The process of becoming a Sunarian Guard is arduous and selective. Only the most capable are considered, and they must undergo rigorous training to hone their physical and mental abilities. The selection criteria include:

Physical Prowess: Guards must possess exceptional strength, agility, and endurance. Their training includes advanced combat techniques, both armed and unarmed, to prepare them for any confrontation.

Mental Fortitude: Guards are trained to withstand psychological pressures and remain focused on their mission. This involves mental conditioning exercises and exposure to simulated high-stress environments.

Loyalty and Discipline: Guards must demonstrate absolute loyalty to the Synngard and the Emissaries they protect. Their training instils a deep sense of duty and discipline.

Stealth and Tactics: Guards are skilled in covert operations, enabling them to navigate hostile territories without detection. They learn advanced tactics for evasion, infiltration, and exfiltration.


Roles and Responsibilities

1. Protection:

The primary role of the Sunarian Guards is to protect the Emissary. This involves constant vigilance and readiness to respond to threats. Guards are adept at identifying potential dangers and neutralising them before they can pose a risk to the Emissary.

2. Navigation and Logistics:

Guards are responsible for planning and navigating the safest routes across Anarkand. They handle all logistical aspects of the journey, including securing provisions, finding safe havens, and ensuring the Emissary's comfort and safety.

3. Intelligence Support:

While the Emissary focuses on their primary mission, the Guards provide intelligence support. This includes gathering local information, assessing the political climate, and identifying potential allies or adversaries.

4. Covert Operations:

In hostile territories, Guards may need to perform covert operations to ensure the mission's success. This can involve sabotage, assassination of key threats, or gathering critical intelligence.


ABOUT THE SUNARIANS:

The Sunarians, a humanoid race native to the east of Anarkand, have long been considered a blight on the greater world. Their origins trace back to the dawn of the First Era, making them one of the most ancient civilizations on the planet. Unlike other races that expanded and mingled, the Sunarians chose isolation, building their society in seclusion. Their choice of existence has allowed them to develop unique cultural and religious practices, far removed from the influences of other civilizations.


Central to Sunarian society is the worship of Synn, a karmic deity believed to visit Anarkand once every 12,000 years with the intent of destruction. To the Sunarians, Synn is not a malevolent force but a necessary harbinger of balance and renewal. They view the cyclical destruction brought by Synn as a cleansing process that eradicates the old and corrupt, paving the way for new growth and development.


The worship of Synn has a profound impact on every aspect of Sunarian life. Their belief in cyclical destruction and renewal shapes their attitudes towards life, death, and the natural world. It instills in them a sense of fatalism, accepting that destruction is an inevitable and necessary part of existence. This belief also fosters a stoic resilience, as they prepare themselves mentally and physically for Synn’s eventual return.


Sunarian religious practices are deeply intertwined with this belief. They conduct elaborate rituals and ceremonies to honour Synn, hoping to gain favour and be spared during the deity’s apocalyptic visit. Their temples, often hidden in remote locations, are adorned with symbols of destruction and renewal, reflecting their dualistic worldview.


Such is the belief and worship of this karmic deity, the Sunarians have established a rigidly hierarchical priestly caste at the top who claim to have direct communion with Synn. These priests, known as the Synngard, hold significant power and influence, guiding the populace according to their religious doctrines. The general populace is expected to follow the edicts of the Synngard without question, reinforcing a strict order and unity within their society.


The Synngard wield immense power, not just spiritually but politically. Their interpretations of Synn’s will dictate societal norms and laws, and dissent is rarely tolerated. This theocratic governance ensures a cohesive and obedient populace but stifles individual freedoms and dissenting ideas.


Chosen Isolation:

Their isolationism is both a cultural choice and a protective measure. The Sunarians despise the western civilizations of Andromania, Marrakis, and Kumantarakis, viewing their technological advancements and differing beliefs as blasphemous and dangerous. This disdain has led to numerous skirmishes and conflicts, although the Sunarians prefer to avoid direct confrontation when possible, retreating into their fortified enclaves.


Throughout the eras, the Sunarians have had sporadic encounters with other races. These interactions are often marked by violence and mistrust. The western civilizations, with their contrasting ideologies, have frequently clashed with the Sunarians. Notable historical conflicts include the Battle of the Karos, where an allied force from Andromania and Marrakis attempted to penetrate Sunarian territory, only to be repelled with significant losses.


Despite their reclusive nature, the Sunarians have occasionally launched preemptive strikes against what they perceive as threats to their way of life. These attacks are swift and devastating, designed to send a clear message to outsiders: the Sunarians will defend their beliefs and territory at all costs.


Potential for Future Conflict

The Sunarians’ belief in Synn as a destroyer sets them on a potential collision course with other civilizations, especially as the prophesied time of Synn’s return approaches. Their readiness to embrace destruction could lead to aggressive actions against perceived threats, heightening tensions across Anarkand. This is evidenced by their newly agreed commitment to the Radamis Empire. Many political commentators across Anarkand believe this is a ruse to target the west, and aid in the return of Synn.