Mandalore the Vindicated

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"Mandalore was slain recently and his killer, the new Mandalore, has taken his place. Whether or not he's another Imperial puppet remains to be seen but we must watch him closely."

―Jedi Master Gnost-Dural, on Mandalore the Vindicated — 20?cb=20250116042720

▶️ (file info)^[5]

Artus Lok was a Human male Mandalorian warrior of Clan Lok who lived during the Great Galactic War, a galaxy-wide conflict between the Galactic Republic and the resurgent Sith Empire. Sometime after the signing of the Treaty of Coruscant, the reigning Mandalore—seeking to regain support after being defeated during the Blockade of the Hydian Way—organized a competition for glory known as the Great Hunt, which was held on a galactic scale. Artus eventually became the Grand Champion of the Great Hunt, and challenged the Mandalore to a duel in the gladiatorial arenas on the planet Geonosis. He successfully killed the Mandalorian leader and took the title of Mandalore the Vindicated. He began to consolidate his power over the Mandalorian clans, destroying an uprising led by Jicoln Cadera, who believed the Mandalorians should support the Republic. After defeating Cadera's faction, Mandalore the Vindicated ensured that his Mandalorians remained allies of the Sith.

Biography

Artus Lok, a Human male, was a Mandalorian warrior who lived during the Great Galactic War, which was a galactic conflict between the Galactic Republic and the resurgent Sith Empire. Seven years prior to the Sacking of Coruscant, the reigning Mandalore—who was a puppet ruler secretly serving the Sith Empire—was defeated during the Blockade of the Hydian Way. After this, Mandalore organized a galaxy-wide competition for glory, known as the Great Hunt. Artus fought during the competition, eventually becoming the Grand Champion of the Great Hunt.^[3]

Mandalore the Vindicated, after having killed Mandalore the Lesser.

Artus challenged Mandalore to a duel^[3] in the gladiatorial arenas on the planet Geonosis.^[5] He killed the Mandalorian leader and assumed the title of Mandalore the Vindicated. After defeating the Mandalore—who became known as Mandalore the Lesser—he began to consolidate his power over the Mandalorian clans. During this time, Mandalore defeated an uprising by a faction of Mandalorians led by Jicoln Cadera, who believed that the Mandalorians should follow the ways of Mandalore the Preserver^[3]—who fought during the Mandalorian Wars and the Jedi Civil War three centuries prior^[6]—and support the Republic. After defeating Cadera's Mandalorians, Mandalore the Vindicated ensured that his Mandalorians remained well-paid, yet cautious, allies of the Sith Empire.^[3] Under his leadership, the Mandalorians prospered. However, several of his contemporaries believed that their Mandalore was not content with being an ally of the Sith, and secretly harbored greater ambitions.^[7]

During the Cold War, Artus summoned the latest Grand Champion to his flagship, the Spirit of Vengeance. He commended the Hunter for avenging Hedarr Soongh, preventing the Great Hunt list from being leaked, and stopping Tarro Blood. He sent the Hunter to Dromund Kaas to kill a Sithspawn and bring its heart as a trophy. Upon his Champion's successful return, Artus introduced the other Grand Champions, Bloodworthy, Jewl'a Nightbringer and the Defenestrator. He declared the Hunter worthy of gaining access to the Blacklist, a confidential list of impossible bounties reserved only to the Grand Champions.

Artus then confessed that with war threatening to reignite, he wanted the Hunter to stand as his replacement among the Grand Champions, revealing that slaying the Sithspawn was a test. The Hunter gladly accepted his offer and became a Mandalorian.

When a Republic strike team sent by Jun Seros assaulted the Grand Champions' party on Nar Shaddaa to celebrate the Hunter's successful Blacklist kills, killing Bloodworthy, Jewl'a, and Defenestrator, Artus sent a message to his surviving Champion, demanding that they avenge their fallen comrades upon the cowardly Republic scum.

Artus was later present on Ilum as part of the emergency war council gathered to discuss Darth Malgus' New Empire.^[8]

During the Eternal Empire's Conquest, Mandalore summoned all of the clans to him. It was rumored that the Mandalorians continued to fight against the Eternal Empire, but no one had seen physical proof. Mandalore the Vindicated was said to have died in a battle against the Eternal Empire, members of his clan saw him being swarmed by Skytroopers. The manner of the Mandalore's death would later cause a grudge to form within the clans regarding droids. Shae Vizla reluctantly took on the mantle of Mandalore sometime after Artus' death.

Personality and traits

Mandalore the Vindicated was fond of the Mandalorian drink Ne'tra gal

"I've got a lot to thank you for. Shoring that secret auction, avenging Hedarr Soongh, stopping that arrogant snob Tarro Blood."

―Mandalore the Vindicated thanking the Great Hunt champion for their deeds.^[9]

Mandalore the Vindicated, born Artus Lok, was a towering human male with dark skin and a shaven head, embodying both the physical prowess and the complex leadership qualities befitting a Mandalorian leader. His facial features were hardened, yet he lacked the gruffness often associated with his warrior kin, suggesting a leader who balanced sternness with approachability.

Artus was deeply respected and revered among the Mandalorian clans. His leadership was marked by a strategic mind and a vision that extended beyond mere conquest. This is evident in his cautious alliance with the Sith Empire; while he ensured his warriors were well-compensated allies, he remained vigilant and wary of the Sith's true intentions, reflecting his prudence and foresight.

His relationships were complex and multifaceted. Once a close friend to Jicoln Cadera, former chief of Clan Cadera, their bond fractured due to ideological differences after Artus claimed the title of Mandalore. Despite defeating Jicoln and vowing to eliminate his lineage, Artus refrained from harming Jicoln's son, Torian Cadera. Instead, he entrusted the Grand Champion of the Great Hunt with Torian's well-being during their travels, indicating possible regret and a lingering sense of duty towards his former friend's family.

Artus held strong opinions about the conduct of his warriors. He harbored a deep disdain for the bloodthirsty clan chieftain Mavrix Varad, whom he described as a "rancor with a foaming mouth," highlighting his contempt for uncontrolled aggression. Furthermore, his dislike for the dishonorable Mandalorian Tarro Blood underscores his commitment to integrity and honor within the Mandalorian ranks.

In moments of camaraderie, Artus displayed a more personable side. He had a particular fondness for Ne'tra gal, a traditional Mandalorian black ale, often partaking in the drink, especially after adopting the Great Hunt champion into his clan. This appreciation for cultural traditions and his ability to enjoy the simpler pleasures amidst the burdens of leadership reveal a leader who remained connected to his roots and the customs of his people.

Mandalore the Vindicated was a leader of profound depth—strategic and cautious, yet capable of deep personal connections; a warrior who valued honor and discipline over reckless bloodshed; and a man who, despite the weight of his title, remained grounded in the traditions and relationships that defined the Mandalorian way.

Behind the scenes

Mandalore the Vindicated first appeared in the video Timeline 4: The Empire Changes Strategy, which was released on the official website of the PC video game Star Wars: The Old Republic. He later received an entry in the "Biographies" section of the website's "Holonet" feature. On Mandalore's biographical entry, there are several phrases in Aurebesh. When translated, they read "Mandalore the Vindicated," "champion needed," and "Jedi merely first".

The Bounty Hunter player character in The Old Republic meets Mandalore onboard his cruiser, the Spirit of Vengeance, at the beginning of Act II of their storyline. Mandalore calls on the Hunter, the newly-crowned Grand Champion of the Great Hunt, to slay "the Ghost in the Darkness" - a massive terentatek in the jungles of Dromund Kaas - and bring back its heart as proof. Upon doing so, Mandalore offers to induct the Hunter into his clan and requests that the Hunter replace him on the Blacklist, an exclusive group of hunters made up of other Grand Champions, in order to ensure that a Mandalorian remains among their number. With a Mandalorian taking his place, he explains, he can return to "winning the Sith's wars for them". Whether the Hunter chooses to join or not is up to the player.^[10]