Legio Imperallis
The Legio Imperallis, or Imperial Army, is an organization unlike any other in the Empire. While it consists of hundreds of thousands of highly skilled and expertly trained soldiers, it does not have any political power of its own, or control over how it is used. Control over its training, supply and deployment is held by the Empire Nobility, Inquisition and Adeptus Justicari. The Legio was born at the formation of the Empire and for a large part of its existence it was known as the Crusading Forces, led by the Inquisition and other churches. After the end of the third crusade however it was understood that control over the army needed to be separated from the Churches in order to avoid disasters cause by concentrating too much power in individuals.
After the soldiers are trained, they are organized into their military units, depending on the purpose of the training, that may be individual Imperial Squads to cover deployment losses, Imperial Centuries to fill in after an especially harsh battle, or even Imperial Regiments or Imperial Legions, though the latter are usually raised as a response to a new area that needs protecting or large scale threat.
In modern times, the largest force available to the Imperial Army is the Legion, which is made up of ten Regiments, which are made up of six Centuries, which are in turn made up of ten Squads. Each Squad is made up of ten Soldiers, and are an informal and peacetime deployment option, as such they do not have a leading officer. Above those, the Centuries are made up of a hundred soldiers, and are each led by a Centurion. A Regiment is made up of six centuries for a total of six hundred soldiers, and it is led by the most senior or prestigious of the Centurion attached to it. Finally, a Legion is comprised of ten Regiments, for a total of six thousand soldiers in total, and it is led by a General and his advisors. Sometimes a Legion can be split into two Half-Legion formations, although in such situations it is usually better for the Regiments to simply be split outside the Legion.
When deployed, the supply and support of the army is taken care of by the local Duke, Count or Baron, depending on the size and place of the army. This is done by the Imperial Guard, under the command of the local lord, who are responsible for creating and maintaining supply lines, as well as providing extra bodies for any combat that requires it. While a guard is not comparable to a soldier in training or equipment, they will take an arrow or rock to the head as well as anyone else.
Recruitment and Control
The recruitment is done by the Nobility from members of the Imperial Guard. The main sought after qualities are a strong mind, dedication, faith in the Empire, and strong will. They are then sent to the Adeptus Justicari temples to be trained, these temples are in large cities and generally slowly train large amounts of soldiers. Alternatively, a temple of Yiortis can be established in a city, train an amount of soldiers, and then the paladins leave with the order under the command of a General joined by the Grand Master of the Order.After the soldiers are trained, they are organized into their military units, depending on the purpose of the training, that may be individual Imperial Squads to cover deployment losses, Imperial Centuries to fill in after an especially harsh battle, or even Imperial Regiments or Imperial Legions, though the latter are usually raised as a response to a new area that needs protecting or large scale threat.
Organization
The largest unit in the Imperial Army's history is an Imperial Crusade. It consisted of every single soldier the Empire could muster, and was a force unlike any seen after the Schism. Led by the Warmaster, a position that was taken by the Arch Inquisitor or The Emperor in different times, the purpose of this force was to target a specific enemy, and destroy them, be it Kingdoms, Ancient Dragons, Undead Armies, or Orc and Goblin hordes. While effective, the Imperial Crusade was deemed to be too much of a risk, as putting such powers in the hands of a mere mortal was too much power. It has therefore been dissolved, and the formation of forces with more than one Legion is against Imperial Laws.In modern times, the largest force available to the Imperial Army is the Legion, which is made up of ten Regiments, which are made up of six Centuries, which are in turn made up of ten Squads. Each Squad is made up of ten Soldiers, and are an informal and peacetime deployment option, as such they do not have a leading officer. Above those, the Centuries are made up of a hundred soldiers, and are each led by a Centurion. A Regiment is made up of six centuries for a total of six hundred soldiers, and it is led by the most senior or prestigious of the Centurion attached to it. Finally, a Legion is comprised of ten Regiments, for a total of six thousand soldiers in total, and it is led by a General and his advisors. Sometimes a Legion can be split into two Half-Legion formations, although in such situations it is usually better for the Regiments to simply be split outside the Legion.
Deployment
All soldiers belong to a Legion, Legions are usually assigned partially or wholly to a Duke who has final say in their deployment. Usually a duke is assigned one full legion if there is expected danger is his domain, though some times legions will be split and handed over back to central command to be deployed elsewhere, if the duchy has not been faced with many enemies. The combat deployment is rather simple, with the legion being either split into regiments and deployed in different combats, or wholly deployed to a single engagement. During times of peace, or at least safety, it is customary to have a regiment staying at the duchy capitol to guard and resupply, rotating with another battered regiment when in full force. However, if the peacetime extends and the legion does not need to be formed, and no significant reinforcements needed, the regiments staying at the capitol might be split further and deployed to the larger cities of the duchy, as guards of particularly important places like temples and castles. This is however a best case scenario, and many times the regiments are split, need reinforcements, but recruitment lags behind due to reasons of politics of sheer bureaucratic incompetency.When deployed, the supply and support of the army is taken care of by the local Duke, Count or Baron, depending on the size and place of the army. This is done by the Imperial Guard, under the command of the local lord, who are responsible for creating and maintaining supply lines, as well as providing extra bodies for any combat that requires it. While a guard is not comparable to a soldier in training or equipment, they will take an arrow or rock to the head as well as anyone else.
Image Credits:
Header: Billy Christian
Sigil: Games Workshop
We are the Empire's Sword.
Founding Date
10 P.F.
Type
Military, Army
Alternative Names
Imperial army / Imperial Crusade (former)
Leader Title
Parent Organization
Subsidiary Organizations
Related Ranks & Titles
Notable Members
