Aetherium Shield

Aetherium Shield is the Empire's most prominent private military corporation, their influence extending from the gilded halls of Aetheris to the farthest reaches of Imperial territories, their soldiers as much a status symbol as a fighting force.
Aetherium Shield’s services are not for the common citizen. They cater to the wealthy, the influential, those whose fortunes can afford a layer of protection against the sky-sea world’s myriad dangers – from petty thieves to threats of political rivals and corporate espionage.
Their power, however, is not without its critics. Some argue that their very existence undermines the authority of the Imperial military and the Arbiters, creating a two-tiered system of justice where the wealthy can buy their way out of accountability. Others whisper of their involvement in less-than-savory activities – silencing dissent, eliminating rivals, and enforcing the Emperor's will through methods that even the most ruthless Arbiter wouldn't dare employ.

Leadership

The Grand Marshal

This position, often filled by a retired general or a high-ranking noble with impeccable military credentials, serves as the face of Aetherium Shield, negotiating contracts, managing their public image, and ensuring that their operations align (at least superficially) with the Emperor’s decrees.

Regional Commander

Aetherium Shield divides its forces into regional commands, each responsible for protecting specific territories, managing their forces, and responding to threats within their jurisdiction. These commanders, often ruthless and ambitious individuals seeking to climb the corporate ladder, wield considerable power and operate with a degree of autonomy.

Function

Aetherium Shield offers a range of security services, catering to the diverse needs and anxieties of their wealthy clientele.

Personal Protection

Elite bodyguards, equipped with the latest magitech weaponry and trained in hand-to-hand combat, are assigned to protect high-profile individuals – nobles, corporate executives, and even visiting dignitaries. These guards are not only skilled warriors but also masters of discretion, their presence both a deterrent and a status symbol.

Facility Security

Aetherium Shield provides security for private estates, corporate headquarters, yrddestone mines, and even some Imperial government facilities, often exceeding the capabilities and resources of the official military. They utilize a combination of advanced surveillance systems, yrddestone-powered defenses, and highly trained guards to ensure their clients' safety.

Convoy Protection

Heavily armed airships, crewed by experienced pilots and soldiers, escort valuable shipments across the sky-sea, protecting them from sky pirates, rogue Chimera clans, and even, some whisper, Imperial forces seeking to seize assets through less-than-legal methods.

Covert Operations

Beneath the surface of legitimate security operations, Aetherium Shield also engages in covert activities. Whispers abound of their involvement in silencing political rivals, sabotaging competitors, and carrying out the Emperor's more sensitive directives. These operations are never officially acknowledged, but their effectiveness in eliminating threats and maintaining order has earned them both fear and a grudging respect amongst those who understand the true dynamics of power within the Empire.

Aetherium Shield, darlings… they’re the Empire’s lapdogs, mercenaries with a fancy name, selling their services to the highest bidder – wealthy nobles, corporate fat cats, anyone with enough crowns to buy themselves a little peace of mind (or a lot of muscle, depending on the situation).
They claim to protect, to serve… but honey, they’re just another cog in the Empire’s machine, a tool to maintain control, silence dissent, and ensure that those at the top stay comfortably perched on their fragile thrones. And those whispers about their “covert operations”? Let’s just say there are a lot of “unfortunate accidents” in Aetheris, a lot of inconvenient witnesses who vanish into the night, never to be seen again.
Of course, every good lapdog has its master, and Aetherium Shield’s leash leads directly to the Emperor’s blood-stained fist. They do his dirty work, the things even the Arbiters find a bit too messy.
It's a chilling thought, darlings, but a fascinating one. Because where there’s power, there are secrets. And where there are secrets, well, a girl like me has a story to tell. So I’ll keep my eyes peeled, my pen sharp, and my distance from those gleaming blades. Because even lapdogs bite." - E Dawnstrider