Model Write-Up #26 - Descendants of the Neo-Crusaders

"The Mandalorian Neo-Crusaders were an ancient order of Mandalorians who had served to rebuild Mandalorian society following their war with Darth Revan, around four millennia prior to the Battle of Yavin. These Neo-Crusaders were attempting to reduce the perspective on Mandalorians purely as bounty hunters for hire, and to bring their people back to their former glory. They practised ancient Mandalorian traditions, and were highly honourable. In the end, the Neo-Crusaders largely failed, as the Galactic Republic would not permit the existence of another significant Mandalorian empire, and interest in the Neo-Crusaders' cause slowly waned. However, in a far-off corner of the Unknown Regions, in a location where generations of Republic and Sith Empire troopers fought in an ever continuing confrontation, each new generation inheriting armour and weaponry from the last, a small band of Neo-Crusaders stayed close to their tradition and way of life. Firmly believing that they had the opportunity to maintain a bastion of Mandalorian influence in this section of the Unknown Regions, the Crusaders refused to give in. When the Hyperspace Malfunction occurred, Nidas Fett met this enigmatic group of traditionalist Mandalorians, and their leader, Marshall Hakus Crawthorne. Nidas originally sought the support of the Neo-Crusaders in leaving the Unknown Regions, and the Crusaders refused to help; they believed their cause was just, and that spreading the word of the Mandalorian people's oldest traditions here, in one of the most hostile regions of the galaxy, was their calling. Nidas had hoped to leave without incident, but the Neo-Crusaders captured him and forced him to endure several gruelling trials of spirit, body, and skill, to prove he was worthy of having had their counsel. The final test - a duel with Hakus Crawthorne himself - was passed by Nidas, and the Marshall declared Nidas worthy of the Neo-Crusaders' guidance. They led him to a long-forgotten stash of equipment which, among other things, held the schematics for an ancient faster-than-light propulsion device. The device did not rely on hyperspace lanes, as current FTL travel did, although it was very temperamental and only the best of engineers and helmsman could actually operate it. It was then that word reached the small group that had gone with Nidas that Mandalore the Infernal had decimated the Neo-Crusaders' base of operations, and ransacked it for any technology or defectors to his cause. Realising the cause of the Neo-Crusaders was unachievable now, Hakus formally requested permission for the survivors of the Crusaders to join Nidas Fett's cohort and make their way out of the Unknown Regions. He agreed, and the Neo-Crusaders joined Nidas Fett's considerable complement of allies. They serve as some of Nidas' most trusted warriors, and act as guides in the Unknown Regions, their unique knowledge passed down through the generations providing significant benefit to the Mandalorians under Nidas' banner."