Elysian Praetorians

The Elysian Praetorians are the rumored secret guard of the Emperor himself. All members of the Praetorians are considered killed in action, their families informed as such, and then begin new lives in utter service to the Empire. 

Formation of the Praetorians
The original formation began in the earliest years of the Empire. The forces of the first emperor, Otto, fought a terrible battle against an enemy only remembered as the Drake Lords. Such was the devastation wrought here that no survivors beyond the Emperor himself left that field, officially. Unofficially the scant survivors swore an oath to protect the Empire from threats both external and internal up to and including another insane Emperor herself and to ensure the future. Leaving their former lives behind, the Praetorians continue to this day unbeknownst to even the current Emperor, slowly guiding the Empire into the future.

The Praetorians Today
The members of the Praetorians swear allegiance to the future above all, foregoing all previous bonds of race, family, or comradery; they trust only each other regardless of previous class or race of their comrades. This fealty to the future of the Empire can sometimes put them in conflict with other officials of the nation, all deeds are allowed and excused in these conflicts to ensure the future, up to the...removal of particularly despotic Emperors or Empresses.

While the Praetorians may seem to enforce the status quo, they may also become a force of change in the Empire if this means ensuring its survival.

The actions of the Elysian’s are kept secret through a combination of bribery, threats, and disappearances. Those that become wise to the true nature of the organization and what that entails are either brought into the fold, or removed no matter their station in life.