Afetkharan Guard

Shields of the Sun

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Culture, Society and Laws


Organisations


Afetkharan Guard}

As you can trust that the sun will rise, you can trust that the Afetkharan Guard will hold till the last. They are marked by scores of scars, not one on their back.
— A Kangaroudian general explaining the capabilities of the guard

The Afetkharan Guard was the personal bodyguard to Kanodite monarchs and, separate entities using the same name, are the current bodyguards to a number of the successor kings, particularly in the Dobarid Empire and the Kangaroudian Empire. Formed in XBSF by the Kanodite Great King X, they were tasked with protecting the royal family and overseeing intelligence operations. Despite some evolution in their roles over the centuries, they essentially maintain the same role to the modern-day. Together with protecting royalty, the Afetkharan are extremely capable warriors and march with the imperial army. They fill the role of heavy shock infantry and are frequently used to force breaches or overwhelm a stubborn flank. Few can stand in the way of an Afetkharan charge and many battles have been decided by the Afetkharan during critical moments.

Etymology

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Afetkharan is derived from the translation of honour. The Afetkharan Guard then is translated as the 'honour guard'. Their more popular names, Sunshields or Shields of the Sun, come from the sun imagery painted onto their shields and their task of defending royalty in the Solite states. Solite monarchs are typically held as divine beings, descended from the sun.

Purpose

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The Afetkharan Guard fill many purposes and roles at once. They are bodyguards, shock troops, intelligence operatives and tasked with keeping the peace in imperial capitals. Their role has changed over the centuries and different states employ the Afetkharan differently although their core duties have remained the same.

Participation in War

_{A division of Afetkharan Guard marching in formation}

Serving as heavy shock infantry, the Shields of the Sun remained in reserve in pitched battles being used in pivotal moments when a certain flank appeared weak or morale was wavering. At least a thousand of the Sunshields march when the king goes on the campaign and remains close to him at all points of warfare. A member of the Afetkharan Guard is nearly always chosen if both sides agree to champion warfare and it is rare that they lose the duel. In times of dire peril. the guard has also been used as an effective rear-guard giving retreating forces as much time as possible to withdraw.

Political Role

Officially, the Afetkharan Guard are solely an apolitical organisation, sworn to avoid politics. However, their common ties to the royal family and nobility mean that intrigue involving members of the guard is not uncommon. Whilst this has never boiled over into outright regicide, palace politics often involve a member of the Sunshields. At the highest point, this will typically come down to securing the throne for a favoured claimant or more typically it be sharing information on the monarchy with interested parties for a nominal fee.

Information from the Sunshields comes at a very high price and these agreements are conducted in utmost secrecy. Information typically shared will be based on diplomacy, mainly upcoming wars or alliances, palace political struggles to help those wishing to enter palace life find any advantage and personal information on the king himself. This could be illnesses, relationships or personal disagreements. Information on any of these can be worth a high price for those wanting to climb the political ladder.

Being a member of the Aftetkharan Guard is exceptionally well paid, but we are always looking for other ways to make our lives... and yours... more comfortable
— A Sunshield discussing their side work

Organisation

Heading the Afetkharan Guard is the Rhebra, the King's Spear. Hand-picked by their king, they run the day-to-day operations of the Sunshields and are responsible for the security of the monarch, his family and his estates. Whilst the majority of the Afetkharan Guard retired once they reach the age of 45, the Rhebra stays in the position until death or dismissal. Together with the typical uniform afforded to the Afetkharans, the Rhebras wear a white cloak and decorate their armour with imagery of mythical and actual events, typically focussed on combat. These images are etched in with white ink to stand out whilst in public. This decorated armour is mainly for ceremonial purposes and is not worn in combat. Beneath the Rehbra are the Kemands who are placed in charge of the four divisions that make up the Afetkharan Guard. The Kemands are commonly referred to as the eyes and ears of the Rehbra as they have a much greater presence in the day-to-day protection of royalty. The Kemands in turn appoint officers to co-ordinate their orders on the ground. Each division is comprised of 2,000 men, giving the Afetkharan Guard a total manpower of 8,000.

I am the shield of the king and will not lay down my arms until commanded by my king
— A Sunshield on duty

One division is always tasked with remaining in the capital and another is tasked with remaining with the king. The other two divisions are then free to be used to enforce the king's will as needed, typically to escort members of the royal family or to meet varied threats throughout the realm, both domestic and foreign.

Service in the Afetkharan Guard

Those wishing to join the Afetkharan ranks must have either extensive military experience or connections within the royal family. Regardless of the entry method, the applicant must be physically sound and of good morals. Some states only accept foreigners into the guard in an attempt to cut any potential political ties that may impair their judgement. Anyone over the age of eighteen can be recruited, however.

Either be the best or have the best connections. That's the only way in. Fight honourably, and don't die, or find an eligible noblewoman to marry!
— An Afetkharan Guard advising a soldier how to join their ranks

As defenders of the royal family, the Afetkharan Guard are posted in the relevant capital city and are not permitted to leave city limits unless their king leaves with them. The rank of sunshield is held until the age of 45 at which point mandatory retirement is enforced, with a generous pension.

Equipment and Traditions

The Afetkharan Guard is armed with a large rectangular wicker shield, covered with a leather front, an axe and a sword. The shield is painted in pure blue and in the centre, an image of the sun is painted, in bright yellow. The axe pommels are also designed in the image of the sun. Common soldiery was given silver pommels whilst officers had gold instead to differentiate their rank. Armoured with a bronze scaled bronze chest plate and helmet, they fought primarily on foot, entering combat with their axes and relying on their swords if they lost their axe.

It is customary for the Afetkharan to be tattooed with their achievements and prowess. Tally marks, indicating the number of battles they have fought in, are placed on their right arm. The left arm is marked with the number of assassination attempts foiled under their guard. The choice of the arm is symbolic as the shield is held in the left, signalling defence, and weapons are held in the right, signalling offence. On the chest, tattoos of past deeds are etched, typically of one-on-one combat, trophies taken in battle or the deeds of their king. Pay raises are given based on the number of tallies an Afetkharan has.

_{A chest tattoo of a champion duel}

Variants

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The core structure of the Afetkharan Guard has remained the same throughout the centuries. Despite this, each state has amended the Sunshields to suit their purposes although their key roles remain the same: palatial defense, heavy infantry and intelligence operations.

Kanodite

The Afetkharan Guard were formed by the Kanodite Empire and their organisational layout and purpose are what the Successor States base their Sunshields on. Their blend of bodyguard, intelligence officers and heavy axemen was, at the time, revolutionary and permitted the Kanodite Great Kings to stay both safe and informed of all threats.

Dobarid

The Dobarids, always looking to emulate the Kanodites, have kept the Afetkharan Guard in a similar function to their predessors. Despite the advances in technology and military inovations, the divisions tasked with remaining in the capital, Khomedasht and protecting the Dobarid Great King have remained armed in the same fashion that they were four hundred years ago, typically in a symbolic role and supported by heavier infantry from mercenary forces.

Kangaroudian

Attempting to rule the Kassia without competition, the Afetkharan Guard form a significant part of the Kangaroudian Navy. They maintain their heavy infantry focus and are used to break through front lines of opposing navies or focus high value targets. Whereas the original organisation of the Sunshields had two divisions devoted to supporting the army, the Kangaroudians have one portion trained for ship to ship combat and one suited for the role of heavy infantry.