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Founded
during the reign of Wilhelm, the first Emperor in the
line of the princes of Altdorf, the Reiksguard is recruited
from the oldest sons of the Empire's nobility. Unlike
other Knightly Orders, the Reiksguard is divided into
warriors who fight on foot and on horseback. Regardless
of how they fight, the Knights' weapons are of
the highest quality, and their armour is polished to
a mirror-like finish and topped with crests that carry
the colours of reigning Emperor Karl Franz.
The Reiksguard Knights are the Emperor's best troops
and, as such, form the core of his household guard.
In this way, many masters of the Order have served
as Imperial bodyguards, both on the field of battle
as well as at other, more stately, functions. It is
traditional also for the Grand Master of the Reiksguard
to serve as the Reiksmarshal, second only in authority
to the Emperor himself in matters of war.
In battle, the Reiksguard favour fighting in large
regiments, the better to cow the enemy with the full
splendor of their mirrored armour and crimson plumes.
Imperial history is full of references to great battles
won by a decisive charge by the Reiksguard Knights
or a stalwart defense by the Reiksguard foot. Despite
the potential power and influence that such a reputation
offers, the Reiksguard has always stayed apolitical
and loyal first, last, and always to the reigning
Emperor — a stance that has in the past set
them at odds with other, more transient Orders.
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