The Throne Feathers

The Throne Feathers are the personal escort unit of the Monarch of Mithambe. A subdivision of the King's Talons, the Throne Feathers are the actual members tasked with the constant protection of the Monarch, alongside the rest of the Monarch's Retinue.

Considered the "face" of the King's Talons, the Throne Feathers are always present at the side of the Monarch, particularly when the Monarch makes a public appearance.

Composition

Manpower

The Throne Feathers consists of three rotations of four Talons each, forming three squads. Each squad is rotated on a monthly basis, ensuring that the Monarch has a constant security detail, while the other squads may focus on training and acting as reserve in the event of an emergency.

Weaponry

Weapons that are available to a Throne Feather include the following:

• Wands as requested
• Staves as requested
• Fiaran Stunrods
• Atxian Nightsteel daggers
• Warthel P32 semi-automatic pistol (Talon custom, abjuration-warded firing pin + barrel, hawthorn grips)
• Warthel R63S semi-automatic rifle (Talon custom, abjuration-warded firing pin + barrel, hawthorn body, short barrel)
• Warthel R67A automatic personal defense weapon (Talon custom, firing shields integrated, conjuration-warded firing pin + barrel, Seraxi deepsteel body)

Vehicles

The Throne Feathers do not possess personal vehicles, but instead embark on the same vehicle as the Monarch. However, in the event of an emergency, they possess the training and competency to commandeer a vehicle of their choosing, in the performance of their tasks.

Tactics

"Shields up! Wards deployed! Get His Majesty to safety, now!"

Talon Feather Cherise Vixelle, Feather Squad "Sunset Cycle", 1891

The Throne Feathers specialize in VIP protection, and thus utilize tactics purely to protect the VIP.
Threat assessment and situational awareness are conducted by other Talon teams, which relay information to the Throne Feathers who are currently escorting the Monarch and their delegates, as well as to reserve Feather teams. It is common for Throne Feathers to form a square around the Monarch and their delegates, utilizing protection runes that encompass the team to provide absolute protection to those within the square.
In the event of hostilities, a designated Feather will immediately escort the Monarch, alongside the Talon Grandmaster, to safety. Other Feathers will form a moving shield to protect the Monarch's delegates while they are taken to safety. Talon assets will move to perform threat neutralization while Feathers focus on the protection of the Monarch and delegates until they are safely removed from the situation.
Owing to the armor that they are permitted to wear, Feathers are not hesitant to step in the way of the Monarch to intercept projectiles or expressed ethereal vectors.

Training

The frantic clacks of wood hitting wood resonated throughout the training hall, as even Kaylie took the time to admire how absurdly fast each of her uncle's Feathers were... and just how badly Rachel herself outmaneuvered them, even when facing a significant disadvantage.

Throne Feathers are required to maintain proficiency in the following areas:

• Unarmed combat
• Short-range combat
• Situational awareness and threat assessment
• Sniper and countersniper training
• Hostage situation handling
• Foreign magic recognition and countermeasures
• Chemical and biological warfare countermeasures
• Vehicle handling and pursuit tactics
• Enchantment resistance and mental conditioning
• Illusion mechanics and countermeasures

Specialists within a Feather squad will also maintain their credentials, with training provided by screened personnel from the Mithambian 1st Royal, the Arcane Society, or from the Octal as required.

Logistics

Logistical Support

Logistical support is provided through the Mithambian 1st Royal Guard.

Auxilia

As a detachment of the King's Talons, the Throne Feathers may call upon any Talon assistance in order to perform their duties.
Assistance in the form of the 1st Mithambian Royal Guard is also available to handle items including logistics and rapid transport.
As direct escorts of the Monarch, the Throne Feathers are empowered to call upon any citizen, officer of the peace, or military personnel from Mithambe, and mobilize their assistance as required. This is rarely done with those outside of the Constabulary or the military, with exceptions being national emergencies or the outbreak of hostilities.

Recruitment

Throne Feathers are only recruited from senior Talons who have served a minimum of five years without imperfection on their record. Extra attention is given to Talons who possess unique qualifications, including arcane qualifications, medical training, or other unique skillsets that may see best use in VIP protection.

History

The Throne Feathers were first raised alongside the rest of the King's Talons in 1804, shortly before the outbreak of hostilities between the Royal Court of Mithambe and the Church of the Great Design. King Rupert Mitfield designated his own hand-selected fighters as his invisible hands, while also acting as his own personal escort, given the issues of loyalty that were brewing within the Mithambian 1st Royal.

"The wards... the shards pierced the wards..."

Final words of Talon Xavier Seaward, Feather Squad "Ocean Joy", 1890

In the Faulkner Square bombing of 1890, Throne Feather Squad "Ocean Joy" was with King Marcus and his family when the bombing took place. The bombs were designed to pierce through the runic protections set up by the typical square formation utilized by the Feathers, which resulted in the deaths of the Mitfield royals present, in addition to the instantaneous deaths of the Talon Grandmaster, the Court Magician, and three of the four Feathers present. The last Feather, Xavier Seaward, was able to relay the breaching of the wards to Talon Rachel Belfour before succumbing to his injuries, which was further relayed to the new King, Jacob Mitfield.

Historical loyalties

The Throne Feathers are historically loyal to the Monarch of Mithambe and their designates, and will protect them to the death.

Type

Escort

Founding

1804

Overall training Level

Elite

Assumed Veterancy

Decorated/Honored

Used by

• The King's Talons