Knights of the Red Shield

The Knights of the Red Shield (KRS) are a special operations branch the Jiarengrad military, tasked with protecting the King as well as conducting special missions. The KRS's primary mission is to serve as bodyguards for the Jiarengrad royalty, although this has far been their sole purpose for a number of years.

Although the KRS is part of the Jiarengrad military, they often serve member nations of the Azerath Nations, since no other member nation has a special operations branch.

History
The Knights of the Red Shield's history is controversial due to the secrecy the unit originally held. Vulkenrad the Conqueror created the KRS to serve as his personal bodyguards, due to his new status as the Dynasty King. At that time, the KRS was not its own branch but was a small group made up of elite soldiers within the Jiarengrad Army. Membership in the KRS required the soldier to be of a high rank, physically fit and mentally sharp. Membership was very exclusive and no one knew the internal workings of the unit.

Although Vulkenrad the Conqueror claimed to have created the KRS to serve as his bodyguards, he secretly used them to carry out secret missions. These missions often included infiltration of nations, where the Knights would disguise themselves as citizens or merchants and do what they could to ruin that nation's economy. Vulkenrad the Conqueror did this in order to sway small nations into peaceful invasions instead of resorting to warfare.

The biggest victim to this type of KRS mission was a medium-sized principality located Northeast of Jiarengrad named Allia. Vulkenrad the Conqueror sent in the KRS to sever the principality's supply routes and sabotage their industry. After 6 months the KRS successfully managed to starve the Allian population, causing a small Jiarengrad invasion force to move in and destroy the principality.

At that time, the KRS involvement was kept completely secret. Once Vulkenrad the Conqueror died, King Mitius revealed what the KRS was secretly doing for so many years by telling the story of Allia, as he was the child of the Princess of Allia. King Mitius decided to keep the KRS but make them a seperate branch in the Jiarengrad military.

Although King Mitius made the KRS a special forces branch to ensure more transparency, most of what the KRS does is still kept secret. The only time the operations of the KRS are released to the public is if the operation can be used as a propaganda device.

During the Presmotopian War, the KRS was used to infiltrate Presmotopia with the Authoranian special forces branch, the Gernivians. This event saved the KRS image as many Azerath Nations citizens at the time viewed the KRS as a shady and unnecessary branch. Due to the KRS's secrecy regarding their operations, average citizens don't know the missions carried about by the branch.

Name
People often assume that the Knights of the Red Shield got their name due to the red shields they bare in combat. However this is untrue and the KRS got their name from the Coat of Arms of Vulkenrad the Conqueror, which features a red shield with a black cross on it. The red shield in the Coat of Arms represents Jiarengrad, so the Knights of the Red Shield are Knights of Jiarengrad.

Selection and training
When the KRS was first established, only high ranking members of the Jiarengrad Army were permitted to enter the KRS ranks. When the KRS was established as a military branch, this no longer was the case.

Although the rules on selection are not as narrow as they originally were, being in the Jiarengrad military is still a requirement. If someone wants to be in the KRS, they first must enlist in the Royal Jiarengradian Army. Once they pass basic training, they have the opportunity to put in an application to join the KRS. Often, more senior members of the Jiarengrad Army get accepted due to their prestige and experience but it isn't uncommon for a new recruit to join the KRS.

To get approved, the soldier must complete a physical and mental test. If they pass this test, then they have to wait to get approved by the Group of Red Knights, which are the KRS top ranks. If approved, the soldier must go through 9 months of training in the Knight's Tower at Snow Wolf Mountain.

The training at Knight's Tower is extremely rigorous and many candidates drop out or are killed. However, if the trainee passes the course, they are inducted into the KRS.

Ranks
The ranking structure within the KRS is different than any military in the Azerath Nations, for it does not distinguish between officers and enlisted. This means that no one is barred from reaching the higher ranks due to their status.

Uniform and responsibilities
All soldiers in the KRS are issued dress uniforms and working uniforms. Any KRS soldier can wear armor into battle but the quality of armor depends on the wealth of the individual soldier, since they have to purchase their own armor. Typically, lower ranked soldiers wear lower grade armor for their pay is lower. The only time a soldier is provided armor by the government is when they achieve the Knight ranks.

Green- The rank of Green is only held by new members of the KRS who completed their basic training but did not complete all of their training. Greens do not participate in battles and spend their entire rank time at home. Once a Green has completed their training, they are promoted to Private.

A Green's uniform is basic, consisting of a long green wool shirt (with rank stitched on left sleeve) and black wool trousers.

Private- The rank of Private is considered the lowest rank in the KRS, as this is the first rank that soldiers can participate in warfare. Due to the tactical and precise nature of the KRS, Privates often spend their time learning tactics and rarely go on missions. A Private must hold their rank for at least 5 months before being eligible for promotion. A Private can either be promoted by taking a board and being recommended or being meritoriously promoted by the Group of Red Knights.

A Private's working uniform consists of a white or black wool shirt (with rank stitched on left sleeve) and black trousers with red stripe going down the seem. Private's also gain a dress uniform which is all black, with red trim, with rank being placed on the shoulder boards. This uniform is the same for all ranks up to Knight.

Privy- The rank of Privy grants a soldier more leadership responsibilities and a Privy often leads a squad of Privates. A Privy must wait 6 months to be eligible for promotion.

Squire- The rank of Squire is split into two categories: Pen Squire and Battle Squire.

Pen Squires are regarded as personal servants to the Knights and eventually the royal family. Pen Squires are usually never promoted and their seniority dictates the job they do. Newer Pen Squires often serve as secretaries for higher ranking individuals, while older Pen Squires often serve the royal family.

Battle Squires serve with the rest of the KRS and they often go on missions. Battle Squires don't have a tenure for promotion but they must be recommended by a higher ranking individual to promote. This can leave many soldiers to never promote out of the rank.

Lancer- The rank of Lancer grants the soldier leadership of a Battalion and they are often involved in operations. Like Squire, Lancers don't have a tenure for promotion and must be recommended. However, Lancers often get promoted by being excellent leaders and being great fighters. Senior Lancer- The rank of Senior Lancer grants a soldier leadership of a Regiment. Senior Lancers often lead smaller operations. Senior Lancers have to be recommended for a promotion, although many soldiers get stuck in the Senior Lancer rank.

Master- The rank of Master grants a soldier leadership of a Division and they often mastermind bigger operations with Knights and lead them personally. Masters are also considered master fighters. It is common for a soldier to be in the Master rank for the rest of their careers due to their exceptional fighting skills.

Knight- Once a soldier is granted the rank of Knight, they are often taken away from operations and they serve as the royal family's personal bodyguards at the palace. A Knight is promoted after 6 years of service in their rank.

A Knight's uniform officially changes from the wool working uniform to a full set of plain iron armor with a red shield painted on their chest. They wear their rank on both of their shoulder guards.

Black Knight- Black Knights often serve as the royal family's bodyguards when they are travelling. If the royal family is not traveling, Black Knights are often masterminding future operations with the Red Knights and Masters.

A Black Knight's uniform is a full set of iron armor painted black with a red shield painted on the chest. They wear their rank on both shoulder guards.

Red Knight- Red Knights are leaders of the entire KRS and are part of the Group of Red Knights. They spend their entire time masterminding operations, approving operations, approving promotions and leading the general upkeep of the KRS. Red Knights never go on operations, mostly due to their age but they often are seen at battlefields directing combat with the King.

Red Knights wear a full suit of iron armor painted red. They do not have the red shield on their chest nor do they wear their rank on them, their rank is only posted on flags symbolizing their presence.