Achaemenid Kingdom

Inku

Various other languages

Humans

Upyri

Gozhu

Khakir

One of the galaxy's newest powers located in what was once pirate space. With a sizeable portion of the Northwestern Quadrant under their control, as well as the untapped reserves of unmined planets and undiscovered systems within the Fertile Crescent, they've become the most richest power in the galaxy, with seemingly endless supplies of resources and vast quantities of wealth at their disposal.

## Overview

During the final days of the Sol-USR war, the Children of God death cult undertook a long and tedious process to transition away from a terrorist group to a legitimate galactic power. United under the leadership of the enigmatic Mahdi, he gave them a new purpose as they crowned him their king. Instead of terrorizing mankind over a centuries long grudge, they were to forgive them and make a new civilization in this new part of space they had been hiding in for years now. This meant getting rid of all the Ayatollah hardliners which made up their ruling class, but also pushing out any pirates around 'the pit' so they could establish their new home. However, during their war against piracy, they also made contact with other races and peoples within the quadrant. Some of them were heavily oppressed under pirate rule as slaves, others were still in the early stages of civilization, and others were survivors and remnants of failed empires that had collapsed. Seeing an opportunity, the Mahdi made a decree demanding they extend their hands to these peoples and to uplift them.

Not only did this fledgling Kingdom expand just to lend a helping hand to those in need around them, they also have another reason to stretch their borders: resources. The worlds around them were rich in resources, minerals, fuel deposits, and much more due to no one ever really mining for harvesting them. These worlds were either never inhabited, or passed over by any patrolling pirates whom didn't give them any second thought. Their plentiful resources were left to the new Achaemenids for the taking. This boom in newfound resources would help them accommodate each other, but also help them facilitate trade with their neighbors: the Upyri Federation and the Crimus.

With vast quantities of untapped resources within their borders and two trade partners by their side, the Achaemenids continue to strive towards making their land a home for those within the quadrant that were neglected and oppressed by piracy, tyranny, or both.

## Culture

Due to the Kingdom being the home to a host of races, there's not one homogenous culture that all of them share. Instead, a whole variety of cultures could be found within their borders depending on where you travel. Each race has their own customs, their own beliefs, their own languages, and their own ways, though some had to make some amends here and there to help facilitate membership within the Kingdom better. However, the most widespread culture that each race is familiar with, as well as forming the backbone of the Kingdom, is the Artisynth's Islamic culture that they've imported back from their time on Earth. Murals of Persian art can be found in any city the Artisynth patrol in, sophisticated calligraphy graces the walls, floors, and ceilings of government buildings, and even the Artisynth themselves have switched from speaking English to Farsi.

## Government

There are two levels of government within the Kingdom: the Padishah's throne and the Guardian Council. The Padishah is the ruling monarch of the Kingdom, and while this is supposed to be temporary until the kingdom is fully established and the races have all found their place within it, they enjoy absolute power and have mostly free reign to do whatever they please. However, standing between them and the common folk in the events the Padishah goes rogue is the Guardian Council. Forming the Guardian Council are all the kings, queens, presidents, and leaders of the various races within the Kingdom. Because the Mahdi did not want to be seen as an oppressor, he insisted the people should retain their rulers (unless the people demanded they be overthrown). Though they also have another purpose beyond serving as leaders for their people, but also as their representatives to the Padishah. Whenever they have a grievance, an idea, or wish to call attention to something, they're able to speak of it at the council and hopefully work together with the others in the council in order to find a solution. As for the Padishah, they work with him in creating fair laws that would affect the kingdom as a whole.

However, this only applies to races that are native to the quadrant. The Gozhu wanted to keep their king, and the Khakir decided to grant power to their head priestess, so they have those two as part of the council. Races such as Humans, Ayr, and Upyri, the three of which have sizeable communities within Achaemenid space, instead have their representation done by whichever leading figures are ruling whatever system they have made their homes in.

## Military

The Kingdom has three major branches of armed forces. The 'Narewha' to serve as its sword, the 'Basij' to serve as its shield, and the Achaemenid Artisynth Army to serve as the armor holding everything together.

### Achaemenid Artisynth Army

Just as the Artisynth are the backbone of the Kingdom, the same is also true for its military. The 'AAA' is an elite fighting force equipped with the best equipment the Kingdom can develop and consisting of the entirety of the Artisynth species. Every Artisynth, whether active duty or reserves, is a member and can be called into service at any time depending on the situation. Interestingly however, the AAA do not act like a standard military. Other armies that have deployed with them have noted how lax they are when not in combat; noticing how they don't even refer to their superior officers as "sir" but by their own names. Despite this, they are still quite disciplined and effective wherever and whenever they are deployed.

### Achaemenid 'Basij'

The first line of defense for the Kingdom. Though instead of acting like a specialized offensive unit, their duty is to protect the kingdom from any threats whether they be foreign or domestic. Unlike the AAA, the Basij consists of multiple races as they recruit from everywhere in their systems.

### Achaemenid 'Narewha'

Last and certainly not the least is the 'Narewha Terkeaba' or 'Combined Forces'. Just as their name implies, they're a combined force of various armies that the more advanced native races had during the time they joined the Achaemenids. They're still given a degree of independence and still follow whoever is acting as their ruler, but they all follow the same mission: fighting the enemies of the Padishah wherever they may be and keeping their homeland safe.

## Economy

The bulk of the Kingdom's economy lays on the backs of their mining industry and trade. Large mining corporations, many of which are domestic, work endlessly gathering resources not just for their own use, but to sell to other galactic powers that are interested in buying. There's an abundance of metals, of minerals, of fuels to be found in their borders, but none of it compares to their most sought after resource: a combustible liquid which burns like fuel, twice as powerful, yet degrades and is consumed very slowly. This new liquid makes actual fuel almost trivial and makes traveling through space much easier. While large amounts of this pseudo-fuel is used by the kingdom, they're also willing to sell containers of it to their three allies; the Crimus, the Upyri, and the Ayr.

## Relations with other galactic powers and entities

While the Kingdom is indeed new on the galactic stage, they've made quite the impression on a few of their neighbors already. The Crimus, whom they often trade with, the Upyri, whom are struggling with them against the KSM's nefarious activities, and the Ayr whom their founder wishes to be friends with.

### The Crimus

Located very close to their space, a unique fondness is held for the Crimus as they are the first ever trade partner of the Kingdom. Goods, money, and resources are often exchanged between the two, and tourism is encouraged.

### Upyri Federation

Much like the Crimus, the Upyri Federation also act as a good trade partner towards the Kingdom. However, relations tend to be soured every now and then by actions from the Ker Supremacy Movement. The KSM often interferes within their dealings by raiding merchant vessels to steal funds for their cause, targeting both Achaemenid and Federation diplomats, and even outright terrorism. Though as much as the KSM tries to muddy the water between them and the Federation, the KSM being a problem for both powers has brought them closer the more they work together to put an end to them for good.

### Ayr Empire

The relationship between the Ayr and the Achaemenids is rather peculiar, though it's one oddly personal for the Mahdi. While interactions between the two are all purely business, the Mahdi holds them in a very special regard; especially after having an audience with the Emperor himself. Seeing how the Emperor’s subjects give him only the highest respect and how his empire has lasted for thousands upon thousands of years instilled a sense of curiosity within the Mahdi. He too wishes to be loved dearly by his people, and he too wants the kingdom to last just as long. So he observes the Emperor closely, and learns from his example.

### Mercenary Groups and PMCs

For security reasons, some of which aren't helped by the hostile actions of the KSM, mercenary groups are forbidden from operating inside the Kingdom. Individual mercenaries are not barred from visiting however, so long as they aren't there on business terms. The only exception to this is Caine's Legion as after a meeting with the Padishah himself, he personally gave them approval to enact operations within their borders.

## Gallery

A Narewha mobile platform treads around the outskirts of a trade hub.More mobile defense platforms guarding a city.A view of a typical city within the Kingdom.Basij soldiers fending off a KSM terrorist attack.A soldier of the Narewha during a room clearing exercise.