Nilfgaardian Army

The Imperial Army of the Nilfgaardian Empire is, without a doubt, one of the best-trained fighting forces on the Continent. Boasting from the lower ranks to the higher nobles involved within the military, its soldiers, known as the black-clad, are well-versed in the art of combat. Under the complete control of the Nilfgaardian Imperator who leads it through a set of high-ranking officers under a field marshal.
During greater conquests and invasions, such as the Northern Wars, the army was divided into groups, such as Center Army Group, East Army Group and Verden Operations Group. During the second of the Northern Wars, the army count was ca. 320,000, with 300,000 attacking the kingdoms and about 20,000 remaining in the Empire to keep the peace and defend core provinces in case of an unexpected turn in war.
Like many other armies, the Imperial Army is also in possession of siege weapons, including mangonels, trebuchets, Zerrikanian fire scorpions, and rot tossers.
Unlike the Northern Kingdoms, slavery is commonplace among the Nilfgaardians; slaves, usually prisoners of war, are used not only for manual work, but even during combat, fighting for their freedom, at least according to their masters.
The army uses variety of soldiers like light and heavy cavalry, spearmen, pikemen, archers and crossbowmen.
== History ==
Created during the early expansion of the Empire, the Nilfgaardian Army first served to conquer local countries, such as Vicovaro and Ymlac. Eventually they conquered so many realms, anywhere south of the Amell Mountains was considered a part of the Empire.
=== First Northern War ===
In , the army, led by Menno Coehoorn, passed the Amell Mountains through the Marnadal Stairs, and at the mouth of the pass on the other side, the Battle of Marnadal commenced against the Cintran Army, with the Nilfgaardians winning the battle, and the Cintran King Eist Tuirseach dead.
The army moved north and attacked the city of Cintra, slaughtering and sacking the entire city, as well as causing the deaths of most of the royal family and the suicide of Queen Calanthe. After sacking Cintra, they marched north into Sodden, and took control of Upper Sodden in a battle against a northern army. They then marched even further north, crossing the Yaruga into Lower Sodden and fought against the armies of Redania, Temeria, Aedirn and Kaedwen in the Battle of Sodden Hill. Around 100,000 fought in the battle and after suffering heavy losses, the Nilfgaardian Army retreated south across the Yaruga. Facing a stalemate with both sides facing each other across the river, Coehoorn ordered a retreat into the lands of Upper Sodden and Cintra, which they quickly occupied.
===Interwar period===
After the first war, the army held the lands south of the Yaruga. In the conquered lands of Nazair, a violent rebellion broke out against the invaders, and so Markus Braibant, the commander of the 4th Cavalry Army sent soldiers including Ola Harsheim and Dacre Silifant to suppress it. Not long after, a similar rebellion started in Metinna, which was suppressed the same by Nilfgaardian troops. Ebbing rebelled alongside Geso and Maecht, but the rebellion was brutally stopped by the junior commanders.
===Second Northern War===
In June , Emhyr var Emreis heard news of the Aedirnians and Lyrians stationed in Dol Angra, awaiting orders to attack Glevitzingen, an Imperial border post, to set off the Second Northern War. The White Flame mustered an army in the region in secret, ready to counterattack at a moment's notice. During the night of July 1st, Nilfgaardian forces disguised as Lyrians and Aedirnians seized Glevitzingen. Mere moments after, a group of King Demavend III's heralds escorted by Lyrian soldiers – all of whom were quite possibly still disguised Black Ones – informed the folk of the surrounding villages that Aedirn was taking control now. Claiming this an act of aggression, the Imperials crossed the Yaruga immediately, conquering the Lyrian border fortresses Scala and Spalla in just three days. Rivia was prepared for months of siege but capitulated under the promise of no harm. As Nilfgaard captured her realm, Queen Meve retreated to Aedirn, seeking aid. Coehoorn followed with a force of 13,000 men, including ten armoured companies, and met the two Northern monarchs armies united at Aldersberg. At the foot of the city gates, a large battle took place, resulting in a Nilfgaardian victory and occupation of the city. 
In the following month, treaties were signed with Verden and Kaedwen, and Imperial troops then stationed in the three strongholds (Bodrog, Nastrog, Rozrog), and the Kaedwenian-Aedirnian disputed land Lormark, respectively. From August 7th, the Verdenians and Scoia'tael assisted the Nilfgaardian Army in conquering Brugge in several smaller skirmishes, such as the precedent battle of the village near Owl Hills.
==Units==
==Notable members ==
==Gallery==
Gwent cardart nilfgaard nilfgaardian knight.jpg|Nilfgaardian knight
Jaruga cross.jpg|Nilfgaardian Army crossing the Yaruga
Nilfgaardian_Army.jpeg|Nilfgaardian commander
Tw3_nilfgaardian_fleet.jpeg|Imperial fleet
Gwent cardart nilfgaard standard bearer.jpg|Standard bearer
Tw3_Nilfgaardian_soldiers.jpeg|Nilfgaardian soldiers camped
Wgw_nilfgaardian_soldier.png|Nilfgaardian foot soldier
Gwent_cardart_nilfgaard_combat_engineer.jpeg|Combat engineer
Eldar.jpg|Impera Brigade special commando
Netflix cahir nilfgaardians.jpg|Leather-covered Nilfgaardian troops
Tw3 cardart nilfgaard etolian auxiliary archers1.png|Etolian auxiliary archer
Tw3 cardart nilfgaard etolian auxiliary archers2.png
Gwent cardart nilfgaard assassination.jpg|Assassin
MR Nilfgaard knight (1).jpg|Nilfgaardian plate armor
Nilfgaardian_Army_1.jpeg|Nilfgaardian banners
Gwent_cardart_nilfgaard_coup_de_grace.png|Coup de grace
== References ==
ar:جيش نيلفغارد الإمبراطوري
fr:Armée nilfgaardienne
it:Esercito nilfgaardiano
ru:Армия Нильфгаарда
Category:Armed Forces