Iron Manticore

Fighters trained by the infamous Highspire mercenary company are regarded with some mixture of fear and respect in most civilized places. A credible claim to legion membership can help with anything from an intimidation attempt to a job interview.
Manticores are bound by certain contractual principles, the most important being the absolute ban on attempting to harm or betray an employer for the duration of contract. Iron Manticores rarely have trouble finding work, as employers prefer them to virtually any other mercenary outfit. That proud reputation comes with a price, however, and members are expected to maintain a high level of readiness and skill.
Those who seem promising but aren't yet strong enough to join the company are often told to "sow their spines," wandering and adventuring until their skills, deeds and/or reputations make them eligible for full membership. Sometimes called "Copperspines" for the metal that makes up their provisional consideration pins. Even this mark of respect, which can only be granted by a sergeant in the company or higher, earns a fighter a certain cachet, and some even seek out chances to earn (or steal) such pins in the hopes of extra work as a mercenary.
Each pin is individually logged and numbered, however, and anyone caught wearing or claiming ownership of a pin not their own goes on a very special list in the company log books. Let's just say that whichever company member kills them won't be paying for their own drinks for a while.
The early years as a full pin member are traditionally carried out as part of a larger force that can help train and teach the new recruit. After they finish their apprenticeships, however, some company members elect to form smaller bands or even venture off on their own. This is all permissible, provided they continue to pay their dues of course.

Career

Career Progression

To outsiders, an iron manticore is just an iron manticore, though in large detachments they do use military ranks and titles for the sake of clarity. To a manticore, however, the type of pin and how it is displayed indicates relative rank and status. Though lower ranking officers aren't under a formal obligation to obey higher ranking officers unless they're on an assignment together, there is a strong tradition of deference to rank that one would expect in an organization made up almost entirely of former soldiers.