The Falconguard is one of two elite knightly orders created by the Viscount of Blackmarsh. Following the Blackwood Uprising, Sir Ulrich
By Orazio
Albrecht saw fit to create an order of knights that were entirely loyal to his position as Falconheart. These men, talented and true, were seen as the most promising of knights to ride within Blackmarsh and created an aura of excellence about the Falconheart.
In every engagement that a Falconheart has been dispatched into, the Falconguard has been at his side. They are the premier fighting force in Blackmarsh, taking only the best and accepting defeat under no circumstances. Although less pious than the Dawnguard they are still generally chivalrous men that decry those taken with depravity.
The current Falconheart is Danyl Graves.
Origin[]
With the near defeat that the House of Albrecht suffered during the Blackwood Uprising, Dedrick Albrecht, 2nd Viscount of Blackmarsh saw fit to entrust his brother to a greater military office. Sir Ulrich, having proven himself in combat, began to recruit only those he trusted most. Although later Falconhearts would impose strict rules, Ulrich favored good men with exceptional skills. For that reason, it was his bastard half-brother Geoffrey Meadows that was the first among his riders.
The Falconguard has proven its excellence abroad numerous times, serving with distinction in all of Blackmarsh's wars.
Traditional families associated with the Falconguard have been Lichter, Marshal, Stanleigh, and Roland.
Structure[]
The Falconguard refers to each of its leaders as the First Riders. The Falconheart has only once come from the ranks of the Falconguard, in the case of Anders Albrecht when he took command from his cousin, Geoffrey Lichter who was near death. There are 12 companies of 30 riders, with a lieutenant for each First Rider.
Each company is referred to as a Wing, and typically they operate very independantly from one another. More than one Wing are rarely assigned to the same task, and only in the most important of conflicts are many of them assembled together. In recent history, only against Commander Chillings and the Containment have marked such occassions.
Each of the First Riders are equals in status, though the commander of the First Wing is often regarded as the most veteran and respected among them.
Currently[]
Following multiple wars and desperate conflicts, the Falconguard's ranks have taken a heavy toll. Though as a whole they are still at fighting strength, some Wings have been temporarily disbanded until more First Riders and knights can be found to revive them. Of those that remain in action, many are not at full strength.
Among the Falconguard, the Fifth Wing has been elevated to a revered status following its heroic stand to the last man at the Battle of Shattered Stone. Their banner was recovered, and Sir Kelmith Bone was given his command as First Rider to raise it anew. Some knights are known to cry "Remember the Fifth!" when charging the undead.
Wings[]
- First - Marcus Stanleigh
- Second - Robin of Thicke
- Third - TBD
- Fourth - Vacant
- Fifth - Kelmith Bone
- Sixth - Vacant
- Seventh - Maryem Azat
- Eighth - TBD
- Ninth - Vacant
- Tenth - TBD
- Eleventh - TBD
- Twelfth - Vacant