Purple Dragons

The Purple Dragons were the famous military of Cormyr that were renowned for their discipline, skill and loyalty. The Purple Dragons were considered one of the strongest armies in the realms, and were well renowned for their heroism and acts of valour in the lines of combat. They ranged from young nobles who joined as officers to farmers who joined as Blades. The well-disciplined army was made possible through Cormyr's military and heirarchical heritage.

Recruitment and training
All loyal Cormyrean citizens were eligible to join the Purple Dragons by taking an oath. Although the oath was available to non-humans providing they are Cormyrean citizens, due to the fact that Cormyr was predominantly human, extra measures may have been imposed on non-humans to ensure their loyalty.

Nobles were actively expected to take the oath, and would generally be given positions of leadership. Non-nobles would form part of the militia with an initial service of two years.

The first six months consists of an extensive training regime, before starting active duty, such as patrolling Cormyr's borders or guarding its cities and towns. After the two-year service has come to an end, the Purple Dragon may choose to continue his or her role, or return to his or her former life. In times of conflict the individual can be called back into service.

Training can take one of three paths, including basic attack training, leadership training, or training in the protection of key personnel, often War Wizards. Training is conducted in a range of weapons, and covers subjects such as defence of others and battlefield awareness, in addition to basic combat training.

"I solemnly swear to serve Cormyr and her interests above all else. I vow to answer any call from the crown, the royal family, recognized nobles, and citizens in need, to the best of my ability. I promise that in time of war, I will return to my sworn position and bear arms in service to crown and country."

- Oath to the Crown of Cormyr

Ranks
The Purple Dragons had specific titles for the members of their army, listed here from lowest to highest.


 * Blade
 * Telsword
 * First Sword
 * Swordcaptain
 * Lionar
 * Ornrion
 * Constal
 * Oversword
 * Battlemaster
 * Lord High Marshall

The Lord High Marshall in 1374 DR, also known as the Warden of the North, was Lord Dauneth Marliir. Lord Marliir was comissioned by the King for his loyalty and dedication to the Crown. He was based in the city of Arabel, where his personal estate lay.

History
Cormyr used to be part of the woodland empire of Myth Drannor, where elves and dragons fought for dominance. The black dragon Thauglor was one of the prominent dragons, and contested the elves for the land. However, Thauglor was so old that his scales had begun to age and appear to be purple colored.

The elves defeated the dragon Thauglor and took the land for themselves. It was from the purple tinged scales of the defeated Thauglor that the Purple Dragons took their name.

The Purple Dragons as an organiztion were originally a group of noble rebels led by King Duar "Longyears", striving for 3 years to retake Cormyr from the pirate lord Magrath the Minotaur and the traitors that had allied themselves with him.

The group consisted of Elvarin Crownsilver, Glorin Truesilver, Omalra Dracohorn, Dintheron Bleth and Jotor Turcassan (the only Turcassan to remain loyal to the king). Those five were led by Duar and Amedahast, who also had a dwindling number of rank-and-file soldiers following them. The increasingly rag-tag band had found great difficulty in re-taking the nation even though they had the full support of Cormyr's commoners. In 432 DR, another loyalist unit had managed to take High Horn and the soldiers inside had agreed to pledge themselves to the king if the Purple Dragons could win a single victory by themselves. Duar and Amedahast chose the remote Dheolur, the hold of one of the traitorous noble families. With the help of a farmer named Dhedluk (whom Dheolur was later renamed after), and Threena Cormaeril, the group stormed the main building. Magrath was being entertained there at the time, which allowed King Duar to kill the minotaur. This dealt a crippling blow to the traitors and earned the Dragons the allegiance of High Horn's troops, who helped to quickly bring the realm under Duar's rightful control.

Although not explicitly stated, the royal army was most likely named in honour of this group.