Imperial Legion (Skyrim)



"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empire!"

- Part of the Imperial Oath

The Imperial Legion is a joinable faction in. Led by General Tullius, they oppose the Stormcloak rebellion and their attempt to secede Skyrim from the Third Empire. The Dragonborn has the option of joining the Imperial Legion after Alduin's assault on Helgen, regardless of whom the Dragonborn followed—Ralof or Hadvar.

Philosophy
The Imperial Legion believes that as a province of the Empire, Skyrim must abide by its laws and customs, including the provisions in the White-Gold Concordat. Though most do not approve of the White-Gold Concordat, they nevertheless publicly uphold it in order to preserve the peace between the Empire and the Aldmeri Dominion. If any legionaries are believers of Talos, such as Legate Rikke who is implied to be a believer, they keep their religion to themselves and pray to Talos discreetly and out of earshot.

Though the Empire has appeased the Aldmeri Dominion's demands, the Imperial Legions in Skyrim claim that the Empire has little love for the Dominion. Most Imperial supporters believe that Skyrim and the Empire must remain united in order to fend off the Aldmeri Dominion if a second war with them erupts. Some accuse Ulfric Stormcloak of orchestrating the Stormcloaks' rebellion as a selfish ploy to set himself up as Skyrim's next High King. The Imperial Legion believes that they can only restore peace to Skyrim and the Empire by killing Ulfric and quelling his rebellion.

Description
Once the strongest fighting forces in Tamriel, the Imperial Legion has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self by the time of the events of Skyrim. With the near annihilation of the Blades and the emergence of the Thalmor as a military power, many view the Legion as corrupt and decaying.

The Imperial Legion is based in Solitude, and the Dragonborn may join and fight to keep Skyrim in the Empire. The Legion is comprised mostly of Nord and Imperial legionnaires and Legates, though there are Breton and Redguard legionnaires, along with Altmer, Dunmer, and Breton Legates.

The Stormcloaks are at odds with the Imperial Legion, as self proclaimed liberators of the Nordic people. Because of this, the Legion is also at odds with the influential Gray-Mane family, an old and renowned Whiterun clan, whose views oppose those of the Empire of Tamriel. However, they have the support of the influential Battle-Born clan, also in Whiterun.This had led to tensions between the clans in neutral whiterum

Joining the Legion
Hadvar suggests that the Dragonborn join the Legion at the end of Unbound if he is followed during the escape from Helgen. To join the Imperial Legion, the Dragonborn must travel to Solitude and find General Tullius in Castle Dour, which is found by following the path up the ramps. Castle Dour will be to the left, guarded by Imperial soldiers. Tullius will say to speak with Legate Rikke. After talking to Rikke, the quest Joining the Legion will start and, when finished, the Dragonborn will take an oath and be officially inducted into the Imperial Army. The Dragonborn will also be rewarded with a set of Imperial Armor from the blacksmith. Once the Dragonborn has joined the Imperial Legion, only one more opportunity remains to switch sides, leaving the Legion for the Stormcloaks. When the Jagged Crown has been acquired, the Dragonborn can choose to travel to Windhelm where they can give the crown to Ulfric Stormcloak instead. Jarl Ulfric will then recognize them as a Stormcloak soldier and immediately orders them to deliver an important message to Whiterun, while skipping the formalities of making the Dragonborn swear the Stormcloak Oath.

Oath
All new initiates to the Imperial Legion must recite the following oath:

"Upon my honor I do swear undying loyalty to the Emperor, Titus Mede II, (or simply "The Emperor" if Mede has been killed in the Dark Brotherhood questline) 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!"

Tactics
Because of their use of one handed swords and shields, the Imperial Legion can stand up to more punishment than the Stormcloaks. They let their enemies beat themselves against their shields while at the same time using their swords to cut and stab through enemy ranks.

Armor
The Imperial Legion almost always uses full sets of Imperial Light Armor (the armor piece of the imperial light armor set is often replaced by Studded Imperial Armor). These are roughly equal to the light armor worn by Stormcloak soldiers.

High-ranking legionnaires generally use Imperial Heavy Armor, making them considerably tougher opponents. By default, when joining the faction, three different armor sets can be chosen (light, medium, or heavy). The Legion's armor generally has a greater defense when compared to the Stormcloaks.

Post-Civil War
After the conclusion of the civil war in favor of the Imperial Legion, the Dragonborn will be told there are still Stormcloak camps out there to destroy. However, when visiting said camps, the commanders will still be flagged as essential and cannot be killed. Furthermore, the Stormcloak soldiers at these camps will eventually respawn. Additionally, citizens still mention the war. A number of notable changes occur after completing the Imperial Legion campaign:
 * All Jarls that supported the Stormcloaks are replaced with those loyal to Empire.
 * Laila Law-Giver (The Rift) will be replaced by Maven Black-Briar.
 * Skald the Elder (The Pale) will be replaced by Brina Merilis.
 * Korir (Winterhold) will be replaced by Kraldar.
 * Ulfric Stormcloak (Eastmarch) will be replaced by Brunwulf Free-Winter (after the "Battle for Windhelm").
 * Imperial Legion soldiers replace the Hold Guards in all cities that previously were under the control of the Stormcloaks.
 * Jarls who have been removed from their throne due to the Imperial Legion's take over are all kept in the main hall of the Palace of the Kings in Windhelm along with their housecarls, stewards, and a few other notable persons who supported the Stormcloaks.
 * The Forts scattered around Skyrim will be occupied by Imperial Legion Soldiers.
 * Imperial Legion Soldiers aid the Dragonborn in battle, if they are attacked by a foe. They do not lend assistance if the Dragonborn initiated the fight.

Imperial camps
Imperial camps are located in each of Skyrim's Holds, with the exception of Haafingar. These serve as outposts for the Legion and are instrumental in the ongoing civil war.

They are normally commanded by a Legate who can be found in his tent, and also have an Imperial Quartermaster working at a forge who will also serve as a merchant.
 * Eastmarch Imperial Camp
 * Falkreath Imperial Camp
 * Hjaalmarch Imperial Camp
 * Pale Imperial Camp
 * Reach Imperial Camp
 * Rift Imperial Camp
 * Whiterun Imperial Camp
 * Winterhold Imperial Camp

Quests

 * Joining the Legion
 * The Jagged Crown
 * Message to Whiterun
 * Battle for Whiterun
 * Reunification of Skyrim
 * A 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 – Military Governor in Skyrim.
 * Legate Rikke – Second-in-command of the Imperial Legion in Skyrim.
 * Captain Aldis – Instructor and trainer of novice soldiers in Solitude.
 * Hadvar – Soldier and potential survivor of the Helgen dragon attack.
 * General Falx Carius – Undead general stationed at Fort Frostmoth during the quest March of the Dead.
 * Imperial Captain – Commander of the execution prior to the Helgen dragon attack.
 * Legate Adventus Caesennius – Legate of Haafingar.
 * Legate Constantius Tituleius – Legate of The Pale.
 * Legate Emmanuel Admand – Legate of The Reach.
 * Legate Fasendil – Legate of The Rift.
 * Legate Hrollod – Legate of Eastmarch.
 * Legate Quentin Cipius – Legate of Whiterun Hold.
 * Legate Sevan Telendas – Legate of Winterhold.
 * Legate Skulnar – Legate of Falkreath Hold.
 * Legate Taurinus Duilis – Legate of Hjaalmarch.
 * Sulla Trebatius – Imperial Expeditioner at Alftand.
 * Adelaisa Vendicci – Soldier stationed at the East Empire Company quarters in Windhelm.
 * Ghorbash the Iron Hand – Served in the Imperial Legion under the name of Ghorbash Gro-Dushnikh.
 * Torturer – He was used to extract information from prisoners at Helgen.
 * Torturer's Assistant – Watches over the Torturer's needs.
 * Rexus – Amaund Motierre's bodyguard.
 * Noster Eagle-Eye – A beggar who was an Imperial scout during the Great War.
 * Salvianus – Ex-Imperial officer, inferring by his possessions and the quotes he keeps repeating to himself.
 * Imperial Deserter – A soldier wounded in Helgen, and he can later be found in Redwater Den.
 * Margret – A Legion spy assigned by General Tullius in Markarth.
 * Moth gro-Bagol – Ex-Imperial blacksmith.
 * Ghorza gra-Bagol – Ex-Imperial blacksmith.

Ranks
There are five ranks that can be earned by the Dragonborn if the Legion is joined during the Civil War questline. Progress in rank occurs at the completion of key battles during the war.
 * Auxiliary (Private) – complete "Joining the Legion."
 * Quaestor (Sergeant) – complete "Battle for Whiterun."
 * Praefect (Lieutenant) – complete "The Battle for Fort Dunstad."
 * Tribune (Captain) – complete "The Battle for Fort Greenwall."
 * Legate (Colonel) – complete "Rescue from Fort Kastav."

Unobtainable Ranks
These ranks cannot be earned by the Dragonborn, but are still encountered in the game.
 * General – the commanding officer of a small Imperial army or even an entire legion and reports to the Emperor himself.

Subtypes

 * Imperial Archer
 * Imperial Soldier
 * Imperial Quartermaster
 * Imperial Fort Commander
 * Imperial General
 * Imperial Field Legate
 * Imperial Wizard

Trivia

 * Non-main female legionnaires are not present in Skyrim, with the exception of Legate Rikke, an archer killing Lokir as he attempts to flee Helgen, the Imperial Captain, a corpse of a female soldier at Dragontooth Crater and an Imperial Mage using the Firebolt spell on Alduin. If the Imperial Legion has conquered The Rift, a dead female legionnaire can be found at Shor's Watchtower.
 * If the Dragonborn joins the Legion, Stormcloak-leaning characters will call them a "milk drinker."
 * The ranks are all of Roman origin. However, a Quaestor was a government rank in real Roman times. Tribunes can be both government or military. Auxiliaries, in Roman times, were foreign soldiers/allies of Rome that served alongside the Legion and bolstered its forces; traditionally, the cavalry of the Legion was mostly Auxiliary. Legate was equivalent to a modern-day general, but the Cyrodilic legate reports to a general, and is probably more equivalent to a colonel.
 * If the Emperor is killed during the Dark Brotherhood questline, General Tullius won't mention Titus Mede II in the oath for the Imperial Legion.
 * The Imperial armor bears a striking resemblance to the armor used by foot-soldiers in the Roman Empire.

Bugs

 * Occasionally when promoted to Praefect, members of the legion will refer to the Dragonborn as "Tribune" instead.