Welcome to the third round of FPD! For those who don't know what the project consists and/or missed the second round and its results, here are the links to know more:
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Main Topic: The Mandalorians
Considered one of the greatest warrior societies ever, the Mandalorians’ legacy can be felt, in a major or minor level, throughout the history of the galaxy, whether as a force to be reckoned and respected, or as a threat to be dealt with and contained. Based on official sources from all medias (books, comics, games, movies) and both continuities, as well as including all your knowledge on the subject and, therefore, your interpretation, please, vote for the option below that you believe to be the most correct or accurate, or better matches with your opinions regarding the following inquiry:
Did the Mandalorians managed to remain faithful to their main beliefs despite everything? Were they able to fulfill any purpose as a group? Is it fair to consider, thereupon, they were “successful” in anything?
Option Eta - Yes, in a way. The very fact the Mandalorians continued existing for ages in defiance of the several purges they’ve been through, not only displays how much they always tried to keep themselves strongly connected to their creed, but it also shows their resilience and perseverance on never 100% abandoning their traditional warrior culture, even at the cost of civil wars and schisms that birthed various sub-factions. And so, just as their principles underwent diverse and severe transformations, so did the Mand’alores who were responsible for settling their current goals; because the truth is that the Mandalorians rarely had any real and definitive endgame, which never impeded them to achieve a determined purpose whenever stablished, nonetheless. It wouldn’t be fair with names like Canderous Ordo, Shae Vizla, or even Bo-Katan Kryze who, even if short lived, managed to reunite the clans in times of crisis and disarray.
Option Theta - No, definitely not. Starting off as a Spartan-ish civilization who deified war for the sake of honor and glory, and almost put the Jedi and the Republic to its knees, to becoming a Ghandi-like society of pacifists who got at the mercy of the very factions they once almost destroyed, is enough evidence the Mandalorians not only strongly deviated from their Resol’nare, as well as different interpretations of it branched off into sects and denominations that did nothing better than fighting against each other. Always in need of someone who leads them (because otherwise, they’re lost), and said someone always in need of something to legitimize their leadership, whether is an ancient sacred mask or a “space Excalibur-like” laser sword. They can have no purpose because they’re all over the place, and even in their most stable period during the Late Republic, they were a mess, with terrorist cults trying to take over. The only thing the Mandalorians have been successful at is by wiping each other out.
Option Iota - Perhaps…? Just like any other organization in SW that is thousands of years old, the Mandalorians should be studied within the context of each time period. Because even the very definition of what makes a Mandalorian varies for them. Din Djarin and his folks didn’t use to be considered Mandalorians by Bo-Katan Kryze, who was once part of Pre Vizsla’s Death Watch, who was not considered a “real Mandalorian” by Duchess Satine Kryze, who was not considered a “true Mandalorian” by Jaster Mereel’s True Mandalorians, which in turn were enemies of Tor Vizsla’s Death Watch… and all this feud was within the lapse of a century, maybe less. Not to mention on how over and over again they were manipulated by the Sith as cannon fodder for their schemes, or how they were used and abused as bounty hunters in the criminal world, the fact they were shamed by the Jedi thanks to Revan and Malak, or the contradiction that exits regarding a mask that reunites them in parallel with a lightsaber that is also supposed to reunite them, but it actually divides them more, sparking more drama and conflict… only to later realize they’re better without it. Considering all those circumstances, how exactly does the question apply? Perhaps, the most logical conclusion is that the Mandalorians are one of the greatest tragedies of Star Wars.
Option Omega - All of the above. Funnily enough, all the arguments presented are valid points of view, as each one of them could be amalgamated in just one dissertation. Because at the end, the Mandalorians are too complex of a subject to be summarized in just one statement, no matter how well written it is, therefore, it’s totally fair to go for all options if they present a more reasonable and complete response.
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How do I vote?
Make a reply on this post presenting the option you chose. No need to add any extra comment, unless you do have something else to complement or a counterargument to make based on the option selected, or even, someone else’s reply.
Can I discuss with others?
Sure, just like in any other poll or post. The difference here is that you must have voted first in order to participate. That’s how your reply will count. Someone might actually come out of nowhere and ping you or somebody else to make a counterpoint, but unless they made their vote clear, they’ll not be counted in the final results of the survey.
How can I know the results?
Unlike the other ordinary polls that can remain open indefinitely, the “lifespan” of this one lasts one week, getting closed after that. The results shall be posted in the following days in a separate post as a short essay, with the full analysis of which option was the most voted/less voted, by whom (users may be mentioned/pinged), the most common commentaries, comparison between the percentages in relation to the overall participation, and of course, the general conclusions taken from the survey, with my personal perspective attached to it.
All guidelines apply.
Any tangent or off-topic comments will be deleted. If the debate gets heated or goes south, it might get locked earlier. That won’t invalidate the survey, just shorten its lifespan.
Think wisely and choose carefully. Happy voting!
