The imperial legions that conquered parts of West Kruna in ancient times were feared and despised by the native populace. But none instilled so much dread or inspired so much hatred as the Leonine Guard, the empire's elite warriors. The sight of their imposing helms on the battlefield was often enough to break an enemy's morale, even before their lethal blades reddened the ground.
The Leonine Guard's breastplates were works of remarkable craftsmanship, each one an exquisite piece of art which seemed almost incongruous amidst the brutal slaughter whey wrought. Prior to battle they would trigger the spells contained withing the golden metal, causing the images emblazoned upon it to become animated. Men and lions would do battle ther in gold, as flesh and blood combat raged around them. But the ancient knowledge has long since been lost, and today the images - though still magnificent - are lifeless.
In one of their most famous battles, the Leonine Guard fought until their spears shattered and the swords broke in their hands. But they battled on, slashing their foes' throats and piercing their brains with the claws upon the knuckles of their gauntlets. So great was their fury, so brutal their ferocity, that the battle ended with the enemy fleeing in terror.
"The courage of a lion, the mind of a man, the heart of the empire." - Motto of the Leonine Guard.
The unit remembered by history as the Lost Legion disappeared without a trace, a mysterious event that helped bring about the empire's withdraw from West Kruna. A pride of Leonine Guardsmen vanished along with them, and there are tales which ascribe their disappearance to a sinister betrayal by the elite soldiers. These stories, distributed in secret among imperial citizens claim that the pride went native - slaughtering the legionaries to drive the empire from the land.
