Imperial Legion (Oblivion)

"Stop! You have violated the law!"

- A common phrase said by members of the Legion

"Stop right there criminal scum!"

- Another common phrase said by the imperial guards

The Imperial Legion is a military organization of the Elder Scrolls universe. It was inspired by the Roman legions that were the supreme military power of their time. In The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, the player could 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, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion gave the player no opportunity to sign up as a legionnaire. In The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, the player can join the legion if they side with the Imperial soldier in "Unbound".

Summary
The Imperial Legion is the supreme military power of the Cyrodiil Empire of Tamriel; no other organized army in the world can match it in combat. The Legion is primarily composed of Imperials (mostly, high-ranks), Redguards and Nords, with a notable Orcish and Dark Elf minority (Most prominently in Gnisis). Its headquarters is located in the Imperial City's Prison District. (Note that this is the makeup of the Legion in ESIII: Morrowind - in ESIV: Oblivion, the Legion consists predominantly of Imperials, with a few notable exceptions in the ranks of the town guards.)

There are 5 legion towns in the Vvardenfell district. Three of these are town garrisons: Moonmoth Legion Fort in Balmora, Buckmoth Legion Fort in Ald'ruhn, and Fort Pelagiad in Pelagiad.

The uniform of the Imperial Legion changed in between Morrowind and Oblivion. In Morrowind the Legionaires wear heavy armour (blue for soldiers, tan for officers) that closely resembles ancient Roman designs. In Oblivion the legion is equipped with plate armor. No explanation is ever given for the change, although it is possible that the blue/tan armor is an active duty combat dress as the soldiers stationed in Morrowind may have a greater chance at seeing combat, while the hoplite armor could be ceremonial as chances for action in the province of Cyrodil may be minimal(The Imperial Legion armor in Skyrim supports this theory). Another possibility is that the armor used in Morrowind is frontiersman dress because they are working in a rather unstable province far from the capital. Yet another possibility is that the Legion armour in Morrowind was improved in the six year gap that spans between Morrowind and Oblivion.

The Legion works for the Imperial government, with support from the Emperor who is currently in power. In the peacetime, the Legionnaires serve as guards, although in war, they have also been used as an invasion force.

In war, the Imperial Legion is a feared and unstoppable force. Their huge numbers and strict discipline cause even the most battle hardened army to question their tactics. The Imperial Legion attacks as just that: a Legion. With wide ranks of hundreds of disciplined soldiers, the Imperial Legion is a force not to be trifled with.

However powerful in their unstoppable numbers, Imperials (who make up the majority of the Legion) are not a natural warrior race but to counter this; they are a balanced and prolific race and the average trooper can be trained to hold their own against any foe. Still they opt to attack with massive amounts of well equipped and well trained troops, to give no chance of failure and to lower the morale of the opposition. Using all aspects of battle, archers, cavalry, officers, and most importantly their infantry platoons as well as companies of battlemages, the Imperial Legion is an unstoppable war machine, who crush any opposing army in their tracks.

The Lord's Mail and Chrysamere, the Blade of the Paladin, are Artifacts of special importance to the Imperial Legion. Prior to the theft by a former Legion member, the Mail was on display in the Imperial Commission in Ebonheart, Morrowind. After having been retrieved from the traitorous legionnaire, it is kept at an undisclosed location along with Chrysamere, presumably for security reasons.

Skills Required
The Imperial Legion selects candidates on the basis of superior endurance, the soldierly virtue, and trustworthy personality, the citizen's virtue, for service in the Legion is the model for the duties of Imperial citizenship. Troopers are expected to demonstrate mastery of the long blade, the spear, and blunt weapons. Legion troops train with shield and heavy armor, and so must be skilled at blocking and moving in heavy armor.

As a trooper or knight, you must master the long blade, spear, and blunt weapons. You must block whatever blows you can, and take unblocked blows upon your heavy armor. Recruit must also be proficient at athletics, both to march long distances with heavy packs, and to advance and maneuver, charge and retreat on the field of battle.

Special Duties
There are a number of special duties that Imperial Legion soldiers fulfill. Normally, the Legion is responsible for the projection of Imperial power in the provinces and the security of the Tamrielic roads. However, there are special companies of Legion soldiers that have different duties.

Imperial Foresters
The Imperial Foresters are rangers who patrol the dense forests of Cyrodiil and some other provinces. They are quick and nimble, lightly armoured in comparison to their regular counterparts and equipped with bows and swords. They are usually seen prowling the forests and attacking bandits, highwaymen, wolves etc. Also on rare occasion and possibly due to a glitch, they can be seen fighting mounted legion soldiers that patrol Cyrodill's roads.

Duke's Guard and Palace Guard
A special Imperial Legion platoon comprises the guard of any duke in the province of Morrowind, the Duke of Vvardenfell, for instance. These soldiers are among the best the Legion has to offer; the most accomplished soldiers of the Duke's Guard have the honour of serving as personal Palace Guard to the King of Morrowind.

Imperial Watch and Imperial Palace Guard
The Imperial Watch serves as city guard for the Imperial City. It has guard towers in every district of the city, as well as the Arcane University. The Watch is commanded by four Watch Captains, each with his own city district to protect. In the official version, the best soldiers of the Imperial Legion and the Imperial Watch serve as Imperial Palace Guard. However, it is suspected that most of the Imperial Palace Guard is made up of Blades, the special bodyguard and spies of the Emperor.

Guaranteed Imperial Watch Loot:
 * Fine Steel Bow
 * Silver Arrow
 * Silver Longsword
 * Legion Boots
 * Legion Cuirass
 * Legion Gauntlets
 * Legion Greaves
 * Legion Helmet
 * Imperial Watch Key
 * Gold

County Guards
When the need arises, the Counts of Cyrodiil may ask for a list of candidates of the Imperial Legion to serve as their city guards. Every Count has the authority to summon Legion soldiers to serve under their flag after the candidate list has been submitted. They are identified by their colours and coats of arms they wear belonging to the cities of Cyrodiil. In the end, though, their ultimate alleigance still resides with the Empire and they are still Legionaires.

Imperial Legion Battlemage
Members of both the Legion and Mages Guild, Imperial Legion Battlemages are soldiers trained in the use of magic and sword. They can mainly be seen on patrol within the Arcane University in the Imperial City and also at Legion Forts located on Vvardenfell. They are outfitted in standard Imperial Legion armor, however, they wear a blue hood instead of a helm and rarely utilise a shield. In battle, they act as support to the main Imperial assault forces. Most recognize High Chancellor Ocato, head of the Elder Council, as either their leader or their strongest ally.

Imperial Horsemen
Soldiers trained to fight on horseback, during war they act as a heavy cavalry force, delivering thunderous and unstoppable charges. However, in peacetime they guard the empire's roadways from bandits and goblins. They wear helmets similar to those of the greek hoplites. They can't fight from horseback so they must dismount to chase you down and if they catch you, they will tell you that you have violated the law (obviously why else would they be runing after you?)

Prison Guards
Legion soldiers charged with defending the sewer entrance to the Imperial Prison in Imperial City. These men, under the command of Captain Gepard Montrose, are among the few legionairies in the game who are in fact not Imperials. The section is made up of "Captain Gepard Montrose" (Breton), "Prison Guard" (Nord), "Prison Guard" (Redguard) and "Prison Guard" (Altmer).

Jailors
Legionaires or county Guardsmen who hold the entrance to each City's Penitentiary. They are the only key holders to the cell blocks and must accompany prison visitors at all times. These men wear their respective count's crest and uniform (or in the case of the imperial city, the standard legion uniform) but refrain from carrying shields and choose to use maces as opposed to the standard issue silver longswords. There are generally two jailors to each city, one sleeps whilst the other is on duty and vice versa.

Structure
The Legion is a strictly hierarchic organization. Each fort is usually commanded by a Champion (smaller forts) or any higher-ranking Knight (larger ones). The commander of a fort is usually called "Captain" or "General". Only knights may serve as generals. A Knight of the Imperial Dragon is the highest-ranking Legion officer in any district.

The Imperial Legion itself is sub-divided into armies, also called "Legions", with numericals added for identification (for instance, the 10th Legion which fought on Akavir).