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| Order of the Red Guard |
| The Order of the Red Guard is a knightly order founded by Constal Atreides Bloodhawk, warpriest of the Red Knight and faithful soldier of Cormyr. Veteran of the disastrous battle of Tilverton, Bloodhawk envisioned it as a bulwark against further incursions by the Shades, who demonstrated in that battle a devastating command of arcane forces and an entire army capable of slipping past even the most formidable defenses. The Red Guard is intended to negate, overwhelm, and counteract those advantages, or even to turn them against the shades. Red Guards are drawn mainly from the ranks of Purple Dragons, but the Order is heavily influenced by the religious teachings of the Red Knight, the Lady of Strategy. Because of their mandate, they also include the faithful of Helm and Tempus among them. While this religious disposition is immediately obvious (and the subject of much criticism by those unfriendly to the Order), they pertain mostly to the methods and attitudes of Red Guards, rather than their goals. In other words, while religious imagery is common--from the uniform armor of each Red Guard to the titles of the various ranks--the conduct of the Order is dedicated solely to the defense of Cormyr's security from a possible Shadovar incursion. Highly disciplined elite soldiers to a man, they were handpicked by Lionar Havython Ironclaw--long-time aid to Lord Bloodhawk and now Crimson Knight of the Red Guard--for intelligence, command experience, and unswerving loyalty to the Crown. They are tightly regimented and operate in the strict military hierarchy of the Order, but are capable of independent operation, coordination with other units, and adaptation to novel situations. Organization Radiant Knight Bloodhawk has drawn from a lifetime of battle expirence to pioneer a unique and experimental modular command structure, which he has implemented as the organizational structure for the Red Guard. The basic unit is the sword, consisting of three guardians and the commanding watcher. Four swords form a rath (derived from military slang for kadrath), commanded by a sentinel (who is himself the commander of a sword in place of a watcher). Four raths form a lion (derived from a truncated form of battalion), commanded by a Watchknight (who is again the commander of a rath and therefore also the commander of a sword). Four lions form a Shield, commanded by a Knight Guardian. The flexible training of Red Guards allows them to circumvent normal military divisions and specialized units. Because Red Guards are expected to be battlefield commanders, there are no staff positions or liasons; the heavily clerical membership in the Order more than compensates for its lack of battlepriests; swords or individual guardians can become scouts at a moment�s notice; and the highest ranking member of the Red Guard is always the guidon, often emblazoning his shield with magic to make it more visible. The only �command� positions (those likely to be formulating overall strategy away from the front line) are Blood Knight, Crimson Knight, and Radiant Knight�who themselves often attach themselves to existing shields or take command of swords whose leaders have been killed. Constal Bloodhawk consistently emphasizes adaptability as the key to victory in any combat situation. Thus the sword structure, whereby senior officers assign objectives to their subordinates, who set out to accomplish those objectives as they see fit, since they often have a more complete understanding of the immediate situation than sometimes distant superiors. Thus, the modular units of the Red Guard become cavalry (ground or airborne), infantry, archers, defensive pikemen, scouts, reinforcements, shock troops, combat medics, or magical support as the situation dictates. Weapons and Equipment Because the membership of the Red Guard is relatively small, Radiant Knight Bloodhawk was able to arm and equip them with his personal fortune. He spared no expense outfitting them with the finest equipment money can buy. They are generally encountered heavily armored and armed to the teeth, although an extensive armory allows them to pick up less bulky items (or those better suited to covert operations) at a moment's notice. The following is the standard equipment for members of the Red Guard, by level. 1st�half-plate, longsword, halberd, heavy crossbow, 100 bolts, dagger, heavy steel shield, light war horse. 2nd�full plate, masterwork longsword, halberd, masterwork heavy crossbow, 100 bolts, dagger, heavy steel shield, light war horse. 3rd�full plate, +1 longsword, halberd, masterwork heavy crossbow, 100 bolts, dagger, heavy steel shield, light war horse. 4th�full plate, +1 longsword, halberd, masterwork heavy crossbow, 100 bolts, dagger, +1 heavy steel shield, light war horse. 5th�+1 full plate, +1 longsword, halberd, masterwork heavy crossbow, 100 bolts, dagger, +1 heavy steel shield, light war horse. 6th�+1 full plate, +2 longsword, halberd, masterwork heavy crossbow, 100 bolts, dagger, +1 heavy steel shield, light warhorse. |
| Cormyreans! You live under a shadow.... The Shades have struck before, and they can strike again with impunity. They live in a floating city hundreds of miles to the north, impervious to attack, and unafraid of us. We must be ready for them! We must show them that if there is going to be a defeat like that at Tilverton, then they will pay for it in blood! No matter what traitors and cowards say in the streets and in taverns by night, the Shadovar can be beaten. Ask the farmers of Mistledale if they can be killed! Ask the dwarves of Glen if their tyranny is unshakable! With swords, and magic, and the greatest weapon of all--the tactical brilliance of the human mind--we shall stand as sentinels against them. We shall stand guard, ready and waiting, until the day that THEY shall come to fear US! Do not forget Tilverton! Do not forget, people of Cormyr! Do not forget, arcanists of Shade! For rest assured, WE WILL NOT!! --Atreides Bloodhawk at the founding of New Tilverton 1 Eleint, the Year of Rogue Dragons (1373 DR) |
| Guardian Basic footsoldier; 4 of which form a sword Watcher Sword commander Sentinel Rath commander Watchknight Lion commander Knight Guardian Shield commander Blood Knight Second-in-Command of the Red Guard Crimson Knight Commander of the Red Guard Radiant Knight Supreme Commander of the Red Guard |
| Ranks |
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