Imperial Guard (Gruvania)

The standard banner for the Imperial Guard, although individual Legions have custom banners.

## Army Personnel

### Reserve Personnel

None

The Imperial Guard, or commonly known as **Guards**, is a elite branch in Imperial Gruvania. It hosts a wide array of elite training, making them the most powerful units in the entire armed forces. Around 5 Chapters were founded during the founding of the empire, reaching around 10 by the time of AOTA.

### History of the Guard

> Sometimes a good guardsman must be willing to die for the Emperor”
>
> Imperial Guard Proverb

#### Founding

Although closely linked to the Royal Guard of the Kingdom, The Empire Guard was founded by Alrich I in an attempt to strengthen imperial rule over the islands. Its founding was made by the founding of 5 Imperial Guard Chapters, each having 20.000 guards of all ranks.

All Guard Chapters are to set up their headquarters in remote islands, with the prestigious **Dragon Guard** making its base of operations in *Dragon’s Stead,* The **Raven Guard** set up bases in *Black Keep*, The **Razorbill Guard** establishing bases in *Northpass*, The **Phoenix Guard** in *Penrith*, and The **Kingfisher Guard** in *Graycott*. Following the recruitment system made by the Emperor, only children at the age of 13 can join and they are expected to serve until the age of 55.

Just like their animal and mythological names, they are expected to take their colors as a way to signify which Chapter they serve. **The Dragon Guards** wore **Red**, the **Raven Guards** wore **Grey and Black**, the **Razorbill Guards** wore **White**, the **Phoenix Guards** wore **Yellow**, and the **Kingfisher Guards** wore **Blue**.

#### The Establishments of 20 AOTA

After the Diaplanatic War, Alrich II decided that it would be best to establish 3 new orders. Following Imperial Decree, The Pelican Guard, Stork Guard, and the Owl Guard. The Pelican Guard was formed and to be filled with soldiers of Magdorlandian background, the Stork Guard are to be filled with Chastonovian background people, and the Owl Guard is to be filled with Athonian background. The **Pelican Guard** are colored in their armor **Snowy White** and **Yellow**. The **Stork Guard** are colored **White** and **Grey**. The **Owl Guard** are to be colored **Grey**. Headquarters of the Pelican Guard are in *Pendle*, **Owl Guard** in *Wandermere*, and **Stork Guard** in *Astlan.*

#### The Legion Establishment of 20 AOTA

Following another Imperial Decree, the Expatriate Legions are to be increased with the arrival of 5 new Legions, the Plover Legion, the Black Eagle Legion, the Elk Legion, the Moose Legion, and the Tengu Legion. The Plover Legion is filled with Kaphan heritage, the Black Eagle Legion with Forarenian heritage, the Elk Legion filled with Elovannian heritage, the Moose Legion filled with Roozterlandie, and the Tengu Legion with Tatonese heritage. The Plover Legion is to colored **White and Brown**, the Black Eagle Legion with **all Black**, the Elk Legion with **Reddish Almond**, the Moose Legion with **all Brown**, and the Tengu Legion with **Black and Grey**. Unlike all the other Legions, they are to be stationed in their own respective capital cities.

#### The Arrival of Planetary Legions

In the Emperor’s Decree of 21 AOTA, Alrich III, now in rule after Alrich II died, established two new Legions, The Jaguar Guard and the Starling Guard. The Jaguar Guard was based in Miderion, and the Starling Guard was based in Albalumye. The **Jaguar Guard** wore **all Orange**, while the **Starling Guard** wore **all Purple**. The Jaguar Guard established an all-male Chapter while the Starling Guard established an all-female Chapter.

#### The Establishments of Five New Imperial Legions in 24 AOTA

With the onset of war, Alrich III made a Imperial Decree for the establishments of five new Legions. These legions would all have their headquarters assigned to Myrefall. The new legions include the Bear Legion that is colored **Brown and Black**, The Wolf Legion that is colored **Grey and Black**, the Badger Legion that is colored **Grey and Brown**, The Salmon Legion that is colored **Blue and White**, and The Beetle Legion that is colored **Green and Blue**.

#### Recruitment and Training

Just like the order the Emperor gave, only children in the ages of 13 can join, so as to further teach them the ways of warfare, chivalry, and loyalty to the Emperor. These young children are to be trained harshly in the coming 5 years accordingly with their enviroment, though Chapters can also request permission to the others for use of their training ground. Any bad stuffs were further cleanse so as for future guardsmen to not screw up during the line of duty.

Though many would fail in this harsh training, some would graduate. After graduating Imperial Guard School at the age of 18, they are to be sent from their boarding school to the Guard Chapter Headquarters itself. They are further taught by drill intructors, and talented veterans for the next 2 years until the age of 20. Many would fail, some would perish, but those who passed the training would be made a **Knight or Guardsmen,** and called with “Sir”.

Life in the Chapter would be peaceful, there would be daily training, daily duels, and other ordinary stuff. Knights would rarely be promoted in times of peace, only often would knights be promoted in times of war. In times of war, each Chapter would be called upon by the Emperor to serve as frontline units, as these Chapters were not only skilled, but a morale boost for basic branches on the ground. Chapters serve many purposes, whether that be in the army, navy, or even air force. Each Chapter were to have their own planes, ships, and vehicles.

After many years in the Chapter, a knight would usually be promoted into a **Grand Knight**, where they would usually command a platoon of Guardsmen into battle. Only when if their officer is mentioned in despatches, they would be promoted to **Paladin**. The Paladin would command a cohort of Guardsmen until he has been promoted. Only when they would be promoted is when a Grandmaster (The Commander of the Chapter) dies or resigns, the 4 Paladins of the Chapter would duel with eachother until there is only one victor, only then would the victor be promoted into Grandmaster by the Emperor himself.

#### Organization and Equipment

##### Organization

In the AGWs and AOTA up until 18 AOTA, each Guard Chapter is made up of 40.000 men, which makes up to 2 divisions, with 20 regiments, each comprising 1.000 Guards. In 19 AOTA, Emperor Alrich II issued a decree that changes the organisation of the Imperial Guard. Now, each Chapter would supply half its guards for the frontlines, with the frontline units making up a Legion. Alrich II also changed regiments into cohorts, with each Legion having 4 cohorts with each having 10.000 men. The Four Cohorts are, the Lancer Cohort, 2 Infantry Cohorts, and an Armored Cohort.

##### Equipment

The Chapters are each equipped with the finest weapons and vehicles in all of Gruvania. They were equipped with Challnger and Leopard tanks, with Warrior IFVs for support. Its knights were armed with HK416 Assault Rifles with attachments, a Sabre for melee, and a Beretta M9 for secondary. They were equipped with Bulletproof Vests and Uniforms with their Chapter’s Colors.

The Aircraft for the Chapters are, FA-55s for CAS and Fighters, C-17s for the purpose of transporting, and CH-47s and UH-60s for transporting in shorter distances.