Mandalore, there are far more Rodarch living on Manda'yaim than any might expect or know.
OOC : Anyone of any species can be a Rodarch character. Force user or no. This clan creation is just to serve as an idea starter for others who might want to play this kind of Mandalorian. - Climate: A Mandalorian not of the Clan will find a gruff welcome. Clan Rodarch makes an effort to be a good host and part of the greater vode, but they mistrust outsiders. A non Mandalorian would not be tolerated inside the clan's lands. Knowledge of their home is closely guarded.
- Reputation: Neutral. Clan Rodarch members go out of their way to avoid courting controversy or having too close ties outside the Clan that might draw them into compromising situations. They are known for being loyal, determined, and guarded.
- Curios: n/a
- Rules: The Resol'nare. Few laws are enforced beyond the Six Rules, most are covered by longstanding customs and traditions.
- Goals: To continue to grow, be part of the rebuilding of the home world, expand to new locations across the galaxy. Maintain the best traditions of the Mando'ade.
- Arla Rodarch
- Daesyn Rodarch
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Many records have been lost and or destroyed, but it is known that Clan Rodarch existed thousands of years ago during the time of Valkorion's Sith Emprie. There are examples of Mandalorians fighting during that Great Galactic War.
It was during this era that the clan's residents on the homeworld separated into three disparate but united tribes. Those who protected the home, those who explored the underground, and those who served the Clan outside the home.
In modern times, Clan Rodarch resided on Mandalore, but in diaspora as well. Each group remained small, in keeping with the clan tradition of hiding their true numbers from outsiders. The Clan were present for both major cataclysms that impacted on the home world, and many thousands died in both catastrophes.
Following the Sith devastation, the Clan relocated from desolated lands to a region in the south, far from the carnage. In time they settled on a canyon with significant natural barriers and the deep caverns beneath, as well as the area still possessing some plant life that had survived despite the travails of the world.
As under any of their previous hardships, the Clan rebuilt, recruited, and adopted war orphans of which there was no shortage. Those who followed the path of protecting home became the desert Rodarch, while the most intrepid scouts were of the cave Rodarch. Those who went out into the galaxy became the city Rodarch.
By this time the cave dwellers had developed what appeared and sounded to outsiders as their own language. In fact, the monotone, soft but fast-paced speech is actually Mando'a but spoken in such a way as to make it unintelligible even to native Mando'a speakers.
In more recent times the Clan has voted to establish an enclave colony in the Qena system with the aid of Arla Rodarch. So far only city Rodarch have made the choice to relocate and inhabit this splinter offshoot.
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