Clan Kaist

The House Symbol of Clan Kaist

> "And what of our planet, our own people?"
>
> -Lloc Kaist, Mandalorian Captain, addressing Clan Kaist during the purge of Mandalore in 1BBY.

 **Clan Kaist**, or known by others as "House Kaist", is a Mandalorian Clan founded during the end of the Mandalorian Civli Wars, Stemming from Old Mandalorian societies. Many of it's members are made up of the scarred remnants of now destroyed clans in the ongoing event known as the "Great Purge" on Mandalore, alongside many undertrained foundlings who were displaced in the fighting.

## The Founding

Born in the aftermath of the Civil War, many younglings had lost the Clans they were once apart of, being left alone and without guidance. To this end, a Mandalorian known as as "Lloc Kaist" had founded his own clan, which was based off ancient ideas and rituals stemmed from the faction commonly known as the "Old Mandalorians"; This clan was commonly known to accept small jobs and bounties during the early years of their existence, growing to be known as a sizable and respectable group to hire.

## The Purge

During the height of the New Mandalorian governing policies on Mandalore, Clan Kaist would grow little in numbers due to the existence of Mandalorians who held onto the old ways becoming less welcome by many. Although choosing to stay independent of any other Mandalorian Clan or House, their policies would steer for a different direction at the end of the Clone Wars, and the rise of the Empire. The news of Mandalore becoming occupied by this new galactic government grew to become resentment for many members of the Clan, even if they did not agree with New Mandalorians who still live there.

When news of the Purge of Mandalore reached the ears of Clan Kaist, their leader, Lloc, chose to take direct action against this threat to their people, as foolhardy as it seemed. Many in the clan, especially the elderly, opposed this with echoing anger; They did not wish to assist the New Mandalorians who exiled them so long ago...but, in the end, at the orders of their Chieftain, Clan Kaist would return to Mandalore to help their fellow people.

During the few days that Clan Kaist would assist in fighting on Mandalore's glassed surface, many members would die in the intense fighting with Imperial droids that ensued. Futile attempts to rally the broken clans that survived the initial bombing of the planet proved to be futile in their efforts; It would be during this time that Lloc would perish in defense of a Mandalorian city against Imperial forces. Leaderless, weakened, and now few in numbers, the survivors would abandon the effort to defend the lost homeworld of their people.

The next few months were that of hiding, the name "Mandalorian" now becoming a mostly forgotten word as they faced the possibility of extinction.

## 1BBY+

Few Survivors would escape the fires of Mandalore, and of the few that did would lead the remnants of Clan Kaist into hiding amongst Imperial settlements. Many members had sustained a great deal of hatred for the Empire during the Purge of Mandalore, although, in their current state, they had no capabilities to fight back. Communication with other clans was cut due to the immediate nature of their abandonment of Mandalore, now forced to live as stragglers in a foreign systems.
Following the immediate departure of Mandalore, Clan Kaist would create a small home for themselves in the deserts of Tatooine, creating connections with underground networks for weapons trade and jobs as guns-for-hire.

With the time now ripe for the taking, following months of hiding, Clan Kaist would make it's first departure from it's hidden confines on the desert planet to a world afar in search of ruins once belonging to a Dark Sorcerer; This was in turn found out from word of a job requiring trained mercenaries, as the temple had proven itself far too dangerous for simple explorers to enter. Three clans-members entered in search of treasure, although this was met with violence from cultists and local creatures. With wit, strength, and teamwork, the beasts were slain with assistance from outside parties who were also hired to explore the temple. Also of note, the Mandalorians had met a possible other Mandalorian, which was of extreme importance due to the death of the majority of Mandalorians following the purge.

## Relations

Although Clan Kaist is greatly opposed to the Galactic Empire, it does not directly align itself with the nature of the Rebel Alliance. Clan Kaist is mainly lead by figureheads of older age, of whom mostly oppose the Galactic Republic that was the precursor to the Empire. Most of this belief is built off years of grudges and old hatred for the Galactic Republic that spans countless years back.

Beyond it's distaste of the Empire and Rebels, their dislike of Jedi runs deep due to it's ties on old beliefs. Jedi are, more often than not, to not be trusted by Clan Kaist. This opinion on Jedi, and Force-users as a whole is constructed upon the Mandalorian-Jedi War that was waged so long ago.

## Equipment

The Equipment of Clan Kaist is mainly composed of tradational Mandalorian Weapons, usually preferring melee weapons combined with mobility-enhancing equipment and/or armor accessories (E.G Jump/Jetpacks). Although blasters are offered as a possibility, they are usually reserved for specially trained marksmen who have proven themselves not only capable with a blaster, but more importantly melee weaponry to prove they must not rely on such technology.

Armor, more specifically, Beskar armor pieces are extremely rare, only given to Kaist clan-goers of special denotation of ranking in the clan itself. Armor is usually built to resemble the traditional armor of old, rarely drawing upon modernized and updated design choices found in the mass-produced armor pieces seen across the system. The color usually seen adorning armor is of a tan coloring.

## Leadership, and structure

Clan Kaist, following the death of it's old Chieftain, reformed to resemble a council of four that may vote upon a Kaist member of renow skill as a leader, but only in specific instances where the clan may be in great conflict, and leadership of that kind is required.

Apart from Leadership, Clan Kaist is composed of few ranks, with Enforcers often-times taking head with jobs and bounties, leading small groups of other Mandalorians into these jobs with co-operation and teamwork. Below Enforcers are normal Mandalorians, and then Foundlings.