Royal St Samuel Foreign Legion

The Royal St Samuel Foreign Legion is a unique elite unit within the St Samuel Army established in 1724 but tracing it's roots back to 11th century. It was created as a unit for foreign volunteers, when King Seakul was amassing a large invasion force.

It was primarily used to protect and expand the St Samuel empire. The Legion has remained an important part of the St Samuel Army to this day. The Legion is known to be an elite military unit whose training focuses not only on traditional military skills, but also on the building of a strong brotherhood mentality amongst members. As its men come from different countries with different cultures, this is a widely accepted solution to strengthen them enough to work as a team. Consequently, training is often described as not only physically hard, but also extremely psychologically stressful. Brutal training methods are frequently used and violence toward junior legionnaires is common.

History

The St Samuel foreign legion can trace it's roots back nearly a thousand years ago when Lord Garromianni of St Amand ammased a large mercenary army made up of mainly foreigners. At the conclusion of the Holdinia War, Lord Garromiannis' son, Levandia Garromianni, who was now Lord of the St Amand province disbanded much of the mercenary army, but retained around 1000 men who he made Knights. The large cavalry force was made up of Arabs from the west, Nicciriani barbarians, Ariddian and Isselmerian outcasts and Anguistian rebels. The army was to become known as the Knights of St Amand and swore loyalty to the Church of St Samuel, the King of St Samuel and the Lord of the province.

In 1123AD Lord Fracius Della Omisca, nephew of Lord Levandia Garromianni, became Lord of St Amand and therefore head of the Knights of St Amand. Fracius was a devout Catholic and combining Christian teachings with grueling training the Knights of St Amand in time became an elite fighting force, highly trained, well-equipped and highly motivated; one of the tenets of their religious order was that they were forbidden from retreating in battle. Even their horses were trained to fight in combat, kicking or biting the enemies. martyrdom in battle was one of the most glorious ways to die. Their code required them to stay on in battle almost to the point of recklessness.

In 1724, King Seakul began ammassing a large army. He orderd Lord Byron Cirenciester of St Amand to begin recruiting and training foreigners. Lord Byron founded and named a new legion which he named the Royal St Samuel Foreign Legion. By this time the Knights of St Amand were known as the St Amand Hussars and still used the basic principles that were used back when the Knights of St Amand were founded. The St Amand Hussars were amalgamated into the Royal St Samuel Foreign Legion but retained there elite cavalry status.

Composition

Current headquarters are in Fort Montoux

14th Royal St Samuel Foreign Legion

• 48th Royal Foreign Infantry Regiment, based in Fort Montoux, St Amand Province (Legion headquarters),
• 49th Royal Foreign Infantry Regiment, based in Fort Byron, Lyonais Province,
• 50th Royal Foreign Infantry Regiment, based overseas in Abu Omar,
• 51st Royal Foreign Infantry Regiment, based in Fort Messenza, Montbard Province (training);

15th Royal St Samuel Foreign Legion

• 52nd Royal Foreign Cavalry Regiment, based in Fort Montoux, St Amand Province (armoured troops),
• 53rd Royal Foreign Parachute Regiment, based overseas in Goddard Island;
• 54th Royal Foreign Parachute Regiment, based in based overseas in Samah Island;

16th Royal St Samuel Foreign Legion

• 55th Royal Foreign Engineer Regiment, based in Peringe, Ector-de-Maris Province;
• 56th Royal Foreign Engineer Regiment, based in Morento, De Vere Province;

Membership

While most of its commissioned officers are Samuelonian, approximately 10% are former Legionnaires who have risen through the ranks. The rest of the Legion is made up of men from a wide variety of nationalities. The foreign volunteers are primarily from the Saint Holden region.

The Legion's ranks historically were filled with enlistees from countries which were undergoing some sort of crisis. While no serious studies were made of the motives for enlistment it seems likely that many recruits were simply transient foreigners who found themselves in St Samuel and out of work. The Legion has a reputation for attracting criminals on the run and would-be mercenaries.

After serving in the Legion for 10 years, a legionnaire may apply for St Samuel citizenship. He must have served with respect and honour for his period in order to be considered for citizenship. Furthermore, a soldier who becomes injured during a battle for St Samuel, can apply for citizenship under a provision known as “A King's son by spilled blood.”

In 2007 a large international recruitment drive saw 500 Angaorian and 400 Calizorinstani nationals join the prestigous Royal Foreign Legion. Other nationalities represented in the Legion are from Dai Yudda Ossyria Altanar, Fedorian, Kurona, Kirav, Xirya, Kyshynska, Altoarbourea and Kotavora.