Mia's crazy corner

Mostly Star Wars stuff these days, but not always. Rants and fandom shenanigans. Old enough to remember dial-up internet and cassette tapes.

[blueberry-ry]

Little thought of the day: What if "New Mandalorians" was the name of a movement rather than a group?

Lemme explain:

I we look at the True Mandalorians and Death Watch, we can see that they are two specific groups, with a specific leader and also a chain of command, who have a specific objective and code etc.

They were an important part of the war, but they were still two distinct groups.

But then we look at the New Mandalorians, and we are told that they are the vast majority of the mandalorians, but how is that possible for one single group of people to all agree on what is supposed to be planetarian level? It just does not feel possible to me.

So, what if there were actually multiple mandalorian groups, who shared a lot of common points and even philosophies and ideals, but still diverged in others? And so they all got grouped into the name "New Mandalorians" because of it?

Something like this ya know?

[ranahan]

That would make sense, because as I understand it, the split isn’t really between Death Watch, True Mandalorians and New Mandalorians…

…but between Old Mandalorians (descriptive term; Mandalorians who kept to the old ways) and New Mandalorians (also a descriptive term; Mandalorians who adopted new ways). The Old Mandalorians then had a major schism that resulted them splitting in Death Watch and True Mandalorians. It’s probably a very simplified account that omits smaller groups, groups that haven’t declared for one or another of the major factions, groups living outside of the Mandalorian space, etc.

So yes, I think that we just didn’t get anything on the internal politics and schisms inside the big descriptive group of New Mandalorians.

[fox-trot]

So. I was just going to adjust this to represent the Civil Wars, but um. Things got out of control lol

I think it would be more like this?

They talk about New Mando internal conflict a little bit in the reference books. This post has a lot of the lore for the New Mandos and how they came to power if you’re interested, op.

And the New Mandos were a movement! And made up of multiple Mandalorian groups. I believe they made up the vast majority of Mandalorians that stayed in the sector, but not overall. A bunch of Mandalorians disappeared into the galaxy after/during the Excision, Republic occupation, Imperial occupation, and the Night of a Thousand Tears. So there could be any number of Mandos out there.

[evilminji]

1) this makes perfect sense. And 2) lol, the stages of some poor educator at a space whiteboard trying to answer "so there's like... two, three groups? How hard could really BE to negotiate with Mandalore?" Like... y-you want the short version or the long one?

(And keep in mind each of those circles PROBABLY has sub groups. I.E. "what KIND of Christian?" And "yeah but he's Russian orthodox and I'm Peruvian orthodox, we are NOT the same")

Like? There are probably plenty of new Mandalorians who are FINE with armor! It's defensive! But why do you need a flamethrower? It's insane to be walking around that heavily armed! Maybe we DONT want blasters in every school, ya know?

I bet they drive each other insane.

[ranahan]

Hot take:

Compounding the same small pool of roots over and over again sucks and fandos should just start making up their own roots and word families.

I mean, I’m definitely guilty. I’ve personally taken the compound word approach as far as it can go and then some. And that’s exactly why I’m saying this, because what happened is that the language started feeling less and less like Mando’a and more and more like very Latinate English.

See, it’s not that Mando’a doesn’t have compound words. It does. They’re very characteristic, even. But the kinds of compounds you will eventually start making in order to come up with the umpteenth verb from the same root don’t feel like the kinds of words and derivations and compounds that already exist. And the sentences that are one complicated compound word after another feel even less like it. Although the roots and the sounds are the same, the feel of the language changes.

And I don’t like it.

I think a better way to preserve the original feel of the language would be to create new roots and word families in the style of the existing corpus, rather than use the canonical roots ad nauseam. Keep to the phonology and phonotactics, think what mandos would associate with the concept and how they would view it, and you’re good.

It makes for a better conlang too.

[blueberry-ry]

Summary of all the terms me and @navigatorwrongway came up with in this post:

Rope | Ehbaar (lit. triple bodied) - ehn (three) + baar (body)

Thread | Siihbaar (lit. thin rope) - shiib (thin) + ehbaar (rope)

To weave | Siihblanir (lit. to cross threads) - siihbaar (thread) + doslanir (to cross, intersect)

To sew | Siihbevir siihblanir (to weave) + bev (needle)

Fabric | Siihbola (lit. joined threads) - siihbaar (thread) + tola (connected, joined)

Bolt of fabric | Vhet'iibola / Vh'iibola (lit. field of fabric) - vhetin (field) + siihbola (fabric)

Clothes | Siihbo'gam (lit. fabric on skin) - siihbola (fabric) + pel'gam (skin)

Clothes worn over the armor | Bes'iihbola / Bes'iihbol'gam / Besiih / Bes'iihgam / Bes'bola / Bola (lit. armor fabric) - beskar'gam (armor) + siihbola (fabric)

Armored fabric | Siihbol'ur / Siih'bur (lit. protective fabric) - siihbola (fabric) + cabur (protector)

Armored clothes | Siih'bu'gam siihbol'ur (armored fabric) + pel'gam (skin)

Bedding | Haav'iihbola / Haavibola (lit. bed fabric) - haav (bed) + siihbola (fabric)

Sheet | Kaj'haavibola (lit. flat bedding) - kajil (flat) + haavibola (bedding)

Fitting Sheet | Rud'haavibola (lit. around bedding) - rud (around) + haavibola (bedding)

Upholstery | Bral'siihbola (lit. above fabric) - bral (high ground) + siibhola (fabric)

Fabric for kids' cots | Yai'siihbola (lit. comfortable fabric) - yaim'la (comfortable) + siibhola (fabric)

[ranahan]

Doodling more repeating mando patterns.

[ranahan]

[ranahan]

The triangle patterns were noted on beskar’game by other people way before me; I simply tried making them repeating patterns. I like to think the repeating (interlocking) triangles might represent the Manda, but that’s strictly a headcanon. A small helmet triangle was present in early Boba Fett concept art already.

From the Mandalorian concept art; I think the bottom one represent the forge. The top one might also be a forge or perhaps an anvil?

Stalk of grain from the emblem of the Concord Dawn protectors

Kar’ta beskar

Shriek hawk but they look like bats

Mythosaur teeth

Satine Kryze’s headdress

Mythosaur scales or fish scales

Crusader logo thorns

Satine Kryze’s lilies

Pauldrons

T-visors

I don’t know how to draw braids/aguillettes.

The triangles on the bottom left that don’t have a number came from an early Boba Fett concept art.

[ranahan]

15. Bes’lovike

16. Random bits from mostly Boba Fett concept art

17. kom’rk star fighters

18. from a dress of one of Satine Kryze’s attendants

19. from a lamp in the Sundari palace

20. from Satine Kryze’s dress

[ranahan]

21. Mythosaur axes (at the bottom of the page)! They’re very shaped. Also it tickles me that a crescent shape in mando symbolism wouldn’t be a moon but an axe.

Here’s that lamp (no 19) btw. See the resemblance? Especially to the one over the number 21.

[ranahan]

No, it’s not another axe—it’s a shaolin spade! A shovel/polearm combo, the self-defense weapon of the humble monk. I thought the shape was reminiscent of the mythosaur axe and went like hmm… what if the weapon of the humble vhett? I don’t think mandos would have the crescent part since no ahimsa, but I thought the shape of the shovel blade and the reach of the long handle were excellent.

[ranahan]

No scribbles this time; these all came from this post so everyone say thank you to @cienie-isengardu!

Merrik here has a design on the lower part of his hood that resembles Satine’s earrings and/or headdress; I think all of them might recall the mythosaur tusks. On his hood there’s a pattern of what look like fish hooks.

On Satine’s hem, there’s a pattern of waves.

And here’s two designs painted on a tent; the other is a faint pattern of diamonds in the top left corner of the second picture.

And here’s a repeating pattern of what might be bes’kartase on a rug, and another design on the corner(?).

A mythosaur skull framed by what could be plants of some kind? There’s also a vine(?) on the bottom.

A simple pattern of repeating rectangles on a rug.

There’s something going on on the floor, but it’s hard to make out what the pattern is exactly.

This is probably a clan symbol of some kind, but I like the geometric framing.

[cienie-isengardu]

Glad I could help!

As the limited examples of mandalorian art offends me on personal level, I decided to dig deeper in the lore 🤣 Thought it may interest you so sharing what I found so far:

(TCW) Satine's outfits

Mandalorian Vault (in which Maul was kept)

(isn't it interesting that Mandalorians decided to decorate something that was used as prison for enemy Force users?)

Marvel Star Wars (1977, issue 68) - Mandalorian camp

Death Watch Manifesto - the mandalorian gods

AotC novel - Jango's tattoos

Jango Fett walked in, dressed in simple shirt and trousers. Obi-Wan recognized him immediately, though he was many years older than the oldest clone, his face scarred and pitted, and unshaven. His body had thickened with age, but he was still physically imposing, much like many of the old gutter dwellers Obi-Wan encountered in far-flung places. A few extra pounds, sure, but those covered muscles hardened by years of tough living. Tattoos crossed both of Jango's muscular forearms, of a strange design that Obi-Wan did not recognize.

The Old Republic game - daggers

(TCW) Satine's Coronet

Additional information & observations

Star Wars The Clone Wars Incredible Vehicles stated

Nothing But the Best Passengers in the Coronet's crown walk through halls fitted with Jakelian tuft-oak, lapis from Draboon, and carpets from the looms of Harswee - the very best the Mandalorian worlds have to offer. Attendants in tasteful livery and servants droids are ready to cater to guests' every need.

From Death Watch Manifesto we learn:

"Remember that some of the greatest Mandalores were born or grew up far from our homeworld. Mandalore the Binder was born the son of a rug weaver on Harswee […]"

According to The Essential Guide to Warfare

"Other worlds were spared: The Jakelians, for one, welcomed their new Mandalorian overlords […]"

and

"Mandalore the Ultimate's decision swelled the clans' ranks with humans, Mandallians, Jakelians, and other Mandalorian vassals."

The same source (supported by Death Watch Manifesto) mentioned also the social hierarchy in mandalorian society - warriors as the ruling class, supported by farmers, artisans and manufactures.

Which is an interesting detail, because the fancier and detailed craft could be make first by the vassals to ancient Taung-Mandalorian warriors and later by the lower social classes in more modern times? As in, the art was commissioned by warrior clans, kinda like Scythian aristocracy commissioned Greek artisans to produce luxury items for them, leading to a blend their respective styles?

(Personally, I think the original Scytho-Siberian art would fit well Taung-ancient Mandalorians).

The Old Republic game adds to lore with Mandalorian Relics: The Final Blade of Dunesa Rul:

Born on an unremarkable planet in the Outer Rim, the boy who would become Master Dunesa Rul apprenticed with the local metalsmith to provide additional income for his family. Accounts of his early life learning the trade are few, but historians agree that Rul showed exceptional natural skill and quickly outgrew the simple routine of the frontier smithy who taught him. Seeking more significant challenges, Rul found work at several smithies across the Core Worlds. The quality of his weapons gained recognition among the Mandalorian clans, and with their patronage, he opened his own forge at a remarkably young age. Rul's creations, prized within the Mandalorians, were often handed down from one clan leader to the next, but demand for new work was overwhelming. Rul was killed in an explosion during an altercation between Clan Mettir and Clan Ironstone, who sought to lay claim to a masterwork weapon--a durasteel dagger--he had created. Both clans were hunted down and destroyed in retaliation for the grievous loss. The dagger itself was never found.

So we have an example of Mandalorian warriors' patronage and punishing those who contributed to the destruction of great quality weapons (art) and artisan.

Also, it is worth to note that Satine and Tal Merrik, the two Mandalorians with ornamented clothes, are part of aristocracy and came from Kalevala. In contrast, lore noted Mandalore is the homeland of Pre Vizsla and Almec and despite their high social & political positions both men wore much simpler outfits than Duchess and Prince. Which frankly seems like a common thing with people of Mandalore who barely use ornaments beside the common pattern resembling mandalorian armor??

Thus I think it is worth to ask, how much common are the patterns seen on Satine's outfits and inside Coronet? Could it be just a specific Kalevala art style?

P.S., your repeating mando patterns look cool!

[mearchy]

HI I HAVE A LOT TO SHARE!! HERE is the rug whose pattern you couldn't make out, it's referred to as the Clan Fett rug from SWTOR:

Below are some other Mando designs and things from SWTOR:

Here is a rug that has a similar pattern but isn't named as it isn't offered to buy BUT it is present on one of the Mandalorian ships:

And here's a way that the first rug pattern appears to be used on a table on the same ship:

Here's a Mandalorian floor torch (this geometric style of repeating red and green patterns is very present)

Mandalorian chandelier- the use of bright blue light with a gold and bronze piece falls in line with the rest of SWTOR's ideas about mandos although it looks a little weird:

This mando weapons rack, on which you can see a sort of gold cross hatch pattern, and the decorative use of a small skull carving:

Here is a large Mandalorian banner, and a smaller Mandalorian flag. You can see the way the iconic T visor design is invoked by the black patterning on these decorations, and again how clean simple geometry is prioritized:

Here is the design on a forge tool cabinet that comes with the Mando forge set, which appears to be like a really pared-down and abstract mythosaur:

And these three represent different specific factions but show three of the interesting and drastically different ways Mandos simplify the Mythosaur down into abstract shapes that they can use to adorn their surroundings.

On this bed which is in the leaders' quarters of one of the Mandalorian ships (and on the wall behind the bed as well) there are some difficult-to-make-out patterns but if you're committed you could probably replicate/isolate them:

And the Voss-ka and Zakuul furniture, as their aesthetics line up well with the general Mandalorian decoration schemes, are used extensively to fill in gaps where you don't have Mando-specific designs. I have a limit to how many photos I can put in one reblog but here is just one example: the Voss-ka chandelier is used, with the colorful adornments removed, on Mando ships.

It is notable that Mandalorian decor in the extended universe tends to combine gold and silver and bronze in equal amounts, which is very star warsy of them, but also makes their style a little more distinct because there isn't that separation between colors associated with the more technologically "advanced" (silver) and more old or gilded styles (gold and bronze).

Also worth saying that that long red rug with the yellow rectangles on it is listed as specifically an Imperial Dignitary's rug rather than a Mando one but these Mandos were Imperially allied which is probably how it ended up in their environs.

The amount of time I have spent replaying Spirit of Vengeance and Blood Hunt and exploring Ruhnuk just to take notes on the decorative patterns and furniture used therein must not go to waste. I have so so so much more I could say but this is what I thought was most relevant!

[project-shereshoy]

We've completed the first deck of Mando'a flashcards! These study tools feature images, English and Mando'a translations, and pronunciation to help you learn colors, family, and other basic terms your average Mando'ad (Mandalorian) would need. The flashcards are in PDF form and are designed so that you can print them single-sided to avoid printer alignment headaches. Once printed, all you have to do is fold and cut to get 48 double-sided flashcards.

Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wntxCeQNQNYs2cSdidSAbpz7uKpb-drk/view?usp=sharing Images and Art by Jev Fonts used: Contrax and MandoAF

[skierunner]

lmao this deck really used the Mustafar fight scene for High/Low. but fr these flashcards are cleaaaaaaan, professional even. if you've been meaning to learn some mando'a, here's your sign!

[little-zabrak]

Headcanons about Mandalorian Cultural Adoption by Zabraks

In Legends, the Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders attempted to conquer Iridonia and successfully occupied it for years (See: essential guide to warfare & wotc's saga edition kotor campaign setting book, plus online errata for the latter. If you need help finding the defunct online stuff I can help but it is mainly just a low level adventure without much info). It stands to reason that they would have brought and possibly imposed many elements of their culture while there. This happened nearly 4000 years before the battle of Yavin though, so it would be hard to say which things picked up at that time would still be present with Zabraks by the rough era in which the films occur. I have just two.

1. Many foods were introduced to Iridonia at this point, but I HC that tea is the Mandalorian drink Zabraks liked most. No zabrak planet is known to support a lot of foliage and farms. Zabraks are carnivores. I imagine they would import tea from other worlds. In Maul: Shadow Lord, we see maul drinking tea, but this could also be explained by his recent Mandalorian Cultural exposure or other things.

2. The keldabe kiss, aka headbutting another's head in affection. This is an enduring piece of body language in Mandalorian culture as well. It is easy for outsiders of their culture to see it (in or out of armor, nearby or from afar) and understand what it means without having to ask. It is easily imitable and Zabraks are famously pain tolerant and warlike. I HC that this was a point in history where Iridonians picked up the keldabe kiss and spread it to other zabrak colonies. Thousands of years later it could endure for all the same reasons it endures with mandalorians, and I imagine that Zabraks have their own manifold varieties of it now, to the point where the layperson would have no idea it came from Mandalorians.

[cheesenames]

if we can set aside attachment discourse for a moment (please) i think the jedi marriage prohibition makes sense in a “please don’t enter a complex legal, financial, social, and in some cases religious contract, the specifics of which vary wildly depending on planet and culture” way. the single jedi with a law degree does not have time to draft everyone’s prenups to prevent the whole order from getting sued

[the-fallen-blue]

#we could create so many interesting new problems if we ignore romance and make it about contracts generally#jedi prohibition on getting a loan. jedi prohibition on signing a waiver before bungee jumping. etc

"Qui-Gon didn't try to buy Anakin or the engine because there wasn't anyone in town who offered a credit exchange service" wrong. Qui-Gon gambled for Anakin under the table because after dealing with the Cyrkon Delinquency of 24850, Master Olobi, Esq, has personally promised to hang by the the toes from the highest tower of the Temple for one week any Jedi who generates any trackable legal transaction or obligation between the Order and the Hutts.

[korbinmoon]

Happy birthday to meee 🥰

The best present to the artist is a reblog!! So for that here's some of my favourite star wars fanart I made 🥺🤲🩵 or you could reblog any other piece you like!!

I also would be extremely happy if you give me a coin on boosty 🤭

[fettunfettered]

[ranahan]

Tbh, the complete contradictory mess of legends books an comics, fan works, canon cartoons, tv shows and movies is the reason why we have a fascinating and multifaceted Mandalorian culture instead of a monoculture planet like Star Wars tends to default to. It’s got layers. Like an onion.

[the-lost-soldier]

The tragedy in Darman's and Etain's relationship that Darman sees and loves Etain as she is, but Etain doesn't love herself. And... you can't convince a person they are the most perfect creatures of the whole Galaxy if they are convinced they are not.

Etain is the mirror of Kal. They want to do the same: giving clones a legacy. Kal wants to buy time for his sons. And Etain... Etain doesn't see other way than giving Darman a child. This is how she feels useful. Which is... truly sad. Because she is already perfect as she is for Darman. A friend. A comrade. A brother-in-arm he trusts. Then lovers. But she reduces herself to a vessel to some "grand cause", never asking if Darman needs this.

It's dehumanizing.

Etain grown a lot since Hard Contact. But she didn't learn to love and respect herself more. And believe it or not, when you don't love yourself, it affects other people in your life too.

[ranahan]

solus kad ori’shya lo kyrad

“one sword more into a corpse.” Or maybe bah kyrad, “for a corpse.”

“Might as well,” “what’s one more thing at this point,” “won’t make a difference.”

[spin-the-wheel-polls]

Spin the wheel to inflict a fate on your blorbo!

https://wheelofnames.com/7cs-v9d

How doomed are they?

they don't like it but it's what they deserve

they like it!

they can tolerate it

they're actively trying to escape

they're dead

results/don't have a blorbo

Voting ended onApr 19

Submitted by @catboy-artist

[sweetcardamom]

Terry Pratchett and Star Wars! This was originally published in the Bath Evening Chronicle, April 22, 1978. I saw it at driveintheaterofthemind.tumblr.com/post/791169145456738304 and transcribed it, because I wanted to. Here 'tis:

TO Galactic Emperor.

From: Chief Personnel Officer, Death Star.

YOUR HIGHNESS,

I’ve been told to write to you to explain how come we failed to destroy Target Planet 23 at the touch of button as per your esteemed instructions of last Wednesday.

I would just like to say right away that I never wanted this job. Personally I liked the old method where we all landed on a planet and shot the hell out of everyone and blew up their houses.

I think the people preferred this too, it was sort of, well, personal, it made them feel important.

Just blowng up the whle bang shoot from a million miles away lacks that individual touch that people have come to appreciate.

Also I am not sure your galactic majesty realises the problems I have to deal with down here, viz Room 3098, Floor 549, Sector 98. It’s all very well having a planet-sized Death Star capable of destroying a world at the touch of a button but there’s millions of people here and SOMEONE has to organise the social club raffle and the intersector freefall darts tournament, also the tea club, not to mention the Spot-The-Asteroid charity competition.

Also, under the Equal Opportunities Act I have to employ robots to edit the house magazine and that has led to a bit of friction here in Room 3098, Floor 549, Sector 98.

I thought it was bad enough with human trainees, they need a gazeteer the size of a brick even to find the toilet, but it’s worse with robots.

I’ve nothing against robots as robots, far from it, but some of my staff, well, there’s been complaints about the smell of machine oil.

Of course I stamp out shape-hatred wherever it appears, but the problem with your average robot is, give him a busted radio and a pile of old tins, next thing you know there’s a dozen of them.

It was due to my severely reprimanding a Galactic Stormtrooper from writing “Tinnies Go Home” in aerosol paint on the cosmic gun that there was a lightning strike by the Planet Smashers and Affiliated Trades at zero hour last Wednesday.

I enclose, in mitigation, a selection from this morning’s mail.

“To: Chief Personnel Officer.

“From the 125th Typing Pool, Sector 1098.

“Every time they destroy a planet at the touch of a button it makes the lights flicker. Can’t we manage to blow up worlds with a minimum of inconvenience?”

“To Chief Personnel Officer.

“From: Darth Vader, The Man In Black.

“There were prunes for lunch again today. That makes three times so far this week. I ask you!”

“To: Chief Personnel Officer.

“From: Mark Lukewarm, Galactic Hero.

“The coffee machine in Corridor 67, Level 95, Sector 2190 took my 3p and refused to supply product as advertised, ie, Wondercoffo. Is there no one around here that can make the damn thing work at the touch of a button?”

I feel your majesty, that I am being hounded.

May the Force be with you, and oblige,

Terry Pratchett

Chief Personnel Officer

[aquilacalvitium]

Write it badly or it'll never be written

Write it badly or it'll never be written

Write it badly or it'll never be written

Write it badly or it'll never be written

Write it badly or it'll never be written

[aquilacalvitium]

Please keep interacting with this post because when I come to tumblr to procrastinate, this shows up again in my notifications and guilts me into writing again

[jellyfishforest135]

he’s good with a lightsaber AND high in potassium

[navigatorwrongway]

i continue to not be immune to the social media in star wars trope

[forcesavetheclones]

Messing around with nurses ;P

I feel like, yeah Wolffe is super grumpy, but also has a playful side that he uses like only for pissing people he likes off.

lineart here