The Harmonious Shield is the army that stands between Riedra and the countless dangers of the outside world. Whether they're fighting the treacherous kalashtar on the Adaran front, combating dromite forays, hunting dwarves in Dor Maleer, or battling skulks in the ruins of Ohr Kaluun, the soldiers of the Harmonious Shield serve the Inspired on the field of battle.
The Harmonious Shield maintains garrisons in the bastion cities, and it has independent fortresses spread along the borders and in areas deemed to be especially dangerous. The largest fortresses are called kintams. They are connected by permanent teleportation circles, which allow swift transportation of troops and supplies. Kintams can be the size of cities, and new recruits are usually dispatched to a kintam to learn their trade.
Years of psychic indoctrination teach soldiers that honorable death in battle is the surest path to advancement in the next life. Discipline within the ranks is strict, and looting and rapine are serious offenses. A soldier needs nothing that isn't given to him by the Inspired. The same training burns mercy and empathy from the minds of Riedran soldiers, so a servant of the Shield feels nothing for the people he kills. This conditioning doesn't always take hold, however, and a few recruits find themselves horrified by the brutal actions they must perform. Such a warrior must either suppress these emotions or find a way to escape before his "weakness" is discovered.
Riedran warriors believe they are fighting for a holy cause against monsters and those corrupted by evil spirits. Fiercely devoted to their nation, they are no more evil than the typical Brelish conscript or knight of Thrane.
The Harmonious Shield trains and equips troops for a variety of roles; most soldiers are 2nd-level warriors.
Stone Soldiers: These warriors usually have two feats from among Toughness, Power Attack, and Shield Wall. Most are equipped with chainmail, longswords, and large shields, supplemented by troops wielding reach polearms. Elite stone soldiers have fighter levels, and they're equipped with banded mail and tower shields. Stone soldiers are typically assigned to defend fortresses or to battle the Akiak dwarves or dromite hives—situations where durability is more important than speed.
Air Soldiers: These troops generally have Point Blank Shot and either Far Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, or Ready Shot (Heroes of Battle 99). They are equipped with longbows and studded leather armor, and they're expected to stay distant from the enemy. Elite air soldiers are fighters, taking Weapon Focus or Weapon Specialization in addition to the feats given above. Such soldiers have masterwork composite longbows. Air soldiers can be found on most fronts.
Fire Soldiers: Wearing chain shirts and carrying shortbows and greatswords, these soldiers take Weapon Focus, Weapon Specialization, Power Attack, and Cleave. Physical skills—such as Climb—are also important. Fire soldiers are often used in raids on Adar, when speed and the ability to hit hard and fast are vital.
Water Soldiers: The special forces of the Harmonious Shield, most water soldiers have levels in ranger, scout, or monk. Stealth and percep tion are critical, along with the ability to move and react swiftly. A water soldier's gear depends on the soldier's specialties and the assignment. Water soldiers work independent of the other units, in small squads. Although they're occasionally sent into Adar, water soldiers are typically used in strikes against dissident groups.
Bastion Guard: These soldiers work with the Thousand Eyes to maintain order in Riedran cities. This is considered the worst duty within the Shield, since bastion guards rarely see combat. Guards who embrace their duties often take ranks in Gather Information, Knowledge (local), and Sense Motive.
Edgewalkers: These survivalists patrol the borders of the wild zones and other dangerous regions, keeping the horrors within from escaping to harm innocent Riedrans.
Harmonious Sail: The Riedran navy transports soldiers and patrols the coasts in search of smugglers and would-be infiltrators.
Horned Guard: This elite force is a corps of ogre mages, indoctrinated into service as one of the most powerful weapons at the Inspired's disposal.
Savage Legion: Also known as the Taskaan Legion, this group of shock troops is composed of nonhumans— primarily shifters, but including ogres, half-giants, and a few eneko. Each bastion lord has his own Taskaan guards, raised from birth to serve their Inspired master.
Sleeping Sword: Made up entirely of Chosen and Inspired (tsoreva quori under the command of du'ulora spirits), this elite force is valued both for its power and its unquestioned loyalty. It is assigned missions requiring psionic power and utter ruthlessness. Members of the Sleeping Sword are typically soulknives, psychic warriors, or divine minds; a few are monks, employing the Tashalatora techniques also used by the kalashtar.
Others: The Shield also has access to a small corps of clerics of the Path of Inspiration. These holy warriors are reserved for the most dangerous and crucial operations.
Command: Harmonious Shield troops are commanded by Chosen and Inspired, who are typically psychic warriors, soulknifes, nomads, or kineticists. The High Minister is the legendary Lord Zoratesh (LE male kalaraq Inspired kineticist 20).