Nohecharei

Every Emperor of the Ethuveraz has both the privilege and responsibility to be guarded at all times by the Nohecharei, oath-bound bodyguards who pledge their lives to the Emperor's survival. They take this oath so seriously, that in the event of the emperor's death, even from natural causes, they will all perform the Revethvoran at the sight of the Emperor's corpse, and be buried with him, so that their spirits may guard him in the afterlife.

The Nohecharei are divided into two categories: The guardians of the body, and the guardians of the spirit. The Emperor is always guarded by one of each.

The Nohecharei of Emperor Edrehasivar VII are:

First Nohecharei: Deret Beshelar and Csevan Athmaza.

Second Nohecharei: Lereä Telimezh and Perchara Athmaza.

Guardians of the Body
The guardians of the body are the warrior Nohecharei, charged with the care of the Emperor's body - not just making sure no one shoots him with an arrow or stabs him, but ensuring the Emperor gets enough sleep, and eats, and any other needs of the Emperor's physical body.

Guardians of the Body are taken from the ranks of the Untheileneise Guard, and are selected by the Captain from the upper ranks. They usually have demonstrated distinction in numerous areas before being selected.

Guardians of the Spirit
The guardians of the spirit are the maza Nohecharei, charged with care of the Emperor's spirit - not just making sure he is defended from magical attacks, and mind control, but ensuring that he is happy, mentally healthy, and able to carry out his day to day tasks with as clear a head as possible.

Guardians of the Spirit are taken from the ranks of the mazei of the Athmaz'are. The Athmaz'are has two rules about those chosen to be Nohecharei: they must be a Dachenmaza, and they must choose this willingly. No one can be forced to become a Nohecharis.

The Oath
The exact oath taken by a Nohecharei is shrouded in secrecy, and known only to the Nohecharei themselves, and the Archprelate. Once a Nohecharis has been selected, he (Nohecharei are almost always male. A female Nohecharei must be approved by the Emperor before being permitted to take the oath) proceeds to the Untheileneise'meire, and presents himself before the Archprelate. There he swears a special vow to Ulis, and then immediately proceeds to the Emperor's side. Though the text of the oath is a closely guarded secret, some things can be gleaned.
 * The Nohecharei vow that the Emperor will never be without a guard. In the event of illness on the part of a Nohecharei, others have been known to take triple and quadruple shifts, ensuring that the Emperor is always guarded, regardless of the price to themselves.
 * The Nohecharei vow that their life ends with the Emperor's. Nohecharei take special rites with the Archprelate to ensure they are always sanctified for a Revethvoran. As soon as the Emperor is declared dead, or they are sure the Emperor is dead, they immediately kill themselves. Living beyond the Emperor is a violation of their oath.
 * The Nohecharei vow to Ulis that they will guard the Emperor after death. Once a Nohecharei dies, his ashes are kept in a sealed jar until the Emperor he served dies, or he is cremated immediately after the Revethvoran. When the Emperor is buried, the Nohecharei who guarded him in life are buried in the same tomb, so that when the Emperor enters Ulis' realm, they are there to guard him still.
 * The Nohecharei vow to never knowingly take, or refuse to prevent, an action that could result to harm in the Emperor's person. Should they, they are confined until the matter is investigated and resolved. If they are found to be in violation of their oath, they make their apologies to the Emperor, and perform the Revethvoran.