The Obsidian Guard

[SimplySeo 6999]

 

”Okri da azulin anym yoth khrum’kargol!”

”Only the coward lives forever!”

 

The Obsidian Guard

Since the reformation of Urguan, the security of crown and capital has been laid upon only the Legion alone, and during the reigns of Kings Atandt and Utak, nepotistic ‘Kingsguards’ which served as little more than enforcers for the monarch. While the profession itself is a respectable one, the way in which this honored duty has been given out is not. Those charged with the security of the monarch and his hold serve not only as a ‘guard’ to the King, but his personal retinue in battle (as no Dwarven monarch ought to shy from combat himself).

 

As such, it has been decided by the reigning Grand King that a new force is to be raised, charged exclusively with the protection of the King, serving as his personal regiment in the field, and securing the relics of Urguan, should the King untimely pass away, until a new Grand King can be elected. The concept is not a new one, in truth the idea of the Obsidian Guard dates back to the reign of King Fimlin Grandaxe, but was ultimately thrown out due to the lack of militarism within the populace during that time. However, with the Dwarves having emerged victorious in several wars since then, the call for more and more of the Dwarven youth to take up arms has been answered.

 

In terms of tactics, the Obsidian Guard serves as the heaviest infantry fielded by Urguan, the quality of their black-iron warplate rivaled only by that of the upper crust of soldiers in the Legion. This warplate is based off that historically fielded by Clan Starbreaker, though used on a much larger scale. Armed with either shield and axe, or great two-handed hammers, the guard is a force to be reckoned with, should they take to the field in number.

 

Ranks and Structure

 

Commanded first and foremost by the Grand King, the Obsidian Guard is an organization separate from the Legion of Urguan, though they often work side by side, because of this, the Grand Marshal cannot command the Guard unless it pertains to the protection of the Grand King, and likewise, the Captain of the Guard can only temporarily take command of the Legion if it pertains to the security of the monarch, and if no upper member of the Legion’s command structure is present. (This pertains to such scenarios as the placement of Legionaires and Guards during meetings, trials, etc.) 

 

The Captain of the Guard serves as the primary and only officer of the Guard whenever the King is not present, only relaying his orders to them otherwise. Often a veteran with some prior experience commanding, or simply an individual noted for his remarkable skill in battle, as well as unwavering loyalty. Should the king fall in battle, or otherwise die before abdication, the task of protecting the relics of the Grand Kingdom falls to this individual until an election is held.

 

The Hammerguard comprise many of the Longbeards and veterans of the Guard, and are also the fewest in number, as there are few Longbeards willing to take the oaths and sacrifices required to join, however those that do, are among the most elite warriors in the field. They are armed with a Two-Handed Warhammer or Mattock, with a Longseax as a secondary weapon.

 

The Axeguard is the most numerous in the ranks of the Obsidian Guard, and is intended to serve as the main bulk of the King’s shieldwall. The primary armaments of the Axeguard is a one-handed waraxe complimented with an iron round-shield, or a two-handed war axe for felling foes of a larger caliber, their secondary weapon being also a Longseax, or a second shortaxe to be thrown.

 

The Shieldguard is the ‘grunt’ rank of Obsidian Guard, though make no mistake, they are still elite soldiers in their own right, and simply have not proven themselves in the capacity of a Royal Guard. The Shieldguard operate more akin to a traditional Legionaire than an independent warrior like their superiors, and are armed with a long-spear as a primary weapon, a round or tower-shield for their offhand, and a longseax or throwing axe as a secondary weapon.

 

Requirements and Restrictions

 

The Obsidian Guard is not a simple military guild or formation, that one can apply to join freely. The Throng of the Grand King himself commands two things of its members, discipline, and absolute loyalty. As such, any who enter the ranks of the Obsidian Guard are forbidden from holding political office under all circumstances, or are required to forsake those they already hold. 

 

To be a member of the Obsidian Guard, one is required to be a full-blooded Dwarf, (preferably with traceable lineage back to Urguan himself, though this is not an inherent requirement.). No ‘foreign folk’ are ever to be permitted within its ranks, even if they are declared honorary dwarfs, nor are any halfbreeds or other folk of questionable allegiance and lineage allowed.

 

Furthermore, a member of the Obsidian Guard is to never, under any circumstances retreat from the field of battle, unless commanded to do so by the King, or Captain of the Guard. There are few things more shameful in the eyes of the Gods than cowardice. The punishment for this utmost shameful display is the shaving of one’s beard, and subsequent exile, though this punishment may only be administered by the Grand King or Captain of the Guard.

 

To be a member of the Obsidian Guard, one is required to be an adept fighter of some form, be they with shield and shortaxe, or with greataxe and maul. (OOC note: This means that the person be competent in either PVP, CRP, or preferably both.)

 

As both the Legion and the Obsidian Guard ultimately draw from the same pool of recruits, (and also, to prevent the Grand King from amassing a personal army, unbeholden to the council) The Obsidian Guard shall by default never number more than a thousand individual members. (OOC note: 10 personas)  Any expansion of the Obsidian Guard must first be approved by the Council of Urguan to take effect.

 

Any potential recruits to the Obsidian Guard require the approval of both the Captain and Grand King prior to undergoing initiation into the Guard.

 

Initiation

To join the ranks of the Obsidian Guard, one must undergo a process of several rituals and traditions before being considered a member of their ranks. To begin, an individual must bring themselves before the Grand King or Captain, and must make their case for what makes them ‘material’ for the Obsidian Guard. This individual may bring two people, both of clans besides his own, to provide a list of deeds, or testimony as to the individual’s worthiness.

 

If no prior deeds are given, or if the King and Captain find the individual’s testimony lacking, the King may command the individual to prove himself. This may be as simple as returning with the head of a worthy foe, or a difficult task, such as slaying a greater monster with witnesses, or surviving ten days and nights in the frozen north without supplies. It is a matter of creativity on the part of the Grand King, and is why one must be ready to prove themselves, or have already done so if they wish to join the Guard.

 

Once this individual is accepted, either through the completion of a great deed, or through prior deeds, they then must swear an oath before the shrine of Dungrimm, and must, if they possess any, renounce all titles before the shrine of Yemekar (or if none are available, the shrines of Dungrimm or Anbella, as both the god of war and goddess of oaths, respectively.) These oaths must be issued with the Captain or Grand King as witness to them.

 

As a final rite of initiation, the individual must undergo the process of acquiring a tattoo on their right arm, this tattoo being a sleeve, and shall take the shape of the individual’s oath, written in ancient Dwarvish script. Only once this process is completed may the individual don the armor of the Obsidian Guard, where they are to serve until death, or released from their oath by the Grand King.

 

 

((If you’re interested in joining the Guard, message DixieDemolisher or Titanium430))

 

 

[Titanium430 578]

Guard Captain Belgrum Starbreaker strokes his short beard “Finaleh, da toime has come” he mutters as he picks up his helmet, placing it on his head and locking it in place, then walking out into the city of Kal’Evraal.

[Norgeth 1894]

Morul Irongut Would read the Mighty Flyer “Evreh Warrior has a tactician behind teh greatness o’ their strength” He’d Stroke his small yet well groomed beard “Teh king may be smart but ‘e really ‘as ‘his hands full at teh moment” 

[gandalfo 1452]

“Funny how the Grand King likes to insult his predecessors as nepotistic, yet he appoints his family to these new positions instead of those who deserve them”

[D3F4LT 1026]

a hooded dwarf would read this letter and shake his head before clenching his runic arm."oi prefered Utaks kingsguard above all ot'es... Jorvin as much as oi respect ye... oi dispois yer expansion wit'in t'e kingsguard force... but since yer king oi suppose ye do as ye wish. Oi meself am ready to enter kaz'a'dentrumm as ou grew old and my runic arm is slowly poisoning me..."he'd say before leaving Urguan once more.