Priam

Priam History: Priam appears to have housed a central garrison for the Gemini systems prior to the sundering. The Lycurgans hold that they, the descendants of that garrison, came from a slave army, given their freedom in exchange for honorable service. The truth of this will likely never be known. Nevertheless, during the upheavals surrounding the sundering, Priam appears to have emerged almost unscathed. At this time, it appears that the Lycurgans quickly organized themselves into a militaristic aristocracy, complete with a king, and suppressed all military or violent uprising on the planet. Although they did subdue the entire planet, they then proceeded to carve out a section of the planet for themselves, allowing the other cities and groups on the planet to organize themselves as they saw fit. In short order, two democracies emerged: throughout their history, these have remained miraculously unmollested by the Lycurgans, although both willingly submitted themselves to pay tribute to the Lycurgan king, which they do to this day.
Having quickly contained the situation on their own planet, the Lycurgans, apparently hungry for action, sent many expeditions to the other planets in the Castor system to see to affairs there. Thus began the long and storied role of the Lycurgans as the Gemini's best mercenaries (and undoubtedly the best military force period). Throughout the history of the Gemini, the lycurgans have served, and continue to serve as the military enforcers of the megacorps, as enforcers for the Aeneans, and as defenders of merchants against piracy.

Politics: The lycurgans are a monarchy, although the exact workings of their government are complex: the king is elected from the highest ranking officials, and may never come from the same bloodline as the previous king. The king rules for life, and has supreme power, but social taboos prevent him from interfering significantly in the affairs of each nobleman's domain except in extraordinary circumstances. Lycurgan society is carefully stratified, with all actual lycurgan citizens aristocracy of some sort, ruling over peasantry, artisans, and merchants, as well as slaves. All members of the aristocracy must serve in the Lycurgan military for a minimum of 15 years, beginning at age 18: most marry and beget their first child before that point.

Military: The Lycurgan military is well trained, well organized, superbly led, and nearly fearless, but very small. Lycurgans are organized in ten man units, the smallest mercenary force they hire out. The military is centrally composed on the aristocracy, but is actually bolstered significantly by Men-at-Arms: non aristrocratic retainers of the aristocrats that serve in exchange for improved rights, pay, and the opportunity for social advancement. The Lycurgan military contains no navy, and even their number of atmospheric fighters is not large, (although these craft are of superb quality): the Lycurgans supply men, not vehicles (although they are trained in the use of many fighting vehicles). Much of their equipment dates from the sundering, and is maintained in a semi-religious manner, while new equipment is always bought from top of the line stocks from the megacorps.

Technology: The Lycurgans do little technological development themselves: they receive significant tribute and do a lively trade in a variety of goods, notably agricultural products, and they make significant profit from their military exploits: much of this money goes to purchase top end technologies. Priam is a very beautiful planet, and it is considered the prime luxury vacation destination for all the rich folk of the Gemini (another significant source of income): thus besides military technology, much of the fanciest things from the luxury market find themselves here. The Lycurgan Kings have long been known as masters of diplomacy, and the king personally entertains many of the rich visitors, negotiating for the benefit of his people. Although the lycurgans have access to genetic and cybernetic technologies, they rarely employ them: in general, the Lycurgans prefer to let technology enter their own lives as little as possible.