Crimson Lance

""Always faithful — Always forward."."

The Shinsengumi is a special police unit operating out of Sheng-Lao under the direction of the current ruling family, the Harayumi family. At first, the Shinsengumi was founded to protect the noble representatives in Sheng-Lao at a time when political opponents were openly attacking one another in order to become the heirless Emperor Tatsu's successor. At its peak, the Shinsengumi had about 300 members. They were the first samurai group of ancient Sheng-Lao to allow those from non-samurai classes, such as farmers and merchants, to join. Many joined the group out of a desire to become samurai and be involved in political affairs.

The code of the first Shinsengumi, famously created by Nobu Nakajima, prohibited deviation from the samurai code, also known as Bushido, leaving the Shinsengumi, raising money privately, taking part in others' affairs, and engaging in private fights. The penalty for breaking any rule was seppuku. Since the ruling of the Harayumi family, the founding members of the Shinsengumi have all but been replaced by younger, more impulsive members who have deviated from Nobu Nakajima's code. They have become a private army for the Harayumi family to use in spying on their opponents and removing any threats to their rule. Their current leader is Nara Harayumi, Asano Harayumi's grandson.

Its notable members include:

• Nara Harayumi (Chief-Officer)

Insignia

A red flag with a swooping white-tailed eagle.

Uniforms

A black kimono with white-collared sleeves, with a white cord crossed over the chest and tied in the back and a light chainmail suit beneath.