Imperial Legion (Skyrim)

The Imperial Legion used to be the strongest fighting force in Tamriel. However, by the time that Skyrim takes place, the Imperial Legion has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self. With the disappearance of the Blades and the emergence of the Thalmor as a military presence, many view the Legion as corrupt and decaying, much like the condition of the Empire.

The Imperial Legion, based in Solitude, is a joinable faction in which the player will fight for Skyrim to remain part of the Empire.

The Stormcloaks are at odds with the Imperial Legion, as proclaimed liberators of the Nordic people. Because of this, the Legion is also at odds with the Gray-Manes, separatists of the Empire of Tamriel.

Quests

 * Joining the Legion
 * The Jagged Crown
 * Message to Whiterun
 * Battle for Whiterun
 * Reunification of Skyrim
 * False Front
 * The Battle for Fort Dunstad
 * Compelling Tribute
 * The Battle for Fort Greenwall
 * Rescue from Fort Kastav
 * The Battle for Fort Amol
 * Battle for Windhelm

Notable Members

 * General Tullius
 * Legate Rikke
 * Legate Fasendil
 * Legate Hrollod
 * Legate Quentin Cipius
 * Legate Skulnar
 * Hadvar

Joining the Legion
To join the Imperial Legion, the player must travel to Solitude and find General Tullius in Castle Dour, which is found by following the road up the ramps; Castle Dour will be to the left guarded by Imperial Soldiers. Tullius will tell you to speak with Legate Rikke. After talking to Rikke, the quest Joining the Legion will be given and upon its conclusion, the player will take an oath and be officially inducted into the Imperial Army. The player will also be rewarded with a set of Imperial Armor. You can also get a ride from the carriage guy just outside of the white run stables

(There are 5 ranks possible for the player: Auxiliary, Quaestor, Praefect, Tribune and Legate.)

Oath

 * "Upon my honor I do swear undying loyalty to the Emperor, [reigning; during the Dragon Crisis - ] Titus Mede II, a nd 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!"

Ranks
There are 5 ranks that can be earned if the Legion is joined during the Civil War questline. Progress in rank occurs at the completion of key battles during the war.
 * Auxiliary - Complete Joining the Legion
 * Quaestor - Complete Battle for Whiterun
 * Praefect - Complete The Battle for Fort Dunstad
 * Tribune - Complete The Battle for Fort Greenwall
 * Legate - Complete The Battle for Fort Snowhawk

Armor
The Imperial Legion almost always uses full sets of Imperial Light Armor. These are considered decent when compared against the Stormcloaks light armor.

Sergeants and Legates generally use Imperial Heavy Armor making them considerably tougher opponents. By default joining the faction, you may choose from three different armor sets (Light, Medium, and Heavy). The Legion generally has a greater defense but comparable weapons to the Stormcloaks.

The armor bears a striking resemblance to the armor used by foot-soldiers in the Roman Empire, and it might be a sign of the change that Emperor Titus Mede I made when he took power after being a courageous general in the time after the Oblivion Crisis.

It could also be a sign of advancement and progress, as the Legion now have armor suited for different classes of fighters. In Oblivion, most if not all Imperial Soldiers used the heavy, cumbersome armor that is reminiscent to that of Medival Knights. It could be possible that in the Great War the armor was proved inefective and lacking compared to the armor of the Thalmor, and changes were made to fight back against them.

Trivia

 * Imperial history can be parallelled to Roman history. They initially become immensly powerful, then engage in a conflict with an empire of equal power (Thalmor/Carthage) and are subsequently usurped (Stormcloaks/Visigoths)