Arcadian Imperial Fleet

Organisation
The Arcadian Imperial Fleet is a standing force dedicated to the defence of the Arcadian Empire. They were formerly the Household troops of the now defunct Imperial House. Following the ascent of Emperor Lugis of House Tartresis, this force acquired a small degree of independence, though the Emperor is still their Commander-in-Chief. In the current Emperor's reign, the Imperial Fleet has provided most of its service as a mix of 'Federal Law Enforcement' equivalent, and a more-or-less trusted independent force that can mediate between quarrelsome Houses.

As of now, the Imperial Fleet is in complete disarray. It has lost most of its Morshadd-based facilities, and at least two of its vessels have been seized by the Morshadd Commune.

Active Classes

 * Sandworm - Capital ship
 * Coyote - Cruiser
 * Lizard - Frigate
 * Lizard-T - Frigate
 * Vulture - Old Frigate

Facilities

 * Morshadd Starbase
 * Morshadd Fleetyard

Officers
The Imperial Academy of Strategy on Morshadd existed for eligible personnel to attend and acquire a direct commission into His Arcadian Majesty's Imperial Fleet. A great proportion of nobles attend, though most only commit to the minimum term of service, often in orbital facilities in their home systems rather than on starships. However, commoners may also attend, if they pass aptitude tests, and their families either hold land, or they can acquire an Imperial Scholarship. These commoners form the backbone of the Imperial Fleet's spacegoing officer corps.

Warrants
A Warrant Officer, or more commonly simply a Warrant, is a mid-class between Officer and Enlisted. They are almost never noble in birth, but they are subject matter experts, so even the progeny of a Duke is well-advised to heed them. Indeed, a commander who is informed by a Warrant that a noble under their command has disdained a Warrant's expert advice is liable to be carpeted and strips flayed off them if they cannot provide good, grounded reason for having done so.

A Warrant may either rise through the ranks of the Ratings via acquiring experience and/or attending training courses hosted by the Fleet, or via Direct Entry for a recognised expert. In either case, a Warrant, especially one of high grade, is a very well remunerated position.

Ratings
Ratings are seldom trusted with much responsibility, but are closely supervised by Warrants and Officers. All ratings are commoners, who pass through a two year course. Although entry-level Ratings are fairly poorly treated, there is still considerable room for a commoner to set themselves up for life by progressing up the ranks, or especially by studying hard and becoming a Warrant.

See also: Arcadian Noble Houses, Arcadian House Fleets