Tes4Mod:Oscuro's Oblivion Overhaul/Cost of the Akaviri Invasion

Emperor Uriel V's invasion of Akavir was, as we know now, a complete debacle. The massive cost of the fleets, men and supplies provided nothing more than a few scraps of information on the continent, with little of these gains even returning to Tamriel, and even fewer being made public. The intention of this report is to examine how greatly the Empire failed financially in its attempt to gain a foothold on another continent.

Part I: Manpower

Six legions were selected to travel to Akavir, although only 4 were able to be transported at once. Because of the lack of effective transport, cavalry was limited and the legions were essentially footmen and archers, with a small complement of Imperial Battlemages. Four legions landed on Akaviri soil in 3E 288. Landing on the shore, the V, VII, X and XIV Legions made headway inland. In raw manpower, these four legions alone equaled slightly over 21,600 fighting men, with 10,800 reinforcements on the way from the IX and XVII Legions. This was a total of 32,400 fighting men, plus the associated sailors, colonists, commanders and workers that are essential on a large campaign. The total number of personnel that came along is unknown, but is rumored to be 38,650, including the reinforcements. Military service pay would be paid to the soldiers in small amounts only while on the campaign, and would be paid in full upon their return to Tamriel, or permanent settlement and discharge on Akavir. Because of this, the funds actually paid to the failed expeditionary force are negligible, and the actual funds paid out are around 750,000 Septims.

Part II: Food

While standard military rations are cheap, a safe supposition would allow for the estimate of 3 Septims per day, per soldier of food. Eventually, food would be found in Akavir, but until this time food had to be supplied by the Empire. It also took the soldiers time to rally at Esroniet, so that time must be factored in. While scouts began to search the coastlines of Akavir in 3E 285, the soldiers didn't begin to marshal until 3E 286. The garrisons that were either at Esroniet or en route to Esroniet took 8 months to arrive before the voyage began. Once the voyage started, it took six weeks to reach the shores of Akavir, and the soldiers had brought one month worth of rations for after they had arrived. This however, doesn't work out nicely. Only the initial four legions ever landed on the shores of Akavir, but they still needed to be fed at Esroniet. Also, supply ships continued to travel to and from Akavir, costing the Empire an estimated 7,250,000 Septims, for foodstuffs and supplies alone. All told, this equals 42 weeks, or 294 days. At 3 Septims per day of food, for 32400 men, is 28,576,800 Septims, not including the later additions.

Part III: Colonists

Only a few colonists were brought along, but those that agreed to come were given an Imperial grant. Each colonist that agreed to set up a new life in Akavir was given 80 Septims. Approximately 700 colonists came along, costing the Empire 56,000 Septims. An additional 2000 came later, but the strenuous finance of the Empire due to the invasion was beginning to show, and each family was only given 235 Septims, with an average of 5 people per family. These new colonists cost the Empire 94,000 Septims, although this doesn't include passage.

Part IV: Arms and Armor

Almost prohibitive, the cost for the arms and armor for the fighting men is extremely high. All armor costs are 10% higher than what was purely equipped on the troops, because extras had to be brought along. Also, repair items were needed, at an estimate cost of 32,000 Septims. For a foot soldier, the cost of armor is 520 Septims. The entire cost of armor for the foot soldiers comes out to a grand sum of 12,355,200. The costs of swords alone reached a sum near 2 970,000. For an archer, the cost of their arms, armor and arrows are 710 Septims. There were 3 footmen for every 1 archer. The archers cost 7,668,000. Very few cavalry were every deployed, but it should be noted that at least 100 were brought along. All of the horses were fine Cyrodiilic Bay Horses, each at a cost of 1000 Septims and equipped with a 500 Septim coat of barding. This brings the meager cavalry expense to 150,000. Over a year later, 300 armored mounts and 100 non-armored mounts arrived in Akavir, costing the Empire 550,000 Septims.

Part V: Transports

Upon the creation of the Far East Fleet for the invasion, the Imperial Navy had never been stronger. Approximately 290 ships were relegated to bringing soldiers and equipment to Akavir. Some of these were private transports on contract to the empire, making them somewhat more expensive, although some were newly built, and some were refitted and some were simple reassigned. The average cost for a contracted ship was 18,500 Septims. The average cost for a new ship was 47 500 Septims, and the average cost to bring a formerly mothballed ship to seaworthy standards was 7300 Septims. Of the ships sent, 45 were new, 80 were contracted, 30 were refurbished and 115 were reassigned. 20 used, aging vessels were also purchased for an average cost of 24,000.

Initial Cost

Manpower = 950,000 
Food = 28,576,800 
Colonists = 56,000 
Cavalry = 150,000 
Archers = 7,668,000 
Armor = 12,355,200 
Weapons = 2,970,000 
Transports = 4,316,500

Subtotal: 57,042,500

Additional Cost

Food and Supplies = 7,250,000 
Colonists = 94,000 
Cavalry = 550,000 
Armor Upkeep = 32,000 
Transport Upkeep = 75,000

Subtotal: 8,001,000

Part : Total Cost = 65,043,500

Conclusion:

Uriel V's invasion into Akavir certainly didn't fail from the lack of finances devoted to the project, although the remainder of the Empire certainly did. Had the invasion succeeded, the colonists certainly would have been worth the cost, as they soon would have been able to provide the foodstuffs necessary to maintaining an army, and in later years provide enough for export to Tamriel. The massive cost of the failed Akaviri campaign should be an important note for any future leaders that wish to embark on an invasion of a foreign continent, for the costs are simple prohibitive compared to the meager gains.