Imperial Legion

"Upon my honor I do swear undying loyalty to the Emperor, and unwavering obedience to the officers of his great Empire. May those above judge me, and those below take me, if I fail in my duty. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empire!"

- The Legion's Oath

The Imperial Legion, Imperial Army, or Ruby Ranks is the main armed force of the Reman Empire and the Third Empire of Cyrodiil, and is a large military organization in  universe. The patron deity of the Imperial Legion is Stendarr, god of Justice and Mercy.

By game

 * Imperial Legion (Redguard)
 * Imperial Legion (Morrowind)
 * Imperial Legion (Oblivion)
 * Imperial Legion (Skyrim)
 * Imperial Legion (Online)

Background
Taking inspiration from the real-world ancient Roman military, the Imperial Legion similarly proclaims itself to be the most disciplined and effective military & police force in history, and that it preserves the peace and rule of law in the Empire. In, the Nerevarine may join the Legion, perform tasks for them, and eventually rise in rank up to the highest one, the "Knight of the Imperial Dragon." While playing heavily into the previous installment of the series, Morrowind's sequel,, featured the Legion, yet gave the Hero of Kvatch no opportunity to sign up as a legionnaire. In, the Dragonborn can join the Legion regardless of who they sided with in "Unbound." The Legion also captured and attempted to behead the Dragonborn upon entering Skyrim, beginning the game, because they believe that they are affiliated with the Stormcloaks, along with Lokir, Ralof, and Ulfric Stormcloak.

Alessian Empire
The predecessor to the Imperial Legions were the Alessian Legions. These Legions were led by Morihaus during their siege of the White-Gold Tower against the Ayleids. The Alessian Empire had slave camps, where people who had to serve as slaves were brought to. During one of the cohort patrols in High Rock, some Legionnaires were killed by a band of mercenaries. The mercenaries had little success, as their attacks were parried and blocked, while getting cut down. In Skyrim, the Legions fought against Kjoric the White, and successfully killed the King during the Battle of Sungard. While the Pact of Chieftains was electing his successor, the Legions were also reclaiming the southern lands of Skyrim that it had lost. One of the key elements marking the end of the Alessian Empire was the failed invasion of the Colovian Estates. The Emperor Gorieus, following years of disease and the king of Skingrad being new, thought to unify Cyrodiil through the use of the Legions. He marched to Skingrad with overwhelming numbers, but was ambushed. When King Rislav of Skingrad spoke to the Emperor, he let his hawk fly, a signal his archers had been waiting for. While the Legions were in the pass, they had nowhere to go and were easy targets for the Colovian archers. After a long chase by the Legions in an attempt to slay Rislav, they met the army of Kvatch, the Legions likely still outnumbered their foe, but they were exhausted and morale was low. After an hour of fighting, they fled to what is now the Imperial Reserve, and went further north and east from there. Another noteworthy battle in High Rock is the Battle of Glenumbra Moors, where the Direnni and the Bretons fought against the Alessian forces. Hoag Merkiller, High King of the Nords, was also slain in this battle.

Blackwater War
During the First Era, the Imperial Legion existed as part of the Reman Empire. A notable war in the First Era called the Blackwater War erupted around 1E 2811, during which the Fourth Legion attempted to take and maintain control over Black Marsh. Their Argonian opponents, however, were easily able to use the Legion's ineffective equipment and tactics in the swamps to their advantage.

By 1E 2820, the forces in Black Marsh had been destroyed. By 1E 2823, the Legion had adapted to Black Marsh's climate with more fitting equipment and tactics. In 1E 2828, the Legion accidentally started a massive fire known as the "Great Burn," which destroyed a significant portion of the province during its three-year rampage, again forcing the Legion to retreat. However, by 1E 2837 the Legion had won the war and officially claimed Black Marsh for the Empire.

Three Banners War
During the Alliance War, the Imperial Legion was mostly fighting the Daedra invading the Imperial City. Despite this, the Legions were also fighting the other alliances, mainly the Daggerfall Covenant. The Legion was also divided into two; those who sided with Molag Bal, and those who continued to fight against Molag Bal and the Daedra.

Daggerfall Covenant
In the lands of High Rock, the Seventh Legion held the Bangkorai Garrison, effectively blocking off half of the Bangkorai region from Covenant reinforcements. The Legion was also making headway to capturing the city of Evermore, largely through the aid of spies and its duke, Duke Renchant, being cooperative. However, this attempt failed, and in a supposed parley, Septima Tharn demanded the unconditional surrender of Evermore. Queen Arzhela tried to stab Septima in her rage, but Septima was using an illusion, after this the Seventh Legion tried to kill the Queen. In this same region, they raided the Knights of Saint Pelin at Martyr's Crossing, and stole their supplies. They did this due to Martyr's Crossing being an important trade route between north- and south Bangkorai. The last of the Legion's known successes is the capturing of Hallin's Stand, also in Bangkorai, due to the Hall of Heroes being located close to it. Their success is attributed due to them attacking at night and due to working with a spy. High Rock wasn't the only province plagued by the Legion, in the province of Hammerfell, the Legion held Satakalaam, due to them being in league with the Withered Hand.

Aldmeri Dominion
While nowhere near as significant as its victories against the Covenant, the Legion also held a bit of territory in Aldmeri lands. The Legion held the city of Arenthia and the Vile Manse with Colovian Legions and were making headway to conquering Vinedusk Village. Their forces used in their assault of the village were stationed in an encampment located just outside the city. The Legion also held some minor territory in Malabal Tor, in the Crimson Cove. These soldiers were known as Crimson Raiders, and were originally suspected to be pirates. They had been raiding ships of the Dominion, sometimes up to a dozen a month.

Ebonheart Pact
Unlike the Dominion and the Covenant, the Pact was untouched by the Legions' forces.

Cyrodiil
In the province of Cyrodiil, a lot of the Legion was in active duty. Legion forces were scattered across the wilds to keep an eye out for Pact, Covenant and Dominion movement. The Legions also engaged in combat with Covenant, Pact and Dominion units. Specifically, the Legion under the command of Captain Jena Apinia, who eventually fled the Imperial City when her Legion was on a break, due to the Planemeld starting. In their retreat they exterminated over half of Bravil's population, due to what they considered was the only way possible to prevent the people (and soldiers) from starving, while others, including Queen Ayrenn, took to calling it a massacre and labeled the Captain as a war criminal. The bulk of this Legion was eventually sent to retake the city, adding more Legion soldiers to the fight on the Imperial Bridges, who were trying to kill Molag Bal's Daedra despite being unable to get over to the island through normal means. In the Imperial City itself, the vast majority of Legion Zero had already betrayed the Empire, and sworn loyalty to Mannimarco and his Worm Cult, as well as Molag Bal, except for a handful of Legion soldiers, who made an improvised garrison in the Nobles District. In the city of Cheydinhal, a rebellion broke out as a result of the Legionnaires stationed there going rogue after the Empire's collapse. The reason as to why the rebellion broke out is not clear. One of the rebel leaders claims it is for domination over Cheydinhal and nothing else, the other claims it was because the soldiers forced the townsfolk to keep them fed, and because of forceful enlistment.

Tiber Wars
After the Alliance War had ended, Tamriel was at relative peace. Tiber Septim, who had been a General of Cuhlecain in the past, became Emperor after the death of his lord. The Tiber Wars were a result of Tiber Septim being set on his path to conqeur Tamriel by the Greybeards. It started in 2E 854 or 2E 855 and lasted until 3E 0.

After Tiber Septim beat the Nord-Breton alliance at Sancre Tor, he had the troops needed to conquer the Heartlands from the Imperial Battlemages. After Cyrodiil had been unified Cuhlecain died. Talos was then crowned Emperor by Zurin Arctus, his battlemage. Septim found the initial administration of a fully united Cyrodiil a time-consuming task, as such, he sent the Underking to deal with the Imperial expansion into the provinces of High Rock and Skyrim.

High Rock was easily conqeured by the Empire, and the Bretons were largely welcoming of the new Empire. The governor of High Rock, Titus Alorius, put down most rebels in the land, and resolved the feuding between kings with tact and skill, which resulted in the Empire being seen positively. By 2E 864, High Rock was solidified by the Empire.

Skyrim's conquest is largely unknown. What is known is that Hammerfell's conquest made Skyrim's look like a ballet. It is also known that the Warchiefs of Danstrar fought against Septim's forces. After Skyrim was conquered, the Nord Kings expected to outlast Septim's Empire, just as they had done with the previous ones.

Black Marsh was the third nation to be invaded and conqeured by Tiber Septim. Combat between the Legions and Argonians was recorded in 2E 861. Tiber Septim invaded the coastlines of Black Marsh, but avoided the unimportant inner swamps. Most of Black Marsh eventually joined through a treaty.

Hammerfell was the next nation to fall to Talosian conquest. The High King of Hammerfell, Thassad II, feared Imperial invasion. In order to prevent the Empire from invading Hammerfell, he signed a pact with the Forebears to ensure unity. After the death of Thassad, this pact turned void, as the Crowns and Forebears both tried to claim ownership over Hammerfell. The Forebears were losing the war, and when defeat was certain, they signed a pact with the Emperor, to allow his Legions to claim parts of Hammerfell in return for his aid during their Civil War. When Baron Volag disappeared at the end of the war, these terms were rendered void, and all of Hammerfell was claimed by the Empire. After a civil war on Stros M'Kai proved successful, Sentinel followed in its steps. Tiber Septim, not wanting Hammerfell to rebel against him, came to Stros M'Kai to negotiate the terms of the Treaty of Stros M'kai with Baron Volag and Iszara.

With Morrowind surrounded by Imperial territory, Septim decided to launch an invasion on Morrowind. The Legions assembled at the border between Cyrodiil and Morrowind, and invasion fleets prepared in Skyrim. The Dunmer were not united in their ideas of how to act. The Telvanni remained neutral, Hlaalu proposed accommodation, while the Dres, Redoran, and Indoril wanted to fight until the death. Small border skirmishes took place between the Legions and Dunmer in Black Marsh, but the swampy terrain did not suit either for warfare. To combat the Legions near Blacklight, Kragenmoor, Cormar View, and Silgrad Tower, the Dunmer only had small militias aided by Redoran Mercenaries and House nobles, alongside Buoyant Armigers and Ordinators. This became even more troubling for the Dunmer when only the Redoran wanted to defend the western border, as the Indoril and Dres wanted to wage a guerilla war against the Empire. One of the battles that took place during these wars was the battle of Mournhold, which laid waste to the city. When Vivec himself appeared to announce that Morrowind would join the Empire under gracious circumstances to the native people, he was met with an awkward silence. The Dres and Indoril still stood strong in wishing to resist to the death, while the Redoran, who now had an excuse to not lose most of their territory, joined the side of House Hlaalu in supporting accommodation. The Telvanni, seeing which way the situation was going, also joined the Hlaalu in supporting accommodation. Many of the Indoril, after being forced into joining the Empire, committed suicide, resulting in the Hlaalu gaining a lot of power in Morrowind.

The next province to fall was either Elsweyr or Valenwood.

Elsweyr had a pact with the Second Aldmeri Dominion, a military alliance. The city of Senchal was raided by the Third Legion after the city had refused to surrender. When Elsweyr fell exactly is unknown.

Valenwood had joined the Dominion as a result of the Thalmor gaining power in Valenwood with the support of Camoran Anaxemes. When the Third Empire started to take shape, the Dominion tightened its grip on Valenwood, Bosmer tribes fought against Colovian forces along the Strid River, until the Empire became unified. Both sides then made up camp at their sides of the border, both waiting for the decisive battle. When the Dominion tried to fight the Empire's forces they lost a great many times, with the Colovians calling them the "Old Mary Dominion," as a reference to the weak offense the Dominion offered on the land. Contrary to the land battles, at sea the Aldmeri Navy crushed the Imperial Navy, and ruled the seas from the Cape of the Blue Divide until the Topal Bay. Both Valenwood and the Summerset Isles fell to Tiber Septim when he used the Numidium to conqeur the remaining provinces of Tamriel.

Third Era
The Legion fought in several wars and conflicts during the Third Era, among them the War of the Red Diamond, and they also fought in the conflict of the Camoran Usurper.

War of the Red Diamond
The War of the Red Diamond was a war fought between the loyal forces of Kintyra Septim II and Potema Septim as a result over a throne dispute, and started in 3E 121. While the forces of Kintyra were loyalists to the Empire, those of Potema were the nobility that had become disgruntled by the Empire. As most of Potema's allies were located in High Rock and Skyrim, the rebels were initially successful, and slaughtered the Legions stationed there. They also incited riots and insurrections everywhere they went. Six years later, Potema saw her last victory, in the battle of Falconstar. In this fight, Potema and Lord Vhokken attacked the Argonian forces of Magnus Septim, eventually resulting in Magnus retreating. In the same year the son of Potema, Uriel Septim III, fought in the battle of ichidag. However, the prince was outnumbered and outmatched, resulting in his army losing and the prince getting captured by Cephorus Septim. While being transported to Gilane, the prince's carriage got attacked by an angry mob, resulting in his death and Cephorus proclaiming himself Emperor. As a result of the death of the prince, many of Potema's allies decided to switch sides and support Cephorus' claim for the throne. With Potema losing allies, she started making pacts with the Daedra and necromancers, which resulted in her losing even more allies. In 3E 127 Potema's army had been pushed back to Solitude, and ten years later, this army was pushed back to the Blue Palace itself, where they were beaten.

Invasion of Akavir
In 3E 270, Emperor Uriel Septim V created plans of conqeuring Akavir. Shortly after these plans were made, the Emperor would begin his conquest of the small island kingdoms between Tamriel and Akavir. The first island to be conqeured was Roscrea, which was claimed in 3E 271, followed by Cathnoquey in 3E 276, Yneslea in 3E 279, and Esroniet in 3E 284. Esroniet itself was not conqeured in one go, Black Harbor, a port of the island, was conqeured in 3E 282 and immediately renovated for the Emperor's invasion plans, at the same time, he ordered the building of the ships that would carry his Legions over to Akavir. When Prince Bashomon of Esroniet yielded Esroniet to the Emperor in 3E 284, the Emperor's full attention was focused on the invasion of Akavir. In 2E 285 and 2E 286, ships were sent out to Akavir to scout the lands, with Blades on board to find information about the land. The Tsaesci, whose kingdom lies to the southwest of Akavir, was based on the scouting forces, chosen for the initial landing of the Emperor's forces. At the same time, the Emperor was gathering his Legions and navy which was called the "Expeditionary Force." A new Far East Fleet created for the invasion, which dwarfed the rest of the Imperial Navy. Four Legions, the Fifth, Seventh, Tenth, and Fourteenth Legion were chosen for the initial landing, with the Ninth and Seventeenth Legions being chosen as reinforcements when the coastline was conqeured. The reasoning for this decision was the idea that there would be little resistance, supply lines would be difficult to manage, and, most importantly, the Fleet could only transport four Legions at once.

The invasion itself started on 23rd Rain's Hand, 2E 288, with the Expeditionary Force leaving Black Harbor. Only 6 weeks later, due to fair weather, the invasion force arrived on Akavir and claimed a Tsaesci port due to its proximity to Tamriel, as well as its location being near a fertile river, which provided easy access to the interior as well as easy foraging. When the Legions settled the town, they named it Septimia, created fortifications surrounding it, and built a port suitable for the Far East Fleet. Meanwhile, the Emperor, alongside two other Legions, advanced through Akavir, discovering rich well-watered fields in the area, as well as another abandoned settlement, which the Legions took over, and renamed to Ionith, where the Emperor put his headquarters due to its location being better suited for domination of the surrounding lands. Though no fighting had taken place, enemy forces were spotted by the Legions, who were chased away by Imperial scouts. One of the things the Emperor's army lacked was cavalry due to the limited room for transport on the Fleet, at the time, the Imperial Legion Battlemages made up for this with magical reconnaissance. Instead of the Emperor pushing onward into Akavir, he sent Imperial Legion Messengers to find out who ruled the lands in an attempt to make them yield by the mere sight of the Legions. While the messengers were being sent, the remaining forces of the four Legions started with building a road between Septimia and Ionith, including fortified guard posts along the river. Despite this, communications between the two cities was slow, as messengers were constantly attacked on the road.

The two Legions that had remained on Tamriel were originally meant to travel to Akavir after the port of Septimia was fitting for the navy, but this plan was changed to instead transport colonists. This was decided to ensure that the Legions did not have to rely on the fleet for supplies, but instead create their own. Additionally unrest came to Yneslea, and the two reinforcement Legions would be better used there, due to securing the supply lines of the fleet. When the colonists arrived some cavalry was brought along as well, which resulted in the small Akaviri raids coming to an end. Additionally, Tsaesci emissaries arrived in Ionith to talk about peace negotiations. In the winter season the Expeditionary Force had limited supplies due to heavy storms on the seas to Tamriel, and any foraging or scouting unit got killed by Tsaesci raiders, who also took over some forts during blizzards, while other forts were just abandoned by the Legions.

On the 5th of Sun's Dawn, a Tsaesci force marched to Ionith, claiming to offer peace from their king. This proved to be a trick, as the Tsaesci killed the Imperial guards watching over one of the city gates, allowing a great number of their allies to march in. The soldiers of the Tenth Legion spotted the Tsaesci, and sounded the alarm, after which the remaining Tsaesci inside the city were hunted down. This was also the end of the negotiations between the Tsaesci and the Empire.

Since spring, the weather had turned increasingly worse, and would stay that way for months, resulting in supply fleets getting greatly weakened by storms. The Emperor decided to send his Battlemages with the fleet in order to combat the weather, as the storm had caused the fleet to shrink in size, no longer being able to transport the four Legions already on Akavir. The Elder Council urged the Emperor to sail back to Tamriel, but due to the decrease of fleet capacity, the Emperor decided not to. From this point onward, disaster became inevitable. Communications between Imperial Battlemages were bad, as the mages on Akavir stated their power was weaker than normally. Even communications between master and pupil of years of training were bad. It is unknown if Akaviri wizards played a part in this, but the Commission of the invasion did order the Imperial War college to study the magical abilities of the Tsaesci, in the event that the Empire would cross with them again.

In mid-Sun's Height, the Emperor marched out of Ionith with his Legions, save for small garrisons left behind in Septimia and Ionith, as he had learned of a Tsaesci force assembling to the north of the city past a mountain. The Emperor wanted to smash this force before they could invade, and take their supplies, as the Imperial supplies were running low. Though the Emperor and his Legions successfully defeated the Tsaesci and captured one of their nobles, they were forced to retreat by Tsaesci warriors, who made the Emperor lose a large amount of forces on his way back to Ionith. When he had returned to the city, the Tsaesci besieged Ionith, as well as Septimia. The Imperial Battlemages had to use their magical powers to create water to sustain the armies, instead of harming the enemies, which was a skill that the War College, normally, did not focus on. Though the Far East Fleet arrived safely in Black Harbor, thanks to the Imperial Battlemages aboard the ship, it had gotten no chance to return due to great storms that damaged Esroniet in 289.

In Frostfall, the Fleet was sent out to Akavir again, and, after a long silence between Akavir and Tamriel, communications were made between the Emperor's battlemage and the battlemages of Tamriel. The Emperor's battlemage reported that the city of Ionith still held out, and the Fleet alongside the Emperor's forces quickly made a plan to fall back from Akavir. The Emperor and his Legions would break out of Ionith and fall back to Septimia, where the fleet would meet them and sail them back to Tamriel. However, only a small force of the Emperor's army arrived at Septimia. Two days before the fleet arrived, the Emperor decided to break out of Ionith, successfully fighting through the Tsaesci's armies at first, until being surrounded by an overwhelming army on the road to Septimia. The Emperor and the Tenth Legion fought a heroic last stand to give a remnant of the Fourteenth Legion a chance to reach Septimia. Two soldiers of the Tenth Legion also managed to escape during the victory celebrations of the Tsaesci, who reported that they had seen the Emperor die by arrows as he rallied the Shield Wall of their Legion. When the Fleet arrived, Septimia's garrison was under heavy assault by the Tsaesci, and through the aid of the Imperial Battlemages aboard the Fleet, the Tsaesci were pushed back for long enough to get the survivors of the failed invasion on the ships, after which they returned to Tamriel. The Imperial Commission and Elder Council realised that the Empire, in its state at the time, had no chance against the Akaviri, and would not have a chance in the foreseeable future.

Solstheim
When the East Empire Company found a source of ebony on the island of Solstheim, the Legion created Fort Frostmoth to defend the Company's employees. This garrison would eventually get attacked by werewolves during the Bloodmoon Prophecy, resulting in the garrison becoming greatly weakened. A few years after Raven Rock was built, the Nords of Solstheim tried to conqeur the island from the Legion and the East Empire Trading Company. Though unsuccessful, the Nords did kill a lot of Imperial Soldiers on the island.

Oblivion Crisis
"I don't know. I hear that those Oblivion Gates are opening everywhere. They say the Legion is stretched to the limit across the Empire."

- Overheard rumors

A noteworthy event for the Legions was the Oblivion Crisis. As a result of the murder of Emperor Uriel Septim VII and his three heirs, Geldall, Enman, and Ebel, no new Emperor of the Dragonblood was crowned in time to relight the Dragonfires, resulting in the creation of Oblivion Gates by the Mythic Dawn. The Oblivion Crisis was devastating for the Imperial provinces, originally starting at the Colovian city of Kvatch in an attempt to find Martin Septim, gates to Oblivion started to appear all across Tamriel.

The Legions in Cyrodiil were greatly outnumbered, with soldiers only being sent to Kvatch and Sutch. Some soldiers from southern Cyrodiil were called up north to defend the capital, but in the midst of this unit, near Pell's Gate, a Gate to Oblivion appeared, which killed off around half of its forces, including its commander. After this, the Imperial Captain Tertius Ione, mustered farmers and hunters from the countryside and sacrificed himself, alongside half of his men, to close the gate. Following his death and the destruction of the gate, the town called Ione was built, named in his honor. The Legions from Fort Swampmoth in Black Marsh were recalled due to the An-Xileel and other Argonians successfully beating the Daedra back, the Redoran Dunmer claim that the Legions were recalled from Morrowind and Solstheim, however the Legions in the provinces, besides Black Marsh, were not recalled according to High Chancellor Ocato. According to Ocato, this was because of a mixture of the Legions already being fully committed, and the political situation of the Empire. The count of Leyawiin also pointed out how the Empire focused more on the provinces rather than Cyrodiil itself, and how the Empire never provided Legion soldiers in County Leyawiin, despite heavy need for them.

Whatever the case, the lack of troops in Cyrodiil resulted in the Cyrodiilic counties having to fend for themselves during the Crisis. If the Hero of Kvatch aided the cities of Cyrodiil, they would send aid to Bruma, which would become subject to a plan of the Blades to retrieve the Amulet of Kings. If the Hero did not aid the other cities, Bruma would send their own, weaker, millitia instead. After the Amulet was retrieved from Paradise, Martin Septim, a bastard child of Uriel VII, made his way to the Imperial City and was crowned Emperor. His plan was to light the Dragonfires as soon as he was crowned, but only a moment after he became Emperor, an Imperial Legion Messenger arrived with the news that Oblivion Gates were created all across the city.

Legion soldiers from the Imperial Legion Offices arrived at the Imperial Palace to defend the new Emperor and Ocato while they made their way to the Temple of the One. At the Temple District, three Oblivion Gates had opened, and Mehrunes Dagon himself had crossed over to Tamriel in an attempt to come out as the victor. While Legion soldiers were trying to defeat the Daedra as they came out of the gates, and tried to distract the Daedric Prince of Destruction, Martin and the Hero of Kvatch rushed into the Temple of the One. Martin had realised that Dagon had destroyed the Covenant with Akatosh by entering Tamriel, when the Hero mentioned the Amulet of Kings, which gave Martin an idea. By smashing the Amulet of Kings, Martin became an Avatar of Akatosh, and battled Dagon. Upon being victorious, the Dragon turned into stone, and the Gates from Oblivion were sealed forever. With the latest crisis ended, the Septim dynasty was gone, but this was only the start of the Empire crumbling. Many of the provinces had become uneasy with the Empire, and after the latest crisis, most decided to abandon it. The counties of Bravil and Leyawiin also seceded.

Fourth Era
One of the noteworthy events is the Umbriel Crisis. The Flying City of Umbriel, the city that devoured souls in the early Fourth Era, had a course directed for the Imperial City, and as it neared the Heartland, the Imperial Legion, along with the Synod and the College of Whispers, tried to mount several attacks upon the Flying City. The Imperial Mages cast Levitation spells so the Legion could reach Umbriel. Unfortunately, the Umbriel War Machine proved too great a force, and the Legionnaires were killed off before they could breach Umbriel. After the Oblivion Crisis and the Umbriel Invasion, the Legion was greatly weakened, and the once great fighting force had declined greatly. As to how the Legion was weaker than before is unclear.

Great War
Some 130 years later, the Aldmeri Dominion attacked the Empire in what is known as the Great War. With the Legions in a weak state, and the Empire unprepared for the vicious Aldmeri assault, the Legion suffered heavy casualties. Initially the Legions had heavy losses, losing most of Hammerfell and nearly all of Colovia. Morale in the Legions was so low that when the Emperor regrouped in Skyrim groups of Nordic deserters abandoned the Legion, thinking it was doomed. In the Battle of the Red Ring, the Legion surrounded and destroyed Lord Naarifin's forces stationed in the Imperial City. Though it was a prominent victory that halted the Dominion's invasion, and gave the Empire the leverage necessary to sign the White-Gold Concordat and end the war, members of the Legion and Blades alike recognised that if the war had continued the Empire would likely have lost. The Concordat was meant to buy the Empire time to recover before the next war with the Dominion takes place.

Skyrim Civil War
Several years after the Great War, part of the Legion would be dispatched to Skyrim to stop the Stormcloak Rebellion and end the Civil War. As of 4E 201, the Legion holds 4 Holds (Haafingar, Hjaalmarch, Falkreath Hold and The Reach) under full Imperial control, with Whiterun being marked as "Imperial" but being neutral. When General Tullius got sent to Skyrim in 4E 201, he really turned things around for the Empire. Under his leadership the Legion started massacring the Stormcloaks and slowly pushing them back. Tullius managed to capture Ulfric Stormcloak at Darkwater Crossing in an ambush, after which Ulfric was scheduled for execution at Helgen. However, due to Alduin returning, Ulfric managed to escape. The Legion is currently stationing soldiers in the Rift, threatening Ulfric's southern flank, and (unsuccessfully) attempting to conquer Winterhold, so that Ulfric's forces have to stay at Windhelm. Legate Fasendil, the Imperial Legate of the Rift was put in Skyrim due to his knowledge of the Thalmor, as he was present during the Night of Green Fire. The Legate assumes the Thalmor are behind the unrest in Skyrim, and is proven right by the Thalmor Dossier on Ulfric Stormcloak.

Duties
Intended as the sole militaristic force behind Cyrodiil's seat of power, the Legion operates in conjunction with the Imperial City's police-force, the Imperial Watch. Their headquarters are situated in the Imperial City.

The Legion is the primary fighting force of the Cyrodilic Empires, Cyrodilic cities and towns most often have City Guards, while Nordic cities and towns have Hold Guards, which are Legion soldiers serving the counties and Holds for police duties and law enforcement in the Imperial provinces. Imperial Soldiers also patrol the roads of the Imperial provinces, protect nobles, and are allowed to seize property of arrested criminals. Under normal circumstances the Imperial City has at least one Legion stationed within.

Training
The Legion looks for upstanding citizens who show superior endurance, soldierly virtue, and a trustworthy personality. A Legion soldier is supposed to be a model of the duties of Imperial citizenship.

To be able to join the Legion each soldier must be trained and become proficient in the skills of Long Blade, Spear, Blunt Weapon, Block, and Heavy armor. Imperial soldiers must be able to block quickly and move quickly while in heavy armor. Soldiers are also trained to be able to march long distances with heavy packs and to preform the complex maneuvers that soldiers will preform in real battle.

Furthermore, knights are trained to be able to block blows with just their heavy armor, no shield.

If the Nerevarine or the Last Dragonborn join the Legion neither of them have to undergo any type of training. Although, in both cases the Legion was in desperate need of new soldiers.

Oath
New recruits must take the oath binding them to the service of the Emperor and the Legion:

"Upon my honor I do swear undying loyalty to the Emperor...

and unwavering obedience to the officers of his great Empire.

May those above judge me, and those below take me, if I fail in my duty.

Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empire!"

Battle organization and ranking
The Legion fights only on land. Aquatic operations are carried out by their counterpart, the Imperial Navy. To better defend against magic-using foes, the Empire employed the use of Imperial Battlemages, these battlemages form the Shadow Legion. The Legion also makes use of the Phalanx formation, Diamond Formation, Wedge Formation and Shield Walls. They further are mighty warriors, no one can defeat them when they march in rows in open fields, however, in the Ashlands and the wilderness, the Dunmer are able to defeat them.

Some sources suggest the fighting strength of the Imperial Legion: The Infernal City mentions that a Legion numbers 5,000 Legionnaires, and given the highest Legion mentioned is the 18th Legion, then the Imperial Legion has at least 115,000 troops when at full strength. Each Legion is further subdivided in Cohorts which are given orders by a centurion.

As of Skyrim, the rank structure is similar to that of the historical Roman Empire. Excluding the potential recruitment of the Last Dragonborn, there are 10 Legates within the province of Skyrim. Historically, a legate commanded a legion. Additionally, the rank of General actually did exist, and it was applied to someone who generally commanded more than one legion. As there is no mention of exactly how many legions were in Skyrim, the actual fighting strength of the Imperial Legion in Skyrim is, in fact, unknown.

Ranks (Morrowind)

 * Recruit
 * Spearman
 * Trooper
 * Agent
 * Champion
 * Knight Errant
 * Knight Bachelor
 * Knight Protector
 * Knight of the Garland
 * Knight of the Imperial Dragon

Ranks (Skyrim)

 * Auxiliary
 * Private (mentioned by Captain Aldis)
 * Quaestor
 * Praefect
 * Tribune
 * Commander
 * Legate
 * Captain
 * General

Ranks (Online)

 * Auxiliary
 * Private
 * Sentinel
 * Legionary
 * Knight
 * Praefect
 * Dreadnaught
 * Sergeant
 * Centurion
 * Major
 * Tribune
 * Lieutenant
 * Legate
 * Captain
 * General

Ranks with unknown status

 * Centurion
 * Fort Commander
 * Praefect

Highest Rank

 * Commander of the Imperial Legion

Legion Ranking Stature

 * Commander of the Imperial Legion
 * General
 * Captain
 * Legate
 * Major
 * Lieutenant
 * Tribune
 * Centurion
 * Sergeant
 * Dreadnaught
 * Praefect
 * Knight
 * Quaestor
 * Evocatus
 * Legionary
 * Sentinel
 * Private
 * Auxiliary

Types of soldiers in the Legion
The Legion uses a variety of soldiers, which consist of the following units, light and heavy cavalry, heavily armored knights, berserkers, skirmishers, archers, scouts, pikemen, troopers and foot knights. The Legion also uses Battlemages, artillery, and levies. As well as rams. During the Third Era, Imperial Battlemages also used Dragons, but it is unknown if the Legion still has any Dragons remaining.

Commander of the Imperial Legion
The highest achievable rank, appointed by the Emperor/Empress. This rank commands every officer and legionnaire in the Imperial legion. They take orders directly from the Emperor. There can only be one Commander at a time, if one is to fall in battle or by other means, a General would usually take the position.

General
One of the highest achieveable ranks in the legion, appointed by either the Emperor, High Chancellor, or Commander. Generals carry out the duties assigned to them by stated ranks. Under normal circumstances, a General commands one Legion,    however, a General is also able to command several Legions at a time.

Captain
Captains are the commanding officers of town garrisons. During usual invasions, Captains are in charge of several battalions. Usually there are 10 Captains to a legion.

Legate
Legates are the right hand to the Captains of the Imperial Legion, carrying out tasks and duties presented by the generals. As well as acting as an extra set of hands. They also command cohorts of a Legion.

Major
Majors are the commanding officers of several cohorts.

Lieutenant
Lieutenants are tasked with commanding larger groups of soldiers usually one to two cohorts at a time.

Tribune
Tribunes are the Senior officer of the three Field officer ranks. They command several divisions in a legion cohort.

Centurion
Centurions are lower ranking Imperial Field Officers. They command one to two divisions of a Legion cohort.

Sergeant
The first officer rank and the most common in the legion. These are basic officers commanding multiple troops at a time, usually a small cohort.

Palace Guards
Palace Guards are an honour guard and an elite unit of the Imperial Legion. Taking on the tasks similar to the Dragonguard, and Blades. They are to protect the Emperor and Council during trips or in the Imperial City. As well as defending Green Emperor Way and the Imperial Palace. As an elite division, they are deployed as shock troops to break the enemy lines. They may also be sent on scouting missions that require secrecy between them and the Elder Council.

Palace Captain
Palace Captain is appointed by the Commander of the Imperial Legion in commanding the hierarchy of the Palace Guards.

Palace Centurion
Palace Centurions are in charge of the Palace Guard in the Imperial City. They take orders from the Palace Captain who is directed by the Emperor and Commander. In the field they are second in charge to any Imperial Legion officer.

Palace Lieutenant
Palace Lieutenants are officers commanded by the Palace Centurions. They usually command a large group during patrols.

Palace Sergeant
Palace Sergeants are in charge of small groups of Palace Guards.

Types of arms and armor in the Legion
The Legion uses a variety of materials. Light armor is used for scouts, skirmishers, archers and light cavalry. The most common materials for light armor are fur, leather and chainmail armor, which are readily available throughout the Empire. Mithril, elven and glass are considered rare.

Heavy armor is used for the frontline infantry, heavy cavalry, foot knights, pikemen, troopers and officers. The most common materials for heavy armor are iron and steel, with dwarven, orcish, ebony and daedric being rare. The Legion uses many materials for their arms, which are listed from cheapest and least desirable, to most expensive and most desirable: iron, steel, silver, dwarven, elven, glass and daedric. Enchanted weapons and armor are also used by the Legion, but since the Mages Guild was used to enchant armor, it is unknown if the Legion still uses enchanted armor. In the event of a crisis behind enemy lines, Legion Soldiers may sell excess materials to noncombatants. These materials must not have a significant military application. The gold required in this manner must be used to secure swift passage back to the Legion that the soldier belongs to.

Uniforms
The armor used by the Legion is different in between many timelines: Upon retiring from the Imperial Legion, soldiers are allowed to keep their Legion armor.
 * In the Legion made use of leather, chain/steel and bronze/gold/dwarven armor. These armors seem to be lighter than in the later games, most likely due to the desert climate.
 * In the Legion made use of iron, steel, orcish and higher tier heavy armors, most of the Legion made use of Orcish-Imperial armor. They also made use of various light and medium armors. The type of armor usually depended on the rank, location and mission the soldiers were on.
 * In the Legion made use of a lot of steel and chain armor, while also making use of studded, dragonscale, newtscale, Templar, boiled Netch leather and Silver armors. In Morrowind the Legion's armor looks very similar to that of the Roman Legions. The armor used in Morrowind most likely got its high variety due to the Legion being on the frontier.
 * In the Legion made use of steel plate armor. The armor looked like a combination of medieval armor and Roman armor, though the Imperial Watchmen made use of the Imperial Horseman Helmet, which looked more like a hoplite helmet. The palace guards also had more decorative armor than the normal Legion soldiers. The Legion's armor is most likely more suited for appearance than combat, due to Cyrodiil being the main province of the Empire.
 * In the Legion made use of steel plate armor, more similar to the armor in The Elder Scrolls Online than the plate armor in Oblivion.
 * In the Legions makes use of leather, studded and steel armor. The appearances of the light armors is similar to that of the Roman auxiliaries in border provinces of the Roman Empire. Most of the Legion in Skyrim makes use of the light armors instead of the heavy armor, this is likely due to Skyrim's terrain. The soldiers in Skyrim are mostly a millitia, as they largely consist of scouts and skirmishers instead of soldiers meant for full-on combat.

Types of weapons in the Legion
The Imperial Legion mainly uses the Imperial Sword         or Steel Swords for its army, however the Legion also makes use of some other weapons, such as pikes, the Imperial Broadsword, the Imperial Shortsword, spears,  claymores  and the Imperial Bow. In, another Imperial styled weapon is wielded by General Falx Carius. This weapon is Champion's Cudgel, a warhammer which has the symbol of the Empire engraved onto its side. Other Imperial styled weapons also exist in. These weapons are axes, maces, great swords, battle axes, mauls, daggers, and staffs.

The designs for many of the weapons used by the Legion are quite advanced compared to the Roman Military, which is what the Imperial Legion is based on. The Imperial Sword and the Imperial Shortsword both have similar designs. Both swords start off thinner than the end of the blade is. This gives the broadswords greater hacking strength, while the Imperial Shortswords have a greater thrust damage due to how light the blade is. All three Imperial swords possess wooden handles. An advanced design feature that is possessed by all three swords is that on both sides of the weapon a thin strip of metal has been removed. This decreases the weight of the sword while taking away very little durability to the blade. Finally, the Imperial Broadswords and Shortswords have unique blade guards. Instead of having a traditional blade guard that stops a blade upon hitting it, these swords have curved blade guards that cause other blades to slide off and away from the sword and its owner. These technological advantages could very well be a major contributing factor to why the Imperial Legion remained the best fighting force on Tamriel for centuries.

Types of siege engines in the Legion
The Imperial Legion is known to use four siege machines, the catapult, battering ram, trebuchet and ballista.

The Imperial Siege Engine is a card in Legends that has the image of a battering ram. It is manned by an unknown amount of Imperial soldiers, but it has two heavily armored soldiers manning the front of it. Furthermore, it appears to have an armored roof, and its ram consists of a log with a metal spike attached to the end of it.

During the events of the Skyrim Civil War, the Legion made use of simple wooden catapults. The catapults appeared at the Battle of Windhelm, and were at the Imperial camp to the east of the city. The catapult could be manned by one person. When the catapult is activated, it will fire a projectile. Upon activating it again, a small crank will begin to move and the catapult will be brought back to the firing position to be loaded. The Legion generally uses firepots for their catapults, as well as their trebuchets, though normal boulders are also used as ammunition for catapults.

Divisions
As of the Fourth Era, average fighting strength of each Legion is comprised of 5,000 Legionnaires.
 * Legion Zero – involved with Molag Bal's invasion of the Imperial City.
 * Second Legion – partially stationed in Valenwood which was used to guard Imperial War supplies.
 * Third Legion – involved with the Tiber Wars.
 * Fourth Legion – commanded by Augurius Bucco; fought in the Blackwater War in Black Marsh
 * Fifth Legion – involved with the Invasion of Akavir.
 * Sixth Legion - A Legion station in Craglorn during the 2nd Era.
 * Seventh Legion – involved with the Invasion of Akavir.
 * Eighth Legion – fought during the Great War
 * Ninth Legion – involved with the Invasion of Akavir.
 * Tenth Legion – involved with the Invasion of Akavir and the Great War.
 * Twelfth Legion – appears in.
 * Fourteenth Legion – involved with the Invasion of Akavir.
 * Fifteenth Legion - involved with the defending of Orsinium during the Fourth Era.
 * Seventeenth Legion – involved with the Invasion of Akavir.
 * Eighteenth Legion – mentioned nominally in.
 * Hawkmoth Legion – an Imperial Legion stationed in the city of Ebonheart during the Third Era.
 * West Weald Legion – involved with the expansion of Imperial territory into Reaper's March.
 * Legion of Chorrol – an Imperial Legion situated at the city of Chorrol.
 * Deathshead Legion – an Imperial Legion which was located in Gnisis during . The only Legion garrison in Morrowind that didn't have its full strength.
 * Shadow Legion – the Battlemage division of the Legion.
 * Imperial Guard – the elite guard division of the Legion, tasked with the protection of the Emperor and his representatives in the provinces.
 * Diamond Marines – An Imperial Legion that was present at the Blackwater War, near the city-states of Lilmoth and Archon.

Forts and Bases
The Imperial Legion has secured many strategic locations for their forts to control the vast amounts of land in the Empire. During the events of Online the Legion made use of many different kinds of bases. In Morrowind, the Legion made us of many large forts that were in prime condition. Oddly, the Imperial Legion in Oblivion makes no use of any forts. In the Skyrim Civil War during the events of Skyrim the Legion occupied old forts, many of which were falling apart and had to be repaired using wood defenses.

Forts and Bases in Elder Scrolls Online

 * Bangkorai Garrison
 * Martyr's Crossing
 * Nchu Duabthar Threshold, but only during the quest "The Parley"
 * Old Tower
 * The Gates of Craglorn
 * Several large fortifications throughout Cyrodiil
 * Hallin's Stand
 * Keeps in Cyrodiil (Formerly)
 * The Vile Manse

The Legion also had a strong presence in the following cities, Arenthia, Cheydinhal, Dune, Elden Root, Imperial City, Rawl'kha, Satakalaam, Vinedusk Village, and Wayrest.

Forts and Bases in Morrowind

 * Moonmoth Legion Fort
 * Fort Pelagiad
 * Hawkmoth Legion Garrison
 * Buckmoth Legion Fort
 * Fort Firemoth
 * Fort Frostmoth
 * Fort Darius

The Legion in Morrowind also had a strong presence in the cities of Pelagiad, Gnisis, and Mournhold.

Forts and Bases in Oblivion
The Legion in Cyrodiil had only one base during the events of Oblivion, the Prison District of the Imperial City. The old forts that dot Cyrodiil seem to have no value to the Imperial Legion and they are instead occupied by various bandits and necromancers.

Forts and Bases in Skyrim

 * Castle Dour
 * Fort Neugrad
 * Fort Snowhawk
 * Fort Sungard
 * Eastmarch Imperial Camp
 * Rift Imperial Camp
 * Winterhold Imperial Camp
 * Pale Imperial Camp

The following forts are only under Imperial control if the Last Dragonborn sides with the Legion during the Skyrim Civil War.
 * Fort Greymoor
 * Fort Hraggstad
 * Fort Amol
 * Fort Dunstad
 * Fort Greenwall
 * Fort Kastav

Artifacts
The Imperial Legion has several artifacts, this is a list of the known artifacts.
 * Lord's Mail
 * Chrysamere
 * Ward of Akavir

Commanding ranks for a Legion
The Imperial Legion has had multiple different ranks commanding a Legion, the most common one being a General.

Normal Commanders

 * In there is a normal Legion Commander of Legion Zero.

Generals

 * In General Darius commanded the Deathshead Legion.
 * In the Legion of the West Weald was commanded by a General.
 * The Second Legion was commanded by a General.
 * The Third Legion was commanded by a General.
 * The Legion under the command of General Takar tried to invade Umbriel.
 * During the Blackwater War, the Fourth Legion was commanded by a General.
 * In The Eastern Provinces the Legions of Black Marsh and Morrowind are recorded to have been led by Generals.
 * The Seventh Legion's Captain was led by the Magnus General Septima Tharn.

Captains

 * During the Alliance War a Captain commanded a Legion.

Legates

 * During the Great War a Legate commanded the Tenth Legion.

Books
The following are books related to the Imperial Legion:
 * Centurion's Signet – A note regarding the fist Orc to become a Legion centurion and Orcish honor.
 * The Great War – A book detailing the war between the Third Aldmeri Dominion and the Third Empire in the Fourth Era.
 * Ordo Legionis – An introduction to the Imperial Legion.
 * Manual of Armor – A book detailing which kinds of armor should be reserved for which Legion soldiers.
 * Manual of Arms – A book detailing the weaponry used by part of the Legion.
 * Letter to the Grand Marshall of the Imperial Legion – A letter to the Grand Marshall regarding the invasion of the Battlespire.
 * The Blackwater War – A 7 volume book series regarding the invasion of Black Marsh by the Second Empire.
 * On Morrowind – A book detailing the conqeuring of Morrowind.
 * The Butcher of Bravil – A journal of a Legion Captain detailing why she and her Legion massacred the population of Bravil during the Alliance War.
 * The Wolf and the Dragon – A book about Kvatch defending itself against numerous invasion attempts by Anvil.
 * The Founding of Southpoint – A book about Governor Zantonius of Southpoint and his deeds in the Legion.
 * Basic Provisioning Guide – A book detailing how Imperial Soldiers should gather provisions.
 * Eulogy for Emperor Varen – A note by Abnur Tharn celebrating the victory of Emperor Varen Aquilarios over Emperor Leovic.
 * The Holds of Skyrim – An introduction to the province of Skyrim, meant for use by Legion officers from Cyrodiil.
 * Report: Disaster at Ionith – A book detailing the invasion of Akavir under the command of Emperor Uriel Septim V.
 * Ice and Chitin – An account of how a Legion commander was able to escape from a Nordic ambush during the Tiber Wars.
 * The Battle of Sancre Tor – A book detailing how the Imperial General Talos was able to achieve victory against a Nord-Breton alliance in the battle of Sancre Tor.
 * Yours for the Taking! – A pamphlet used by the West Weald Legion to justify an Imperial invasion of the Arenthian Vale, as decreed by the Count of Skingrad and the Elder Council.
 * Second Cohort Orders – The orders for the Second Cohort of the Seventh Legion which conquered part of Bangkorai during the Alliance War.
 * Eyewitness to the Wall – A journal regarding the rebellion of the Second Legion, led Varen Aquilarios, against the Longhouse Emperors.
 * The Fall and Rise of Reman's Bluff – A book describing the Legion's deeds and needs located at Reman's Bluff during the First Era.
 * Arx Corinium — First Seed Report – An Imperial report describing the failure of a Legion fort in Black Marsh.
 * An Ancient Love Letter – A love letter written by a member of the Second Legion.
 * On the Spirits of the Hel Shira – A letter to Septima Tharn, informing her that a Legion member has learned how to control the spirits of Hel Shira.
 * Septima Tharn's Leadership Maxims – A book describing how the important figures of the Imperial Legions should behave when at war.
 * Report: Quality of Recruits – A book describing the training of people who used to work for the temple, with a request to use these troops as healers instead of normal soldiers.
 * Imperial Condolences – A letter from the Imperial Legion informing Lu'ah Al-Skaven of her husband's death for the Empire.
 * Rislav the Righteous – A book describing how an Emperor along with his Alessian Army got defeated by the Kings of Skingrad and Kvatch.
 * Imperial Recall Orders – A military order by Captain Virgilus ordering all men under his command to head to the Imperial City during the Alliance War.
 * A Looter's Paradise – A book describing how Fort Sphinxmoth became a looter's paradise when its Imperial garrison left.
 * Thibaut's Cairn and its History – A book about how the Cohort under the command of Thibault of Kvatch became the cause of a crypt being built.
 * Cohort Briefing: Arenthia – A briefing for the West Weald Legion regarding the invasion of Arenthia.
 * The Ivory Lord: A Hero Born, V. 1, V. 2, and V. 3 – A book series about how a Breton and a band of mercenaries fought Alessian forces.
 * Arms and Armor of the Imperial Champion: Hall Steward Longinus Attius – A book detailing the arms and armor used by the Imperials, including Third Legion Centurion, Longinus Attius.