Noventian Millitary

The Noventian Millitary is the force tasked with maintaining peace and order in the Noventian Empire, and with enforcing the government's will through combat operations if need be. It has existed in its current form since the Empire's formation in 1 N.E., when its four branches were formed from the existing singular military branch of the Kingdom of Noventia. The vast majority of Noventian military personnel are always stationed in the city of Noventia during peace time, although some areas of the Sky, such as Tagivoa, have a small but permanent military presence. During the Noventian Civil War, the city of Spark experienced significant military occupation for an extended period.

## Branches

### Imperial Garrison

The Imperial Garrison is the largest branch and is responsible for defending the city of Noventia from potential threats. Most members of the Garrison are stationed along the walls surrounding the city, although some occasionally embark on intelligence missions to gauge the likelihood of an attack on the city. These missions are typically discreet and undercover.

The Kyo family traditionally holds supervision over the Garrison branch, as the branch was established by the original Kyo ancestor who successfully defended the city of Noventia from many threats during the Spark-Noventian war.

### Imperial Infantry

The Imperial Infantry is the second-largest branch and is composed primarily of foot soldiers. Most of the troops stationed at bases outside the city of Noventia are part of this branch. In the rare event of a land invasion, specialized airships designed to carry dozens of infantry soldiers will arrive at the target location and release the soldiers onto the battlefield. This branch is used in cases where aerial warfare is ineffective, such as when targets are in durable buildings, underground, or in otherwise inaccessible areas, such as the jungles of Wildersky. Some members of the infantry will also act as a police force in the lower-class areas of the city of Noventia.

### Imperial Fleet

The Imperial Fleet is the second-smallest branch and is composed of soldiers who pilot, maintain, and command the Empire's fleet of airships. The Imperial fleet is also in charge of collecting taxes, crops, and other quotas from the various outlying islands of the Empire. This branch also contains specialists who research and develop new flight and weapons technology.

### Rose Guard

The Rose Guard is the smallest branch and is composed of elite soldiers who serve as a police force within the upper-class areas of the city of Noventia. The very highest ranking members are tasked with being the Emperor's personal guards and escorts. The Rose Guard will occasionally operate outside the city in the event a known or suspected terrorist, or someone who otherwise poses an abnormally high threat to the Empire, has recently fled the city. This branches receives the longest and most intense training regiment, and just one soldier is a force to be reckoned with. . The Rose Guard is distinguished from the rest of the Noventian military by their rose-gold armor.

#### Praelake

The Praelake is a single individual assigned to be the Emperor's omnipresent bodyguard while he is out in public. It is a unique position in that the individual is simultaneously a member of the Noventian Military and of the Noventian Royal Court. The Praelake is usually a close and trusted friend of the Emperor and is given access to intel and resources unavailable to the rest of the military. They are typically chosen from the ranks of the Rose Guard, but that is not a requirement. Even non-Noventians can serve as Praelake, such as Nix Galligan.

The position was abolished by Claudio Cerus during the Noventian Civil War, but later brought back by Maria Cerus.

## Historical Changes

Although there have always been four branches in the Noventian Empire's military, the branches themselves have undergone a few changes. Most notably, as technology began to rapidly progress in the latter half of the Age of Peace, the military rapidly adapted to stay ahead of the curve. Before the invention of the airship, the Imperial Fleet primarily used hot air balloons, as was common throughout the Sky at that time. The shield and spear, Noventia's symbols, were the staple for close-range combat, but recently have been phased out by firearms. However, most soldiers still carry a shield, and for close-range encounters have a small dagger or cutlass. Firearms have also outclassed bows and crossbows for ranged combat.