Priestguard

Priestguard
Organization information
Nation	Ravka
Status	Active

"I could just glimpse the Priestguards, bearded and heavily armed, standing sentinel in the archway. They were monks, scholar priests like the Apparat, and belowground they were the only people allowed to carry weapons. Above, they were the gatekeepers, ferreting out spies and unbelievers, granting sanctuary to those they deemed worthy." — Description, Ruin and Rising

The Priestguards are monks who support the Apparat. They study texts, stand guard, and maintain the Apparat's network of spies.

History

In stories, Yaromir Lantsov, the first Lantsov king, united the kings of warring provinces. He created an altar in Os Alta, praying to the Saints to help defend his country against Fjerda and Shu Han, and a group of monks arrived the next morning to fight. They could take the form of beasts as they fought for the king, only asking for one of them to always remain at his side. However, when the battle was over, the monks could not return to their human forms and had to endure the obisbaya ritual. Those who survived and became men took their place beside the king. The priest closest to him was titled the Apparat, while the holy soldiers became the Priestguard. In some stories, the first Priestguard were Grisha, and the animals they became were the first amplifiers.

Some believe that Sankt Feliks may have been a member of the Priestguard.

Ruin and Rising

At the White Cathedral, one Priestguard snatches a tin David Kostyk gives Alina Starkov, inspecting it carefully before giving it to its intended recipient. The guards observe as Tamar Kir-Bataar gives Genya Safin combat lessons.

As Alina and Genya talk in the Kettle, Priestguards suddenly enter and herd the cooks from the kitchens. More guards arrive with David, Nadia Zhabin, Zoya Nazyalensky, Malyen Oretsev, and Tamar and Tolya Yul-Bataar. They agree when the Apparat claims that Alina is being weakened by her friends' influence. However, Alina creates a distraction with an echo of the Shadow Summoner abilities she had gotten from the Darkling's power. Tolya uses his Heartrender powers against two Priestguards and Mal knocks down another as they attempt to seize the escaped hostages. Alina is able summon light to blind them and holds them back with the Cut.

After the fighting stops, she commands the Apparat and tells the Priestguards to see to their dead. Led by Alina and the Apparat, they walk with the Grisha to the main cavern.

King of Scars

Pilgrims from the Cult of the Starless Saint camp outside the walls of Os Alta. The Apparat calls the Priestguard to the lower town, not liking the idea of the new cult. The guards arrive armed, and the Apparat calls Yuri Vedenen a traitor, as he left the Priestguard without explanation a year ago.

Rule of Wolves

When the Apparat takes Nina Zenik prisoner in the Fjerdan base, two Priestguards flank him. One Priestguard leads a Corporalnik affected by jurda parem out of his cell. However, Zoya Nazyalensky kills them with lightning, and Nina uses her Corpsewitch powers to command their corpses to seize the Apparat.

The Apparat and his Priestguard are present when Nikolai Lantsov declares Zoya Ravka's new queen.

Description

Priestguards dress in brown and wear a golden sunburst, the same symbol the Apparat wears. They are bearded and heavily armed, standing silently at the edges of rooms and never looking directly at the Grisha.

Priestguards keep watch in the White Cathedral and are the only people allowed to carry weapons belowground. They function as gatekeepers aboveground. The Priestguards spend their time in the archives, studying holy manuscripts. They maintain the Apparat's network of spies by deciphering messages, gathering intelligence, and building a cult.