Imperial Guard of the Majaran Empire
The Imperial Guard is a professional fighting force of over two hundred warriors commanded by Lady Klonna Thuskos. The largest contingent of the Guard is the Empress’ Bodyguard, a mixed company of over one hundred foot and horse. Each of the Empress’ four spouses have their own contingent of twenty mounted warriors. Princesses Tonya, Malana and Atheneis Shandie all have their contingents of a dozen horse guards each. Other members of the Royal Family draw from the Empress’ guard as needed. Guard members wear azure surcoats and silver plate or mail armor. The members of the Queens’ or Princesses’ guards additionally wear the badge of their liege.
Composition
Manpower
At the top of the structure is the Guard Commander and the Commander's Adjunct. The Guard is divided into eight sub-units with a total of 240 soldiers. The guards for the two queens and the two princess-consorts each consist of a 20 members. The remaining 100 are divided into four sub-units. Some thirty six guard members make up the Princess Guards with the job of protecting the three highes ranking Imperial children.
Weaponry
Members of the guards wear plate, three-quarters plate, or mail depending on their role. All mounted troops carry heater type shields with a lance, sword, dagger and mace as part of their weapons. Foot troops either have a long composite bow or heavy crossbows and a sword as their personal weapons. Foot soldiers wear chain mail.
Vehicles
The guard employees a number of heavy and light wagons to move supplies and equipment.
Structure
Lady Klonna Thuskos is the unit commander with the dual titles of Lady-Commander and General. Under her are eight captains that command the various sub-units of the guard. Each of these officers is assisted by a lieutenant and a sergeant. Several of the Captains are drawn from the extended Royal Family. The guard also includes a number of Officers with Special Commission. These officers are generally members of the Imperial Family that hold the rank of ensign or lieutenant and perform special tasks requiring a high degrees of discretion. Often several of these officers will work togethers supported by Court Sorceresses provided by Lady Khandora.
Tactics
The tactics of the Guard are focused on providing security for the Empress and other high ranking members of the Imperial Family. The two main areas of concentration are maintaining security while in transit and maintaining security while in lodgings. The guard pays special attention to thwarting ambushes and detecting infiltrators
Training
Members of the imperial guard are recruited from regular formations of the Imperial Army. Lady Klonna looks for soldiers that display a combination of loyalty, toughness and competence. In addition to daily training in both mounted and dismounted combat, the guard undergoes a variety of specialized training regimes. All guard members are expected to develop an intimate knowledge of all of the Imperial residences so as to better detect and react to threats. The guard is very proficient at securing campsites when they Imperial family is traveling. This includes the careful placement of watch fires, setting up cheval de frise to limit access to the imperial campsite and building addition fortifications such as ditches and stockades in high threat areas.
Logistics
Logistical Support
Horses for the guards are provided by the Imperial Estates. Armor and weapons are drawn from the Imperial Armory which has been heavily stocked with weapons captured during the Empress' victorious campaigns.
Auxilia
In battle the Imperial Guards is often supported by the Royal Coven, the Circle Arcanus and the Green Troop. Lady Gwendra and her sorceress wives also work with the guard.
Upkeep
The Imperial Guard has barracks at the Majaran Palace and has facilities maintained for it at each of the capital of cities of the other two kingdoms of the Empire.
Recruitment
The original core of the guards was raised from Atheneis early followers. Some of the officers are members of the Imperial Family and individual guards are recruited from the Imperial Army.
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