"Praise Lord Eyer, the one true immortal Emperor!"
The members of the Onyx Guard have heard this uttered innumerable times in their career. They were the few chosen to surround and protect Eyer, and some had been with him since the beginning of the War for Unity. Some soldiers, some mercenaries who became loyal to the cause, some magi, even some healers and viziers. They heralded from all corners of the conquered kingdoms; each bringing something more than martial ability to Eyer's court. None were purely soldiers nor purely magi; all were gifted in pursuits of both mind and body. They were his protectors and his most trusted advisors.
It was the Onyx Guard that watched in muted horror as their Emperor's will began to become unreadable. Eyer constantly pushed his empire, and many amongst the Onyx Guard feared revolution. Their job was becoming ever more difficult in those final months, as threats against Eyer's life grew steadily more common. Finally, the conquered kingdoms revolted and his forces were pushed all the way to his citadel, Xol'Rhat. It was on the grounds and in halls of Xol'Rhat that his final battle was fought. It was only after the revolution had started that Eyer's mind finally returned and he fought harder than any of his men, always leading from the front. The Onyx Guard believed that years of political intrigue and maneuvering had stolen Eyer's will. This would be their final battle together and the Guard would not let their Emperor down, or at least almost all of them.
As Eyer and his guard were slowly pushed deeper into his throne room the guard formed a wall in front of Eyere, even to his protest. There was a pause in the battle as the crush filthy peasants and foreign soldiers took stock of these few warriors, and shadow stirred beside Eyer. Dedi, the Guard's magi of Set, sprang forth from Eyer's own shadow and struck a blow with his honor khopesh right into Eyer's back. Pandimonium erupted as the Onyx Guard lost all inhibition. Dedi was seized by Siodhachan, a foreign born druid, and after summoning the strength of a bear, was literally torn to shreds.
Eyer's kingdom was dismantled and his greatest city was razed to the ground. That ground is where his Onyx Guard lost their lives, and where their quest to return their fallen Emperor begins.....