Royal Guard of Blue Star
Composed of Noble Houses adjacent to the Emperor, the Royal Guard of Blue Star is an elite order of knights and fighters who oversee all of the Empire's most important tasks and requests - and are more than a little capable of responding to any threats to the Empire and unrest there-of.
They are however, few in number - being so exclusive in the requirements of birthright, and similarly made impossible to join by many of the nobles who would have the right birthright by then early prohibitive cost associated with becoming one - endless amounts of classes, training regiments, instructors, and bribes needed to join the most prestigious force under the banner of Blue Star.
Composition
Manpower
The Royal Guard of Blue Star amount in the dozens. While 30 are publically known, it's rumored there are at least 10 more that work more "undercover."
That being said, it's frequently believed that each individual Knight is worth about 100 men, if not more. There are.. disputes to this claim, as most believe this to be a bit ridiculous - not every Knight can be so highly skilled. But a few (1-3) notable members of the Guard help to keep the rumor afloat with their considerable prowess.
Weaponry
Following standards of "general heroics", the Royal Guard focuses their training attempts on Longswords and Claymores. There is the occasional spear user or halberd user, but without question the most popular weaponry is anything with a straight blade attached. All the better to proliferate a heroic ideal for the downtrodden to look up to, naturally.
Vehicles
Very few of the Royal Guard practice any sort of combat on horseback - while all are extensively trained in the usage of horses and other similar mounts, most prefer to dismount when engaging in proper combat.
Training
The extensive training for the Royal Guard is borderline draconically brutal, as children being groomed for the position are given a sword (wooden or blunted) the instant they are able to stand straight and hold it, made to swing it around at small straw dummies until they are roughly 5 years of age (Human, elven, dwarven, it matters not - all of them physically mature at roughly the same rate, even if mentally it takes much longer.)
From there, they are taught proper forms and how to take orders - depending on the instructor, this can manifest quite brutally, and it is not at all uncommon to see mere children crying as their instructor yells complicated techniques at them, but it is all done with intent to make them conform to following orders, to conform to a power greater to them - even as they outstrip them in physical strength. All of it is to ensure that the orders of your lord are followed.
This continues even as the children reach their teenage years (as appropriate to their race. 13 for Humans, 25ish or so for Dwarves, and pushing 40+ for Elves) though with the added responsibility of squiring under a current royal guard to obtain some experience in the 'field', even if some royal guards don't have much of a battlefield post. Most of these Squires are further.. burdened by their lieges. Squires are expected to take this on the chin, so very rarely is anything deep ever reported, as it would usually lead to expulsion from the Royal Guards for any who dare show weakness.
When a Squire finally reaches their race's respective adult age (with many bellyaching about Humans ceasing their training at the young age of 18 compared to all the others.) they are then given two options - either perform something of appropriate heroism (such as the slaying of a dragon) or manage to at least tie in a duel versus a full-fledged member of the Royal Guard. It is then, and only then when a Squire is promoted to a Royal Guard, and given all the benefits that come with that.
Type
Special Forces
Overall training Level
Elite
Assumed Veterancy
Decorated/Honored
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