The King's Blade

The King's Blade are the elite guard who form the protective squad around the king of Korelisin, as well as around his palace. Formed shortly after the elevation of the area around Townsville to a sovereign nation, the King's Blade have served monarchs faithfully for many generations, though some question the power of the monarchs at all.
The King's Blade consists of a selection of soldiers, ranging from light infantry to cavalry. These groups are made up of specially chosen soldiers. Those soldiers must first go through a recruiting process in which all who wish, attend a unique sub-schooling within the Mentrak Academy of Arms. This schooling can last for an entire year and is held in isolation of other students and with restricted access to outside contact. After the first four weeks it is not uncommon for the class size to have lost one third of applicants. Those applicants who do drop out however, often go on to preform significantly better within their standard units, and dropping from the school is rarely seen in a negative light. Those who make it through the process receive highly regulated gear at the end of their training. This is to replace any gear damaged beyond repair during their training but is ceremonialized as a rebirth into this new station and responsibility. During their service a King's Blade receives little over twice that of a soldier of similar rank. It is not uncommon however, for one of these elite soldiers who have served dutifully for over sixteen years to be awarded some untaxed land or villa away from the busy and ever sprawling town.
The light infantry commonly patrol events with the monarch providing close to hand security in the less open areas, such as ballrooms and feast halls. The light infantry wear nearly the same equipment as any other Korelian soldier, though they replace the padded jack with a type doublet of Baft fabric brocaded with steel. Being primarily within halls where one can expect assassins over any large scale battle, the equipment can be a bit more on the extravagant side while still maintaining enough function to preform well. These decorations are done mostly in embroidery on the doublets and pinned gilding upon the skirt of plates.
In contrast the heavy infantry, who stand rigidly outside of select posts and gatehouses, stick to a more functional design. The only heavy infantry within the Korelian military, these unique soldiers often require more specialized endurance training to maintain their composure and resolve while braving the ever changing weather of the region. This group utilizes the only full plate within the region even though, like many of the Korelian army, they are somewhat adept at abjuration magic and blending it in in a dirty/battlefield manner. The plate makes use of many small slits for ventilation, but its only form of decoration is the strange iridescence that comes naturally from the metal. These unique soldiers stand guard with heavy bladed polearms and are the primary means of protection at any entry point to the monarchs home.
The mounted group of the King's Blade, much like the light infantry, wears similar garb to that of the common Korelian soldier. The horses, other than being an unusual addition to the army, wear no barding and are primarily used to aid in patrol patterns across long stretches of land. The saddles do however sport one piece of armoring which is a plate like guard around the legs of the rider. This armor aids in mounted combat and allows the rider to pursue threats within areas where the exposed upper leg would be a hinderance, such as densely wooded locations. Much like the infantry the cavalry opts for a type of sword. This sword is longer and a bit thinner than the standard Gavtig. The longer blade allows them to remain on horseback while fighting but is handled in such a manner that on foot an extra hand can be used to aid in the generation of force.
There is rumor that once there was a fourth smaller group within the King's Blade who maintained a separate higher decree. The alleged decree was that should the monarch ever become corrupt, these handful of guards were tasked with removing the crown, as well as the head attached. If such a group ever existed they appear to exist no longer however.

Type

Special Forces