"You don’t join the Dragonguard to make friends. You join because you want something more—more gold, more status, more meaning. But you pay for it in blood, sweat, and knowing that if the Dragon ever decides you’re not useful anymore, you’re just another piece on the board to be swept away."
— Sir Sorek Redmarch
The Dragonguard
The Dragonguard are the elite enforcers of Lord Theron Sylvanranth, the iron-fisted Lord Mayor of Bard’s Gate. They come from all walks of life—mercenaries, hardened men-at-arms, failed adventurers seeking redemption. Bound by loyalty, well-equipped, and handsomely paid, they are the unquestionable steel fist of the man known as The Dragon.
Clad in green-embossed full plate armor and flowing green cloaks, they are an unmistakable presence in the city. They have no patience for the petty politics and corruption that plague the City Watch; their rewards are greater than any bribe. A Dragonguard who proves himself in service may earn true knighthood, land, and status, a pathway few others in Bard’s Gate can claim. This makes them, at least in theory, incorruptible.
"The Dragonguard don’t take bribes. Not because we’re saints, but because there’s nothing you can offer us that we don’t already have." — Sir Varek Holdren, Dragonguard Veteran
Command and Structure
With their former commander stepping down, Theron Sylvanranth has given the title to Sir Sorek Redmarch, a veteran knight who knows Sylvanranth better than most. It is a job Redmarch does not relish.
"The Dragon expects you to move mountains, burn cities, and be grateful for the privilege. I don’t need men who can grovel. I need men who can stand." — Sir Sorek Redmarch
The Dragonguard operate in a rigid hierarchy:
- Lord Commander of the Dragonguard – Sir Sorek Redmarch, responsible for leading the guard, enforcing Sylvanranth’s will, and maintaining their reputation.
- Knight-Captains – Senior officers, overseeing detachments of the Dragonguard, often assigned to protect key locations or carry out strategic missions.
- Sergeants-at-Arms – The hardened backbone of the force, responsible for discipline and training. They ensure that the Dragonguard remain sharp, ruthless, and loyal.
- Dragonguard Troopers – Rank-and-file warriors, drawn from soldiers, mercenaries, and former adventurers. They are elite in their own right, trained to fight as a disciplined unit.
"There’s no room for heroes in the Dragonguard. No lone wolves. No noble gestures. You fight as a wall, or you die like a fool." — Sir Darim Khorvan, Former Knight-Captain of the Dragonguard
The Dragonguard is a fearsome, enigmatic force serving under Theron Sylvanranth, the former Lord Mayor of Bard’s Gate. The identities of the Dragonguard are masked by anonymity; they never remove their helmets around non-Dragonguard, and all communication is conducted through call signs based on animals and natural elements. Each officer and sergeant holds a temporary title, passed from one to another as circumstances demand.
Recruits are personally selected by Sylvanranth, undergoing intense vetting and brutal training before receiving their helm and call sign. Upon completion of a five-year term, members receive a new suit of armor, a horse, a letter of recommendation, and a significant cash payout—enough to set them up as house knights or mercenaries, or to simply disappear.
Command Structure
Theron Sylvanranth remains the only recruiter and ultimate authority of the Dragonguard. He alone selects and vets new members. There is a Knight-Commander, and below him are four designated officers, each leading a detachment of Dragonguard members.
Captain Falcon – Quick-witted, perceptive, and relentless. Known for swift strikes and rapid tactical shifts.
Captain Wolf – The unseen hunter, a master of infiltration and reconnaissance.
Captain Bear – The juggernaut, a massive, unstoppable force on the battlefield.
Captain Raven – The watcher, ever vigilant, a keen strategist with eyes everywhere.
Sergeants
Each Captain has three Sergeants who assist in managing the Dragonguard’s operations. These titles are assigned to whoever is on duty and can be changed at any time, making it nearly impossible to identify individual members.
Sergeant Steel – Steadfast and unyielding, a defensive wall in battle.
Sergeant Ember – Quick-tempered and fiery, known for vicious charges and ruthless combat.
Sergeant Frost – Cold and calculating, an expert in prolonged engagements.
Sergeant Ash – Shadowy, grim, rumored to be a former assassin.
Sergeant Thorn – Sharp-tongued and acerbic, the Dragonguard’s interrogator.
Sergeant Anvil – A literal and metaphorical hammer, specializes in breaking enemy lines.
Sergeant Flint – Explosive, unpredictable, and ferociously strong.
Sergeant Ghost – Elusive, a master of stealth and misdirection.
Sergeant Vengeance – Ruthless, relentless, and utterly focused on objectives.
Sergeant Shade – Silent and haunting, appears and disappears like a shadow.
Sergeant Iron – Unbreakable, a bulwark against overwhelming odds.
"You don’t know their names. You don’t know their faces. You don’t even know if the man you’re talking to was the same one you met last month. That’s the point." - Sorek Redmarch
Term and Release
Upon completion of a five-year term, Dragonguard members are offered a full release: a suit of armor, a horse, a cash payout, and a letter of recommendation, often bearing Sylvanranth’s personal seal. Those who do not complete their term are allowed to leave quietly, receiving only a sword and a smaller cash-out.
Despite the harsh conditions and anonymity, many Dragonguard members are fiercely loyal to Sylvanranth—some claiming that they owe him their lives, their freedom, or their very identities.
Purpose and Reputation
The Dragonguard act as Sylvanranth’s enforcers, elite soldiers, and personal knights, tasked with upholding his vision of order in Bard’s Gate. Unlike the City Watch, they are not a police force, and they care little for petty crime. Their business is protecting Theron’s rule, crushing rebellion, and ensuring that Bard’s Gate bends but never breaks.
"The Watch deals with pickpockets and brawlers. We deal with rebels, traitors, and anyone dumb enough to think they can defy the Dragon." — Sergeant-at-Arms Ash
They are humorless, disciplined, and relentless. Civilians fear them, nobles respect them, and the underworld avoids them. Even the most corrupt merchants and criminals in Bard’s Gate know that the Dragonguard are not for sale.
However, their absolute loyalty to Theron Sylvanranth is both their greatest strength and their greatest curse. If the Dragon commands it, they will march on their own kin without hesitation.
The Challenge of Command
Sorek Redmarch knows better than most that serving the Dragon comes with a price. As the new Lord Commander, he must balance discipline with pragmatism, knowing that the same unwavering loyalty that makes the Dragonguard powerful also makes them dangerous. His greatest challenge will not be leading them in battle—it will be keeping them from becoming just another weapon Sylvanranth wields without thought.
"You don’t ask the Dragon for command. You take it, or he takes your head. And once you wear the cloak, you realize it’s not a reward—it’s a leash." — Sir Sorek Redmarch
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