The Dikastes (pronounced dih-KAS-tees) are an Ephardian military unit. Membership is hereditary, with each soldier replaced by their most skilled descendant. The Dikastes serve as guards for the ruler of the nation and their palace in Elos, rarely venturing outside the city unless a threat arises. All Dikastes abide by a strict code emphasizing loyalty to Ephardia and their fellow soldiers - infractions, on the rare occasions they occur, are punished swiftly and harshly. Their professionalism and penchant for insularity if not outright secrecy sets them strongly apart from the rest of Ephardia's military, which is largely made up of citizen militias. The unit trains primarily in traditional Hellean spear and shield techniques, though they are also known to be expert fighters with swords and bows. Many are accomplished mages as well who can blend their magic into their martial ways.
The Dikastes live and train in Shield-Bearer's Hill, a neighborhood of Elos that is effectively its own walled city, separated from the rest of the capital by ancient tall stone fortifications. Inside the walls are houses, barracks, common living spaces, training fields, and everything else required to maintain a city within a city. Rumors have it that the Dikastes have stockpiled enough supplies to withstand a decade-long siege, though none can prove such speculation as the soldiers refuse all outsiders entry to Shield-Bearer's Hill. In the inside of the northern face of their fortifications lies the Bronze Wall, an ornately decorated sheet of metal upon which the name of every member of the Dikastes past and present is said to be inscribed.
Unofficially, the Dikastes have incredible sway in the government of Ephardia. All prospective rulers of the nation must seek and receive the support of the Dikastes. Without their explicit approval, any ruler inevitably finds themselves deposed.
In their hereditary practices, the Dikastes claim to be following an unbroken military tradition that dates back to the days of Eurykrates' Grand Empire of Hellea. According to their records their unit was first formed in Y6586* to guard what was then the northwestern frontier of Hellean civilization.