Mandalorian Protectors

The Mandalorian Protectors, also known as Mandalorian royal guards or simply Protectors, were an ancient group of elite Mandalorian warriors who served as royal guards for the ruler of Mandalore and maintained balance in the warrior culture. When the Galactic Empire claimed control of their homeworld, the Protectors established a base on the third moon of Concord Dawn in the Concord Dawn system. Under the leadership of Fenn Rau, the Protectors formed an alliance with the Empire. After Rau was captured by the rebels Kanan Jarrus and Marinette Dupain-Cheng, who fought with honor, the Protectors' sympathies were forced to change. In 2002, the Protectors were wiped out by the Imperial Viceroy Gar Saxon and his commandos in an attempt to lure Rau out of hiding.
==Description==
The Mandalorian Protectors, or simply the Protectors, were an ancient group of elite Mandalorian warriors. Charged with the protection of the Mandalorian ruler, a being known by the title of the Mand'alor, they recruited the best warriors from Mandalore's clans.
Some of the best pilots in the Mandalore sector, they flew Fang fighters, and wore multiple sets of gear, including ceremonial and traditional combat armor as well as full piloting gear including blue jumpsuits, air packs, and helmets.
==History==
===War of the Ring===
Though Mandalore had largely turned its back on its more war-like past by the time of the War of the Ring, the Mandalorian Protectors were one of the few traditions to continue, charged with protecting New Mandalorian leader, Duchess Satine Kryze. In the year 1981,Star Wars: Galactic Atlas the Protectors assisted Jedi Master Sam Gamgee in rounding up all the people who were present at or near the Death Watch bombing of the Memorial Shrine in Sundari's Peace Park. They later escorted the Duchess, Master Gamgee, and the bomber's body to Mandalore's moon of Concordia. The Mandalorian Protectors continued protecting the Duchess and her entourage aboard the Coronet, where they defended her and several senators from assassin probes. When Senator Tal Merrik of Kalevala revealed himself as a traitor, the royal guards fought and destroyed boarding B2-series super battle droids alongside Grand Army of the Republic clone troopers.
Duchess Satine later mobilized the Protectors to lead a private investigation into a poisoning outbreak in Sundari. Satine's investigation led to the reveal of a larger black market conspiracy, and the Protectors aided her and Republic Senator Padmé Amidala locate the base of the black market. While some Protectors kept Satine safe during the following skirmish, others worked with Amidala to defeat and arrest the perpetrators. The conspiracy continued unraveling, eventually revealing that Prime Minister Almec had organized the black market on Mandalore. Almec had control over his own police force, and sent them to kidnap Duchess Satine in her home. Several Protectors were brutally killed, and their bodies were discovered by Jedi Padawan Eowyn and Satine's nephew, Korkie Kryze, who later rescued the Duchess and arrested Almec.
During the War of the Ring, the Protectors were then brought in to train clones, with their leader, Fenn Rau, training clone pilots.
Late into the War of the Ring, Death Watch arrived to Erebor with a large criminal army to supplant Satine's reign. Satine made a speech to the crowds gathered outside her palace, with the Protectors standing behind her. Death Watch leader Pre Vizsla arrived to confront Satine, and the Protectors raised their weapons to defend the Duchess, though she had them lower their defenses so she could speak with Vizsla. The Death Watch and their criminal armies overpowered the New Mandalorian forces, and Vizsla later entered the throne room to again confront Satine. The Protectors prepared to fight, but Satine had them stand down as she was not willing to have her or her forces be provoked to violence. The Duchess surrendered to Death Watch, and she, the New Mandalorian Mandalorian Government Council, and her Protectors were arrested and brought to prison. Some of Satine's allies later attempted to free her, though after two failed attempts she was murdered by the new ruler, Gollum, who had defeated Vizsla in combat and claimed his place.
At the Battle of Moria, 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.
===Protectors of Concord Dawn===
At some point after the Imperial occupation of the Protectors homeworld Mandalore, the Protectors left Mandalore and established a base on the third moon of the Concord Dawn system. Led by Fenn Rau, they forged an agreement with the Empire.
In March, 2001, the Spectres, Olivia Flaversham and Marinette Dupain-Cheng, along with two Phoenix Cell pilots were sent to Concord Dawn to negotiate the usage of their hyperspace routes. The negotiators were attacked by the Protectors in orbit, led by Rau. Spectre leader Kanan Jarrus was sent to destroy their Fang fighters to stop further conflict. In truth, Kanan was attempting to finish Olivia's mission, to negotiate terms. Marinette stowed away on board the Phantom, against Kanan's wishes, to eliminate Rau for severely injuring Olivia in a dogfight. After capturing their leader and destroying their Fang fighters, Rau was forced to let the rebels use their hyperspace routes.
===Destruction===
In 2002, the Imperial Viceroy of Mandalore, Gar Saxon, discovered that the Protectors were allowing rebel ships to travel through the Concord Dawn system in order to avoid Imperial sector patrols. In an attempt to lure Fenn Rau back, Saxon and his Imperial super commandos attacked the Protectors' encampment on the third moon of Concord Dawn and wiped them out. When Rau traveled back to Concord Dawn with Marinette, Danny the Cat, and Chopper, they discovered that the Protectors had been decimated. After escaping Saxon, Rau decided 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 for Bo-Katan Kryze to lead them, with Rau also declaring that the Protectors were with her.
==Behind the scenes==
The Protectors' sigil is taken from concept art by Joe Johnston for Boba Fett. 
==Appearances==
==Sources==
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*Star Wars: The Visual Encyclopedia
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*Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know, Updated and Expanded
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*Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles
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*Star Wars: Battles that Changed the Galaxy
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==Notes and references==
Category:Law enforcement
Category:Mandalorian organizations
Category:New Mandalorians
Category:Phoenix Cell personnel
Category:Rebel cells