Rioni Lifeguard Irregulars
| Rioni Lifeguard Irregulars | |
|---|---|
| Нередовни спасители Риони (Galanian) Rioni életmentő szabálytalanok (Ruvelkan) | |
| Active | 1566 |
| Disbanded | 1811 |
| Allegiance | Rioni Union |
| Branch | Army of the Rioni Union |
| Type | Infantry |
| Size | 4,500 (1802) |
| Garrison/HQ | Myzova Debrecen |
| Nickname(s) | Rioni Irregulars |
| Engagements | First Chryse War Forty Years War Rioni War of Independence Shirvani Succession War Rioni Civil War |
The Rioni Lifeguard Irregulars were an infantry regiment of the Army of the Rioni Union from 1566 until the dissolution of the Rioni Union in 1811.
The regiment was originally formed as the 1st Rioni Irregulars during the First Chryse War drawn from the lower classes including outlaws, former criminals, mercenaries, and foreigners, as a means to shore up the manpower of the Army of the Rioni Union. Despite it's fragmentary nature and poor expectations, the Irregulars proved a potent fighting force and served with distinction during the conflict, afterwards being rewarded as an officially instated regiment of the Rioni Army. The Regiments' service during the Forty Years War further cemented it's status as a foremost formation despite heavy losses, and later served with distinction during the Rioni War of Independence. For its service in overthrowing the Adamdar Empire, the Irregulars were tasked with the protection and safeguarding of the Prohászka Dnyastys' family members, which earned it the title of Lifeguard Irregulars.
The regiment continued to serve the now independent Rioni Union, and during the course of the 18th Century was reorganized as a division and grew to four regiments, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. As one of the most prestigious formations of the Rioni Army the Lifeguard Irregulars served heavily throughout the Shirvani Succession War, during which they suffered heavy casualties and resulted in the disbandment of Beta and Gamma Regiments. During the Rioni Civil War the surviving two regiments found themselves on opposite sides of the conflict, with Alpha Regiment supporting the Baligov Dynasty and Delta Regiment standing with the Ruvelkan separatists. The two regiments engaged one another during the climactic Battle of Kromta where they fought to their mutual annihilation. The regiment was officially disbanded with the dissolution of the Union they had served for two-and-a-half centuries.