Mandalore the Uniter Aga Awaud was a male Mandalorian mercenary who lived during the tumultuous era of the New Sith Wars . On a journey back to the planet Mandalore in the final century of the galaxy - spanning conflict , Awaud discovered that Mandalorian space was under attack by raiders from the surrounding sectors , and most of his clan had perished from the widespread Candorian plague . Spurred to action , Awaud sent out a call for Mandalorians throughout the galaxy to rally in the defense of the Mandalore sector in what became known as the Return . He claimed the mantle of " Mand ' alor " , the traditional leader of the Mandalorians , and upon assuming the title of Mandalore the Uniter , set about to ensure the Mandalorians survived the New Sith Wars . Under the leadership of Mandalore the Uniter , Mandalorian space emerged from the wars as a significant industrial power in the galaxy , offering protection to the sectors that surrounded it , and becoming a symbol of stability in the Outer Rim Territories . Biography . A male Mandalorian , Aga Awaud was a member of Clan Awaud on Mandalore , the traditional homeworld of the Mandalorian people , located in the Outer Rim region of the galaxy , during the time of the New Sith Wars , waged between the Galactic Republic and the forces of the Sith . Awaud eventually came to earn a living as a mercenary , and had a family who lived on Mandalore . It was during this time that the galaxy had suffered a wide - spread outbreak of the Candorian plague that ravaged entire worlds , and when Awaud returned home to Mandalore in 1058 BBY , he made the sad discovery that his family and much of Clan Awaud had been killed as a result of the disease . His own personal tragedy , in addition to the revelation that the Mandalore sector was under attack by raiders from the lawless sectors that surrounded it to such a degree that Mandalorian starships were forced to form defensive caravans , led Awaud to found a movement that came to be known as the Return . The Return called upon Mandalorians living throughout the galaxy to rally to the defense of Mandalorian space , and many heeded the call . In 1051 BBY , Awaud claimed the title of " Mand ' alor " , the traditional leader of the Mandalorian clans , and took on the sobriquet of Mandalore the Uniter . Under the reign of Mandalore the Uniter , the Mandalorians not only survived the chaos of the New Sith Wars , but flourished . The Mandalore sector became a regional industrial power , and a symbol of much - needed stability in the galaxy ' s Outer Rim Territories , offering protection to neighboring star systems and sectors . Behind the scenes . Aga Awaud was first introduced into " Star Wars " canon in " The Essential Guide to Warfare " , a military - based reference book author ed by Jason Fry and Paul Urquhart , published April 3 , 2012 . Fry developed Awaud with the intention of the character being a celebrated transitional figure in Mandalorian history , and his story was part of a larger attempt to explain and integrate canon changes introduced in the " " television series with existing continuity . Mandalore the Uniter was later referenced and visually depicted for the first time in the reference book " " . Awaud ' s title of Mandalore the Uniter had been used by the real - life leader of the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club , Tom Hutchens , for his costuming character " Novall Talon " since 2008 . When asked if the use of the title in " The Essential Guide to Warfare " had been in reference to Hutchens ' character and the Mandalorian Mercs , Fry admitted that it hadn ' t been intentional , but noted that it was a " lucky accident " and approved of it in retrospect , noting " [ Novall Talon ] and the Mercs are awesome folks , and I ' m very glad it worked out the way it did . " When the canonical Mandalore the Uniter was pictured in " The Bounty Hunter Code " reference book , the character ' s armored appearance was significantly different than the costume armor worn by Hutchens .