May: History / Culture

May – Culture

“Aliit ori’shya taldin” – in Star Wars Universe fiction (especially the novels written by Karen Traviss) the phrase “Aliit ori’shya taldin” is used in the Mandalorian language to mean “Family is More Than Blood.” Mandos from diverse backgrounds all share a close bond. Not only do Star Wars Costumers meet at Comic-Book or Sci-Fi Conventions, but also Charity Events, store/shop events, Armor Parties, or simple dinners/get-togethers.  This month it also Star Wars Day on May the Fourth where there will be lots of opportunity to meet others who love Star Wars.  The mandalorian fictional language uses the word “Vod” to mean a friend/battle-brother that’s close like a brother/sister, and “Vod’e” is the plural. This challenge is about meeting your vod’e.

Challenge:
Meet Local Mandalorians or Star Wars Costumers

Novice:
Contact your local Mandalorian Clan, or if there’s another LFL (Lucasfilm Limited) recognized costuming group that’s closer (501st Legion, Rebel Legion, The Dark Empire, R2 Astromech Builders Club, Outer Rim Brigade, etc.). With a Parent/Guardian’s permission, find out if there’s an upcoming event where you can join them just to meet more local members and hang out. Ideally this would be a non-costumed event (dinner, armor party, etc.) but if it’s easier to meet at a convention or local troop, that will work as well. For this challenge you do NOT need to be in your armor (that’s later), just wear your helmet for photos.

Journeyman:
Same as the Novice level challenge, except send pictures from 2 events.

Expert:
Same as the Novice level challenge, except send pictures from 3 events!

Send what level you completed (Novice, Journeyman, or Expert) with a photo (with helmet on) with your new vod’e you’ve met and send to mythosaur@verdikacorps.com and remember to include your Verd’ika Mandalorian Name for credit.

April: Lines of Communication

April – Lines of Communication

bajur. [BAH-jur] education, the raising and nurturing of children – a wider meaning than just school work, includes preparation for life and survival.

In the field, a line of communication is not just for messages, but also supplies. Within the Star Wars costuming and charity community, it’s very important to know what events are going on, to know who’s involved, and to at least have some idea of how or where to find things out. If you’ve already been in contact with your local Mandalorian Clan, this will be a very easy Challenge and that’s a good thing!

Prerequisite:
As a Mythosaur (13+) you may create a forum account, however, you still need to work with your parent(s) or guardian to make sure this is okay with them. While doing some of these challenges will certainly be easier with a forum account, it’s not a requirement. You will, however, need to work with someone who does have access. If you do not have permission to create an MMCC forum account, talk with your parent/guardian and find out when you may create one.

Challenge:
Establish Initial Lines of Communication

Novice:
Find out what clan/stronghold of the Mercs is the closest to where you live. You can use the MMCC main website (http://mandalorianmercs.org/), and click “Our Members” and “Clan Locator.”

Optionally, you can contact a Regional Commander for the region (or Regional Ver’sol) that includes your location and ask questions via email (main website -> Who We Are -> Staff).

Journeyman:
This is like the Novice Level Challenge except in addition to reaching out to the Regional Commander for your region.  Find out the name of the closest Alor’ad (Clan Leader) and (with your Parent/Legal Guardian’s permission of course) reach out and introduce yourself and get a list of all the local officers. If you have MMCC Forum access, you can do this on the Regional or Clan forum (or private message).

Expert:
This is like the Novice & Journeyman Level Challenges except in addition to reaching out to the Regional Commander for your region and the closest Alor’ad near you.  Reach out to 2 or more of those officers via email. If you have MMCC Forum access, you can do this on the Regional or Clan forum (or private message).

Send what level you completed (Novice, Journeyman, or Expert) send what you learned about your local area and a copy of any replies you received from these leaders to mythosaur@verdikacorps.com and remember to include your Verd’ika Mandalorian Name for credit.

March: Cultivating

March – Harvesting

Many hunts are short, lasting only a few days or even weeks. However, there are legends of great hunters that tracked and followed their prey to alien worlds and stalked them for months or years waiting for the right chance to strike. Sometimes these worlds were starved for resources and the Hunter has to set up a semi-permanent camp to act as a central base (or place of concealment), and forage or bring their own harvested supplies to be able to continue their hunt.

Challenge:
Harvesting Produce

Novice:
With the help of a parent, choose 2 different plants that produces something edible.  You can challenge yourself to grow from seeds, but not necessary for this challenge.   These plants or trees can be at at various growth stages up to full maturity.  Take a photo of each plant or tree produce grown.

Journeyman:
Building on the Novice Level Challenge and expanding on January’s challenge cuisine, with the help of a parent – cook (if needed) and eat something that came from one of your plants or tree (this can be a fruit, grain, nuts, a tuber, or even the leaves of the plant – whatever is the edible part).

Expert:
Building on the Journeyman Level Challenge and expanding on January’s challenge cuisine, with the help of a parent – cook (if needed) and eat something that came from two different plants or tree (this can be a fruit, grain, nuts, a tuber, or even the leaves of the plant – whatever is the edible part). In addition to a photo of your plants from Novice and Journeyman take a picture of the meal created from your plant.

Send what level you completed (Novice, Journeyman, or Expert) with photos of your plants to mythosaur@verdikacorps.com and remember to include your Verd’ika Mandalorian Name for credit.

February: CRLs Eras and Styles

February: CRLs Eras and Styles

Following detailed orders is an important skill for a Mandalorian. There are times that we might get instructions from a client hiring us, or a member of the clan, or even The Mandalore may need to be able to give us detailed instructions. They need to be able to count on us being able to understand them.

Fortunately, we can use the MMCC CRLs to help us train and refine this skill. Additionally, the App Team is always working to keep MMCC Mandalorian costumes in tip-top form or clarify areas of confusion. Because of this, the CRL changes regularly and it’s a great idea to brush up on it from time to time.

Finally, when a Mythosaur turns 18, they have the honor and privilege of going through the same armor Approval process as every other adult member of the MMCC. Now is a good time to start working towards getting your armor kit as good as it can be! To do that, you should know the process for how your armor will be judged.

Prerequisite:
Get on the Internet and browse to the MMCC Main Website: http://mandalorianmercs.org/ (Click “Costume Requirements” tab). Find the CRLs for Crusaders, Modern, and Post-Imperial.

Challenge:
The Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club currently recognizes three distinct “Eras” of Mandalorians from what we know through movies, shows, comics, and novels. Each era has a “Costume Requirements List”, which is commonly referred to as the “CRLs”. The CRLs detail the costume requirements for compliance with the given era or subcategory within the era.  Select which Era and Style (if applicable) best fits the costume listed below in Novice, Journeyman, and/or Expert.

Novice:
Identify numbers 1, 2, & 3 which Era and Style (if applicable).

Journeyman:
Complete the Novice challenge, then also identify numbers 4, 5, 6, & 7, stating which Era and Style (if applicable).

Expert:
Complete the Novice and Journeyman challenges, then also identify numbers 8, 9, 10 & 11, stating which Era and Style (if applicable).

Send what level you completed (Novice, Journeyman, or Expert) answers the photos to mythosaur@verdikacorps.com and remember to include your Verd’ika Mandalorian Name for credit.  Explain what details you noticed about the costumes that helped you select the Era and Style (if applicable) you believe the CRLs match up with.  After reviewing all of these different eras, tell us which one is your favorite!

January: Cuisine

January – Cuisine

On long hunts, eventually pre-packaged food runs out (or you get sick of how it tastes straight out of the package). Mandalorians must know how to prepare their own food. Warriors from the Mando home-world are famous for loving spicy & seasoned food!

Challenge:
Prepare a meal

Novice:
With the help of a parent, prepare a meal for yourself. It should consist of a main item, a side item, and a beverage. This may be a cold (from the refrigerator) or warm (oven, stove-top, or microwave) meal.

Journeyman:
With the help of a parent, prepare a meal for yourself and your family. One or more of the items should be warm (either prepared using an oven, stove-top or microwave).

Expert:
With the help of a parent, plan, purchase the ingredients for, and prepare a meal for yourself and your family. One or more of the items should be warm (either prepared using an oven, stove-top, or microwave).

Send what level you completed (Novice, Journeyman, or Expert) with a photo (with helmet on) of what you accomplished to mythosaur@verdikacorps.com and remember to include your Verd’ika Mandalorian Name for credit.