Vinian Royal Guard

The Vinian Royal Guard, formerly known as the Azure Order was led by Sir Galahad Stoneheart and served every reigning monarch up until disbanding on Y3 D155 under King Devon Dresari.

## History

The origins of the Royal Guard can be traced back to the early years of the kingdom's formation, starting out as 'the Order of the Azure' under the first reign of House Igsum. As the monarchy gained power and the kingdom's territories expanded with new houses constantly emerging, the need for a dedicated force to protect the king became evident. Thus, the Order was established as an unofficial bodyguard for the King alone and remained in service until the Igsum Reign was overthrown.

During its formative years, the Royal Guard was a small band of warriors handpicked by the commander himself, only later to expand into adopting an auxiliary force alongside their full-time guardsmen. Their primary duty was to serve as the monarch's personal protectors and fight alongside the ruling house during any wars. The Guard's original insignia, a blue eagle upon a shattered shield of black and white, was adopted during this period, based on their infamous heavy iron uniforms. This was later changed along with the name to match the modernisation of the Capital City and the formation of an official Royal Guard sworn to the Vinian Throne itself with the order transitioning over, abandoning their previous duties to individuals to take up this higher purpose.

After the rapid success in modernising the guard, Sir Galahad Stoneheart formed the auxiliary program which allowed members of loyalists houses and guilds to enlist as an on-call force for the Royal Guard, increasing their numbers tend fold and ensuring that the Royal Family remained protected at all times. Despite this success, the Dresari reign had little use for Sir Galahad's men due to already having their own household guard trained and implemented into King Devon Dresari's daily movements, this ultimately led to the disbanding of the Royal Guard with honours being given to it's members and a council seat reserved for Sir Galahad as he returned to homestead

## Recent Events

### *'Loyal until the End'*

During the First Rebellion as House Stroheim attempted to take the throne from House Igsum, the Order stood behind their true King and remained loyal to their oaths, even refusing to surrender when the loyalists put down their arms at the capital with House Igsum nowhere to be seen. The Order struck at the Usurper king taking several rebel soldiers down before being cutdown themselves.

After which, Sir Tristaen was ferried away and healed by one of the freemen and later returned with his band of wounded men to swear fealty to the new King, having completed his oath to the Igsum Throne the Royal Guard now prepared for the stroheim coronation.

### *'A Foresaken Escort'*

On this dreaded day, the Knight-Commander of the newly renamed 'Vinian Royal Guard', Sir Tristaen escorted King Gustavus Stroheim around his Kingdom, inspecting the various trading spots and noble homesteads, only to be struck in an ambush by Igsum Bandits losing a whole detachment of 7 guardsmen as he attempted to rescue the King as well as his own life.

Later-found diary entries showing the true purpose of King Gustavus' ventures as he had planned to lose his life after becoming overwhelmed with the stress of reshaping the kingdom and city-planning due to the disorganized Reign of House Igsum leaving the capital in a rumbled mess.

### *'War of the Dukes'*

After King Carlous' departure in search of the ancient nobrac land, the realm dove into a civil war with House Brabant unaccepting of the throne's succession to the Lord Chancellor Devon Dresari, the Royal Guard stood firm inside the throne room prepared to take on any force that made their way to the throne choosing to remain neutral and abide their oath to the throne and not individuals.

Hours of fighting between the crown loyalists and the Brabant forces concluded with the thudding of iron swords against wooden shields, Sir Galahad ordered to the keep doors opened and welcomed to the victorious Devon Dresari, holding a brabawolf head in his hand ready to take his place upon the Vivian Throne

## Notable Members

**Sir Tristaen Elandos** | *Founder of the Order of the Azure, sworn sword to the First King Arslum Igsum, died attempting to rescue King Gustavus from a bandit ambush during a venture in the wilderness.*

**Master-At-Arms Tar Arkos** | *Squire to Sir Tristaen Elandos, recruited from the Concretion Guard before their venture north, died in a skirmish at the trading outpost after taking out 3 bandits single-handily.*

**Castellan Arthur Stoneheart** | *One of the original members of the Order of the Azure.*

**Sir Galahad Stoneheart** | *Second Knight-Commander of the Vinian Royal Guard, responsible for the creation and success of the Auxiliary Program, served loyally until the disbanding of the Royal Guard by his command.*

**Sir Argon of Seaborn** | *Formerly heir of House Seaborn, transferring in the Royal Guard and becoming a Lancer in Sir Galahad's Calvary unit for wilderness patrols and bandit removal.*

**Initiate Sal Arkos** | Taking up the position in the King's Bodyguard left vacant by his Twin Brother Tar, becoming a formidable swordsman and dedicated initiate prior to the disbanding of the Royal Guard.

**Sir Thijean Kraken** | *Formerly an officer of the Seaborn Militia, before enlisting and becoming a member of King Devon Dresari's Personal Bodyguard.*