The Honor Guard

> *"They stand there, unmoving and silent, for hours. Regardless of the temperature or weather, they dress for it and remain on their posts or do their patrols. Anyone that dares to mock or get close to them will suffer a painful penalty. There are even rumours that members of the Honor Guard collect teeth of those who mock them or tried to oppose them." - A farmer speaking of the Honor Guard to a standowner.*
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The Honor Guard is one of the three elite guard units responsible for the safety of the Daimyo and several essential sites or people of the North. They are currently the most well-known and most prominent unit of the Daimyo's Guard.

## History

The Honor Guard was brought into existence a short while after the Ranzaki succession war. By reforming the already present Daimyo Guard, the reform was meant to divide and provide better efficiency in security, counter-intelligence and other executions at tasks intended for the Daimyo's Guard. The newly reformed Honor Guard was brought up first to a few hundred members. These oldest members were selected carefully upon their allegiance and pride. However, not their loyalty for the country but rather for the influence and power of the Hojo clan - however, none of the Honor Guard veterans will admit that easily.

With having infiltrated the Honor Guard well enough, recruits would be brought in and introduced. Over time the Honor Guard started to reach the intended two-thousand members strong. The leading officers within the Honor Guard would make sure that the newer members would be trained and gain loyalty to the idea that they had to serve the top: the Lord of Valour. However, with the Hojo's influence, it is clear that the Lord of Valour will forever be a Hojo loyalist- preventing the Honor Guard's intentions and actions to slip away from the Hojo leadership for their plots and gains.

## Organisation

The Honor Guard's organisation isn't a difficult one. It is split into three sections that all have their purposes and intentions.

Recruits find themselves being at the Outer Ring. The recruits split into groups of four, which are maintained and led by an Honor Guard. The recruits are to train nearly all day and are given few rights of freedom. Rarely are they ever to see their old loved ones or leave the sites where they are conducting their training. Their training involves from physical and martial prowess to mental training, such as meditation. Recruits are even evaluated to witness if they are actual believers and followers of Akemi's Pantheon. Only a few who believe in a different faith, such as the Chonobi deities or obscure religions, are allowed within the Honor Guard. This decision has made the recruits predominantly Taika of origin.

The most significant part of the Honor Guard is called the Wall. While not sounding exciting, those within the 'Wall' take their tasks very seriously. They have graduated Honor Guards and gifted the full benefits as honour for serving diligently within the elite unit. They are tasked with nearly everything that the Honor Guard has been organised for. Training and guiding recruits, guarding a post or performing a patrol, providing security for prominent people - providing some essential leadership for the North and country.

The most honoured and nearly worshipped part of the Honour Guard is the Inner Circle. The Inner Circle is composed of the veterans and leaders of the Honor Guard. They are the smallest part of the entire unit but make significant decisions. The leader, the Lord of Valour, is the most influential individual within the Inner Circle.

### Rules

The members of the Honor Guard are obliged to serve a codex of rules. These rules are designed to prohibit the Honour Guard's abuse of power and influence and deter outside sources from meddling in their affairs.

1. Being accepted into the Honor Guard means serving for life. Death is the only way of leaving the organisation.
2. Members shall not inherit or parent any children.
3. Members will forgo any lordship or titles that they held before entering.
4. Members shall not share the knowledge or training they have received from the organisation upon the penalty of death.
5. Each member is to swear their vows every once a week