The Chevalier Saphir

The Chevalier Saphir as a full regiment posts a modest 1000 man garrison of heavy infantry with 77 officers and 200 cavalrymen. They also have a company of light infantry and a company of support staff. They are a self sufficient organization and rarely interact with outside regiments other than for the purpose of recruiting.

The chevaliers are well known for their distinctive sliver and blue armour. Almost all members wear armour of some kind and are rarely seen without it, even during their off hours. Commonly, knights will wear heavy armour polished to a mirror shine. Their light infantry company wears a lighter version of armour (i.e chain shirts and leathers). The support staff will wear thick cloth armour and always with the the distinctive blue and silver colouring.

Knights of the Imperial Guard will typically use silvered weapons which are effective against magic and monsters. Why they would be equipped with such anti-magic weaponry remains a topic of light conversation in taverns across the city. Individually, knights are not restricted to particular types of weapons when off duty or on assignment but will typically carry halberds or longswords while on duty or patrol.   The Officer Corps however are far more capable. Thanks to their access to Imperial alchemists, wizards, and nearly unlimited funding, officers adorn themselves with magical weapons and armours. 

The Chevalier Saphir regularly use the rare Valdian Horse as their preferred method of transportation. Nearly all chevaliers are taught horse riding and are quite capable. However, a group known as the "Sol Squadron" ride majestic griffons. These griffons are bred for war. Fearsome, steadfast, and loyal unto death, they are perfect representations of the terrifying presence of the elites.

The Chevalier Saphir are separated into a number of companies each named for the divine principles of the Church of Pelor. They are as follows:  

1. 1st Company. "Lumian Brilliance" or "Brights" Heavy Cavalry
2. 2nd Company. "Endless Sunrise" or "Essys" Heavy Cavalry
3. 3rd Company. "Torchbearers" or "Flames" Heavy Cavalry
4. 4th Company. "Candle Dancers" or "Purgers" Light Infantry
5. Support and Research. "Divine Mystery"
6. Headquarters, which bears no special demonym
7. Sol Squadron under direct command of Silvia Conessa.

Heavy infantry companies generally attempt to contain and control threats, forcing the target to submit to authority. This submission is usually achieved with magical spells and effects but clever use of environment and preparation is also a valued tactic.   Cavalry knights tend to patrol alone or in pairs and thus tend toward a lancing charge.

As the saying goes in the empire, "Cons are not born but made. So is it, the Chevalier Saphir are not made, but forged."   Training for the Chevalier Saphir is a gruelling experience which many do not survive. Months of physical and mental examination, education, history, courtier training and live combat tests are required for even the lowliest researcher. To be a chevalier and to wear the Silver Griffon is to be among the most elite soldiers in the world.   But there is more as well—there are whispers, rumours and hearsay. Some say there are strange blood rituals that happen, resulting in some recruits being murdered and used as fuel for stronger candidates. Others say you have to bask in the holy light of the empress herself and not be destroyed, while more crass interpretations suggest that knight-recruits must lay with her.

While the chevaliers do not direct auxiliary forces, they do have jurisdiction over the City Guard during times of emergency or war. Thus, even low ranked knights can still command a company of average soldiers with relative ease.

The chevalier is an expensive unit costing thousands of gold coinage per month. Salaries, maintenance, research, administration is all paid for at imperial expense.

To join the Chevaliers, a recruit must be a cold con, have served for at least 10 years and have received a citation for bravery. In addition, they must also undergo the gruelling training and initiation required to join. What exactly the training and rituals are is a secret of imperial providence, and no one outside of the knights know what it is. The few knights who have spoken of the initiations describe it as, "The most terrible and glorious thing they have ever witnessed". Many recruits are already highly decorated and accomplished cold-cons from across the empire.    While cold-cons can be found in all forms of humanoid, most chevalier are visibly human. There is also no gender discrimination in the chevalier indeed many officers are women or other gender identities.

The Chevalier Saphirs' origins begin in the Conquest of the Dawn. During the war, generals and lords would choose the most exemplary cold-cons as personal guards or irregular warfare teams. These teams were highly capable and effective throughout the war. After the war, these teams stayed with their lords as symbols of prestige and were treated as trophies. These teams were used to conduct small raids on other lords and the risk of civil war began to creep forward.    In 162 Marble, Emperor Godwin Conessa astutely recalled and reorganized all cold-cons in the empire and reassigned them. The order sparked fear amongst nobles and peasantry alike for fear of revolt but oddly the cold-cons never refused the order. The most elite cold-cons were then taken in and reforged into the Chevalier Saphir. Taking the symbol of the silver griffon as their crest, inspired by Godwins personal seal.    Since then, the chevalier have served as loyal guards of the imperial palace and Emperor.

The Chevalier have historically been extremely loyal to the Imperial Crown. They have never participated in any succession crises in the past and remain steadfast in their loyalty to the reigning Emperor.