The Raven Queen's Royal Guard
Simply shortened to "The Royal Guard" for discretion, is an secret organization of peoples from all over the Multiverse devout to The Raven Queen and based in The Shadowfell. Divided into 7 overarching facets, they seek to restore and keep the balance throughout the Multiverse while functioning similarly to a guild of sorts, one handled in secrecy of the larger realm. It's this secretive and closed off nature that causes them to often butt heads with figures and smaller groups that seek the same or similar goals, such as "The Harpers" organization and "The Monochrome Memory" Maria Adelaide.
Despite their secrecy, The Royal Guard is far from a close knit group of influential individuals. Instead, they are a full blown organization spanning the planes of Aio, with members with deep connections to many parts of the vast multiverse. Disregarding the 7 facets that tie together the various parts of The Royal Guard together, there are various types of staff within each one. The most influential and field active being those who wield a "Cardinal Arm". These Cardinal Arms are the result of an unbending pact to The Royal Guard, first granted to their wielders as vague charms, such as rings and badges, they soon evolve, taking the shape of largely combat focused artefacts of bizarre shapes and uses which allow for their wielder to take drastically personalized approaches to battle. The form of a Cardinal Arm evolves and changes to further accomodate the wielder, though it often maintiains it's shape for the wielder's lifespan, it is not unheard of for full overhauls to a Cardinal Arm's abilities and shape if a drastic enough change takes place. That being said, one fact always stays true, the Cardinal Arm will always represent whatever the most prominent flaw lies deep it's chosen wielder.
The 7 Facets:
The Royal Guard is split into 7 categorized facets dubbed "wings". Each Wing of the Organization's structure carries a different role as well as carrying a themeatical aesthetic modeled after the 7 deadly sins, with every new arrival being placed under the juristiction of a certain Wing upon arrival based on which sin best fits them and their skillset. The 7 Wings are the following:- Ravens: Representing fear, the Ravens are primarily speakers of the raven queen of sorts, roaming the multiverse, they find creatures which upset the balance of life and death, be it Vilebloods, Undead, or Demonic presences in the attempts to cleanse the overwhelming forces of the land. In a more passive activities, they are tasked with communing with the Raven Queen, allowing them to serve as the guiding hands of The Royal Guard's focus.
- Eagles: Representing Pride, The Eagles serve as treasurers, cataloging and keeping the many treasures of the organization. In addition to the book keeping, they serve as the literal guard of their many spread out locations, tasked with keeping said treasures safe. They are often sent out alongside others when out on the field, when missions pertaining the recovery of artefacts are involved. On a more mundane event, they work as accountants and bankers in the great pale city of Sin's Curse which surrounds the Fortress of Memories.
- Owls: Representing grief, the Owls serve as scholars and lore keepers. By far privy to the most vast pool of knowledge within the whole organization, Owls are rarely sent out into the field, but are certainly useful both as staff within their various bases of operations and as field researchers. In addition, they are often engineers, inventors and strategists. The Owls are essential to the various hidden communities under The Royal Guard as well as determining the course the organization is set to engage with their plans and other projects.
- Crows: Representing greed, the Crows are primarily bounty hunters or hit men, being tasked with killing those who have cheated death or otherwise upset the balance in an unnatural manner, from Liches and evil necromancers to Vilebloods, they are often very combat focused. In addition, the Crows work on a bounty system, they can choose to pick out various jobs that'll grant them various rewards, sometimes gold, othertimes magical items, unusual yet powerful goods. It is through this bounty system that various members of each Wing that have proven themselves exceptional in combat are allowed to apply for a critical mission which upon completion will grant them a Cardinal Arm.
- Peacocks: Representing lust, the Peacocks are essential to the intertwined communities of The Royal Guard. Serving as diplomats, they run establishments, set up trade deals, and generally interact with others outside The Royal Guard. Known for their charismatic nature, they're able to expand the web of connections tied to The Royal Guard and are key to the selfsame organization's various communities.
- Vultures: Representing envy, the Vultures are scouts to The Royal Guard. Serving as spies, field scouts, or guides, well acquainted with specifc landscapes, collecting information and investigating. It is their job to spot rumors that could lead to jobs for the other Wings to address. In addition, they're often a quintessential in groups or parties sent out to deal with said jobs. More passively, though often with the same goal, some double as merchants or roaming wanderers. And to those with skill enough to pull it off, some double as bounty hunters akin to the role of the Crows.
- Condors: Though much of The Royal Guard is equipped for combat, many of the other Wings are equipped for specialized battles, but sometimes you simply need muscle to spare. For this reason, the Condors serve as soldiers. Holding the highest amount of Cardinal Arm wielders, the Condors reinforce the defense of their various communities as well as the offense of various groups set up to collect a bounty or even the rare ocassion of being embroiled in war.
Birds of a Feather:
Those that Wield Cardinal Arms are bound to them through a pact. Characters that pledge themselves to The Royal Guard gain a divine boon called "Birds of a Feather". This ties their being to their Cardinal Arm, which allows them to summon their respective Arm to their person as an Action. In addition, their Cardinal Arm disappears when farther than 5 feet from it's wielder 1 minute, or when they choose to dismiss it as an action. This effect can take place as long as they draw breath. If a Wielder dies, their Cardinal Arm loses it's physical form, returning to the Eagles' vaults as a trinket with the name of the fallen Wielder etched upon it. If for whatever reason the wielder is returned to life, they must attune to their Cardinal Arm once more upon return to Sin's Curse. Otherwise, the Cardinal Arm is later passed down to another member who's been approved to pledge themslves to the organization.
Type
Secret, Religious sect
Alternative Names
The Royal Guard
Training Level
Professional
Deities
Location
Notable Members
Comments