Tradition Demands It

[Gilamar Skirata]

Gil stood towards the back of the small group. Long periods of peace and longer periods of confusion and turmoil and war had forged Skirata into what it was today. In the times of old he had found that few Mandalorians lived to be his age. Only the smart, or the cowardly. He let others decide what they felt of his age. He had once held the title that was now up for grabs by a newer, younger, generation of Mando'ade. So now, with the waning clout of clan Skirata, barely on the cusp of even being a 'Major' Clan any longer, Gil was content to watch.

With the One Sith gone and the cancer of the Republic cut out he could finally rest easy. He hoped the Mandalorians found some purpose and that he could die on the field of battle alongside his brothers and sisters.

 

[Keira Priest]

There was squabbling, there was bickering, there were speeches made, and then all was silent after all that [member="Vilaz Munin"] had to say. For her own part she shifted slightly in her seat, looking around at all of those that had made their proclamations for the title and throne of Mand'alor and finding only two. It was unsurprising, after all that had happened, to see few willing to take up the mantle and lead. They were all tired of promises being made only to see them forgotten, tired of looking to a new leader only to have them disappear as quickly as they took the helm. Anyone could make the claim, but only few could live up to it, and Keira was done listening to all the talking and discussing. It was about time they got on with things.

Her armor clinked slightly as she leaned forward in her seat, arms crossed on the table before her as she looked across those assembled, her gaze settling itself on both Vilaz and Ijaat. "As the sole representative of both House Verd and the Mandalorian Crusaders, you will receive no opposition of your claim from me or mine. Whomever claims the title today will have the Crusaders behind them when they rally the vode." It was no grand speech or proclamation of loyalty, but rather a simple statement of fact as to where she and her people stood in the grand scheme of things. Regardless of what those assembled may have thought of her or the Crusaders, their place in all of this was clear.

Had she been a few years younger she would have perhaps challenged herself, but age had granted her a listing of priorities she hadn't maintained before. Family came before all, and she had no desire to allow her responsibilities among the Mandalorians get in the way of that. She held enough power as her own among the Crusaders, and had no desire to expand that to the entirety of the vode. A retirement from this war was what was on her mind, not a further immersion in the conflict. No, for once she was content to let others take up the helm.

[member="Stardust Raxis"], [member="Arla Balor"], [member="Cole Dagos"], [member="Preliat Mantis"], [member="Ijaat Mereel"], [member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Arumi Zy]

[member="Keira Ticon"] Stardust Raxis, Arla Balor, Cole Dagos, Preliat Mantis, Ijaat Mereel, Draco Vereen

" Clan Bralor supports the winner" Arumi said with a smirk as he stood up from his chair pulling his trench coat back to expose the custom made duelist beskar'gam beneath it. He chuckled a bit as he strode around the table to stand beside [member="Vilaz Munin"] " Of course the winner will be me, I lay claim to the challenge" he hadn't really intended to challenge but it just came about that way. For a thousand years he had served and he had served well but now it was time for him to make a stake at the claim. Though he expected few would be loyal to him or support him it added a bit of spice and flare to the precedings and in his eyes would make the winner truly worthy.

" I promise you nothing, but i give you what you and your blood wants. War, we will eradicate the jedi and take this galaxy beneath our iron heels. We are warriors and not statesmen, we take what we want. It is time to return to tradition" he said as he looked at Vilaz again. If anyone in this crowd he considered a friend it was he and perhaps he would understand the threat that Arumi posed on the field of battle and the seriousness of this task. " no more Alliance agents, no more jedi peacekeepers, no more anything that puts other loyalty before the Mando'ade and our Mandalore." he said as he paced around the others assembled " A share of all plunder to each Mando'ade, a tithe to their family of the honored dead".

 

[Julius Sedaire]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4PgcaDhgIA​

He nodded to the Wolf, and to Keira. The others were spared less harsh glances as he reached over to the tra'kad and gripped it, letting it slide back home into the bantha hide sheath at his waist and fitted the austere gauntlet back to his hand. Eyes that had no place in a face so youthful stared at the redneck Mandalorian as fingers trailed over the helmet of his trakar'gam, and he sighed. He liked Vilaz, a lot, and had no desire to harm or otherwise maim the younger. They had been through some things together in their time as Proctectors, even if the old crew had drifted away. But this was bigger than friendships, or old war-bonds even. This was for the heart and soul and safety of their people. A furrowed brow creased further, and he spoke then, low and quiet. The voice of a warrior, steel underlying the regret to draw blood of a friend.

"Well then my friend. I suspected you might step forward. Too bold by half to sit by. And that's why we got along. Despite the swill you drink and call whiskey. Since no one else has the fortitude, it is you and I in the circle. Shall we, the old way, once more? We can show the kid how men fight."

Arumi he had ignored pointedly, and entirely. Let him take that as he would. The man was nothing without the Force, and would crumple in the duel without it. A warrior of unfortunate proportions, as some called it.

[member="Vilaz Munin"] [member="Draco Vereen"]

 

[Laira Darkhold]

"Aye, I would pledge my steel to either warrior who has stepped forward to claim the mantle." In truth, Draco worried about them both, but they were willing. Better to give them a chance and let everyone see what either warrior could do.

Neither of them measured up to Ra very well, but both of them were better than nothing. And he didn't want to fight for a mantle he didn't want.

[member="Ijaat Mereel"] [member="Vilaz Munin"]

 

[Verz Horak]

[member="Gilamar Skirata"]

Verz had been watching the proceedings, a disappointed scowl on his face as he listened to the Council bicker. So much had changed while he was a prisoner. He couldn't remember ever having an Alor Council before. It made no sense. The Clans had always been more like separate nations within one greater whole, under the strength and guidance of the Resol'nare and the Mand'alor. Why did they need a formal Council that ruled? Things had been much simpler before, when the Mand'alor simply called, and the Clans listened, without the need for a Council to mediate. What next? They set up a formal Senate? Sit and bicker all day like the auretii?

Verz spotted Gilamar nearby. Several emotions welled up at the sight of the man who had done so much to help him, and who had replaced him. Verz walked closer to Gil, speaking loud enough for the old man to hear him, but not enough to disturb anyone else or the boasting and insults being hurled around.

"Sucuy'gar, you old chaakar. Long time no see."

 

[Ashin Varanin]

Vilaz Munin versus Ijaat Akun versus Arumi Zy. Of the three, Alec knew Vilaz the best. They went way back -- the Underground, the Exchange, various Mandalorian operations. He'd known her grandfather and so forth. She suspected he'd make a good Mand'alor if he came into his own. Arumi she didn't know at all, except by reputation. Ijaat...Ijaat was something else. He had all the diplomatic finesse and mellow temperament of Ra Vizsla, and as a melee combatant and team leader he had few equals. Despite her friendship with Vilaz, Ijaat had the edge in her estimation, so far as the job went. Vilaz could be passive, indecisive. His challenge today showed he might be shaking off those patterns, coming into his own. Ijaat already had initiative in spades.

Tough call. Very tough. She'd have to see how the fight unfolded.

 

[Vilaz Munin]

The fact and thought of fighting an old friend for the title of Mand'alor made Vilaz feel somewhat uneasy. Sure if it was some other Mandalorian he wasn't familiar with, then he would have no problem throwing in some punches and kicks. But a friend? The man had unquestionable loyalty and honor. He was loyal to the Resol'nare; he was loyal to his clan; he was loyal to his beloved Bree; he was loyal to his friends; and he was loyal to every single Mandalorian. He wished no ill will on Ijaat, his close friends, or any other Mandalorian that didn't stepped on his toes. But this, right here and right now, was bigger than the two of them. It was way bigger than the unity of the Mandalorians. The Munin did indeed think that Ijaat was a capable candidate for the title of Sole Ruler due to his experience and wits.No doubt did Ijaat thought of the same thing.

"You are an honorable warrior and brother, Ijaat. By our ancient traditions, we will fight until one is the victor. May we both fight honorably."

No doubt would the Alor'e Council be content with Vilaz and Ijaat fighting for the mantle of Mand'alor. The same thing could not be said for Arumi, in the Akaan's mind. The Munin did fought alongside him on some battle between the One Sith and the Galactic Republic, but he felt that the man didn't proved his worth for the title. He felt that he didn't worked or fought enough to challenge for the title. But that was all Vilaz's own opinion. The Council would have their own opinion on this matter, but the Concordian was ready to fight against Ijaat for the mantle.

[member="Briika Tor"], [member="Alec Rekali"], [member="Ijaat Mereel"], [member="Draco Vereen"], [member="Keira Ticon"], [member="Verz Horak"], [member="Gilamar Skirata"], [member="Arla Balor"], [member="Stardust Raxis"], [member="Cole Dagos"], [member="Preliat Mantis"], [member="Arumi Zy"]

 

[Anija Betna]

[member="Briika Tor"] | [member="Alec Rekali"] | [member="Ijaat Mereel"] | [member="Draco Vereen"] | [member="Keira Ticon"] | [member="Verz Horak"] | [member="Gilamar Skirata"] | [member="Arla Balor"] | [member="Stardust Raxis"] | [member="Cole Dagos"] | [member="Preliat Mantis"] | [member="Arumi Zy"] | [member="Vilaz Munin"]


So much had happened in the last few months, and it left Anija feeling as if she didn't quite know which way was up. It still shocked her a bit to think about Mand'alor Ra going missing. And in some respects it reminded her a bit of the Netherworld crisis several years back. She swallowed a shudder. That was not something she wanted to dwell on. And still, she found herself once more in the meeting halls of the Alor'e Council.

It wasn't often these days that meetings were called, but, considering the situation she supposed it was warranted. She certainly hadn't missed the shouting matches that came with these meetings. Or the headaches. She listened to the shouting matches that crossed the span of the large table like flaming arrows aimed at their targets. And, as the shouting continued, she reached up to rub at the forehead of her buy'ce.

She knew all three of the challengers to some degree. More recently, she had fought side by side with Vilaz and Draco for the past several years. Her gaze wandered around the table, resting briefly on each of the three. Arumi was somewhat of an unknown quantity. She knew him mostly in passing, but she couldn't recall much interaction. Perhaps in some other lifetime. She shrugged inwardly. perhaps in time he would make more of a name for himself among the Clans.

For now though, her attention centered back towards the table as she firmly rapped her knuckles on it's surface. "The leadership of Clan Betna has weighed the current situation carefully. Given the currrent state of affairs, and the actions of those in this room which are known to us, Clan Betna has chosen to give it's support to Vilaz Munin and Ijaat Mereel as contenders for the Kyr'bes."

 

[Julius Sedaire]

[member="Vilaz Munin"]

Ijaat nodded and turned. There would be a pit of sand outside these halls, if the traditions were followed, and he did not need to tell Munin to meet him there. The man was more than capable, in his own ways. But he utterly lacked the subtlety and other deep-minded traits that were required of a Manda'lor in Ijaats' mind. So as he stood on the sidelines of the sand, he began taking pieces of the void steel armor off and letting it clatter to the ground in a heap. Men in armor marked with Mereels' sigil, the same as Jasters own True Mandalorians, began to take up places around the pit with obvious ysalimairi containers on their back, at his orders. Again, he would not be accused of stacking the odds. Even if this were for lesser stakes, Vilaz deserved a good fight with an honest opponent.

Armor continued to pile up and eventually Ijaat stood in a pair of long blue-grey trousers, black high boots, and a tunic tucked into trousers of the same color, all held up with a brown leather belt that the tra'kad was placed through. He knelt to the sand, grabbing a handful and running it through his hands, palm to palm, as if weighing the individual grains, eyes lost in a memory perhaps.

 

[Preliat Mantis]

Preliat rose, to stand next to Gilamar. He turned his weary eyes towards the older man. Both were no longer the men they were, Preliat was a young, impressionable man when they first met. Now? Now he was a older, cynical man with not a lot left to say or do.


"The more things change..."He said to Gilamar, a man whom Preliat would dare call a friend.


[member="Gilamar Skirata"]

 

[Vilaz Munin]

With everything said and done between the Munin and the Mereel, there would finally be a fight and duel for the mantle of Mand'alor. There would be no date set up. No, it would happen now. Right here on this very day and outside of these halls that were full of bickering and talking. Full of the disease of democracy that could possibly bring them to an avenue full of damnation. Vilaz followed Ijaat to the pit full of sad and there would be a crowd surrounding them in a circle to witness and spectate who would be their next leader. No doubt would they be entertained and would love the these two men battering each other and fighting to the edge.

The Concordian began to strip his beskar armored plates from his body until he was finally in boots, a plain shirt, and pants. Nothing to grand. Just casual clothes.

A beskad, made of Mandalorian Steel, was unsheathed and the Akaan swung it in the air to loosen his muscles and body.

He was ready to fight and duel, but before this show would go on the road, Vilaz extended his beskad and pointed at Ijaat. He expected the Mereel to tap it with his own blade. It was all just a sign of respect and honor between the two contestants.

[member="Ijaat Mereel"]

 

[Briika Munin]

Briika stood ever supportive on the edge of the battle circle and tried to keep her pregnancy-induced hormones from running gambit with her emotions. She and [member="Vilaz Munin"] had already exchanged their loving endearments prior to the meeting with the anticipation that the Cuir Rekr and Alor of Clan Munin would be right where he was - challenging for the title of Mand'alor. It was no secret [member="Ijaat Mereel"] was a formidable warrior in his own right, and would take this contest seriously, which gave Briika concern yet the seasoned baar'ur had to be hopeful things would work out for the best.

By Mandalorian tradition, this would be a fight to the death or until one of the combatants yielded. The Tor silently asked the Manda to bless her beloved; to give the Munin strength, stamina, and wisdom to see this done to the best of his abilities, but most of all to bring him back to her alive and well. Briika did not want to raise their child alone as she had done after her first husband had marched away during the rapture of the Netherworld event. Though no matter what happened here today, Briika would be proud of Vilaz and his devotion to the Mando'ade and his vode.

 

[Julius Sedaire]

There was no meditation. No touching the Force, which was beyond his reach at current anyhow. Beskad met beskad in a ringing salute, the sound echoing almost ominously. Eyes deadly, tight focused, and predatory. There was a steel in them, an almost anger in their darkness. Vilaz couldn't be seen as a friend, or a comrade. Any such sentimentality like that would slow his reactions and resolve, hinder him and make him less effective in combat. So he tightened his grip and loosened it, as if testing the leather, before assuming a stance. Left foot back and perpendicular to the right which was pointed to his old friend. Weight on the balls of his feet, loose posture.

The hand and a half blade was not standard in it's hilting, or profile, but after decades of training Ijaat had combined pieces of Atrisian, Adumarian and Mandalorian swordplay along with bits of even Matukai training. He was ready, as he raised the blade and twisted at the hips as it lowered, body open, tip almost to the ground at a fourty five degree angle, waiting with hardly a movement of breath, and no words.

[member="Vilaz Munin"]

 

[Vilaz Munin]

And so the battle for Mand'alor would begin.

Vilaz's left foot stepped out, his hips twisted, right foot behind, and both of his hands to his chest with his blade pointing at the great skies of Mandalore.

His feet danced as he circled around the other Mandalorian like a wolf.

Going on the offense, his right foot step forward and swung at Ijaat's chest, in a right to left horizon motion.

[member="Ijaat Mereel"]

 

[Vilaz Munin]

Their duel seemed to last hours, but it only lasted for a good amount of minutes. Both contestants were skilled and fought to their extremes, but only one came out victorious. Unlike a true Taung Blood Duel, no life was lost here as Ijaat had yielded and Vilaz accepted his surrender. Had he not, then it would be a whole different story but Vilaz was no zealot that would slay a fellow Mandalorian when they had surrendered in this kind of scenario.

The Munin, who's body was battered and scarred from the Blood Duel, walked up the stairs that led to the Alor'e Council.

Making all the way up he saw all of those that comprised the council.

"I await your judgement, vode."

That's all he said and waited for the decision of the major Clan Leaders. It was up to them to decide if he would be a legitimate Sole Ruler or not. If the latter happened, then he would continue to fight for it no matter the odds.

[member="Draco Vereen"] [member="Alec Rekali"] [member="Gray Raxis"] [member="Arrbi Betna"] [member="Ronan Vizsla"] [member="Gilamar Skirata"] [member="Arla Balor"]

 

[Sara Lee Jones]

Redacted wromg account

 

[Stardust Solus Skirae]

Stardust looked around, it seemed she was the first to judge this man, she looked at him as she spoke calm

[member="Vilaz Munin"], you have shown us you are a great warrior, I have heard of your victories in battle not only here but on the true field of battle, clan raxis judges you worthy for the title mandalor, please do not make our judgment and decision a regret

With that she stopped and bowed her head

 

[Kami Meran]

Kami entered. Meran wasnt much in the way of Clan's they fed the larger clan's raw recruits and mechanics ect but Clan Meran was always the uggly stepchild of the Clans.
they were rarely even asked to participate in this kind of thing.
Heck she almost chuckled sitting legs apart and with one foot resting on the back of the chair in front of her in a very unladylike mannor.
" this'll be good she said under her breath." hell even the most feminine Mando was as Macho as it came,
still Kami sat and watched.