High Imperial Vanguard

The High Imperial Vanguard is an elite unit of shock troops outside the standard numerian military structure, taking orders directly from the emperor. Founded by emperor Numerius II, the High Vanguard reflects his policy and ideology of aggressive expansionism in order to institute the Numerian peace, an idea of a diverse yet unified world empire that will keep its various peoples from fighting among each other. The Vanguard is meant to signify this ideology in practically replacing the traditionally defensive imperial guard, reducing it to a mere contingent of bodyguards, whilst leading the charge in the emperor's name.
Numerius formed the vanguard during the War of the Verdant at the behest of his close friend and personal advisor, lord Palmeron Mennius. Mennius argued that whilst the new imperial military model based on legions was effective, it weakened the traditional feudal military structure with its focus on professional soldiers and commissioned officers that could be picked based on merit rather than birth. Mennius proposed that the emperor should have an elite unit at the tip of the numerian spear that would outshine the rest of the soldiers, not only inspiring them to follow but also directly representing the power of the emperor and his superiority over the commanders and their soldiers.
Numerius heeded this call and tasked his advisors with finding veterans with outstanding military careers, as well as drill sergeants and other crucial military personnel of the highest quality to train a regiment of troops that would be worthy of representing the emperor himself.
Comprised of an ideal ratio of distinguished, experienced soldiers and officers and highly trained fresh blood, as well as receiving the best weapons and armor the empire could grant, in a few months time the High Imperial Vanguard was founded and ordered on its first proper battlefield assignment at the center of the numerian line during the battle known as the Battle of Shallowgrave crossing. There, the vanguard would serve well, but would not distinguish itself as the imperial court expected. The commanders and officers ensured the emperor that the soldiers merely need to gain some experience fighting together and that they already performed better than any other new unit in its first battle. Some objected to this view, however, the emperor's favorable approach to his personal unit kept the voices silent.
The vanguard's next showing would, however, turn out to be a catastrophe. The legionary army, led by the emperor himself, would fall into a cunning ambush by the enemy and a chaotic melee would take place. Numerius would order his vanguard to break through a weak point in enemy ranks and would attempt to divert the enemies' reinforcements from reaching the site, sacrificing an almost entire legion the process. However, the vanguard's repeated charges against the enemy encirclement failed and the emperor was forced to break out through his rear and sound a retreat that cost him a large number of troops. This time, the vanguard's supposed failure was not suffered silently. The imperial court exploded with accusations and calls for the vanguard to be dismantled and the commanders and officers tried for disgracing the emperor's name.
Numerius was hesitant to punish his soldiers, knowing all too well that the battle was unwinnable and understanding the risk he took when ordering the vanguard to break through the enemy lines, but he could not risk shifting the blame for the defeat on himself and risk the stability of his rule. In order to quell the unrest at his court, he temporarily dismantled the vanguard, which would calm down most of his subjects, whilst those who demanded a more severe sentence would lose most of their support and give up their cause.
With the emperor's blessing, Mennius would investigate why his project failed and would embark on an effort to renew the vanguard better and stronger than it was before.
The vanguard would be reformed nearly two years later, to loud protests from some of the court. Numerius, however, would welcome his chosen soldiers back and introduce some changes in the unit's structure and training that were suggested by Mennius.
The vanguard finally saw success that silenced its opposition at the battle of Mennia, where it would establish the feared Numerian spear by heading the army in a terrifying charge that broke the enemy ranks in half and caused them to rout.
The High Imperial Vanguard served emperor Numerius II for the next 38 years with a stellar military record and would become a legendary body of troops second in reputation only to the Palatine Order. Whilst its efficiency somewhat diminished during later emperors, the Vanguard still remained the most elite and intimidating force of the empire until its dissolution nearly two centuries later.

Composition

Manpower

Infantry: 2000-3000 during Numerius II; 500 - 4500 during later emperors Cavalry: usually 500-1000, light to heavy ratio 3:1

Equipment

Heavy chainmail with partial plate armor; The vanguard also had a military engineer division handling road and fort building and sieges and carrying all the necessary

Weaponry

Heavy chainmail with partial plate armor; Elongated, heavy rectangular shields (infantry Kite shields (cavalry 4 meter steel tipped spear (infantry heavy lance (heavy cavalry light cavalry spear (light cavalry Shortsword (infantry longsword (cavalry Crossbows for hunting and occasional combat use; The engineer corps has siege engines based on the nature of expected combat;

Structure

The Emperor and his general staff/commissioned general of the army Vanguard commander
Lieutenant commanders (infantry) Standarii (nom. Standardius; infantry field officers) Stilarii (nom. Stilarius; field infantry soldiers)
Lieutenant commander (cavalry) Ecustratii (nom. Ecustratius; cavalry field officers) Carodii (nom. Carodius; heavy cavalry) Equinii (nom. Equinus; light cavalry)

Tactics

The infantry, despite being heavy, are trained and conditioned to attack and push the enemy back; The heavy cavalry provides extra charging power where necessary and can engage in hammer and anvil tactics if the infantry gets bogged down during an assault; The light cavalry harasses the enemy light infantry and ranged troops, as well as assists the rest of the vanguard when required to do so;

Type

Shock

Overall training Level

Elite

Assumed Veterancy

Decorated/Honored