in the world which i have created for these characters, one of the militry divisions is the guards, for defending (guarding, if you will) high ranking officials. while the world outside the orient is in a era of steampunk, the orient (i don't have specific country names yet, but it is modeled on japan) has only just mastered gunpowder...
About this creation
a guard for high ranking officials, used in teams to blockade against a large-scale attack
as palace gaurd
showing the armour on only one side, and the crest of the guards on his chest plate
in the defensive position, (there would usually be many in a row, up to twenty wide, to create a wall. they would stand sideways to present only their armored side).
possibly my favorite shot
up-close showing a knight's faceplate used as a pauldron
with a guards shield, also with the symbol of the guards
a parade guard
the gun identifies this man as one of the emperor's personal guards