Vanic Temple Guard
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| Active: | 1624–1651 | ||
| Motto: | Koruu-l Taari Hyel (Elw: "All for the Sacred Queen") | ||
| Matron: | The White Orchid Lady | ||
| In use by: | Church of the Froyalanish Ancient Ways | ||
| Allegiance: | White Orchid Throne and Yfirfroyalansgythia | ||
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| Type: | Security Force | ||
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| Nicknames: | Wings 'N Deathheads, Army of Lovers, Backyard Guard, Elwynn's Sword | ||
| Commander: | - | ||
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| Allies |
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| Opponents |
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The Vanic Temple Guard (VTG) - also known among the Elwynnese Vanafolk as Elwynns Eorlwerod (EE), which means Elwynn's host of noble warriors in the Angsax language - is an armed force raised and maintained by the Hjartardýrlafðir for the glory and protection of the Church of the Froyalanish Ancient Ways. The VTG is held in strict subordination to the Yfirfroyalansgythia and owes her absolute obedience.
History
Spiritually the Vanic Temple Guard traces its roots back to the temple guard that was raised by Lady Lilja the Devout, the foundress and first High Priestess of the Thingeyri Temple for the purpose of performing sentry, protection and ceremonial functions at the Thingeyri Temple.
The Vanic Temple Guard was established in 1624 by order of the Hjartardýrlafðir which was issued under Article the Eleventh of the Concordat of Avaldsnes on the same day that the Steward of Elwynn Hallbjörn Haraldsson could finally ratify aforesaid treaty after a long delay of about a year caused by the absence of the Landsraad leadership, an issue which was solved by the election of the Lady Fjǫrleif Hallbjörnsdóttir to the Prætorship of the Landsraad. Initially known as the Queensguard - named after the Sacred Queen of the Elwynnese Union, the Lady Elwynn - the VTG exploded onto Elwynnese Society quickly becoming a trusted and appreciated partner for the Fleur de Lys-Longships Guard, the Corps of the Gentlemen-at-Cudgels and the various City Watches all over Elwynn as well as - after 1629 - the Union Defence Force, until the Auspicious Occasion of 1651 when the Union Defence Force, along with Shireroth's Imperial Forces, brought down the Vanic Elwynnese state.
The name of Queensguard was officially abandoned in favour of "Vanic Temple Guard" after the latter name had evolved into the household name of the force.
The distinct body of law that governed the Vanic Temple Guard - which included the Concordat of Avaldsnes, the Eorlwerodsbóc, the Fréolsbóc, Gyllmára Búllar, Lilja Búllar, other Vanic Law and the numerous conventions between the Hjartardýrlafðir and the White Orchid Throne - had, however, remained known as Queensguard Law.
Duties, Functions, and Responsibilities
The Vanic Temple Guard existed for the purpose of carrying out sentry, protection and ceremonial duties for and at temples of the Froyalanish Ancient Ways in Elwynn and other premises, sites and establishments in Elwynn, which were under the temporal or spiritual authority of the Church of the Froyalanish Ancient Ways as well as the clerics, guests and staff of the aforesaid.
By mutual agreement between the White Orchid Throne and the Hjartardýrlafðir, Elwynns Eorlwerod had also assumed the duty to, where appropriate, render assistance to the various authorities and organizations which were concerned with the safety of the Elwynnese state and population.
Administration
The Yfirfroyalansgythia was, by virtue of the powers conferred upon her by the Eorlwerodsbóc which was issued under Article the Eleventh of the Concordat of Avaldsnes, Commander-in-Chief (Gúðcwén, GW) of the force and every aspect of its organisation and administration lies, subject to the provisions of the Concordat of Avaldsnes, within her gift. Gúðcwén means "warrior queen" in the Angsax language.
The Yfirfroyalansgythia could choose to appoint a Stallari of the Vanic Temple Guard to whom would be, at the discretion of the aforesaid Princess of the Ancient Ways, delegated some or all of the powers pertaining to the organisation, rank structure, training, discipline, efficiency, administration and good government of the VTG. Such Stallari would usually be the most senior Eorl of Elwynns Eorlwerod.
Eorlwerodsbóc, which means charter of the host of noble warriors in the Angsax language, was the entirety of rules, regulations and policies for the good government of the Vanic Temple Guard that the Deer Ladies had issued under the Concordat of Avaldsnes.
Prior to proceeding to issue rules, regulations and policies for the good government of Elwynns Eorlwerod, the Hjartardýrlafðir had to, as required by Article the Eleventh of the Concordat of Avaldsnes, communicate any such draft rules and regulations for the good government to the White Orchid Throne in order to find out if there are any objections against them. No rule, regulation or policy for the good government of the Vanic Temple Guard took effect over the objection(s) of the King of Elwynn, provided however that silence from the White Orchid Throne for thirty days after the aforesaid notification was interpreted as to mean that there are no objections.
Culture
Vanic Temple Guards had a reputation of being dashing, daring, slightly wild, fierce, lustful, forceful, pugnacious, sarcastic, assertive, hard-partying and promiscuous swashbucklers. They were also known to be excessively fond of pomp and circumstance and pageantery resulting in them performing as well as taking part in numerous ceremonies at temples, Godsgroves, Worship Waters, Stone Circles and various other sites.
Recruitment
Among the rigorous requirements an individual had to meet to be eligible for service in the Vanic Temple Guard were:
- Having a Fulltrui relationship with at least one of the Gods of Goddesses which are known to the Vanafolk to belong to the Vanic tribe of deities or have very close association with the aforesaid Lords and Ladies Divine, including: Frigga, Freyja, Idunn, Freyr, Njord, Hnoss, Gersemi, Sif, Ostara, Skadhi, Ullr, Smørja, and Elwynn;
- Venerating the White Orchid Goddess as Matron and Sacred Queen of Elwynn;
- Being a proponent of Societal Harmony in the Elwynn;
- Having impeccable Vanic morals, ways and manners;
- Being in Good Standing with the Church of the Froyalanish Ancient Ways;
- Loyalty to the King and fidelity to the White Orchid Throne.
As a consequence of the aforesaid recruitment policy, the bulk of the personnel of the Vanic Temple Guard was made up of individuals of Froyalaners.
Ranks
The ranks of the Vanic Temple Guard are chiefly derived from the ancient and rich Angsax warrior tradition of the Princely Precinct of the Elwynnese Union which is known as the Jarlorð of Jorvik and the Storish Jarldom which is known as the Duchy of Port Chloe and the Providence Plantations.
Officer Ranks
- OF-10 (Gúðcwén)
- OF-9 (Eorl)
- OF-8 (Ceorl)
- OF-7 (Merkismaðr)
- OF-6 (Thegn)
- OF-5 (Weardgeréfa)
- OF-4 (Styrsmann)
- OF-3 (Folctoga)
- OF-2 (Hereræswa)
- OF-1 (Wisa)
Ranks of Rank and File
- OR-6 (Færbéna)
- OR-5 (Beadurinc)
- OR-4 (Dryhtgesíþ)
- OR-3 (Fierdesne)
- OR-2 (Hyse)
- OR-1 (Gesíð)
Manpower
VTG Manpower: [52,355 personnel]
By convention between the White Orchid Throne and the Hjartardýrlafðir agreed upon in 1624 subsequently to the coming into force of the Concordat of Avaldsnes the maximum strength of Elwynns Eorlwerod shall not exceed one-third of the Statutory Maximum Manpower of the Fleur de Lys-Longships Guard.
Table of Organization
- Wítan
- Garde de la Reine Sacrée/Beakyr Taarion Hyel (Joint Unit with the Fleur de Lys-Longships Guard serving at Mount Yaanek, the Tower of Araxion, and Mount Yaanek Temple and Palace in Eliria.)
- Burghal Hidage (Temple Troops Command)
- Ealhgefylceu (Local Temple Guards)
- Haralðs Huskarli (Unit which serves solely at the Tower of Araxion.)
- Fyrd (Expeditionary Forces for deployment in all of the Elwynnese Union)
- Drottningsgarde (Unit which serves solely at Mount Yaanek.)
- Mægencorþor (Special Forces)
- Stratioti
- Valkyrjēored (Personal Security Detachments)
- Skjaldmærēored (Covert reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, direct action, hostage rescue and human intelligence gathering)
- Redgeréfena (Joint Services, this unit is responsible for engineering, procurement, investment, supply, information and communications technology. It is also responsible for maintenance, repair and storage of material.)
- Gewítan (Intelligence Branch)
