Bloodhand Vanguard
The Bloodhand Vanguard, commonly known simply as the "Bloodhands", was an elite and brutal military formation within the Zendylite Empire from its founding until the Bloodhand Rebellion of the late 24th century ATC. Much of the Empire's success during it's various expansions could be credited to the fanatical loyalty and ferocity of the Bloodhands.
The Vanguard itself owed its frequent success to its exclusive use of Bloodsteel weaponry, and the order's harsh training methods.
Culture
"Blood for the Messenger... theirs, ours, it's all the same." -Joke popular among line warriors of the Vanguard
History
The Vanguard was founded in 1015ATC when Zendyl Heste do Shaphel, still known by his original family name of Hestesi at the time, inducted the first twenty warriors into the order, after an extensive training and winnowing process. These first twenty would dedicate much of their time and efforts to studying the nuances of Bloodsteel combat and designing the training regimens that would form the Bloodhands into a fighting force that would be feared for centuries.
Disbandment
In 2471ATC, an apparent rebellion broke out (see the Bloodhand Rebellion), when Bloodhands that had been stationed in a distant northern colony suddenly lashed out and began slaughtering anyone not of their order. When the Imperial administration received word of this, various other legions of the Vanguard began demanding the right to stamp out the traitors, only to turn and join the rebellion upon confronting their brethren. The Sharrarch, in turn, ordered the destruction of the traitorous legions, but kept the remaining Bloodhands close, refusing to send them into battle, save as soldiers of the regular Zendylite armies, equipped with standard weaponry. In 2384ATC, as his final edict before abdicating the Sharrarchy and entering retirement, the outgoing ruler officially dissolved the Bloodhand Vanguard and outlawed the use or production of Bloodsteel.
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