The Imperishable Reignar Guard

Each Reignar, the matriarchal leader of the Savashan Gnolls and inheritor of Hyana's spirit, is protected by a loyal, dedicated and sworn guard. Each of the Imperishable Guard have sworn a pledge to protect their Reignar from challengers, threats and assassins from outside her court.
The primary goal of the Imperishable Guard was defending the Reignar from all her enemies, and to promote the strength of the Gnolls within the Diarchy of Ankh'hera. The ranks were formed by battle-hardened and elite Gnolls chosen by the Reignar for their unique battle prowess and for their potential as attractive mates. Unlike other guard groups, one manner in which to show strength and influence within her rule the Reignar chooses the greatest warriors from different clans and takes them as part of her harem.
Upon the age of retirement, if they have survived that long, the Imperishable began to train the children of the Reignar into distinct warriors and preserve their bloodline in hopes of creating new-blood and clans that may fight for them & future Reignar's.

Composition

Manpower

To each group of Imperishable Guards, there are usually between 15-40 honour guards of the Reignar - however, maintaining these large groups or raising such a large number reflects on the strength of the Gnolls in the period, and the power of the Reignar themselves.

Equipment

Each of the Imperishable Guard is adorned with blood-red abas and tabards, so it is said that no one can see they bleed. Their faces are hidden under metal-plated facial guards, shaped in the particular style of war-paint and honorific symbols of their mother clans to strike fear into their enemies. Each helmet always had one eye closed, so as to always be able to fight in light or dark conditions at the ready. Each honour guard is sworn to silence, however, growls and howls are accepted, unless the Reignar has granted permission to speak - and thus, whilst on duty, each Imperishable wears a special muzzle guard under their masks. Some say this is to protect the friends of the Reignar, and prevent jealous squabbles between other Imperishable guards that seek the favour of the Reignar.
The most visually striking and intimidating part of the Imperishable armour was the 'bone plate' they adorned - a deceptive and intimidating appearance meant to strike fear into their enemies, whilst hiding their true armour underneath the 'skeleton' of their armour. Made up from the carved bones of their defeated enemies, from gladiatorial bouts and conquests - each enemy is ritualistically carried and flaunts to other Gnolls of their kill count of different groups and even other Gnolls that had challenged them in duels or fights. It was designed as a three-section cuirass fully protecting the back, left and front parts of the body - however, the right part was protected by a separate section; protected by vertical semi-rounded plates which protected the shoulders from vertical cutting strokes. All the cords that strapped the bone armour were tied and tightened at the back, creating an almost spine and rib-cage like appearance - it showed respect and trust between the honour guard to have their armour put on by a fellow guard, showing loyalty to one another and for their Reignar.

Weaponry

The most formidable weapon of the Imperishable was the glaive, and they carried these around with them everywhere in the protection of the Reignar, fighting from a distance and inflicting harmful blows when mounted on Hyaenadon. In most situations, the Imperishable were a unit of heavy cavalry and mounted archers - thus would always resort to their longbows. In other situations, they have been known to carry barbed whips and meat-cleaver like blades designed to cut and bleed their opponents.

Vehicles

Each of the Imperishable has a personal armoured Hyaenodon (weighing between 80-130lbs, while others were known to weigh 800 lb; at around 10 feet tall). They used these beasts to travel across savannah and desert, and worked together in packs - the largest of which belonged to the currently most beloved Imperishable of the Reignar. Fast-moving hunters used to track prey, perform mounted combat and attack other cavalry with attacks intended to shear meat and crush bone.

Structure

The Imperishable Guard were commanded by the one who held the title of 'Aarda' - a position granted not by seniority or meritocracy, but by appointment and favour of the Reignar (although these factors are taken into account, but have not always been so). They always stand by the right-hand side, or behind the Reignar, thus given the nickname of Shadowhand. They would always be in command of 10 Imperishables, in an arrow-shaped formation. These would always be defined as the 'Stripes', for their dark-red striped attire, and were always among the most favoured and most skilled elite warriors. Others that fall out of this unit, that did not always stand by the Reignar's side or were off duty, were the 'Spots' and hung behind the Reignar and Aarda, and typically operated as the ranged support.

Training

In order to join this unit - one must impress the Reignar by completing great tasks and earn renown for their great hunts, or by the most typical method - the gladiatorial arena. Surviving against many other participants wishing to become one of the Reignar's honour guard, they must compete and slay all other opponents in open-field combat or in the arenas within their Dens. Then they endure the 'Night of Scars Delight', in which the newly accepted Guard is bound by a muzzle and must endure one night with the Reignar without making a single noise - by the end of which, they are usually left with cuts, bruises and scars, of which they adorn a white abas and tabard stained with their injuries. Afterward, their injuries are cleaned and begin rigorous training as a Spot until they earn the favour of their Reignar through their actions to become a Stripe, usually from successfully defending her from would be attackers or opponents.

Type

Special Forces

Overall training Level

Professional

Assumed Veterancy

Veteran