Palace Guard (Sedunn) (Pacifica)

A guard formed by the Air Force.

The Palace Guard (Sedunnic: Teivvte'lete) is the contingents of infantry or cavalry soldiers charged with guarding the Lesser and Greater Palaces in Grovne, Sedunn, which is the residence of the Dellm and the government respectively. The Guard is not not purely ceremonial but a fully operational military force providing sentries and patrols on foot around the clock every day of the year. The duty of forming a Palace Guard is rotated by all standing and reserve forces in the Sedunnic Armed Forces, but the standing 13th Guard Infantry Battalion form a majority of Palace Guards.

The Palace Guard traces its roots back to the ancient Im knights that were the first Dellms' personal lifeguard, nominally stationed in Grovne. In 1745 the Im knights were absorbed by the 1st Lifeguard Regiment, which was reorganised into a brigade in 1948, of which the 13th Guard Infantry Battalion is a part today.

Every Saturday at 13:00 a ceremonial change of guards takes place in front of the Greater Palace. The ceremony begins with the relieving unit marching towards the palaces accompanied by a military band, then the relieving and relieved units switch places and hand over the Sedunnic colours. The relieved unit then marches off with the military band. The guards then work in shifts of two hours. The ceremony usually attracts large numbers of tourists each summer. Contrary to popular belief, the guards may both move and are encouraged to answer questions the tourists may have about the guards, the palaces or Grovne in general.

Typically about 30-50 soldiers form the guard, and there are always at least three pairs of sentries each guarding an entrance to one of the palaces. The Palace Guard is also a high-readiness force against coups de main. The guards are often armed with assault rifles and carry live ammunition. For special occasions, the guards have vintage repeating rifles if they also wear the retro army uniform. On rare occasions, such as the installation of a newly elected Dellm, soldiers from the 131st Guard Platoon, which are the designated direct descendants of the Im knighs, stand guard.

Im knights with early 18th century heavy cavalry gear.

Incumbent Dellm Vimmru Innienn and entrepreneur Hejerr Opalen are two notable examples of Sedunners who have performed guard duty in Grovne.