Lore:Imperial Legion

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The Imperial Legion is the supreme military power of the Cyrodilic Empire of Tamriel; no other organized army in the world can match it in combat. The Legion works for the Imperial government, with support from the Emperor who is currently in power. In peace time, the Legionnaires serve as Guards, although in war, they have also been used as an invasion force.

In war, the Imperial Legion is a feared and unstoppable force. Their huge numbers and strict discipline cause even the most battle hardened army to question their tactics. The Imperial Legion attacks as just that: a legion. With wide ranks of hundreds of disciplined soldiers, the Imperial Legion is a force not to be trifled with.

The Imperial Legion sprang from the hardy stock of Colovia, the rugged highlanders with their Nordic blood. Complemented by the battlemages and sophistication of Nibenay, and inspired by the methods and equipment of the Akaviri, the Legion became a potent force in continental affairs during the reign of Reman I. Since the conquest of Tamriel, the Legion in the provinces has become a very cosmopolitan organization, made up of both homogeneous occupying units and unique auxiliary arms that employ local irregulars as agents.

The Imperial Legion itself is sub-divided into smaller armies, also called Legions, with numericals added for identification (for instance, the 10th Legion who fought on Akavir).

[edit] Notes

• The Imperial Legion was inspired by the Roman Legions who were the supreme military power in Ancient Europe. See here for early concept art.
• In the The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, the player could join the Imperial Legion, perform tasks for them and eventually rise in rank up to the highest one; the Knight Of The Imperial Dragon.
• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion gave the player no opportunity to join the Imperial Legion. Though perhaps not an official part of the legion, the Champion of the Order of the Dragon status awarded at the end of the main quest would seem to indicate some status amongst the Legion as it grants the wielder Imperial Armor.