The Royal Cerulean Guard
The Royal Cerulean Guard are the personal security and attendants of the Royal Family.
Members of the Guard are considered to be the 'best of the best' of the armed forces of Vallanna, typically having served for over a decade before even joining the Guard.
The current leader of the Cerulean Guard, known as the Royal Protector, is Colonel Danorae Tinarick; a Dragonborn female, who has been in the Guard for ten years, and in command for three of those years.
Prospective members have usually risen to Lieutenant rank or higher prior to joining the Guard. Exceptions have been made based on acts of extreme valour and other special circumstances, however. Typically, the rank of Colonel is the highest military rank held by Guard members, with long serving officers being promoted out of the Guard to the rank of General and put in command of a larger army.
Headquartered in Valliné, the Guard's barracks is located on the grounds of the Cerulean Palace, from which they take their name.
Composition
Manpower
The Royal Cerulean Guard has a combined force of about one hundred, plus support staff. The majority of the Guard - roughly sixty soldiers - is stationed in the capital city of Valliné, protecting the King and Queen in the Cerulean Palace, and as an entourage whenever they travel. The remaining forty members of the Guard are stationed elsewhere in Vallanna; split between guarding the Duke of Serenal (the King's elder son) and his family in Serenal to the far South, and guarding the Duke of Laranna (the King's younger son) and his family in Laranna in the Middle-Lands.
Equipment
Each guardsmen is outfitted with a suit of durable, yet light, mithril armour; elegantly decorated with engraved patterns, and inlayed with luminescent blue crystalline forms. The centre of the breastplate is embossed with the seal of Vallanna, and the pauldrons bear the Royal Crest. Over the armour, a blue velvet tabard, also bearing the Royal Crest is worn.
Higher ranked members of the Guard also wear a finely embroidered white cape; signifying their seniority within the Guard. These capes are worn only by the Royal Protector and the five Cerulean Blades.
Weaponry
As the elite guard of the Royal Family, the Royal Cerulean Guard has access to the finest weapons in the kingdom, forged for them by the Royal Armoury.
Each member carries a specially crafted mithril longsword as part of their standard equipment, paired with a reinforced mithril shield bearing the Royal Crest, on a blue backdrop.
Dependent on the duties and situation, guardsmen may equip halberds, crossbows, longbows, or any manner of other weaponry.
Structure
The Royal Cerulean Guard is led by the Royal Protector, who is chosen from within their ranks by the King. The Royal Protector is in general command of the Guard as a whole, as well as answering directly to the King.
Under the Royal Protector are five senior Guardmen, known as the Cerulean Blades; each of whom is in charge of about twenty members of the Guard. Within these subdivisions, seniority is usually determined by the amount of time served within the Guard, as well as by military rank.
Logistics
Logistical Support
The Guard has a modest number of support staff, from cooks, to stable masters, to blacksmiths; all ensuring that the members are properly equipped to carry out their duties in protection of the crown and the kingdom.
Recruitment
Membership in the Royal Cerulean Guard is not limited by species or gender. Applicants typically have at served for least a decade in the armed forces, and have shown particular skill, valour and loyalty to the crown during their service.
Due to the Guard's elite nature, and relatively small numbers, the vast majority of applicants will not be accepted. Just to be considered for a position in the Guard is considered a great honour, however.
History
Founded during the reign of Queen Tava - Daugher of the legendary King Tormon - the Royal Cerulean Guard has grown from its humble origins as a proposal by the Queen's pair of implacable bodyguards to the large organisation that it is today.
Historical loyalties
The Royal Cerulean Guard was founded on loyalty to, and has always remained loyal to the Royal Family of Vallanna.
Type
Special Forces
Founding
122 AoU
Overall training Level
Elite
Assumed Veterancy
Decorated/Honored
Used by
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