Eagleguard

The elite bodyguard of the Emperor

Written by David_Ulph

The Eagleguard are an elite bodyguard unit of the Emperor of the Great Western Empire and part of the Four Pillars of the Empire (the four elite units decorated by the Emperor himself).
Their loyalties are purely in the name of the Emperor of the day, expected to lay down their lives for the Imperial Family, the Emperor, Empress and Imperial Heir when he is a child. While only nine in number, at least one accompanies the Emperor at all times, standing guard outside his chambers or riding on horseback behind his carriage.
By the reign of Emperor Doughtaticus III, the members were as follows;

• Knight-Captain Alfredus

• Sir Gliceillidh the Wise

• Sir Lenlog the Brave

• Sir Galahad the Pure

• Sir Roderick the Bard

• Sir Gotthard the Black

• Sir Kamui the Deserter

• Sir Valdar the Bastard

• Sir Gaius the Red

Composition

Manpower

There are always eight Eagleguard in the formation at all times and one Eagleguard Captain which brings the formation to nine. This is supposed to mirror the Diamen Pantheon which was the main religion of the Great Western Empire when the Eagleguard formed.
An Eagleguard is expected to serve his Emperor till death, or until the Emperor, First Minister and Captain of the Eagleguard unanimously agree the bodyguard is no longer fit for duty, where he will be given an influential role in a City Watch as retirement.

Equipment

Eagleguard are all equipped with specially tailored Black Adamantine Full-Plate armour. The Black Adamantine will be the highest quality the Great Western Empire can source at the time and stashes of the rare ores are known to be stored in the Emperor's own Vault for the future. The design of the armour harks back to original designs devised by the Golden King's top artificers and engineers and has been unchanged since.

Weaponry

Eagleguard are equipped with some of the most powerful weapons the GWE has to offer. Upon reaching their position, an Eagleguard will be crafted a personal Adamantine Sword and Spear. With permission from the Captain, Eagleguard are also known to wield the GWE's most prolific artefacts.
The Captain of the Eagleguard, while keeping his personal Adamantine Sword, will be awarded the unique sword held by all Captains since the weapon came into the possession of the GWE, a Narradu Steel Sword.

Structure

The greatest warrior of the Eagleguard will become the Captain. His orders will always come directly from the Emperor's lips only and will never trust the word of a messenger.

Logistics

Recruitment

The Eagleguard are hand picked by the Emperor after consultation with his Imperial Council and First Minister, and already-members of the Eagleguard. When a member of the Eagleguard dies, is retired, or elevated to the position of Captain, a tourney is called to all aspiring Knights of the Realm. The tourney is not open to the public, usually only witnessed by the people relevant to the consultation.
While the Knights participate in the varied tourney which tests their skills and capabilities, extensive background checks are started on every single one by loyal servants of the Throne. These checks last for as long as the GWE is entirely certain the Knights are all loyal, and the tourney will stretch out for months even while the checks are still underway.
More often than not the recruited Knight will be Human of any ethnicity. However, there have been exceptions to this such as Valdar FitzRagnar and Kamui the Black in the late Third Age, who were Frosian Korgs and Slinzir Losalf.

Overall training Level

Elite

Assumed Veterancy

Decorated/Honored

Used by

• The Great Western Empire