Vènnan Dollëka kèn Sor'ën
The Sovereign's Guard of Soren (Feloran: Vènnan Dollëka kèn Sor'ën) is the personal bodyguard unit of the Sovereign of Soren. Drawn from veterans in the Sorenian Oyëmorn, the Knights of Fèl'örë, they are considered to be some of the Sovereignty's most skilled soldiers and fighters.
Composition
Manpower
There is generally no more than 10 to 15 bodyguards actively guarding the Sovereign at a given time, however the organisation has had up to 35 in it's ranks. Crowned Prince Kaelbryn, current Soveriegn, has set a target for 20 elite members of the organisation, however it currently has 12.
Logistics
Logistical Support
The Imperial Court very lavishly supports the Vènnan Dollëka. Equipment and upkeep are handled by the Court Bureaucracy; while food, room, and boarding are all taken care of when they are operating within the cities of Soren or Lumora.
Upkeep
Vènnan Dollëka are very expensive for the Sorenian state. The Court pays for the upkeep of the equipment issued to the soldier, and they receive a stipend from the Court in the name of the Soveriegn. When a member retires from the unit, they are given a State Pension and a residence within the walls of the Imperial Compound. This arrangement has been difficult to maintain for the Sovereignty.
Recruitment
Vènnan Dollëka are recruited from the veteran members of the Sovereignty's professional soldiers, the Oyemörn. Most have been in the service of the Court for 200 years or more. Increasingly, Kaelbryn has been looking for well-practiced Ëlhyaean faithfuls, and it is rumoured that the ranks will be drawn from the strongest of the new Sacred Knights of the Temple.
History
Feloran monarchs have a long history of personal guard units, however the existence of a formal formation has been sporadic throughout Feloran history, with revolutions and reforms often diminishing noble power in the Empire. When this was the case, the bodyguards of the sitting Emperor would often be simply recruited from the qualified populace, leading to several attempted and successful assasinations. This in turn would push Feloran sovereigns to form their own elite units drawn from trusted guards of the court.
This current iteration of the elite guard was founded in 5 PE through a decree from Sovereign Kaelbryn, and it's first members included Kaelbryn's sister, and two surviving Generals from the Northern Invasions who volunteered for it out of penance for losing the northern provinces. The unit has risen to prominence in the Feloran War of Unification, as Kaelbryn has taken the unprecedented (and somewhat brazen) action of assigning members of the Vènnan Dollëka to standard Oyëmorn and Fèlmörn units.
