Peredhel Ranger Corps.

Among the Peredhel (also known as half-eldar) there are warrior-societies known as “Ranger Corps.” that serve as the primary fighting forces of independent Peredhel settlements. Initially conceived as a quasi-aspect shrine by the Eldar of Craftworld Mal’ehtë, these Ranger Corps” have grown into large, sometimes autonomous, armies with their own political and military objectives.

History
After the creation of the Peredhel by the Eldar of Craftworld Mal’ehtë, those who sought to be warriors were placed in special units. As they were “outsiders” in Eldar society they were restricted to the Path of the Outcast and thus were deployed as Rangers. Their skills and dispositions being entirely different from Eldar Rangers or even Corsairs they eventually formed into their own “Ranger Corps”. These are mobile armies of Peredhel who function as both a social and military branch. In this way they are more akin to a Space Marine chapter than an Eldar Aspect Shrine but they bind themselves very closely to one or more Eldar (or even human) society and often act as their protector.

Organization
A ranger corps. is a self-contained collection or about 1,000-5,000 Peredhel soldiers. Some eldar advisors and even conscripts (of various species) act as auxiliaries to them but at their core they are a “warrior-society” the promotes the betterment of the Peredhel and whatever patron they support. It is referred to as a “warrior-society” because it is as much a social and political hierarchy as a military one and is more reminiscent of a feudal army.

At the head of any ranger corps is a Peredhel High-Lord, sometimes referred to as a “Bright Lord” (or by other more pretentious titles). Under them is a council of Lords with equally grandiose titles. A High-Lord is chosen among the lesser lords when the preceding one dies and they only handle the highest level affairs, though they do sometimes take the battlefield with an honor guard. The lesser lords command the actual “lodges” that constitute the bulk of their fighting forces. A lodge is anywhere between 100-500 Peredhel soldiers and a corps has about 10. Each lodge has a speciality that gives their lord their titles:


 * Lord of the Wind (Gwaihir): The “Windlord” is assumed to be the master of fast-attack, orbital drop, and aviation within a ranger corps. They are the master of scouts, king of sappers, and commander of all who deploy behind enemy lines. Interestingly, this post is sometimes filled (honorarily) by a full Eldar Pathfinder if their ranger squads are numerous enough.
 * Lord of Stone (Turgon): The title of this lord translates more to “Powerful Lord” and is the one responsible for the heavy weapons and ordnance of the army. They also employ tanks and technology in greater numbers than other lodges.
 * Lord of Dragons (Fentor): An odd title that actually refers to the Lord who is responsible for void-ship flight and supply lines. The Lord of Dragons is considered to be a vital Lord as they are responsible for supply lines, logistics, and transports. Often the Lord of Dragons becomes the next High Lord.
 * Lord of Gifts (Annatar): Most rangers select the “Angrenost” (Iron Fortress) genetic modification that gives them great strength and resilience but among those who chose the witch-flesh instead are powerful psykers. None are more power than the Lord of Gifts. They will often command the smallest lodge as they are a collection of the psykers of the corps. They augment the forces of other lodges and work closely with the High Lord to divine the future.
 * Lord of Men (Turkil): The Turkil is the lord responsible for both training new rangers and deploying the bulk of their forces. They are, in effect, infantry specialists who command the overall flow of the battle. The Lord of Men is also called the “Warlord” sometimes because in joint operations they take command. They are a common choice for the never High Lord when one perishes.

The Silver Spears
The first Ranger Corp. established was in Craftworld Mal’ehtë whose name literally means “Golden Spear” in hopes of protecting it. As Craftworld Mal’ehtë’s numbers dwindle and the number of half-eldar grow the Mithril Spears have become more numerous than the full-eldar forces. They are rigidly moral, self-righteous in their causes, and are actively trying to improve human/eldar relationships (to limited success). They have since established a series of colonies in a hidden system known only as “The Silver Ring” where humans, eldar, and half-eldar supposedly live in peace and harmony.



Merrill's Marauders
This Peredhel Ranger Corps. Fell in with a Rogue Trader by the name of Merrill Montgomery. So tickled was she by the idea of half-eldar that she employed what was previously nothing more than a band of corsairs as her primary fighting force. Now, for 6 generations, Merrill's Marauders has been serving the Imperium’s agents diligently (despite frantic protests from the Inquisition). These half-eldar employ a great deal of Imperial technology while flaunting their “superior” eldar equipment at times.

The Dragonslayers
The Dragonslayers are a group of Peredhel who settled on an Exodite world and mingled with the locals. When a Tyranid invasion threatened their homeworld they mobilized into the now familiar ranger corps organization, with the help of a group of the locals. Using primitive tools and superstitious rituals to continue their propagation they became one of the most feared Tyranid-hunting forces in the galaxy.

Shadow-Dancers
The Shadow-Dancers are affiliated with both the Harlequins and the Ynnari. They appear as occasional shock troops, though in small numbers, among both forces on occasion and they are famous for their totally black facemasks. The Shadow-Dancers have a bad reputation for attacking Eldar targets on their own. Their patron is clearly someone with influence in the Ynnari, but it is unclear who or what their relationship is.

Blackstone Pirate Hunters
The Blackstone Pirates are a frequent thorn in the side of Freebooters, Corsairs, Dark Eldar raiders, and even Rogue Trader fleets. They seem to plunder that which has been plundered previously. They have an odd, very heretical, cult that worships a mysterious god who they attest is some kind of forgotten Eldar god of balance, wealth, and spite. Their patron is a shadowy criminal cabal with their hooks into organized crime in both the Imperium & on traitorous worlds...