Wardens of the High King - Bhaiirdat ja-Khalal
The Wardens of the High King are the most elite military unit in the Grand Kingdom of Farid'zai, tasked with protecting the Great King of Farid'zai at all times. The faridite name of the formation is "Bhaiirdat ja-Khalal", the "Protectors of the King". They are also known as "Emerald Guard" due to their green uniforms and the emeralds that are forged into the shields and armor of the officers. Additionally, many Kjai simply refer to them as "The Wardens".
Composition
Manpower
The Wardens have no exact number of people for the whole organization. Instead, there has to be a set number of soldiers at certain places at any time, with reinforcements sent when necessary. For example: The palace of the High King in the capital has to be guarded by 500 Wardens at all time, with another 1000 stationed there when the king is present. If the High King travels, at least 500 Wardens accompany him at any time, often more. Lesser important places like smaller palaces, temporary seats of administration, etc. are only guarded by smaller detachements and reinforced if needed.
It is estimated that the whole Guard consists of around 4000-5000 soldiers.
Equipment
The Guard has access to several cooks and healers, tasked specifically to ensure the wellbeeing of the soldiers. This was originally introduced as a security measurement, to ensure that the Wardens will not eat the same food as others in case of poisoning, etc. Sophisticated logistical plans have been worked out to ensure that only a part of any active duty members may be hit if someone would target the Wardens food supply or healing equipment.
Training is led by the officers, with the equipment and location either built especially for the Wardens (mostly at constant garrison places) or given to them if needed. The Wardens also enjoy privileged access to any storage house of the realm and may always choose needed equipment before other military formations may do so.
Most of the specialists of the Wardens are stationed with the main body of the guard at the Palace of the High King but some serve at the smaller locations throughout the realm.
Weaponry
The Wardens mostly use big round shields and a spear, although every member is equipped with a sword as well. Members of the Guard do also get training with bows and even experimental gunpowder-weapons, but these are only used circumstantial and by a very small percentage of the Wardens.
Their armour is tailored to their defensive duties and consists of a metal helmet, breastplate and chainmail, reinforced with leather. Most of the armor is functional but decorated with ornaments in different shades of green. Higher officers (lieutenants and captains) get specifically crafted gear, adorned with emeralds and other jewels.
Structure
There are four ranks in guard:
Warden
High Warden
Lieutenant of the Guard
Captain of the Guard
High Wardens lead smaller groups of soldiers and are tasked with guarding smaller areas of a palace or other building where they are posted. They lead between 10-50 Wardens, depending on the situation. A Lieutenant of the Guard is often the highest ranking officer of the Wardens when guarding lesser important building-complexes or areas. He commands between 50-100 subordinates. Finally, a Captain of the Guard may be responsible for protecting bigger building complexes, parts of cities, etc. He commands up to 500 subordinates. The exact number varies and may in rare circumstances be even bigger, depending on the Captains specific task (like organizing and overseeing a whole district of a realm, organizing the travels of the High King, etc.)
While the exact numbers of Wardens is not known, there's an estimate that about 4000-5000 Wardens and approximately 100 High Wardens are serving in the Guard. The two highest ranks are known to have restricted numbers, with a maximum of 40 Lieutenants and 10 Captains allowed to serve simultanously.
Finally, the whole organization is led by the General of the Guard. He not only leads the Wardens and gives commands but also accompanies the High King at any time, serving as personal bodyguard. He carries the honorable title of "Ahir ja-Khalal", "Soldier of the King". The resemblence to the common naming tradition of the Kjai, where a son takes on his fathers name as surname adding the prefix "ja-...", is intended and shows the close bond of the personal guard and the High King.
Tactics
All tactics of the Wardens are group tactics, with an emphasis on protecting each other through tight formations and local superiority. Wardens are an almost impenetrable force from the front and can hold strategic points in a battle for a very long time. Their defensive tactic is aimed on delaying attackers and denying them access to certain points while defending a person or place. They are specifically trained for fighting inside buildings, cities and close-quarter encounters in general. Shield walls, coordinated retreats and key-point defence are the most important tactics used.
Offensive tactics are neither as important nor used as often as defensive ones but trained nevertheless. Wardens on the offense are either counter-attacking or performing an overwhelming attack on a pinpoint location to to open an escape way for the High King or other protected individuals.
Training
Beeing a wardens means sacrificing most of his life for training and duty. A normal day of a Warden consist of several hours of weapon training as well as formation drill and the daily tasks of a Guardsman. Additionally, Wardens are trained regularly to react to several catastrophic scenarios like assassination attempts, fires, riots and sieges.
Logistics
Recruitment
Beeing allowed to serve as a Warden of the High King is an extremely high honour and only available to distinguished soldiers of the Grand Kingdom. Veterans of military campaigns are preferred if the have proven high skill and bravery in battle. Loyalty to the Crown and the ideals of Farid'zai is a requirement, due to the closeness to the High King.
The recruiting process has several stages, with every stage diminishing the potential recruits until only the worthy ones are taken.
Type
Escort
Overall training Level
Elite
Assumed Veterancy
Decorated/Honored
Used by
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