Bahadur

A scar from his first defense of the Empress from the base of his neck along his front left shoulder and over the start of his ribs.

Whenever he awoke from a nap he would always walk around the Empress no matter what she was engaged in.

The Last Shield

Bahadur was born in captivity in a private menajerie of a Zwintar noble. The new cub was gifted to the young Empress Shontella in 1769 BF when she began the buildup for her First Conquest Crusade. The Empress fell in love with the Tiger. He was her constant companion and she trained him personally. When her force left Beldin in the spring of 1767 BF the now young adult Bahadur went with her. In the beginning he resided in her command tent while she commanded her forces. That changed in the summer of 1766 BF. While travelling between deployed forces an unknown cavalry unit ambushed the small Imperial Party. Bahadur, as was his custom, rode in the rear of the Empress' Chariot. Her guards urged her to flee to safety while some held the attackers at bay. During the flight Bahadur would launch himself from the chariot on any enemy rider who came close. Once the rider was downed his great speed had him rapidly catching his Empress where another bound would bring him back into the Chariot. For seven kilometers this continued till a contingent of Shadowguards descended upon the attackers.   Upon arriving back at their camp Bahadur would let none but Shadowguards approach the Empress. Most backed away at a growl, one attendant thought to be brave and was laid open from shoulder to wrist for his trouble. After a pointed command from a rather pleased Empress did he allow physicians to approach the Empress to address her minor wounds.   A special collar commissioned and The Imperial Artisan's Guild delivered a collar of flat gold links bound with the Imperial Family Crest. The collar was called the Last Shield. It's magic enfolded Bahadur in a field of magical protection that shielded all but the heaviest blows.   For decades Bahadur guarded the Empress in battle and peace. Soon he became an Icon to the common people. In 1759 BF his image was cast onto the backside of the standard gold Imperial Crown. Until Shontella's death, Bahadur's image was on every gold coin that came out of the Imperial Mints.   Bahadur died when assassins tried to slay the Empress in the winter of 1741 BF. By this time he was an old Mountain Tiger. Countless wounds in equally innumerable fights had slowed and weakened him by this time. He still fell ten assassins as the Empress' last line of defense with the Shadowguards before the area was secured. He passed from his wounds, massive head cradled in the weeping Empress' lap.   The Empress personally led the funeral procession from Astegil back to Bendil. Word had spread and the route was lined with mourning Imperial Citizens. Bahadur was entombed in the Imperial Family Crypts. He was laid to rest as a Hero of The Empire. Almost two hundred thousand attended his funeral. To avenge his death Empress Shontella the Implacable launched her 3rd Conquest Crusade, starting with the Sendil Province, the origin of the assasination attempt.

Bahadur was personally trained by Empress Shontella with the assistance the best animal trainers in the Empire

Named Imperial Companion Hero of the Battle of Falling Mountains. Appointed Honorary Shadowguard Declared Hero of the Empire

None

Highly intelligent for his species. He demonstrated the ability to be able to somewhat decipher written Bendilian as well.

Bahadur was flawlessly loyal to the Empress and later her children.

For Decades was his image was on one side of the gold Imperial Crown.