Imperial Legion (club/faction)

[Br3admax]

Well it seems that the Legionaries are more or less, just Cyrodill's protectors and army, sorry if I wasn't clear, but I was trying to ask that if say a certain group of people attacked a certain group of people, would they, the Empire, all go under the banner of the Legion, Or would they have an army from every province fighting?

[House of the Wolf]

Both. The Empire allowed, in certain provinces, official militias to be formed and maintained, while forcing them to agree that the Legion was the primary security force.

[ArgonianDunmer]

Ah, but I actually explained that if you read through my post again.

I'm saying the Oblivion style plain armors existed alongside the knightly, ceremonial armors from Morrowind, because those armors were for show. They were to impress the Dark Elves. That branch of the Legion was also associated with the Imperial Knights, a group whose membership overlaps strongly with the Legion but is a distinct entity.

Notice how the Imperial uniforms in Redguard were also very flashy and Romanesque. I imagine that in the Septim empire, flashy uniforms with gold and silver finishes were sort of a walking symbol to the enemies of the Empire that they were dealing with a wealthy, prosperous and proud nation. Such stylish uniforms weren't needed in the heart land, although the Palace guards wore relatively flashy uniforms.

I believe that during Reman's time, most of the Imperial armies would have used Akaviri equipment, after the Dragonguard surrendered, and before that the type of plate armor Pelinal Whitestrake used, since the Song of Pelinal implies his armor came from Reman's time period, and Reman's father was a questing knight named Hrol.

But while we do see armor variants in Morrowind that differentiate between rank and file and the Knights and other Officers, we know that the legion had probably its biggest presence in Morrowind of all the provinces due to the armistice treaty and subsequently one has to assume that if the Morrowind legions were outfitted with non-standard armor and equipment it would have had to be done at great expense and effort to the empire, which leads me to believe that their gear wasn't necessarily unique to the region but fairly standard for most of its legions. If this were the case, then was the decision regarding the Cyrodiil legion made because this armor variant was more practical, more cost effective, or for some other reason? However, critics of the legion's involvement in Morrowind have criticised it as a waste of resources, one would assume due to predominately man power, but perhaps this might indicate a financial cost which would support your theory?

[Br3admax]

During the time of Oblivion, it is safe to assume that the Legion's strongest presence would be in the Imperial Province. Imperials, at the time, were skilled in the use of heavy armor and melee weapons. Because every Legionaries was an Imperial, it would do best to outfit the Legion in equipment that best benefited the people as well as able to be massed produced. There is also the chance that following Morrowind, the Empire reached a state of prosperity that they had not felt in centuries. They may have had the materials to better outfit there soldiers. Then once Oblivion happens, combined with the Great War and the need for almost every man and women of battle age to prepare for battle, the Legion had to outfit it's Legionaries with equipment that was relatively cheap. Heavy armor often slows down the wearer, and the primary Aldmeri weapon of long range, is magic. Armor does little to protect from magic, but the ability to move quickly must have been essential. This means that after this point, the Legion must have chosen to stick with the traditional way to make armor as it was shown to be both cost and battle effective.

[Pilaf The Defiler]

During the time of Oblivion, it is safe to assume that the Legion's strongest presence would be in the Imperial Province.

It's not safe to assume that at all, especially since Ocato flat out stated that the bulk of the Legions were deployed in other provinces and he could not spare any troops for the Battle of Bruma. This is a piece of dialogue from the main quest, straight from the Chancellor's mouth. I consider it to be trustworthy.

Imperials, at the time, were skilled in the use of heavy armor and melee weapons. Because every Legionaries was an Imperial, it would do best to outfit the Legion in equipment that best benefited the people as well as able to be massed produced.

I'm not sure what you're getting at by "every Legionaire was an Imperial." That's a game mechanic, not lore. The Legions are populated by members of all races, but in the Imperial province I'd assume the majority of them would be Cyrodills, largely Colovians.

There is also the chance that following Morrowind, the Empire reached a state of prosperity that they had not felt in centuries. They may have had the materials to better outfit there soldiers. Then once Oblivion happens, combined with the Great War and the need for almost every man and women of battle age to prepare for battle, the Legion had to outfit it's Legionaries with equipment that was relatively cheap. Heavy armor often slows down the wearer, and the primary Aldmeri weapon of long range, is magic. Armor does little to protect from magic, but the ability to move quickly must have been essential. This means that after this point, the Legion must have chosen to stick with the traditional way to make armor as it was shown to be both cost and battle effective.

I'd say after the Nerevarine's actions, the need for a showy and expensive Imperial Legion presence in Morrowind reduced dramatically. It was implied that Hlaalu had already become the dominant political power by the time of Uriel's assassination. The switch to simpler and less showy iron and steel armors would have possibly already begun.


I still insist the new design we see from Skyrim must have something to do with Titus Mede's reforms. The Great War could have influenced it as well. There were simply 200 years between TES IV and TES V, and armor styles evolve through time. On the other hand, the Imperial bow and sword are remarkably uniform through all the eras, it seems. I suppose these simple and effective designs didn't require much tampering with, but the modern Imperial armor, especially the lightest variation, seems to have come about due to the practicalities of prolonged warfare.

snip

Cyrodill was considered the "safest" Province, being the seat of Imperial power. Far less money had to be spent on impressing the locals when they already accept the premise of what the Legion stands for. They don't need to be impressed. They just need the soldiers and patrol men to do their jobs. It's like the difference between the dress uniforms of Marines in parades and their combat fatigues. You want to spend the most money and use the finest materials when impressing an audience that you don't see regularly, and is less removed from the day to day activities of your organization. Since the heart of the Legion is in Cyrodill, the soldiers there would rarely be in dress uniforms and would simply be working to secure the counties of their own people, like nine to five policemen.

[Anonymous98223]

During the time of Oblivion, it is safe to assume that the Legion's strongest presence would be in the Imperial Province.

It's not safe to assume that at all, especially since Ocato flat out stated that the bulk of the Legions were deployed in other provinces and he could not spare any troops for the Battle of Bruma. This is a piece of dialogue from the main quest, straight from the Chancellor's mouth. I consider it to be trustworthy.

This reminds me of how the Roman Empire operated. They would garrison the majority of their legions on their exterior provinces, and as you went farther in the amount of legions would decrease, at least according to this book I have.

[OblivionDuruza]

During the time of Oblivion, it is safe to assume that the Legion's strongest presence would be in the Imperial Province.

It's not safe to assume that at all, especially since Ocato flat out stated that the bulk of the Legions were deployed in other provinces and he could not spare any troops for the Battle of Bruma. This is a piece of dialogue from the main quest, straight from the Chancellor's mouth. I consider it to be trustworthy.

This. We know for a fact the Legion was heavily invested in Morrowind, with four full garrisons and one undermanned one on Vvardenfell alone. Ordo Legionis. Additionally:

And the cost of establishing and maintaining the garrisons of the Imperial legion in the far-flung wilderness posts of these provinces would be cost-effective only if there were evidence of a military threat from the East. But no such evidence exits. No army of Morrowind or Black Marsh has ever threatened the security of any other Imperial province, let alone the security of Cyrodiil itself.

In fact, a greater threat to Imperial security lies in the idle legions that the taxpayer spends thousands of drakes to support. The generals of these legions, facing no enemies or opposition within the borders of their provinces, may look with ambition to the West. With their loyal veteran troops and coffers fattened by friendly monopolists, they become unpredictable political factors in the uncertainties surrounding the Imperial succession.

Which I'll note is a fascinating little book, which might be taken as a commentary on involvement in certain nations by other certain nations in today's time period.

[DikaSmausha]

Alright guys, I am going to start the RP soon.

[OblivionDuruza]

You should go ahead and do it, or at least discuss it in the Future RPs Sticky. It might be prudent to develop a chaacter sheet of some sort and if you need any help doing that, I'd be more than happy to lend a hand.

[DikaSmausha]

Actually, I would like the help. If you could, just PM me any suggestions.

[DikaSmausha]

OKay guys, final question about the RP. Civil War or earlier?

[Hissien]

Start slightly before it maybe? OR set it during the early stages of it.

Edit: Yea i actually think it would be better to start after helgen

[Velvet LeChance]

Straight after the events if Helgen. During the early stages of the war the Empire lost a lot of territory and gained very little. The opening hundred pages or so of the RP would consist if numerous retreats and lots of deaths.

[Rook]

I agree with Velvet. Right after the events of Helgen would be a good time.

[philfredobob]

My vote goes to During the Skyrim civil war, as well

like the other guy said , after helgen

[Derp53]

Straight after the events if Helgen. During the early stages of the war the Empire lost a lot of territory and gained very little. The opening hundred pages or so of the RP would consist if numerous retreats and lots of deaths.

Sorry, OPENING 100? Very few RP's get there quickly.

lets keep things in perspective, I'm very interested in a legion RP and we need to first decide the setting and character limit before we can consider reaching 100 pages

[Velvet LeChance]

It was a slight exaggeration I was just trying to make a point. The begining of the civil war consisted of a lot of losses and deaths for the Imperial side. If we were to start an RP at that time the opening pages would just be constant retreats, which would become boring and repetitive.

Setting is the civil war? Characters is the easy bit, a lot of them are already in the game and like any RP we'll make our own.

[DikaSmausha]

Guys, give any opinions you want for it, I need everyone's so I can start it.

[Eltee]

First, what you really need is an experienced forum RPing DM.

[Hissien]

*cough* eltee *cough*

[DikaSmausha]

I don't care who DM's, but I could be pretty good I think. How will I ever get better if I'm not allowed to DM?

[DikaSmausha]

Some.

[Pilaf The Defiler]

Why does there even have to BE a Helgen?

We're limiting ourselves through game mechanics already. Tisk tisk.

How unimaginative.

But this is you guys' game. I'm just along for the ride. I don't want to be in charge of anything. I've never been incompetent enough to get those positions in life.

[DikaSmausha]

Yeah honestly I would prefer something earlier but it is whatever everyone wants.

[Pilaf The Defiler]

No, what I'm saying is...why do events have to unfold that way?

Why does Alduin or Helgen need to be a part of this?

Am I the only one who thinks it's far more interesting to either have that happen before or later, or not be a factor at all?