Returning Home Blog Post 5

Hello everyone, it's been a while since I've posted anything but I’m back to tell you more about the Guards of the Harmony Empire and what they are. Today I'm going to explain the last of the Four Pillars, The Imperial Guard. There is a lot of information to cover here so please be patient.

The Imperial Guard are an elite force selected from the best knights the Harmony Empire has to offer, they are the Vanguard of the Empire and that acts as the Royal families personal defenders. The Imperial Guard are sworn to both loyalty and secrecy because of this the normal populace has no knowledge as to what they do as all there activates are shrouded in both mystery and secrecy.

To become an Imperial Guard one must meet three criteria. The first criteria is that they must have worked their way from the Dusk Guard to the Knights of Dawn. Second they must have proven their undying loyalty to the beliefs and ideals of the Harmony Empire. The final criteria is that they must go above the call of duty and prove they are willing to sacrifice everything even their lives. If all three criteria are met then they are eligible for what's known as Trials of Valor.

The Trials of Valor are a set of twelve trials overseen by the twelve founders of the Harmony Empire, how this is done since they are trapped in the Void is unknown. Each of the Trials are tailored to the individual and test the potential to determine just who they truly are as an individual and as a warrior. If they are found unworthy of the right to become an Imperial Guard then the trial ends however if they pass each trial they are granted the right to become an Imperial Guard.

After having met all three criteria and passed the Trials of Valor the one selected to become an Imperial Guard is are sent to a training facility in an unknown location. It is here that they undergo extensive training that increases all their physical attributes becoming unnaturally fast, strong and agile, as a result of this training the Imperial Guard is often considered on par with an Alicorn and it is seen that the best trained Imperial Guards can even out match an Alicorn.
While in this unknown location training Imperial Guards will also be chosen to be the Champion of one of the six Elements. To be chosen as a Champion means that the two aspects of the Element have seen you worthy to serve as their protectorate, this is also the reason that only seven Imperial Guards may exist at a time.

As stated above there can only be seven Imperial Guards at a time. Six of the Imperial Guards are chosen as Champions to the First bearers Element of Harmony, a Champion is chosen when the two aspects of the Element agree on who they choose and will be granted a blessing that takes the form of a skill or power. If an Imperial Guard becomes a Champion then they are given the title of Valkyrie.
The seventh of the Imperial Guards is normally the most skilled and loyal to the Empire, they are granted the rank of Captain among the Imperial Guards and becomes the Personal Guard to the Emperors/Empress. The Captain of the Imperial Guard has command over all military matters and can override even the Emperors/Empress when it comes to military decisions, however there is a loophole. The Captain does not have the authority to overrule a decision made by the Mage Guard. Unlike the other Imperial Guards who are granted a single blessing, the Captain is granted blessings by all the Elements. The Captain of the Imperial Guard is not granted the title of Valkyrie like the other Imperial Guards but rather the title of Archangel.

Unlike the other guards, the Imperial Guards armor is designed to be the best in any combat situation. Being both covering and extremely light, Imperial Armor is forged from a metal that is light and extremely dense making it near impenetrable and weighing around 5 lb. (2.5 kg). The Armor was based on the Berserker Armor worn by the Element of Betrayal and each Armor comes with an Magically Constructed Smart Artificial Intelligence (M.C.S.A.I.) specially designed to run the functions of the armor and act as an assistant to the wear.
The armor of the Imperial Guard has two forms, the first is base form. In its base from the armor is in a 'turned off' state that disables all functions. The second form of the Armor is its true form, it this form the armor is considered 'active' and during this time they armor will transform into it's true appearance and allow the user to access the enchantments and features it possess.
Each suit of Imperial Guard armor is unique in its functions as they are designed to enhance a user’s skills that are specific to the user however they do all have several key features that do not change. The first feature of the armor is that it is magically enchanted to allow the wearer to use magic even if the user is not magically capable. Second is that the armor will manifest a set of wings for the wearer if they are not able to fly. The third and final ability of the armor is that it grant increases strengths and speed by blocking the body’s nervous system. This prevent the user from feeling pain however there are several down sides. While the Original Berserker Armor didn't heal the user, the Imperial armor does however it can only do so much and will only heal severe injuries that prevent the body from fighting. This means that damaged muscles and cuts will not be healed as, like the original, it doesn't prioritize the user’s health it is for this reason that the armor was implanted with a M.C.S.A.I. When the Armor is active covers the User in a suit of plated armor that is customized to the Users wishes, the armor is highly adaptable and protects the wearer from even the harsh of climate. As a precautionary measure Imperial Guard Armor can only be worn by the selected user and no one else, if anyone other than its user attempts to wear it the armor will lock up and spikes will shoot out impaling the unwanted wearer killing them. The Armor is bound to the User until death and even then it will not accept another wearer.

The Captain of the Imperial Guard is selected as the best in all the Empire and as such are tasked with an extremely important duty, they are to act as the Emperors/Empress's personal guard. Their duty is to insure the protection of the Emperors/Empress at all times and should the they fall it is the Captains duty to remove them by any means necessary. Most personal guard grow to be close confidant, hold family like relations, or often even lovers so this task is one that is a great burden. The Current Captain of the Imperial Guard is Victory Moon. Victory Moon is a Kitsune, a species native to the lands where the Harmony Empire exists, she extremely serious and skilled in almost every field of combat. A Natural born leader she sees opportunists and advantages where no one else would.

And with that each of the Four Pillars have been covered. I'm not sure what the next topic I talk about will be but I hope to see you soon!