Storm Guard

Three hundred men make up the guard, each being a force fighter in their own right. Every thirty men are led by Huskarl and Shieldkin, with every ten men keeping them in line. But the one leader who can truly lead them is the Mästare of the Guard, who leads them into battle, often being the oldest and most skilled of all its members.  

Command Structure

  Mästare: The greatest of the Guardsmen who gives out orders to its members and commands directly from the monarch. They are honored and respected because they are chosen from the ranks to show they are worthy of the title.   Huskarl: Veterans of the guardsmen who have learned to lead their comrades into battle and keep them in line when they are needed. Their courage and charisma in the face of death inspire their men to fight.   ShieldKin : Experienced fighters who make up many guardsmen are sent out on assignments and are the first into battle with fearlessness. Each warrior trained to become a warrior to hold their own against many foes and skilled in various arts of war to prove themselves capable.

Being a Member

  Welcome to the sacred brotherhood of warriors, you're among legends now. It takes a lot of skill and discipline to be a part of the Storm Guard, as only one in every thousand people can pass the trials to become a member. But that doesn't matter now since you made it, but you still have to prove yourself. It is your sacred duty to defend your High King from any threats that may come at him. But protecting the kingdom is another job you must do, as the guard is sent on assignments that the average soldier sometimes has trouble with. This is where you make a name for yourself and show them what you're made of, for the guard is made of warriors, not some glorified bodyguards standing around scratching their asses. Your actions speak louder than words, and the blood on your weapon and the scars that you get will prove that. It's best to get to know your fellow guardsmen, too, as they are your family now, and family is more than just blood. You'll fight with them until you die, and they will ensure they watch your back as long as you watch theirs. Play your cards right; you might even be included in one of their tales if you do well. Don't let it all go to your head, and make sure to split some heads if someone decides to come at you or your king when the time comes.  

What People Think of You

  Most of the world knows who the Storm Guard were back when they were adventurers, as they have done some things that made sure people remembered them long after they left. Those who knew them during that time either loved them or hated them; of course, most of the ones who hated them are long dead. That's what you get when you think you can take them out like they were ordinary men, which they are not, like each one of them is worth twenty men, and that's just the ones who are just Human. The people of Norria love them, of course, for all their deeds, and now they are respected for besting the best of the best that the Kingdom of Norria has to offer. Serving and protecting the High King as it perks as well. This means it's best to stay clear when they show up, as trouble soon follows when they are sent off on one of their missions. But seeing them in action is like seeing warriors of old fighting their battles once more. It is all the more reason for those with the skill and the courage to see if they have what it takes to become one of them.

The sworn duty of the Storm Guard is to protect the High King of Norria, along with being able to enforce the laws that he gives out when the need arises.

Mounts: There are two types of mounts that they use horses and Griffons, though Griffon flight training is needed to fly them properly, with most taking up horses instead.   Weapons and Armor: Being given the finest weapons and armor that can be crafted has made them one of the most well-equipped fighting forces on the continent.   Lodging: The guard is stationed in the capital of Sturmhåll in a barracks to rest and train in their service to the High King.

Of Mercenaries and Adventurers

In the old days of Norria, mercenaries and adventurers would form warbands who would go out in search of glory and riches and go down in legend for their deeds. This would be no different, as it was Darius Harkon who first formed the Storm Guard at its founding when he was just a boy, despite only being thirteen. Through his skill and charisma, specific individuals were drawn to him and decided to follow him. Though at first, many thought they were doomed to fail as a child of all things led them, they set out to the harsh Norria to seek fame and fortune. But in the end, those who did follow Harkon soon found themselves in the adventure of a lifetime as they found themselves in places that only the brave and the mad would find themselves in. While some would perish as most would when seeking adventure, a group of names would reveal themselves, such as Thorvid the Red, Magnus the Slayer, and Gretta Iceborne. Though some individuals are no longer living, they live on within the tales told about them as long as men can speak. This satisfied anyone who had ever joined, as they knew they would be dining with the gods when it was finally their time to die in battle. But their adventures would not just be in Norria, as they had sailed across the known world to carry out their deeds for all to know.  

Legendary Exploits

Since the Storm Guard's founding, many tales have been told around the hearth that speak of their exploits that made them famous in the first place, even the one that gave them their iconic name. They were caught in Þrumandi reiði while at sea with Darius guiding them the whole way and managed to survive intact, while he earned the title of Storm Lord he gave them the name of Storm Guard as they were the ones who saw them through while Darius was only leading the way. Along with that, they seemed to be ending up with the odds always against them, yet they managed to find a way to get out of it and gain more fame. Even beyond Norria, a few people who have seen what they have done during their travels abroad know that their tale should be told, for their deeds constantly change the lives around those they have crossed. Some trophies were returned home to be displayed in the mead halls across the land to prove it happened. But the truth is, who doesn't want to hear a good story, for they are the only things anyone truly has.  

Beyond Blood

  The Storm Guard is not just made up of Norrians, but of different cultures and races that joined them in their travels. It is the tradition of the Warband to allow anyone to join, regardless of race, sex, or culture, for those with the heart of a warrior should be welcomed among their own and stand together in battle. This was different about them as they took it a step further, as they accepted foreigners on their journey abroad, and even some controversial ones, such as accepting magic users and races and cultures that are looked down by Norrians. But Darius convinced his men otherwise, as everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves, and his gambles often bore fruit every time. This makes them a highly diverse and skilled group that can easily use their members' skills to achieve their goals. But they would show what they were made of in the heat of battle, where no one can laugh at them when their heads are being severed from their bodies.  

Transition of the Guard

When Darius Harkon declared himself High King of Norria, the Storm Guard was transformed into his royal guard to protect him. They would no longer be the adventurers they once were and were now an elite military force at the ready. They would undergo extensive training to better themselves and have better equipment to protect themselves. They were not just standing around idle either, during the Unification Wars, they were often seen on the front lines with their king. Their years of experience and training made them deadly to face in battle, and their dedication to ensuring their king's safety was an actual test of loyalty. But they went into guard duty over their king once the fighting ended. But that does not mean it’s their only duty; they are sent out on a mission on the king's behalf that ranges from time to time, such as an uprising or monster hunting. It keeps their skills honed and their wits about them to ensure they are better prepared to protect their liege.