Journeyman Protector

Description

These elite Mandalorian warriors, known as the Mandalorian Protectors, the Mandalorian Royal Guards, or simply the Protectors, were an ancient organization. Their primary responsibility was to protect the Mandalorian ruler, a figure known as the Mand'alor. They selected the most capable warriors from the various clans of Mandalore to join their ranks.

Recognized as some of the most skilled pilots within the Mandalore sector, they piloted Fang fighters and utilized a diverse array of equipment. This included ceremonial attire, traditional combat armor, and complete piloting gear, which consisted of blue jumpsuits, air packs, and helmets.

The Concord Dawn Protectors functioned as a militia of lawmen, earning a reputation of both renown and fear across the Mandalorian sector. The Journeyman Protectors continued to employ Fang-class starfighter, operated by the sector's most talented pilots. As a result, the Fang-class became a common sight throughout the Concord Dawn system and the broader Mandalorian territory. While the majority of these impressive starfighters were acquired by the Concord Dawn Protectorate, a small number found their way into the hands of the Black Sun crime syndicate, which then resold them.

History

Clone Wars

CC-1138, a Galactic Republic Clone Marshal Commander who would later adopt the name Bacara, was among the few clone troopers who received training from a former Journeyman. This training may have contributed to his reputation as a solitary figure. Although Mandalore had largely abandoned its martial past by the time of the Clone Wars, the Mandalorian Protectors remained one of the few enduring traditions. They were tasked with safeguarding New Mandalorian leader, Duchess Satine Kryze. These guards wore distinctive armor and carried non-lethal electrostaffs and riot shields.

In the year 21 BBY, the Protectors assisted Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi in gathering all individuals present at or near the Death Watch bombing of the Memorial Shrine located within Sundari's Peace Park. Subsequently, they escorted the Duchess, Master Kenobi, and the body of the bomber's to Concordia, one of Mandalore's moon. The Mandalorian Protectors continued to safeguard the Duchess and her entourage aboard the Coronet, where they defended her and several senators from assassin probes. When Senator Tal Merrik of Kalevala was revealed as a traitor, the royal guards engaged in combat alongside Grand Army of the Republic clone troopers, destroying boarding B2-series super battle droids.

Later, Duchess Satine mobilized the Protectors to spearhead a private investigation into a poisoning outbreak within Sundari. Satine's investigation uncovered a broader black market conspiracy, and the Protectors assisted her and Republic Senator Padmé Amidala in locating the black market's base of operations. While some Protectors ensured Satine's safety during the ensuing conflict, others collaborated with Amidala to apprehend the perpetrators. The conspiracy continued to unravel, eventually revealing that Prime Minister Almec had orchestrated the black market activities on Mandalore. Almec, commanding his own police force, dispatched them to abduct Duchess Satine from her residence. Several Protectors were brutally killed, their bodies discovered by Jedi Padawan Ahsoka Tano and Satine's nephew, Korkie Kryze, who subsequently rescued the Duchess and arrested Almec.

The Journeymans worked hand-in-hand with the Republic during the Clone Wars. They were brought in to train clone troopers, with their leader, Fenn Rau, training clone pilots. At the Third Battle of Mygeeto, the Protectors under Rau fought alongside the Grand Army of the Republic as Skull Squadron rescued Jedi General Depa Billaba and her Padawan, Caleb Dume.

Near the end of the Clone Wars, Death Watch returned to Mandalore, bringing with them a large criminal army to usurp Satine's authority. Satine delivered a speech to the assembled crowds outside her palace, with the Protectors positioned behind her. Death Watch leader Pre Vizsla arrived to challenge Satine, and the Protectors raised their weapons in defense of the Duchess. However, she instructed them to lower their defenses so she could engage in dialogue with Vizsla. Death Watch and their criminal allies overwhelmed the New Mandalorian forces, and Vizsla later entered the throne room to confront Satine once more. The Protectors prepared for battle, but Satine ordered them to stand down, unwilling to provoke violence from herself or her forces. The Duchess surrendered to Death Watch, and she, the New Mandalorian Mandalorian Government Council, and her Protectors were arrested and imprisoned in the prison. Some of Satine's allies later attempted to free her, but after two unsuccessful attempts, she was murdered by the new ruler, Maul, who had defeated Vizsla in combat and claimed his position.

Protectors of Concord Dawn

Following the Imperial occupation of their homeworld Mandalore, the Protectors relocated and established a base on the third moon within the Concord Dawn system. Under the leadership of Fenn Rau, they entered into an agreement with the Empire. Nevertheless, the Protectors harbored deep-seated animosity towards Death Watch and the clans that had sided with them, such as Clan Wren, viewing them as traitors for their involvement in Mandalore's downfall.

In 3 BBY, the Spectres, Hera Syndulla and Sabine Wren, along with two Phoenix Cell pilots, were dispatched to Concord Dawn with the aim of negotiating the use of their hyperspace routes. The Protectors, led by Rau, attacked the negotiators while in orbit. Kanan Jarrus, the leader of the Spectres, was sent to destroy their Fang fighters to prevent further conflict. Kanan's true objective was to complete Hera's mission of negotiating terms. Against Kanan's wishes, Sabine secretly boarded the Phantom with the intent to eliminate Rau for severely injuring Hera during the dogfight. After capturing their leader and destroying their Fang fighters, Rau was compelled to allow the rebels to utilize their hyperspace routes.

Destruction

In 2 BBY, Gar Saxon, the Imperial Viceroy of Mandalore, discovered that the Protectors were permitting rebel ships to traverse the Concord Dawn system to evade Imperial sector patrols. In an attempt to lure Fenn Rau out of hiding, Saxon and his Imperial super commandos launched an assault on the Protectors' encampment on the third moon of Concord Dawn, resulting in their complete annihilation. When Rau traveled back to Concord Dawn with Sabine, Ezra Bridger, and Chopper, they discovered the devastation that had befallen the Protectors. After escaping Saxon, Rau made the decision to join the rebellion.

Legacy

Following the outbreak of the Mandalorian Civil War after the skirmish on Krownest, and the deaths of Viceroy Gar Saxon and his brother Governor Tiber Saxon during a mission to Mandalore, various Mandalorian clans declared their allegiance to Bo-Katan Kryze, Satine's sister, to lead them. Rau also declared that the Protectors were with her. Concurrently, the unified rebel cells of the Alliance to Restore the Republic continued their operations against the Empire in the Galactic Civil War. Recognizing its inability to maintain control over Mandalore, the Empire retaliated with the Great Purge of Mandalore, a genocidal attack on Mandalore that decimated the Mandalorian population in the final days of the Galactic Civil War. Despite this, the Galactic Civil War concluded with the fall of the Empire and the rise of the New Republic. The Mandalorian Aran Tal, a participant in the Hunters of the Outer Rim competition, wore a suit of armor inspired by the Mandalorian Royal Guard. His fellow hunter Imara Vex disapproved of the armor, stating that "guardian" was not the appropriate word to complete the sentence "Aran's a royal something."

Behind the scenes

Satine's guards were inspired by a Sith concept created by Iain McCaig for Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace. Satine herself was also based on a McCaig concept for Queen Padmé Amidala.

The Protectors' sigil originates from concept art by Joe Johnston for Boba Fett. Matt Martin, a member of the Lucasfilm Story Group, confirmed on the Rebels Recon for the Star Wars Rebels episode "Twin Suns" that the Protectors were the same guards who served Satine during Star Wars: The Clone Wars.