XVII Legion of Sevicia

The XVII Legion of Sevicia, known commonly by the moniker Osman's Raiders, or simply The Raiders, after their commander Trys Osman, is a legion in the Imperial Sevician army. Established as part of the Sevician army in the fifth century, it has remained an active unit in combat for almost 300 years, seeing action in the Middlelands War, the Anaean Wars, and the three wars against Duscador. Its official motto is "Fate chooses the bold" and its sigil is a golden stallion crowned by a golden linked chain.
== History ==
The XVII Legion was founded in the early fifth century by Maria Mios, the reigning Imperator of Sevicia for more than 60 years between 349 and 413. The legion saw first action in the Middlelands War against the Kingdom of Erenna where it, and many other legions, suffered extensive casualties that left it severely under-manned. It was reinforced later in the war to its original strength of 5000 men plus auxiliaries and saw service in a number of wars and conflicts over the next two centuries in various forms.
During the First Duscadorian-Sevician War, the legion was held in reserve at the city of Meirum and saw no real frontline combat, though a number of its conscripts joined other units or were drafted there as the war went on. In the second war some 40 years later, the XVII Legion again was kept in reserve, this time outside the ciy of Maenaea in the Marshlands. It next saw combat in the third war against Duscador of 707 - 708, where command was transferred to the young general Trys Osman. Osman's humble background and approachable demeanour made her a favourite among the soldiers of the XVII Legion, and the unit saw combat when it served as part of a relief force during the Siege of Dasat. 
In mid-708, during the closing stretch of the war, the XVII Legion under Osman and general Renan Demarian routed a numerically superior Duscadorian army at the Battle of Brenner's Ford. The battle, which was fought with minimal casualties against a force that outnumbered them more than three to one, became something of a legend in Sevician military conversation, and earned the XVII Legion the moniker "Osman's Raiders," which became the unit's official name in the year 710 A.S. It remains under the command of Trys Osman and as of the year 713 is stationed near the southern city of Janna.
== See also ==
Trys Osman, Sevician general
The Duscadorian-Sevician Wars
The Imperial Army of Sevicia
Category:Military organisations