Games - Reiksguard

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	Games - Reiksguard

The Reiksguard (Reiksgard or Imperial Guard) forms the personal army and bodyguard of the Emperor himself and the core and backbone of the Empire army – they are the closest thing The Empire has to a state army in Warhammer Fantasy Battles, a game of Games Workshop.

They form an elite core of highly trained, expensively-equipped troops who are loyal to the Emperor in person, and are his best troops. Although they are few in numbers, Reiksguard is the most important part of the army, and in battle usually forms up in the centre around the Emperor himself. Many a battle has been won thanks to a decisive charge by the Reiksguard Knights They accompany the Emperor on all occasions in war and peace, forming his personal bodyguard on campaign and battlefield and in the course of his diplomatic tours throughout Empire ceremonial duties, and they have sworn to give their lives to protect the Emperor. In times of war, they take the field along with the Emperor, forming an elite unit at the core of the Imperial armies. They are also responsible for the security of all palaces and castles belonging to the Imperial family. Reiksguard is divided into a mounted arm known as the Reiksguard Knights, and to foot units referred to as Reiksguard regiments. Reiksguard are recruited from all over the Empire from amongst the sons of knights and nobility. The ranks of Reiksguard are open to all young men of noble birth regardless of where they live within the Empire. Thus the Reiksguard includes men from all the provinces from as far a field as Ostland and Nordland, Wissenland and Ostermark. The heirs of many of the most wealthy and powerful families can be found amongst its ranks, including sons of Elector Counts. It is a considerable honour for a family for its oldest son to serve in the Reiksguard. Many of the members of Reiksguard hope to inherit their father’s title and property one day. Some younger sons will never inherit, and while most leave the army to pursue other interests, some remain in the Reiksguard to become its senior officers, commanders and generals. The leader of the Reiksguard is titled the Captain of the Reiksguard. He is a powerful figure in the Empire, ranked as one of the personal bodyguards of the Emperor on state occasions, and chief of the Emperor’s war masters. Individual squadrons of Reiksguard Knights are commanded by noblemen, and are generally recruited from their home provinces. A commission in Reiksguard is regarded as a fine and fitting occupation for the younger sons of the Empire’s noble houses, and many of them take this as an opportunity to outshine their elder brothers, who command the armies and militias of their home provinces. There is a great rivalry between the cavalry squadrons of various nobles. The Reiksguard are much loved throughout the Empire. When a dashing young Reiksguard returns to his home town on leave he is greeted by cheering citizens, and riotous celebrations carry on long into the night. When they accompany the Emperor on his many ceremonial processions they add to the splendour and magnificence of the occasion by dint of their awesome appearance and fabulously expensive armour. During the annual Imperial tournament the Reiksguard compete against each other for the honour of being closest to the Emperor. These events are a major highlight of the year attracting citizens from all over the Empire and beyond. Normally Reiksguard is barracked in the comparative comfort of Altdorf.

History

The Reiksguard was founded during the reign of Wilhelm, the first Emperor of the lineage of the Princes of Altdorf (ascended the throne around 2430 IC).

Appearance

The Reiksguard wear magnificent gilded armour, highly polished to a mirror-like finish, garlanded with scarlet sashes and emblazoned with the device of the Reiksguard. Their helms are adorned with tall feathered red and white crests of the ruling Emperor Karl Franz, or extravagant crests elaborated of the family crest of the squadron’s commander, varying widely from squadron to squadron. All ranks carry shields emblazoned with a skull and the initials of the current Emperor (KF for Karl Franz). The knights carry tall lances with pennants decorated with crowns, and ride fierce and prancing stallions. It is common and popular to sport mottos painted on armour (either the knight’s armour or shield, or the steed’s barding). Examples of such mottos include Malleus (hammer), Sigmar, Desporandum, Victorium and Mortis, amongst many others. Reiksguard flag bears the national emblem on one side and the Emperor’s emblem (currently initials KF for Karl Franz) and the Sigmar legend on the other. Sometimes the Reiksguard Knights may carry the personal standard of the Emperor as their banner. This is a great honour, and if the Emperor’s banner should retreat or be lost this would be a terrible disgrace. This sobering effect fills the knights with courage and makes them even less likely to back away from the enemy.

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