Saraksgarde

In the heat of battle, when the bullets whistle past and the soldiers charge into certain doom, the Saraksgarde stand ready as a defender both of their own lines and the chess pieces being played by their enemy's hand. Using shields, fencing arts and illusionary magic on the field, the Saraksgarde aim not to slaughter but to demoralize and confuse their foes into surrender, to prevent as much blood as possible from being spilled on both sides.

Composition

Manpower

The Saraksgarde consist of three units with the manpower of 200 each. Accompanied by six smaller bands of 50 that are kept behind the fighting lines. The larger three units also have access to a dozen spellcasting Corvex which remain behind the fighting lines to support the combatants. As do the smaller units have a trio of them.

Equipment

The soldiers of the Saraksgarde are equipped with a full gambeson suit, much like the Crows Milita. Though they carry either chainmail or scalemale above the thick padding which in turn is applied with a steel or carpace chestpiece with a lot of slippery edges and curves to lessen the impact of most weapons by making them slide once they connect with the armour. These units also carry thick steel helmets to protect their heads with, accompanied by a visor and lighter capes in the colours of their households, which signal them as melee experts and defenders.

Weaponry

The most important weapon of the Saraksgarde is actually their defensive tool in shape of shields and bucklers, which are rounded and hard enough to protect them from most types of missiles part from magical or siege weapons. They use these protective weapons in combination with rapiers, gunblades, spears and hammers to give them a versatile but modern edge in melee combat.
They also tend to carry backup bombs, pistols or even the odd rifle along to the battlefield, as in many cases the utility can help give them an extra edge against unforseen enemy tactics and units. Something which often end up being the saving grace in a life or death situation.

Structure

Each of the units is lead by a Kommendant, who takes their orders directly from the Crows Milita Kommendants. The reason why is that while engaged in melee they can't easily leave combat to accept bird post from the Birdwatchers so as a galvanizing force to the milita's melee infantery, they also loosely follow their orders to ensure they don't get split away from the larger force.

Tactics

The Saraksgarde tactics are simple and straightforwards. They serve as the frontline auxiliary for the Crows Milita and hence engage with their melee infantery troops, generally as the first few to enter battle with the pikes and spears behind them. Their corvex sorcerers also help the frontliners survive and decimate even better geared and more skilled opponents by weaving Delusiomancy on the battlefield. Which can cause their forces to look far bigger than they actually are, or weave in more non-existant threats into the battle to confuse and demoralize the foes.
Their smaller troops will also constantly back up the ranged or semi-ranged infantery not engaged in frontal locked combat to soak up enemy missiles with their shields, as well as fend off any assassins, cavalary or warriors that may break through the melee lines to engage the less defended units.

Recruitment

The recruits to the Saraksgarde are generally taken from a pool of skilled veteran melee infantery from the Crows Milita as they already have the training and experience, hence is seen as something of a promotion. In fact, it is a promotion as the Saraksgarde is paid almost double the amount for being the first in any battle to give their lives, ensuring the rest of the army can live to see another day. Even though they themselves practice to minimalize their own casualties.

Training

The Saraksgarde is well trained among both tactics, dueling and lightly with firearms. It is a necessity for them to be at least semi-professional in melee fighting as they are supposed to be the strongest links of the chain which secures the weaker ones from breaking.

Overall training Level

Semi-professional

Used by

• House of Crows