Honor Guard
The best that Heodar has to offer. Many say they are the best swordsmen in all of Eternity. Their decorated service supports that notion. Though they wield no magic, or any sort of magic equipment, the skill alone alows them to defend Heodar from all threats foreign, and domestic. Their primary purpose is to beat the cult, the Children of the Eternals to the ground. They kept Heodar intact during their four-way war against the draconic nations, and Brimbaria, and have served as a symbol of Heodar's might.
Composition
Manpower
Very few soldiers are selected to hold such an honor. At any given moment, only one hundred soldiers are in the Honor Guard's ranks. Every loss is felt by the entire unit, as very few men ever have the skill to even possibly become an Honor Guard.
Equipment
Their plate armor covers them from head, to toe. They have a method of countering magic called dampening. Their armor is made of a special steel, and Theosite mix that deflects, or absorbs all hostile magic effects.
Weaponry
The weaponry varies from soldier to soldier. Most favor the bastard sword, or great sword, though it is not uncommon to find one using other weapons. Those assigned to guard duty will often carry massive warhammers at their side.
Structure
All Honor Guard are of equal rank exept for the guard captain who is in direct contact with the royal family. The guard captain is identified by his gold cloth pieces instead of the standard red.
Tactics
They use gurila tactics to fight off the cult, but will accompany large armies to larger battless.
Training
Whenever they are not protecting the peace, they are sparing with wooden weapons in their barracks.
Logistics
Recruitment
To become an Honor Guard, one must prove their worth through real miltary achievments, and must be of sufficient rank. Very few Honor Guard are under the age of thirty. If you do indeed prove your worth, you are put through three tests. The first being a test of raw swordsmanship. You are given real weapons, and armor, and are put against other soldiers. They are instructed to kill you, and you are instructed to do the same. If you somehow incapasitate your opponents instead of killing them, you are rewarded with the choice to use a cirtain advantage in the second test.
The second test is a test of resolve. You are placed in the middle of the woods to the northeast quarter of Heodar with nothing, and are instructed tu survive. Those woods are filled with deadly creatures that would easily kill, and eat a normal man. If you are going to join the honor guard, you are no normal man. If you manage to incapacitate your previous foe, you are given a dagger. If you survive, and make your way back to the City of the Dawn, you are given the third test.
The third test is a test of bravery in the face of cirtain death. You are placed in a arena like that of the first test. This time, illusory magic makes it appear that a legion of soldiers marches towards you. The soon to be Honor Guard is not told the ligion is illusory, andd is told to stand their ground. If they do not flinch, they are deemed Honor Guard, and are granted equal rank to the rest. If you do flinch, you are met with an arrow in the chest.
History
They were first formed as a way to combat the Children of the Eternals after they struck at Heodar's royal family. They soon found other use during the four way war shortly after. They stoped the draconic advance on the City of the Dawn, and led the charge that pushed Brimbaria's army back to where they came from. Now, they continue to wage their war against the Children of the Eternals as the cult still hangs on to what little hope is has left.
Historical loyalties
They are loyal to Heodar, and Heodar alone.
Type
Infantry
Founding
17th of Lavie 517 P.A.
Overall training Level
Elite
Assumed Veterancy
Experienced
Used by
Comments