Astares Keiserlig Custos

The Astares Keiserlig Custos, or Astarian Imperial Guard, is the armed formation tasked with protecting the Emperor, Empress, members of the Imperial Family and their residences, and also the personal army of the monarch, only answering to him and not to the civilian authorities of the Federalis Imperium.

At first, the Keiserlig Custos started with three Jaldascor (mounted crossbowmen) Squadrons, under the reign of Adrean Blachkor "The First", in 972. They were named Adrean, Columbia and Orem Melnik, respectively after the Emperor, Empress, and the Primarch noble responsible for their creation.

Soon after, a new branch would be added: the Bodark, or Werewolves, derived from an old myth having men making a pact with the spirit of a wolf to be a better fighter. They would be considered the Special Force branch of the Imperial Guard.

Over the centuries, the three original Squadrons would soon see the addition of infantry, heavy cavalry, artillery, and other military units into their ranks.

In 1545, they would officially be renamed Keiserlig Custos Divisions.

In 1802, the Barbary Wars fought between the Empire and the Barbary states of North Africa would see the creation of a fourth Division, whose involvment and combat prowess during said wars would give them the monicker "Lanius", or Butcher.

In 1845, the conquest of the rest of the lands to the Pacific Ocean, as well as the involvment of additional Custos units in scouting would cause the creation of two more Divisions, the fifth "Pacifier" and the sixth "Stein Crucis" (Rock Climbers)

Uniforms, Equipment and Armor:

Uniforms

among all the uniforms they have worn over the ages, one piece of clothing has become iconic over the centuries for the Keiserlig Custos: the black beret, with the unit's symbol on the left side.

just like any modern military force, the Keiserlig Custos uses bullet proof plate carriers and helmets, the current gear being named the Custos 2020 armor.

On the uniforms, three different models are available for ceremonial and non-combat purposes

First, the Service Uniform, made (from bottom to top) of a pair of knee-high leather boots, dark green pants with a silver and red stripe (or skirt for female personnel),

a long-sleeved or short-sleeved dark green shirt, a vest worn over it, and the black beret.

Second, the Dress Uniform, or Dress Blacks, is made (from bottom to top) of a pair of knee-high black leather boots, a pair of black pants with a scarlet and silver stripe on the side,

a white shirt, a black vest with a silver buckle worn over it, and a golden peaked cap.

Finally, the Evening Dress Uniform, made (from bottom to top) of black dress shoes, black pants with a silver and red stripe, a white shirt with piqué bib, a scarlet waistcoat or cummerbund, an evening coat with sleeve ornementation and a strip collar. Women wear a long black skirt.

Equipment

As said before, the Keiserlig Custos uses nowadays a variety of modern equipment and weapons. However, their arsenal is also made of more ancient pieces, which they learn to still use to this day.

First, the Agony Crossbow, a foldable crossbow using a system of pulleys.

Second, when they were not fighting at range and had to swtich to close combat, their first weapon was the Langasta lance, similar to the Svärdstav.

But their main strength and skill resides in their sword and dagger, the sword being Ensidur called and similar to an Oakschott Type XIIa, either held by one or two hands.

The dagger was originally crafted as a sword, and then had her blade reduced in size.

Armor

Last but not least, the Keiserlig Custos Armor, still worn to this day for ceremonial or non-combat duty purposes.

It consists of a padded, long tunic that reaches down to the knees (therefore protecting the thigh), with a chainmail hauberk worn over it. Padded pieces of cloth are then put over the arms and forearms, and on these padded pieces are fastened shoulder pads and vambraces (the shoulderpads being engraved to the seal of the unit where the Guar wearing it serves)

A chainmail piece also covers the groin area, reaching down to knee level.

Over the chest and back, a cuirass is worn, engraved with some symbols such as stars. (Formely made of steel, now made of ceramic and polyethylen, along with an anti-trauma plate)

A pair of combat boots is also worn, with a cape worn over the back, over which the scabbards of the sword and dagger are fastened.

And finally, the helmet, or Keiserlig helmet, similar to a Gjermundbu helmet, with chainmail attached to protect the face and neck.