Imperial Soldier (Skyrim)

Imperial Legion Soldier
Basic Info
Race	Imperial, Nord, Redguard, Breton
Gender	Male/Female
Class	Warrior
Faction	Imperial Legion
Rank	Soldier
Essential	No
Ref ID	0005CEEE
Base ID	0008DE5D

For other uses, see Imperial Legion Soldier.

"What the rebels like to forget is that the Empire's what's keeping the Dominion out of Skyrim."

―Imperial Soldier

Imperial Legion Soldiers are soldiers of the Imperial Legion in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Background

They are the main soldiers of the Imperial Legion located in Skyrim. These soldiers were put to their greatest test during the Great War. Many of the Legion's senior commanders are veterans of the Great War.^{[citation needed]} Imperial Soldiers are primarily composed of Imperials, Nords, Redguards, and Bretons who have been rigorously trained as light infantry. The waning of Imperial power, and a lack of available reinforcements, has forced the Legion in Skyrim to rely on local recruiting to bolster their ranks. Many soldiers have a strong sense of duty to the Empire, and a great resentment of both the Nordic rebels and to a lesser extent the Aldmeri Dominion, with whom they have an uneasy peace. Imperial Soldiers are found throughout the province of Skyrim, and are led by General Tullius in the Civil War with the Stormcloaks.

Battle and interactions

Their armor and weapons are inspired by those of the ancient Roman military. Imperial gear generally have a better defense rating than that of their Stormcloak counterparts. This makes the Imperial soldier more suited to defense, often using shields to block attacks.

Unlike Stormcloak Soldiers, whose ranks are relatively equal in terms of gender, Legion soldiers are all males, with only four female soldiers found at the beginning of the game; one Imperial Soldier at the tower in Helgen, one Imperial Captain, one Imperial Mage fighting Alduin, and one Legate, Legate Rikke. However, it is possible for the Legionnaire's corpse at Dragontooth Crater to be female, as well as an Imperial corpse at Shor's Watchtower.

Siding with the Imperial Legion during the Civil War prompts soldiers to greet the Dragonborn with their rank.

Apparel

Imperial Legion Soldiers wear a full set of Imperial Light Armor, wearing either Studded Imperial Armor or normal Imperial Light Armor. They sometimes use Imperial Shields, and are armed with Imperial Swords and an Imperial Bow with Steel Arrows.

Legate Rikke and Captains wear heavier Imperial Armor with the Imperial Officer's Helmet, while normal Legates wear heavy Imperial Armor, without the helmet. They are armed with Imperial Swords and an Imperial Bow, with steel arrows at their disposal.

Imperial Quartermasters wear a Blacksmith's Apron and shoes and are armed with an Imperial Sword and Imperial Bow, with Steel Arrows.

Locations

• At the beginning of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Imperial Soldiers lead the Dragonborn to be executed in Helgen. Hadvar is the first Imperial Soldier the Dragonborn can speak with.
• Imperial Camps.
• Imperial Guards appear in cities conquered by the Imperial Legion during the Civil War quest line; they are Imperial Soldiers that act as Hold Guards.
• Defending captured forts.
• Assaulting Japhet's Folly during the quest "Rise in the East".
• They can be found throughout the Civil War quest line, as either allies or enemies depending on which side chosen.
• Three Imperial Soldiers can appear as random encounters, escorting a Stormcloak Prisoner to Solitude.
• Three Imperial Soldiers can be found in a random encounter fighting three Stormcloak Soldiers. The Dragonborn can join the fight on either side with no repercussions.
• Three Imperial Soldiers can be found in a random encounter fighting three members of the Forsworn.
• Three Imperial Soldiers can be found, wandering the wilds.
• Three Imperial Soldiers can be found at an unmarked reach camp in Markath Hold where they are fighting Forsworn.

Subtypes

Official concept art of an Imperial Legion Soldier.

• Imperial Soldier – Basic Legion soldiers which make up most of the Army, proficient in One-Handed and Light Armor skills.
• Imperial Archer – Legion soldiers with a higher Archery skill than One-Handed skill.
• Imperial Mage – Legion soldiers that are proficient in Destruction Magic. Only two of these can be found at the beginning of the game.
• Imperial Quartermaster – Legion blacksmiths that can be traded with, who can be found in the Imperial Camps.
• Imperial Fort Commander – Commanding officer at a captured fort.
• Imperial Field Legate – Commands the soldiers in the field and second only to the general.
• Imperial General – Highest Commanding officer of the entire Legion.
  • East Empire Mercenary – Imperial soldiers under the employment of the East Empire Company.

Variants

Imperial Soldier

Click to show

Image Race Gender Level Class Location RefID BaseID Nord Male PC×1 (20-50) Soldier N/A N/A 000AA8D4 Nord Male PC×1 (20-50) Soldier N/A N/A 000AA8D5 Nord Male PC×1 (20-50) Soldier N/A N/A 000AA8D6 Nord Male PC×1 (20-50) Soldier N/A N/A 000AA8D7 Nord Male PC×1 (20-50) Soldier N/A N/A 000AA8D8 Nord Male PC×1 (20-50) Soldier N/A N/A 000AA8FC Nord Male PC×1 (20-50) Soldier N/A N/A 000AA8FD Nord Male PC×1 (20-50) Soldier N/A N/A 000AA901 Nord Male PC×1 (20-50) Soldier N/A N/A 000AA913 Imperial Male 1 Ranger Helgen 000D5693 000D67B8 Imperial Male 1 Ranger Helgen 000D56C3 000D7D7D Imperial Male 1 Warrior Helgen 000D56D7 000D7D8E Imperial Male 1 Ranger Helgen 000E1E93 000E1E95 Imperial Male PC×1 (5-12) Ranger Helgen 000E4919 000E491B Imperial Male PC×1 (5-12) Ranger Helgen 000E491E 000E4920 Imperial Male PC×1 (5-12) Ranger Helgen 000E6D5B 000E6D5C Imperial Male PC×1 (5-12) Ranger Helgen 000E72B9 000E72BB Imperial Male PC×1 (5-12) Ranger Helgen 000E77FB 000E77FD Imperial Male PC×1 (5-12) Ranger Helgen 000E77F7 000E77F9 Nord Male 1 Warrior N/A N/A 000FE510 Imperial Male PC×1 (5-12) Ranger Helgen 000F3E70 000F3E6D Imperial Male PC×1 (5-12) Ranger Helgen 000F3E73 000F3E6E Imperial Male PC×1 (5-12) Ranger Helgen 000F3E74 000F3E6F Imperial Male PC×1 (5-12) Ranger Helgen 000F94AD 000F94AE Imperial Male PC×1 (5-12) Ranger Helgen 000F94A8 000F94A9 Nord Male 1 Warrior Helgen 000F94B6 000F94B7 000F94B5 Imperial Male PC×0.25 (1-50) Soldier Wreck of The Icerunner 00090657 00017140 Imperial Male PC×0.25 (1-50) Soldier Wreck of The Icerunner 0008E75D 00017142 Breton Male PC×0.25 (1-50) Soldier Wreck of The Icerunner 0008E75C 0008E758 00017145 Nord Male PC×1.5 (3-20) Scout Sovngarde 00090A60 000173C1 Nord Male 1 Warrior Helgen Helgen Keep 0004E1CD 000654F9 000654FA 00046794 Nord Male 1 Warrior Helgen 000654F5 000654F6 00047CBA Imperial Male PC×0.25 (1-50) Soldier Korvanjund Halls: 000A4765 000A4789 0005AF29 0005AF36 Korvanjund Temple: 000A4763 000A4763 000A4765 000A4789 0005AF29 0005AF36 0005AF2A Nord Male 1 Warrior N/A N/A 0006E21C Imperial Male PC×0.25 (1-50) Soldier Whiterun 00073FDF 00073FE2 00073FD8 Imperial Male 1 Warrior Helgen Keep 0005CEEE 0008DE5D Nord Male PC×1.5 (3-20) Scout Sovngarde 00090A88 00091AF2 Nord Male 1 Warrior N/A N/A 0010A1AA Imperial Male 1 Warrior Helgen Keep 0005CEEC 0010A1AB Imperial Male 1 Warrior Helgen Keep 0004E1CF 0010A1A0 Imperial Male 1 Warrior Helgen Keep 0004E1D9 0010A1A1 Nord Male 1 Warrior Helgen Keep 0004E1DB 0010A1A2 Nord Male 1 Warrior Helgen Keep 0004E1CB 0010A19F Imperial Female 1 Warrior Helgen 00105EE3 00106B83 Imperial Male 1 Warrior Helgen 00106B85 00106B84

Quests

• Civil War questline
• Rise in the East
• Siege on the Dragon Cult

Conversations

Show: Siege on the Dragon Cult
At Forelhost: Captain Valmir: "The research I've done seems to indicate that Skorm Snow-Strider left part of his journal here after laying siege." Imperial Soldier: "Wait... who in the blazes is this?" Captain Valmir: "Oh! Um, he he... Hold on... I... I can explain..." Imperial Soldier: "Valmir, you rat. You're not a soldier at all! Must be one of the Thalmor!"

Show: Archers
At various locations: Imperial Soldier 1: "I'm still sore where I took that arrow, I hate archers." Imperial Soldier 2: "Aww, quit your bellyaching." or "Yeah, I know what you mean."

Show: The Jagged Crown
At Korvanjund: Legate Rikke: "What's the situation?" Imperial Soldier: "Stormcloaks were already camped out around the entrance when we got here. They don't know we're here yet, though." Legate Rikke: "Well, that's something at least."

Show: Why did you join up with the Legion
At various locations: Imperial Soldier 1: "So why'd you join up with the Legion?" or "How did you end up here?" Imperial Soldier 2: "I know it's what everyone says, "To go to new places and see the world." But it's true in my case... I never bargained on seeing more than I liked." or "My father was a legionnaire, and his before him. I guess I never considered doing anything else."

Show: Imperial Armor
At various locations: Imperial Soldier 1: "This Imperial armor is damn heavy." Imperial Soldier 2: "Aww, quit your bellyaching." or "Yeah, I know what you mean."

Show: Archers
At various locations: Imperial Soldier 1: "I'm still sore where I took that arrow, I hate archers." Imperial Soldier 2: "Aww, quit your bellyaching." or "Yeah, I know what you mean."

Quotes

• "How in Oblivion do we kill this thing?"
• "What in the eight divines is this monster?"
• "What the rebels like to forget, is that the Empire is what's keeping the Dominion out of Skyrim."
• "Been so long since I killed a Stormcloak, my sword-arm's getting flabby."
• "Can't wait to kill another of Ulfric's boys."
• "Stay alert. Never know when one of those Stormcloak dogs might charge."
• "For the Emperor!"
• "The Legion's always looking for strong, capable warriors. If you think you've got what it takes, our headquarters is in Solitude."
• "What in the Eight Divines is this thing?"
• "Keep your eyes on it!"
• "It's still coming!"
• "By Ysmir! Nothing kills it!"
• "Die! For the love of the gods, die!"

Trivia

• According to the Manual of Armor, light armor is mainly used for scouts, archers, light cavalry and skirmishers, while heavy armor should be used by frontline infantry, pikemen, heavy cavalry or foot knights. Despite that, every legion soldier in Skyrim uses light armor.
• Stormcloak soldiers may say, "Legion soldiers gleam like fresh-fallen snow and clank like a kitchen," but the Imperial Studded Armor that Legion soldiers wear does not reflect sunlight.

Appearances

• The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim