Legio Draconis - Legions of the Dragon

Following the splintering of the Order and the Exodus that followed, Shaedan Draco reorganized the military arm of the Knights of the Dragon. Instead of Chapters - for Shadan recognized only one, the Gold, which he himself represented - the army was organized into Legions. The legions of the Dragon initially numbered only two, but as they years went by and the Empire of the Dragon grew in size and wealth, the number of Legions was increased.

After the formation of the 9th Legion (the 10th Legion was scrapped before ever leaving the planning board), Emperor Shaedan called for a reorganization of the army yet again. Experience had shown the legions to be too big and too expensive; smaller and leaner units were required to meet new challenges. Following the many wars during the 1870s, and the great loss of life that followed them, reorganization was largely accomplished by directing new recruits to new Legions instead of as replacements to existing formations. In addition, experienced officers were taken from existing Legions and given positions within the newly created units (all officers would come from one existing Legion, creating a strong tie to the 'parent' Legion).

The new Legions were divided into Infantry and Cavalry; with the infantry numbering 2500 men per legion, and the cavalry half of that. Cavalry legions were subsequetly named 'demi-legio' and not 'legio' to indentify the size difference. In practice this new terms was only applied to new cavalry legion; the old legions that were converted into cavalry demi-legio retained the title 'legio'.

Draconic Guard - "Cleavers, the Emperor's Own"

The Draconic Guard is not at full legion strength, nor is it really considered a Legion as such, since it has none of the usual characteristics and duties of a field Legion. The Guard was created after the Exodus, drawn from the elite of the 1st and 2nd Legion (the only pre-Exodus legions). To this day it continues to recruit its members from the other legions; it is considered a great honor to be invited into the Guard, and few decline this opportunity. The Guard is tasked with providing security for the Emperor and his household, defending the City of Dracropolis and ensuring that no hint of corruption is allowed to take hold within the Dragonholds. The Guard is divided into three Cohorts, although they are rarely called that.

Members of the Guard usually wear heavy armor and carry a polearm called an adgeir; it bears some resemblance to a halberd, but is actually based upon a weapon used by the Rjurik to fight Anuirean knights, and modified to allow it to be used from horseback in the manner of a lance. It is this weapon that given rise to the Guards’ nickname – the Cleavers. This equipment can of course be changed according to the situation; the Guard has access to all kinds of mastercrafted items and can even draw upon a pool of magical item if need be.
1st Cohort is the most prestigious part of the Guard is of course the Emperor’s personal, all-templar bodyguards. It is their job to safeguard the Emperor, the family, his household, and by extension the Imperial Palace. If the Emperor or his family travels, they will each be accompanied by at least a Claw of the 1st Cohort. In times of war they can be formed into heavy cavalry Wings to accompany the Emperor into battle. To distinguish the 1st from the rest of the Guards they are often referred to as “the Emperor’s own”. Lord-Marshal Ultima Drake Taran, House Arthene, ex-Red Chapter, commands 1st Cohort and also serves as the Emperor’s Chief of Staff, making him second only to the Emperor in military rank.

2nd Cohort is actually quite overstrength, being tasked with the protection of Dracropolis. Part of its duty is manning the walls and towers of the city and patrolling the perimeter outside, and part is policing the city as a kind of city watch. Equipment is medium cavalry/infantry for the patrols and defenders, and light for the watch (chain and light weapons, some mounted patrols). If need be the 2nd Cohort can be broken into four full battle-cohorts and given better equipment from the city armory. Lord-Marshal Senioris Drake Adrian, House Yamela, ex-Silver Chapter, is the energetic and humorous commander of 2nd Cohort. He is also the Chief of Operations on the Draconic Staff.

3rd Cohort is not a well-known unit, since it is the Draconic equivalent of secret police, intelligence agency and inqusition, all rolled into one. Very little is known about the internal workings of the 3rd Cohort, except that it is sub-divided into several branches, including one militant branch. The militant branch seems to include a large percentage of monks and weapon masters; they act as covert agents or even assassins if need be. Lord-Marshal Junioris Drake Maximillian was the long-time commander of the 3rd Cohort and High Inquisitor to the Celestial Dragon, until executed for treason and replaced by Michael Draco. Michael is technically also the Emperor’s Chief of Intelligence, but tends to delegate this task.

The Guards are maintained in part by revenues from the Imperial Lands around Dracropolis, and in part by tithes from outlying regions. Each of the three Cohort commanders are Senators, and each also has an important position on the Draconic Staff.

The Guard is, of course, most closely associated with House Draco. Its ranking officers are either of Draco blood, or are honorary members of the Draco household (they received their lineages before the creation of the Houses).

I Legion - Pillars of Devotion "Bloodguard"

The oldest Legion, the Bloodguard’s history reaches back to the countless campaigns staged out of the Fang, long before there ever was any Draconic Knights or Exodus. Of all the legions, the 1st reveres the Emperor the highest, according him at least as much respect as they do the Dragon. Indeed, the other legions think that the 1st is too focused on the Emperor, and thus lax in their devotion to their true master – the Celestial Dragon.

The 1st is composed of noble and consummate warriors, strictly lawful in all their works, and unflinching in their devotion to the Draconic Creed, the Immortal Emperor and the Celestial Dragon. They wear golden death-masks made to resemble the Emperor’s face and wear crimson cloaks over gold armor. They regard missile combat as cowardly, preferring instead maneuver to place themselves on the flanks or to the rear of their enemy, followed by lightning charges. The 1st is undoubtedly the best medium cavalry the Order has to offer.

The 1st Cohort is known as the Faceless; named after their featureless gold death-mask (replacing the Emperor death-mask used by the rest of the Legion). Known as the most devoted of the Emperor’s defenders, the cohort carries a dark secret. Devoted they are, but in the Faceless it has become excessive, turning them into fanatical killers of any perceived (real or otherwise) enemy. Their worst atrocity to date was the slaughter of every man, woman, and child – more than a hundred thousand souls – in the city of Altan, the capital of Alitaene. It was a meaningless and wasteful action, as the city had already surrendered.

Lord-General Kieran, ex-Silver Chapter, is their commanding officer. Kieran is a great diplomat and the Order’s finest knight the world has seen in ages. He rarely fights on horseback, taking instead to the air in drakeform with his fabled Shadowbane lance. Sadly Kieran also suffers from the curse of the Faceless, and often seethes with barely-contained rage. Kieran is also highly racist, holding that only pure-blood Anuireans are fit to serve the Dragon.

Primary holdings are on the eastern bank of the Kier; the Lord-General of the 1st is a member of the Senate, representing these lands. The Legion is also tasked with garrisoning the Cedar Kingdom of Rhandel, drawing considerable revenues from the lands under its command, but does not control Rhandel’s seat on the Senate (at least not directly).

The 1st is the Legion most closely associated with House Arthene.

II Legion - Mark of Faith "Teardrops"

The Teardrops is another pre-Exodus Legion, with roots back to the Cerilian campaigns. The 2nd was formed as the resources of the Fang grew strong – and ambitious – enough to support additional units. The 2nd Legion is very pious and esoterical, being steeped in the arcane/divine mysteries of the Dragon. The 2nd always feels that is has to prove its worth – suffering from something of an inferiority complex with regards to the 1st. There have also been some quarrels about the 1st adoring the Emperor too much, and the Dragon too little (to be fair the 2nd is guilty of doing the opposite).

The 2nd has many among their ranks that know something of the mysteries and they use this knowledge to their advantage in war. Their magic is pure and filled with devotion to Draco (paladins are fairly common, but so are fighter/sorcerers and fighter/mystics), focused on protection, augmentation and healing. Like their brothers in the Pillars they prefer melee combat, but are more inclined to fight dismounted. Their use of arcane magic rather limits their choice of armors. They decorate their war-gear with teardrop-cut gemstones and pearls.

The 1st Cohort is composed of the finest spell-wielding knights in the Order. Known as the Dragonblades, they focus their magic and combat prowess through their weapons and other war-gear. Though few in number, they are formidable foes – wielding magic and sword with equal easy and deadly skill. There is a hidden flaw among the members of the Dragonblades – some among they have gone too far in their quest for mystic lore, and learned things they should have remained hidden and forgotten.

Lord-General Malecant, ex-Blue Chapter, used to lead the 2nd Legion, but was banished to the Fang for his part in starting the war with Mor Atha. As a paladin-sorcerer turned drake Malecant has great powers, but he is no Keeper. His abilities are focused on war and battle, and there are few who can match Malecant in personal combat. There is currently no commnder of the 2nd Legion – Malecant’s XO runs the legion during his absence, but for all intents and purposes the 2nd continues to recognize Malecant as their leader.

The Teardrops have their core holdings on the western bank of the Kier River, and their Lord-General has a seat in the Senate (although he is rarely there – preferring instead to operate by proxy). The 2nd is responsible for the garrisoning of the lands of Lurech.

The 2nd is most closely associated with House Kieyra.

III Legion – Dragon’s Wrath “Fleshtearers”

The 3rd Legion claims to be a pre-Exodus legion, but this claim is tenuous at best. It was formed as a garrison force, left behind to protect the Fang as the majority of fighting men went with the 1st and 2nd legions to Aduria. And even if it is accepted as a pre-Exodus legion, is suffers from an inferiority complex with regards to the 1st and 2nd – since it was originally not intended for any great and heroic undertakings. And to add injury to insult, when the 3rd was finally transported to Aduria and brought up to strength, it was tasked with garrisoning Dracropolis and the surrounding provinces, while the 1st and 2nd continued to reap glory on the fields of battle. And so the 3rd will use any opportunity to prove itself – the Legion is know and feared for its ferocity and willingness to accept any loss to achieve its objective; and retreat is never an option for the 3rd, even if wisdom dictates otherwise.

The 3rd has both excellent mounted archers (with special masterwork composite longbows capable of being used from horseback) and highly aggressive mounted infantry (fighting dispersed in the manner of weapon masters). The preferred tactic is to wear the enemy down with missile fire, then attack from multiple directions with infantry. The legion is known for its spiked armor, it rarely utilizes shields or spears.

1st Cohort is the elite of the legion. Known as the “Ravenwing” they are known for their utter fearlessness and willingness to fight on even when all hope of victory is long gone. The members of the Ravenwing have taken to eating the heart-flesh of their enemies – a tradition not entirely supported by the book (but not directly forbidden either).

Lord-General Xavier, ex-Bronze, commands the 3rd Legion. An old naval veteran, the Lord-general has turned his legion into a highly mobile, highly aggressive force, breaking all tradition to do so. Xavier never engages the enemy personally, always staying aloft to observe the battle, and sending his drakes to relay orders to subordinate units.

The 3rd has its holdings in Oeried – south and west of the main Kier River Valley, close to the mountains. Their Lord-General has, of course, as seat in the Senate. The 3rd is tasked with the general security of Oeried outside the areas held by the Guard (Dracropolis) and the 4th (Orideichus).

The 3rd is most closely associated with House Berra.

IV Legion - Fortress Draconis "Wolfguard"

The 4th legion was formed after the pacification of Oeried and the end of the Border Wars period. The added size of the lands under the Dragon was stretching the legions to the limit, effectively tying them down with garrison duties. The 4th was created to remedy this – a legion of all-heavy infantry to man forts and castles throughout the Dragon’s area of influence. The 4th continues these duties today, but also provide bodyguards for important Draconic servants (like diplomats or keepers on foreign duty), and man the defenses of the Four Temples. As a result the 4th is the most widely scattered of the Legions.

The 4th almost always uses very heavy armor and focus on infantry tactics and fortification/siege work. Indeed, the 4th is almost as skilled at destroying or seizing fortification as they are building and defending them. They death-masks are made to resemble wolves, as is much of their iconography. The members of the Wolfguard know that the pack is strong where a lone wolf is weak, and that any beast, no matter how strong, can be brought down by a pack working together.

The 1st Cohort is known as the “Bloodclaws”; know for their great white wolf-pelts and clawed gauntlets. The Bloodclaws are not only skilled builders of fortifications; they are also masters of siegecraft. It is said that no castle built and defended by the Blood Claws has ever fallen, and that there is no fortress strong enough to resist their wrath.

Lord-General Hieronius, ex-Red Chapter, commands the 4th. He is the archetypical templar, strong and fierce, and equally skilled with sword, spear or bow, on foot or on horseback. He is a powerful fighter and skilled general, but his true genius lies with fortifications and siegework. Indeed, all the Order’s major fortifications were designed by him.

The 4th holds dominion over liberated Orideichus and the surrounding areas, which initially was barely sufficient to support the legion, but that now holds the promise of being a lucrative source of income. Long-term foreign posts also have access to some local resources – most notable the Four Temple forts. The Lord-General of the 4th is a Senator; Orideichus also has a Senator, which is – for obvious reasons – closely aligned with the 4th Legion.

The 4th is most closely associated with House Yamela .

V Legion - Empress Draconis "Whitecloaks"

The 5th Legion was created with a special purpose – to fight the Shadow in Cerilia. As the power of the Dragonholds grew enough to sustain (barely) a fifth combat legion, it was also apparent that there would be no more major campaigns in Aduria for a while. For a long while (nearly two decades) the 5th was the only full-strength active legion, a source of immense pride for its members.

The 5th is drilled according to the Book (of the Dragon). Everything is in strict accordance with regulations and their commander will not permit any deviance. Yet the legion expects its members to show creativity and initiative within the bounds laid down in the Book. The only ornamentation allowed armsmen is a white cloak, worn in honor of the Empress, the legion’s patron.

1st Cohort is composed of the finest the 5th has to offer, both templars and armsmen. They wear heavy snow-white armor under white cloaks. They are nicknamed the “Snow Lions” for their fierceness and teamwork. Sneered at by the other 1st Cohorts as green and lacking in tradition and prestige – and in truth that is something the Lions lack – but they are also quite free of the flaws that plague the elder 1st cohorts – like pride and vanity.

Lord-General Maximus, ex-Copper Chapter, is the master and commander of the 5th Legion, and a very fine one at that. An old builder might seem an odd choice for the position as commander of the Order’s most active legion, but Maximus was not chosen by chance. He has a keen and able mind that seeks solutions where others see problems. If anyone can stay vigilant or even outwit the Shadow, it is Maximus.

The 5th initially had no lands to call its own, but was supported directly from Dracropolis and through various local dispositions, including the “leasing” of Kiergard and the income derived thereof. Currently the 5th has been assigned lands south of Orideichus along the Orid River; it is not a very prosperous region, but with hard work it can be made more fertile.

The 5th is most closely associated with House Melissandre .

VI Legion – Eternal Dragon “the Bannerless”

The 6th Legion was created in preparation for the push into the area around the Inner Sea. As the 1st and 2nd legions “accidentally” got embroiled in a war in Mor Atha, the 6th was forced to bear the burden of fighting the Empire of Alitaene on its own. The 6th was originally commanded by the Imperial Crown Prince – Moerdred Draco the Younger. The 6th legion has the unique ‘honor’ of being the only unit of Draconic Knights that has ever surrendered – it did so at Moergan’s direct order, not because it had been defeated, but to shown Eleanor and the people of Alitaene that the Celestial Dragon was a force of law and good. Since that day the 6th has taken to the field without their banners, earning them their nickname “the Bannerless”.

The 6th is a fairly typical legion, focusing slightly more on mounted combat and missile power than is usual. They also tend to go fairly lightly armored, though this is largely a result of the climate in the Inner Sea region. The 6th also has a habit of employing a great variety of auxiliaries, ranging from wemic tribesmen to Alitaene knights.

The 1st Cohort of the 6th has not gained the notoriety of other 1st cohorts. Not because it is in any way lacking, but because it has avoided most of the iconography or excesses of the other elite cohorts. The 1st Cohort is usually called “Moerdred’s Own” or the “Prince’ Own”, since a good number of the cohort’s veterans actually rode with Imperial Crown Prince Moerdred during the Alitaene campaign.

Lord-General Ghemal is the current commander of the 6th legion. He served as Moerdred’s second-in-command during the Alitaene campaign and also acquitted himself well during the Nehalim campaign. Ghemal is the first non-Anuirean to rise to such a lofty rank – his dark skin marks him as a Naida. He was born in a small village in Oeried, and was inducted into the Order when his family was killed fighting the Order’s advance.

The 6th has been granted lands in eastern Alitaene. The land is quite poor, but the 6th has wrought wonders in the short time they have held their fief. Unfortunately the Inner Sea region is not very conductive to magical works, or they could have worked miracles instead.

The 6th is most closely associated with House Serrissa. It might seem an odd relationship since Moerdred and Serrissa have never been very friendly. Lady Serrissa rarely interferes in the workings of her Legion.

VII Legion – Sanguin Draconic (Blood of the Dragon) “Iron Hearts”

The 7th Legion was hastily formed to accompany the 6th on the Nehalim Campaign. It was created at a time when several other legions were already short on men, and therefore it consisted of more raw recruits than is customary and its officers and NCO’s were drawn from every other legion. Given the legion’s name, it was common to joke about the “7th bleeding the rest dry”.

The 7th legion has extensive experience in small-unit tactics and the use of light infantry. Years of fighting elusive enemies in the jungles of Nehalim forced them to change their perspectives on the proper conduct of war. The 7th also has very little regard for life, even when compared to the rest of the Draconic Knights – a result of the enormous losses suffered by the legion during the Nehalim campaign (partially a result of a lack of experience). All members of the 7th carry an iron orb on a chain around their new – earning the Legion the nickname “Iron Hearts”

The 1st Cohort is known as the Forsaken – it is composed of those brothers who have lost the ability to distinguish right from wrong and the will of the Dragon from their own bloodlust. It is the smallest of the elite cohorts, but potentially the most dangerous. It is only used when extreme measures as called for – once unleashed it is very difficult to control it.

Lord-General Hyperion commands the 7th Legion. He is the former commander of the 1st Legion/1st Cohort. He’s carried with him the excessive zeal of the first and combined it with the tenets of the 7th; creating what can only be described as the most single-minded and bloodthirsty legion of them all.

The 7th has recently been granted lands in Nehalim; although vast and fertile, the lands have yet to be civilized (or even conquered) and it will be quite some time before they yield any significant income.

The 7th is most closely associated with House Ingrid. Lady Ingrid is the consort who most relishes fighting; even fighting for fighting’s sake. She has yet to take much interest in her Legion.

VIII Legion – Emperor’s Will

The 8th Legion is a recently created reserve legion. It is currently being trained and outfitted in Oeried. Economic and cultural reforms provided for an increase in revenues.

The 1st Cohort of the 8th Legion is known as the Emperor’s Claw. It special in that it is made up of the remnants of the 9th Legion. The 9th Legion began mustering at the same time as the 8th, and was intended to remain at cadre strength until additional manpower became available. When it was decided that this manpower never would become available, it was decided to incorporate it into the 8th rather than completely disband it.

The 8th has lands in Mor Atha.

The 8th is most closely associated with House Allandra .

IX Legion – Emperor’s Claw

The 9th Legion was disbanded before it was fully formed, with the personnel moved to the 1st Cohort of the 8th

X Legion – The Firstborn

The 10th Legion is a special legion in that it is made up not of Initiates of the Dragon, but of non-dragontouched seeking to gain the favor of the Dragon.

The legion is currently being outfitted in Ilien.

The Lord-General of the 10th Legion is Blaede, Red Drake.

XI Legion – Celestial Light

A new infantry legion, created by emanation from the 1st Legion. It is to be ready to participate in the final part of the Nehalim campaign.

XII Legion – Draconic Fang

A new infantry legion, created by emanation from the 2nd Legion. It is to be ready to participate in the final part of the Nehalim campaign.

XIII Legion

There is no 13th Legion – the number 13 is considered cursed, and is not used in numbering.

Other legions

The Draconic Staff has plans drawn up for yet more legions, but they have yet to become reality. The 14th and 15th legions are next in line, drawn primarily from the 3rd and 5th Legions respectively.