Guards of the Veltrian Republic

Guards of the Veltrian Republic Guskarôm Veltrias Republikas
Insignia of the Republican Guard
Active	222 B.C.E. (claimed) - Present
Country	Veltria
Allegiance	Astąhvist Unity Party
Role	Regime security force, internal police, capital region defense Prophet's guard (two battalions), ceremonial affairs (one battalion)
Size	15 divisions (est)
Nickname(s)	"The Immortal Guard"
Motto(s)	Kamēr elpojam, aizstāvēsimies (While we breathe, we shall defend)
Colors
Anniversaries	1 October - Anniversary of the Battle of Amlái
Engagements	Unitist Revolution The Winter Purges Wars of the Apostates
Commanders
Current commander	Gen. Alahi Al'Khazmir
Notable commanders	Ltn. Gen. Sulkam Edansku Gen. Valkoran Milostoros Gen. Perro Coskal
Insignia
GVR Vehicle Insignia

The Republican Guard - officially the Guards of the Veltrian Republic (Veltrian: Guskarôm Veltrias Republikas, abbreviated GVR) - is the oldest existing branch of the Veltrian Armed Forces, tracing an allegedly “unbroken” lineage back to the personal soldiers of Hierarch Aliman the Great during the formation of the Veltrid Kritarchy in 317 B.C.E. (known in the 4th century as the “Immortal Guard”). Charged with the protection of Veltria's Astąhvist political system, as well as its institutions and leadership, the Republican Guard functions distinctly from the rest of the national armed forces - which primarily defend Veltria's borders and overseas territories. The oath of the Guard calls inductees to swear undying fealty to the sacred Magisterium and its High Prophet - promising to lay down all other loyalties, and life if need be, should their protection demand it. Recruiting troops from only the most devout among Veltrian society, the Guard operates as the Magisterium's most trusted internal security force – safeguarding the integrity of Veltria's theocratic system from external and internal threats, and overseeing the security of the Hierarch himself.

The Republican Guard maintains standing forces in each of Veltria's Vilayets, as well as its overseas holdings.

The Republican Guard's field strength is roughly estimated around 187,000 troops - spread across 15 division-strength units, various independent brigades, and an undisclosed number of specialized units. Undergoing rigorous physical and psychological training, troops of the Guard have gained an internationally recognized reputation as some of the most ruthlessly efficient and zealous warfighters of Veltria's elite forces. Operating as a combined arms force - the GVR boasts not only a sizable ground contingent, but also a small naval battlegroup, air force, logistics branch, and a special forces command. In wartime, the militarized wing of the Citizens Vigilant, composed of 158,000 volunteer militiamen, can be mobilized by Prophetic decree and placed under the command of the Guard. While at peace however, the militant component of the Citizens Vigilant (in addition to its civilian membership) remain at the disposal of the IVB.

Senior commanders of the Guard pictured with Hierarch Khousri V (right) in the Palace of the Prophets.

Driven by its origin as the personal army of the Hierarch, the Guard has grown in size and evolved in ideology to assert a powerful presence in Veltrian media, politics, and society. Generally, the GVR's main role is to secure the longevity and stability of Veltria's Astąhvist institutions - existing as a potent armed counterbalance to the comparatively more secular military. While represented on the Joint Security Committee by its acting Commander, the GVR is not bound to the Committee's decisions in the event the Hierarch (or the Praesidji of the Collegium during Kapal'shrir) invokes "Prophetic Privilege". Elements of the Guard are geared specifically towards carrying out asymmetric warfare operations against threats posed to Veltria's political system (most commonly - forms of criminality, smuggling of arms, human trafficking along the Veltrian-Hashabian border, etc.), while other units are tasked with protecting high-ranking personnel within the national government and Magisterium. The Immortal Guard, the Hierarch's personal bodyguard force, composes part of the Zhāyēdān Division (also known as the Special Republican Guard) - a unit of roughly 15,000 GVR troops that oversees the security of the Amlaí National Capital Region.