The Emirite of Royal Seleucid

[DaveIronside]

THE EMIRITE OF ROYAL SELEUCID

Royal Seleucid

Motto:- Wisdom is it's own victory

BACKGROUND

A nation founded on the faith of Anahitaism Royal Seleucid has had a turbulent past. Originally a collection of around 10 different kingdoms, many under different faiths, it was gradually united through marriage alliance, war, diplomacy and religious conversion. In 1287 the King Nicator Soter forced several other Kingdoms to accept him as their liege lord and he became High King, however by 1566 the Soter dynasty had directly absorbed all these into a single unit known as the Emirite of Royal Seleucid.

During the 15th Century the Seleucid rulers sought to expand their army and increase their nations productivity and therefore began establishing a far reaching network for acquiring slaves, something that today has seen around 20% of the nation have non native backgrounds. The nation sought to establish several slave trading outposts and saw them establish an outpost in the modern day nation of The Iwi in the 1500's. The Seleucid military might sought to keep the Maori under their control until finally leaving their last piece of territory there in 2001.

The Seleucid's also began to get concerned by the increase in foreign religions amongst the population and in 2016 this boiled over into a seemingly spontanious genocide of members of the Cult of Helus,  King Akakios denied his involvement in the genocide and has publicly punsihed large numbers of people who carried the event out. He claimed an attempted coup by the military had saw him unable to take power and he and his family had to be rescued by members of the nations special forces.

Government Type: Absolute Monarchy
Population: 50million
Capital City: Ipsus (3.8million)

ECONOMY

Currency: Drachmaes
GDP per Capita: $35,000
Unemployment Rate: 4.2%

Main Industries
Mineral Extraction
Agriculture
Aquaculture
Natural Gas/Oil
Jewellery
Academia



PEOPLE

Ethnicity: 60% Parthian (RL Persian), 30% Seleucid (RL Greek) 10% Other
Languages: The only Officially Recognised is Parthian however Seleucid is also commonly used.
Religions: Anahitaism is the only legally recognised religion.
Average Life Expectancy: Male 71 years / Female 74 years



GOVERNMENT

Head of State: King Heydar Soter
Head of Government: Consul Karpos Simonides
Name of Legislative Body: The Kings Council

[DaveIronside]

Anahitaism

The Goddess Anahita is actually one of several Gods in the Seleucid pantheon, she is however the Goddess towards which every prayer is directed.

Originally she was the Goddess of Water, the earliest mention of her is found on a tablet outside Ipsus dating from around 800BC. The early Seleucid lived a difficult existence struggling to find water in what is a largely barren expanse. It was only at certain points where springs came to the surface that settlement was possible and as such the Goddess was seen as responsible for bringing life and civilisation. The nation is however filled in the east by salt marshes which have seen many attempts at utilising. Finally it was the fact that despite salt water being harmful to humans trees such as the date tree could flourish, bringing life and nourishment from "poison". It was with these supposed blessings from Anahita that the Seleucid raised her to be chief Goddess.

[big]BELIEF[/big]

A follower of Anahitaism believes that the Goddess was responsible for the creation of the oceans, something from which all life emerged. Along with a number of other Gods, each of which is honoured one day a year, she created a world on which humans could inhabit. The Gods at this point walked amongst us, however due to the petty squabbles of humanity the Gods choose to leave us to the less than perfect world we now inhabit. The Goddess has however given humanity the tools to once again make the world perfect if we choose to use them. To make the world perfect mankind must eradicate the "Five Great Evils". This has lead to the creation of modern Seleucid culture.

1. Poverty - The Royal family flaunt wealth as a show to the Goddess of the wealth of Seleucid, to give the impression of being faithful they do great charity work.

2. Hunger - The Seleucid have always attempted to work the land to turn it into a "Garden for the Gods", this is also an attempt to grow enough food to eradicate hunger. As such feasts are very common in the faith as a way of ensuring people are fed.

3. Thirst - As a mainly desert nation with a warm climate the battle for fresh water has always been constant. Water has become a valuable commodity and that has seen springs, lakes, rivers etc venerated.

4. Homelessness - Hospitality is seen as important in Seleucid culture and people will be quick to offer you a place within their home. This has transferred into being very hospitable to travellers.

5. Loneliness - Seleucid's are very sociable people and it is often the case that on buses it is considered rude NOT to sit next to someone sat alone and strike up a conversation. As such during the early days of the faith women heavily outnumbered men and so the Priesthood permitted polygamy. Families also play a vital role in attempting to eradicate this as extended families all live together.

[big]METHOD OF WORSHIP[/big]

The Priesthood of Anahita are all female, unmarried and have vowed to have no children. They are deeply respected in the nation and even the King will bow to even the lowest ranking Priestess.

A follower of the faith will pray daily at sunrise giving thanks especially for "The water of the day". Prayer is usually a family occasion and the first drink of water in the day is blessed by the head of the family.

The holy day for followers of the faith is Friday when most families visit either a shrine or temple in Winter and usually a spring, river or lake in summer.

[DaveIronside]

THE ROYAL SELEUCID RULING FAMILY.

In Royal Seleucid it is expected that the royal family flaunt the finer things in life, this has lead them to be exceptionally rich but also charitable. In accordance with the national religion the family is very conservative in many ways in public, however in private things are different. Women are seen as merely wives and mothers and are expected to take no responsibilities other than making their husband/father look good.

Polygamy is considered normal in the royal family as are arranged marriages.


KING AKAKIOS SOTER

.DECEASED. Public Reason - Heart Attack     Non Public Reason- Murdered by Queen Katerina. Born in 1958 he became King in 1980 following the death of his father from illness. He is a qualified architect and has designed several of the families buildings and palace extensions personally. He is a strict Anahitaism and has strong opinions of the way he expects his family to behave. In public he is seen as generous and humble, however he rules his family, and his nation with a rod of steel. He married his first wife in 1977 after she turned 18. Samira Imtiaz is the daughter of a former Consul and her father was close friends to Akakois father. They have two sons Crown Prince Hadi and Prince Haydar. In 1988 he meet the then 16 year old daughter of businessman Hadar Gul. He determined three months later that on her 18th birthday she would become his second wife despite her already being engaged. In 1990 they married. They have two children Princess Thelka and Princess Afroditi. In 2009 he determined to have a third wife and took minor noble and socialite Katerina Shaker as his fiance having never meet her. He had her moved into the palace and in 2010 after six months of knowing each other married her. They have one son Prince Shahin

THE KING'S WIVES

QUEEN SAMIRA

she was choosen to marry Akakois because of of a peace deal with Alakhwan. On her 18th birthday she was married to King Akakois having been educated and prepared for her role as Queen for many years. She is a strict follower of Anahitaism and the Matriach of the family managing the royal estates and organising events. She is the mother of CrownPrince Hadi and Prince Heydar. So is exceptionally smothering of her grandchilden. In public she is often not seen as much now as the King prefers to flaunt his younger wives.

QUEEN YANNA

Yanna's family is of descent from the non-majority Selec community. As a Ucid she was considered a strange choice for the King's 2nd wife. She was originally engaged to Rabin Yamez, a wealthy Ucid businesman however the King meet her briefly when she was 16 and became obsessed. He paid Yamez to break his marriage contract and ordered her father to allow him to marry her. In 1990 she turned 18 and was immediately married. She is devoted to her new family and is often the more public female face of the royals. She is known to enjoy organising balls and has at times performed traditional musical numbers at them. She has given birth to two daughters, which has slightly displeased the King, called Princess Thekla and Princess Afroditi.

QUEEN KATERINA

Born in 1986 she was the daughter of a very minor noble and as such was an unlikely choice for the King's third wife. She was a figure much viewed in the press as a fashionista and was often photographed attending the highest profile events for young people. The King spotted a photograph of her and demanded she be brought to the Palace. Six months later in 2010 he ordered their marriage. She is now often considered his favourite wife, a position she cemented in 2014 when she gave birth to the King's 5th child Prince Shahin. She is viewed by many as simply a trophy wife however she has also established several charities for the poor including Read Write Now, an organisation to improve literacy in the poorer classes.

KING'S CHILDREN AND THEIR SPOUSES

CROWN PRINCE HADI

DECEASED - Public Reason      Private Reason - Executed on order of his brother Heydar Born in 1979 he is the eldest child of the King and Queen Samira. He was educated privately and attended University to study economics and history. Since leaving University he has been essentially working shadowing his father as traditionally expected. He also is currently the nations Finance Minister. In 1984 his father arranged for him to marry Yasmine Khadiz, the daughter of a nobleman and former Consul. The two married when they turned 18 in 1999. They now have two children Zareen (born 2000) and Khorshid (born 2009). Both children executed with their father. His father ordered him to take a second wife in 2015 but permitted him to make his own choice. He requested his father ask fashion model and designer Korina Yalmaz to be his 2nd wife and the pair married in January of 2016. The Prince is also a keen car collector and has a garage with over sixty cars in.

PRINCESS YASMINE

DECEASED - Public Reason      Private Reason - Executed on order of her brother  in law Heydar Born in 1979 she is the wife of Crown Prince Hadi and the mother of his two children Zarreen and Khorshid (Both executed with her). She is the daughter of a former Consul and was selected out of six potential brides to marry Hadi. She is well educated having gained a degree in chemistry while also bringing up her first child. She is a keen sailor and has invested in a fleet of royal yachts on behalf of the family.

PRINCESS KORINA

DECEASED - Public Reason      Private Reason - Executed on order of her brother  in law Heydar Born in 1998 she is a former model and fashion designer who was spotted in a magazine by Prince Hadi who instructed his father to arrange their marriage which took place in January of 2016. She has become close friends with Queen Katerina and has designed many of her dresses for royal functions. She has however also ran foul of the judgement of Queen Samira who believes she is unworthy to be a Princess.

PRINCE HEYDAR

Born in 1981 he is the youngest child of the King and Queen Samira He is currently serving in the Air Force as a fighter pilot having reached the rank of Sqd.Leader in a very short amount of time. In 2015 he was also made Minister of Defence and put in charge of military procurement. In 2004 he was married to Chryssa Arakadis, a cousin of the royal family whose fiance had died a year earlier. The pair are thought not to get along too well however they do have a son called Golzar. It is rumoured that the Prince is also courting several other women.

PRINCESS CHRYSSA

Born in 1986 she was promised to a wealthy nobleman who was twenty years older than her. He died in 2003 and she was almost instantly married to Prince Heydar. She is a dedicated equestrian competitor and has taken a large control of the royal families stables. She has also become firm friends with Queen Katerina and the two are often seen at social events together. She is the mother of Golzar.

PRINCESS THEKLA

Born in 1999 she is the youngest daughter of the King and Queen Yanna. She is often seen by many of the royal family as the King's favourite child and has been permitted to go to University before being married. She has announced that it is her intention to study Marine Biology and would, if her father permits, like to join the nations Navy for a short period. This however is unlikely to happen in many peoples eyes. She is also a keen singer and is part of the National Youth Choir. While some suspected this was because of her royal rank she is genuinely talented and also plays the harp, something the King is exceptionally fond of.

PRINCESS AFRODITI

Born in 1993 eldest daughter of the King and Queen Yanna She is expected to marry in the coming months as her father has begun negotiations with several nobles to marry her. She however is rather reluctant to marry any of them as the youngest is almost fifteen years her senior. She is university educated having earned a degree in linguistics and has served as part of the Foreign Office. She is also a keen softball player having represented her University in the past.

[DaveIronside]

ARMED FORCES

http://s15.zetaboards.com/TCog/single/?p=10000483&t=10017183

[DaveIronside]

[DaveIronside]

ISPUS ROYAL PALACE

The Palace was built in the 1930's as part of a series of public works during a time of famine. The then King saw how farmers in the Ipsus area struggled to earn a living and so invested a huge sum of the families money into a new palace creating around 4,000 jobs and thus ensuring local communities could afford food. The Palace was completed in 1938 and the family made it their primary residence in 1942. The palace was built with "dun-colourd" (golden – yellow) sandstone with two wings. Marble has also been used, and teak wood has been used for the interior wood work. When completed the palace had 347 rooms, several courtyards, and a large banquet hall which could accommodate 600 people.

The Palace is divided into three functional parts – the residence of the royal family, a series of offices, and a  small museum focusing on the nations royal family members. The entire palace complex built with sandstone and marble is set in an area of 26 acres (11 ha) of land including 15 acres (6.1 ha) of well tended gardens. The palace, magnificent in its lavish proportions, consists of a throne chamber, an exclusive private meeting hall, a Durbar Hall to meet the public, a vaulted banquet hall, private dining halls, a ball room, a library, an indoor swimming pool and spa, a billiards room, four tennis courts, two unique marble squash courts.

[DaveIronside]

THE LAKE PALACE

Located in Marvar the Lake Palace has 83 rooms and suites featuring white marble walls. The Lake Palace is located on the island of Suhala in Lake Marvesa and its natural foundation spans 4 acres (16,000 m2).The Lake Palace was built between 1743 and 1746 and was traditionally used by the Queens of the nation while pregnant. In recent years however it has become a favourite hang out of the various younger members of the royal family.

The walls  are adorned by semi-precious stones and ornamented niches. Gardens, fountains, pillared terraces and columns line its courtyards. The upper room is a perfect circle and is about 21 feet (6.4 m) in diameter. Its floor is inlaid with black and white marble, the walls are ornamented with niches and decorated with arabesques of coloured stones.

[DaveIronside]

PALACE OF THE SANDS

The Palace was built in the 1960's as an attempt by the then King to reconnect his people with their desert heritage. The Palace contains 24,000 m.sq. of recreational, social, dining, banqueting, conference and accommodation functions. Such diverse functions as a tenpin bowling alley, crèche, billiards, library, secretariats and luxury rooms are combined with recreational facilities such as an indoor and outdoor swimming pool ,three tennis courts, a squash court, sauna, exercise studios, Shisha lounges, social rooms and formal and informal dining.

 

[DaveIronside]

National Policies & Stances

[1]

• Abortion: Illegal except if mother's life in danger

• Age of consent: 16 years.

• Age of majority: 16 years.

• Assisted suicide: Illegal and considered murder

• Birth control: Sales of contraception permitted.

• Death penalty: Yes but only for crimes against the royal family.

• Divorce: Permitted only with consent of the Priesthood

• Drinking age: 16

• Driving age: 17

• Education: Compulsory and free until the age of 16, education until 18 is free for all. Universities may charge fees for education at their discretion. 

• Eminent domain: Royal family may acquire any property so long as they pay compensation.

• Equal pay for equal work: Employers free to determine own wage structure.

• Felony disenfranchisement: Yes.

• Flag desecration: Illegal.

• Gambling age: 18.

• Gun purchase age: 18 years however gun ownership is via licence and includes having attended a gun safety course.

• Homosexuality in the military: Homosexuality is frowned upon however no rules exists in this regard.

• Human cloning: No laws created

• Marriageable age: 16 years of age.

• Military conscription: No.

• Minimum wage: No

• Polygamy: A man may take as many wives as he wishes.

• Prostitution: Legal in licenced brothels

• Race: Laws exist banning racial discrimination and the nation is rather liberal on grounds of race

• Same-sex marriage: Not permitted.

• School leaving age: 16 years.

• Sex reassignment surgery: No laws exist

• Smoking age: 16

• Stem cell research: Permitted.

• Taxation: No income tax, however other forms of taxation (E.g Property, Sales etc) do exist.

• Torture: Permitted only in crimes against the Royal Family

• Trial by jury: Yes, five people sit on juries.

• Universal healthcare: Only for emergency care.

• Voting age: 16.

• Women's rights: Women are seen as the property of their father until marriage.

• Working age: 16 with certain exceptions.

• Working week: The standard work week is 50 hours per week plus additional overtime.

1.	(Modified) outline from Christian Democrats on NS via TYP

[DaveIronside]

RS military to convert

http://s15.zetaboards.com/TCog/single/?p=10000483&t=10017183

[DaveIronside]

WIP

[DaveIronside]

ROYAL SELEUCID NAVY (RSN)

35,000 Active Sailors
20,000 Reservists

Class	Ships In Service	Armament
Submarsipo Class Submarine	Selecus Nicator Antiochus Soter Theos Callinicus Ceranus Philopator	6 x 533 mm torpedo tubes (in 2 forward pointing groups of 3) with 13DM2A4, Black Shark Torpedo, IDAS missiles 24 external naval mines
Portanto Aircraft Carrier	Epiphanes	4 × 8-cell A-43 Sylver launchers carrying the MBDA Aster 15 surface-to-air missile 2 × Oto Melara 76/62 mm Super Rapido guns 3 × Oerlikon Contraves 25/80 mm Anti-aircraft guns 10 x Harrier 12x Merlin Helicopters
Amfibioj Class LPD	Demetrius Alexander Balas	2× Bushmaster II 30 mm close-in-guns 2x  Rolling Airframe Missile launchers 2x Mk 41 eight-cell VLS for quad-packed ESSMs 4 Zeztsar Helicopters
Destrojero Class Destroyer	Dionysus Diodotus Tryphon	1 × 5 inch (127 mm/L62) Mk-45 Mod 4 naval gun 1 × 30 mm Goalkeeper CIWS 1 × RAM Block 1 CIWS 4 × 4 SSM-700K Hae Sung anti-ship missiles 80-cell Mk 41 VLS 32 × Hyunmoo III land attack cruise missiles 16 × K-ASROC Red Shark in (VLS) 2 × 3 K745 LW Blue Shark torpedoes 2 x Mazon Helicopter
Infano Class Destroyer	Sidetes Euergetes Zabinas Murmalak	2× 5-inch (127mm) 54 calibre Mark 45 dual purpose guns 2× Mk 26 launchers for RIM-66 Standard Missile 2× 20 mm Phalanx CIWS Mark 15 cannons (Varies from ship to ship, Block 0/1/1A/1B) 2× MK 141 quadruple Harpoon missile canisters 2× Mark 32 triple 12.75 in (324 mm) torpedo tubes (Mk46 torpedoes) 2 x Mazon Helicopter
Fregato Class Frigate	Cleopatra Thea Philometor Gryphus	16-cell SYLVER A50 VLS for 16 Aster 15 and 30 missiles 2 × OTO Melara 76/62 mm Davide/Strales CIWS guns (ASW variant) 1 × Otobreda 127/64 Vulcano and 1 × OTO Melara 76/62 mm Davide/Strales CIWS gun (GP variant) 2 × Oto Melara/Oerlikon 25/80 mm remote weapon systems  8 × Teseo\Otomat Mk-2/A anti-ship and land attack missiles 16-cell SYLVER A70 VLS for 16 × SCALP Naval land-attack cruise missiles 2x Merlin Helicopter
Vulpo Class Frigate	Cyzicenius Eusebes Philapdelphus Tigranes	8 x Otomat Mk 2 SSMs 1 x Mk.29 octuple launcher for Sea Sparrow/Aspide SAM 2 x Mark 32 triple torpedo tubes 1 x OTO Melara 127/54 mm gun 2 x OTO Melara Twin 40L70 DARDO compact gun 2 x Jolanda Helicopter
Kavalireco Frigate	Armenia Kybiosaktes	32-cell VLS launched Barak 1 missiles 24 × Shtil-1 medium range missiles 8 × VLS launched Klub, anti-ship cruise missiles 1 × twin 3.0-inch Otobreda, naval gun 2 × AK-630 CIWS 2 × 2 DTA-53-956 torpedo launchers 2 × RBU-6000 (RPK-8) rocket launchers 2 x Mazon Helicopter
Corbeta Class	Philip Philoromaeus Stratonice Gabinius	2 x 3"/50 Mk.33 (1 twin mount) guns 4 x 40 mm/L70 Bofors (2 twin mounts) guns 1 Hedgehog ASW mortar 2 depth charge racks
Patrolon Offshore Patrol Vessel	Berenice Heliodorus Lysias Apamea Timarchus Cappadocia	Bofors 57 mm gun Mk 3 9K38 Igla 1 x Colac Helicopter
Marbordo Patrol Ship	Cavafy Laodice Gnaeus Octavius	1 x Bofors 57 mm gun Mk 2 1 x Mobius Helicopter
Miacasisto Minehunter	Bactrian Coele Menelaus Onias Basileus Megas Susa Sardis	1 x Oerlikon 20 mm cannon

[DaveIronside]

ROYAL SELEUCID ARMY


Active Soldiers:- 100,000
Reservists:- 80,000


Weapons

Weapon	Role	Issue
Pafilo	Assault Rifle	Front Line Regulars
Fusilo	Assault Rifle	Non Front Line Regulars Reservists
Mitraleto	Sub Machine Gun	Vehicle Crews
Dinamikaj	Sub Machine Gun	Vehicle Crews
Pistolon	Handgun	Standard Regular Issue
Manolon	Handgun	Reservists
GPMG	Light Machine Gun	Standard Squad Issue
Casperfilo	Shotgun	Mission Dependent
Francot	Sniper Rifle	Issued to Snipers
Pafisto	Marksman Rifle	Designated Marksman
Raketo	Anti Tank Weapon	Squad Issue
Lancilo	Anti-Tank Weapon	Squad Issue
Virokusento	MANPADS	Squad Issue

Vehicles

[th]Vehicles[/th]
Vehicle	Use	In Service
Virsafo	Main Battle Tank	220
Sageto	Infantry Fighting Vehicle	200
Funkcio	Infantry Fighting Vehicle	250
Armajo	APC	800
Boksisto	APC	200
Protekto	APC	200
Pumo	Armoured Car	250
Vulpo	Armoured Car	300
Makspro	MRAPV	50
Krucotereno	MRAPV	70
Lumomovebla	Mobility Vehicle	1000
Denton	Mobility Vehicel	1500
Strikon	Light Armoured Car	100
Obuso	Self Propelled Howitzer	80
Regopafilo	Self Propelled Howitzer	70
Modifado	Towed Howitzer	70
Kampo	Towed Howitzer	70
Multoblaj	Rocket Artillery	30
Antiviadilo	Mobile SAM	30
Linionreen	Mobile SAM	30
GajaVerda	Helicopter	30
FlugPuma	Helicopter	30
Hakilo	Attack Helicopter	30
Silent Fox	Infantry Patrol Vehicle	130

[DaveIronside]

Active Airmen:- 45,000
Reservists:- 19,000

Aircraft	Role	In Service
F-34 Plenareen	Multi-Role Fighter	60
F- 30 Tajfuno	Multi-Role Fighter	100
F-21 Farjo	Multi-Role Fighter	70
GR.4 Tondro	Ground Attack Aircraft	60
U-8 Sentinelo	Electronic Warfare	5
M-3 Casisto	Maritime Patrol	8
U-4 Kvindek	AEWACS	5
KC-7 Etendi	Tanker/Transport	4
C-100 Herkulo	Transport	30
C-108 Globo	Transport	15
C-133 Galaksio	Transport	20
T-8 Scorpion	Advanced Trainer / Light Ground Attack	30
T-7 Ekstra	Basic Trainer / Light Ground Attack	50
H-9 Indigena	Transport Helicopter	30
H-18 Malantaij	Attack Helicopter	25
H-13 Kokso	Transport Helicopter	20
UAV-1 DioTondro	UAV	12
B-7 Okazajo	Bomber	20
H-30 Ashundo	Scout Helicopter	30

[DaveIronside]

For reference purposes. (OOC - Mercia was retconned with Royal Seleucid replacing it and assuming its genocidal history)

The Establishment of the Celtic Protectorate

Ui Cenneslaig will permanently base a minimum of 8,000 soldiers, 2 destroyers, 3 frigates and a maximum of six other vessels, as well as 25 combat aircraft in a newly created Celtic Protectorate.

2. The Celtic Protectorate is shown in black on the map below.



3. Within the Celtic Protectorate Ui Cenneslaig will be responsible for the enforcement of law and order in accordance with Seleucid legal frameworks.

4. Members of the Ui Cenneslaig military will be attached to every Seleucid military or Police entering the Protectorate.

5. Members of the Ui Cenneslaig military will be permitted to carry out enquiries into the alleged genocide with full access to those suspected.

6. A Tribunal of Unification shall be established to help bring the Kingdom back into harmony.

7. King Akakois agrees to withdraw the arrest warrant against Tim Carpenter should he co-operate fully with the enquiries into the alleged genocide.

8. Ui Cenneslaig may appoint a representative to the Royal Council to represent the people living inside the Celtic Protectorate.

9. All members of the Royal Seleucid military entering the Protectorate must do so only with authorisation from the Ui Cenneslaig military.

10. No military attacks may be launched by Ui Cenneslaig military units from Seleucid territory on other nations.

11. The Protectorate shall be in place until 2026 or until a time when a representative of the Cultist community, The Cenneg military leadership and the monarch of Royal Seleucid agree a future genocide is unlikely.

[DaveIronside]

THE ARGYRASPIDES

The Argyraspides, shortened to simply the Argyra, are a Special Forces until under the command of the King of Royal Seleucid. They compromise of around 800 men and undertake the day to day security of the royal family as well as strategic military operations. The unit was initially founded in the 1400's as an elite cavalry unit and have always been among the first in Seleucid service to receive the latest military equipment and training. Today their primary combat role is as Paratroopers and Long Range Reconnessance troops meaning they value skills allowing them to operate independently for prolonged periods.

SELECTION

The unit accepts applications twice a year from any member of the Army or Marines who has served at least three years already. An individual must be able to provide a reference of good character and exemplary service from their commanding officer and a senior NCO. Once these have been reviewed successful candidates are invited to the units HQ in Anjir to complete a series of written exams in Maths, Parthian and military knowledge. Those passing the tests are then required to run 2km in under 11minutes, be able to throw a 4kg medicine ball 3 meters from a seated position against a wall, then be able to dead lift 50kg before completing a 800 meter run in 7 minutes. These tests must all be completed within an hour. Those who pass these tests begin training.

TRAINING

Training begins two days after the Selection tests and falls into four sections. Every two days a test is given and any soldier who fails is given the oppurtunity to retake the test in off duty time two days later. Two failures during the entire training process see's an individual sent back to their unit.

The first four weeks are spent on basic fitness and skills such as map reading and first aid. This is known as the Basic Soldiers Course. The first test given is an eundurance march across desert terrain. The course varies every training intake to ensure no soldiers can practice the route prior to attending. Generally speaking the troops are expected to be able to complete roughly 24km in just over four hours. The second test is one of desert navigation and shooting. A trainee must cover 15km in three and a half hours undertaking a series of shooting tasks every 3km. Scoring poorly see's time added to the trainee's score.

The second stage of training is based on advanced combat skills and introduces the soldier to a wide variety of new equipment, vehicles and weapons. While the unit use the standard issue rifle for most of their duties they do have access to specialised weapons should their mission require. As a result they are expected to undertake a shooting test with a wide variety of rifles and pistols a benchmark score is set depending on the weapons selected for the test. The second test on this phase of training is an advanced driving test which sees the trainee required to perform tasks driving everything including cars, motorbikes and light armoured vehicles.

The third stage of training focuses on their duties in close protection. Soldiers are trained in how to scout locations for security threats as well as general body guarding techniques. The soldiers also learn hand to hand combat and undercover surveillance. The first test faced in this section of training is a mock scenario which is passed if their "VIP" survives. The second is to be able to file an accurate report of the movements of a selected member of the local military, this individual is unaware that they have been selected to be observed until the report has been filed.

Those reaching the final stage of training are moved to Meybad where the unit begin Parachute training. This is the only stage of training which can be extended beyond the four week period as a pre-determined number of jumps must be completed. The first test undertaken during this stage is a night jump from a light aircraft at 15,000 feet and navigate to a set landing zone. The final test is to parachute from 35,000 feet in full combat equipment and then march 80km to the town of Ithriyah where an old hill fort exists. The final 3km of the march is up a steep earth work ramp built during a siege in the 15th Century  when the original Argyraspides defeated rebels here. As each soldier reaches the summit they are awarded their Scorpion cap badge and may replace the existing one on their beret. Unlike other military units the  Argyraspides do not have a uniform coloured beret instead keeping their original regiments colour.

DUTIES

The Unit is split into four Cohorts each around 200 men in strength. Each cohort rotates around various duties throughout the year. The cohorts are named after mythological creatures and are Bašmu, Kusarikku, Ugallu and Alû. In normal circumstances each Cohort rotates around four duties with each rotation lasting three months.

1. Royal Protection - The unit supplement the agents assigned all year round to protecting the royal family. They provide crowd control at ceremonial functions, provide overwatch teams for public appereances and other duties including providing a rapid reaction force to extract a member of the Royal Family should the situation require it. When the Royals travel overseas a unit of this cohort travel with them to help provide security for royal aircraft and should a situation require.

2. Counter-Terrorism - The unit undertake operations to gather intelligence on and pre-emptively halt any terrorist threat to the nation. This is done by monitoring communications, covert intelligence gathering and conducting operations to remove targets. This team is also responsible for responding to any ongoing terrorist situation in the country and are usually avaliable to back up the Royal Protection cohort should they require it.

3. Continuation Training - This see's the cohort follow a pattern of training very similar to that which they undertook to join the unit except without the fitness section as it is expected that they can each maintain their fitness once within the unit. This ensures the team stay up to date with their skills and knowledge when new tactics or technology is developed.

4. Reserve - This cohort is the first to respond to any overseas incident and are used to fill in when required. Generally for this period the soldiers are permitted to spend time at home on a regular basis and undertake some retraining and various other duties as and when required.