Springdale (Realm)/Guardians of Springdale
Contents
Guardians of Springdale
| Designation: | Duchy Defense |
|---|---|
| Based From: | Springdale City |
| Marshal: | Sejieda Vita |
| Vice Marshal: | Kniva gothicus |
| Sponsor: | Sammael Haine |
The Guardians of Springdale are the continuation of The Sword and Shield after Emperor Neel broke many traditions in stealing the army from Springdale Duchy, not appointing the Vice Marshal as the next Marshal, and appointing a government official as the Marshal. When Springdale Duchy joined Morek, so did the Guardians.
Brief History from the Sword and Shield
Created by Duchess Zyrrin Fallan, this was the original army of The Empire. It was originally called "The Nobles army of Dalia" when it was the sole army that encompassed all nobles within the realm. The Duchess changed the name to "The Sword and Shield" when other duchies able to take care of themselves and found their own armies. The Sword and Shield was the largest army within the realm, with members from the duchies of Springdale and Nifelhold.
The Sword and Shield always followed the idea that the Marshal, should something happen, was replaced by the Vice Marshal. As such the Sword and Shield had a long unbroken chain of Marshals and Vice Marshals from the very first Marshal to the present.
It was broken once when Katrina Dragul resigned, without permission, from Vice Marshalship under Sejieda Vita. Shortly afterward, Duchess Fallan disappeared. Marshal Sejieda was left with full control of the army with no active sponsor and no Vice Marshal. Eventually Duchess Zyrrin retired from active service and Emperor Neel took the sponsorship under his wing. The future of the army was uncertain, but operations continued as normal for some time.
Then Emperor Neel insulted Duchess Zyrrin Fallan, Duke Cato De La Fere, and Marshal Sejieda before removing Marshal Sejieda for political reasons. And in addition to breaking tradition by taking the army under his control when it was historically the ducal army of Springdale. His replacement for Sejieda wasn't the Vice Marshal, Kniva gothicus, as it should have been, but a government official, High Marshal and Viscount Malgar Bellmon. By also appointing a government official, he broke a third tradition. Under Malgar Bellmon, the Sword and Shield lost Ymer's Fall. Because of these events, Malgar Bellmon was the only marshal to serve in that capacity twice.
Marshal Lineage
We strive to keep the lineage from the Sword and Shield continued intact as best as possible.
Previous Marshals of the Sword and Shield
- 1st Marshal: Alfred Osha
- 2nd Marshal: Sammael Haine
- 3rd Marshal: Varak Thorson
- 4th Marshal: Malgar Bellmon
- 5th Marshal: Charlotte Grancourt
- 6th Marshal: Joash Hamarson
- 7th Marshal: Marco Goodman
- 8th Marshal: Sejieda Vita
Marshals of the Guardians of Springdale
- 1st Marshal: Sejieda Vita
Hall of Honor
Within the great building that makes up the Guardian of Springdale's base of operations in the city of Springdale there is a great hall which all nobles of the army are familiar with. Within this great hall there are paintings and poems recording all the heroes of the Guardians of Springdale. Also, within the hall are the records of all those who have received the various medals and field decorations that the Sword and Shield awards to it's knights and dames. S&S denotes earning the award while under The Sword and Shield.
Medals
The medals are broken into three categories. The standard way of attaining these medals is by the Marshal or Vice Marshal recommending a Knight or Dame to the Duke, who then reviews the recommendation and takes the appropriate action.
The Bars
The first type of medal is the bar series, which denotes excellence in serving the Guardians over the recipients career. Each individual bar, and the associated rewards, may be earned multiple times.
Copper Bar
The first in the Bar series, this is the first medal many knights and dames receive during their careers. This medal comes with a reward of 25 gold.
Recipients:
- Katrina Dragul (1/S&S)
- Lauren Lawrence (1/S&S)
- Rohk Darksun (1/S&S)
- Sammael Haine (1/S&S)
- Marco Goodman (1/S&S)
Steel Bar
The second bar in the series is much rarer than the copper, and is awarded only to those who show continual, exceptional, devotion to the Guardians. Along with the honor of the bar, a 50 gold reward is issued to the recipient.
Recipients:
Gold Bar The last of the bars, the gold bar is far and away the most rare. Bestowed to the knights and dames of the army who show valor, loyalty, and skill under the most extreme and extraordinary situations. Along with the right to wear this prestigious medal, a 100 gold is awarded. Recipients:
The Sword and Shield
The Sword and Shield series is awarded to those who are deemed to have served with exception during either a major attack, in the case of the sword, or defending vital ground during a major enemy assault, in the case of the shield. They are designed to be worn together, with the sword laying across the shield with the hilt in the upper right of the shield and the point in the lower left. The sword and shield series, along with the reward, may only be earned once per grade. When a higher grade is attained, the lower grade is forfeited back to the army.
The Jasper Sword
This sword is awarded to those who play a key role in the defeat of an equal or superior foe in an attack. Along with the medal, 25 gold is the reward.
Recipients:
The Ruby Sword Much more prestigious than The Jasper Sword, the Ruby Sword is awarded to knights and dames who show exceptional results and valor in a crucial assault. In addition to the right to wear the ultimate badge signifying the mastery of attacking, the recipient is awarded 75 gold. Recipients:
Amethyst Shield The lower of the two shields, this is awarded to members of the army who have shown great tenacity and cunning defending during a critical battle. The reward for this shield is 25 gold. Recipients:
Sapphire Shield This is the reward for those who without their bravery and stalwart defense, a vital battle would have been lost. A 75 gold award accompanies the greater of the two shields.
The Orders
The orders are different than the standard medals in that they do not follow the recommendations of the Marshal. Instead, they are awarded at the sole discretion of the sponsor of the army, Duke Sammael Haine.
The Order of The Duchess Those knights and dames who have proved themselves beyond a doubt loyal to the Guardians and the Duke are sometimes granted membership to the Order of the Duchess. Despite being awarded by the Duke, we have kept the old name out of respect and memory towards Zyrrin Fallan. 50 gold is awarded to those who join the Order. Recipients:
Field Decorations
(work in progress)
