Legions

A Legion was a standing army traditionally comprised of 10,000 soldiers.
They were backbone of the Precursor Empire and it's (apparent) successor, the Phoenix Empire. Both Legions were open for volunteers and conscripts, often being used to elevate oneself in society after their minimum years of service was over. (2000 years in the elven Precursor Empire, 20 years in the Phoenix Empire). This kind of standing army would not be seen until 400 years after the collapse of Jaher's Phoenix Empire.
The Precursor Legions served as colonial vanguards during the Precursor Empire's time and was largely lost during The Sundering; the Phoenix Legions of Jaher saw more activity in Jaher's wars of conquest against the Halcanni Eastern Empires and the Beastmen Empire of the east, eventually dissolving into the Successor Kingdoms.
==Legions created under the Damerian Republic==
Name 	Notable Commanders	Emblem 	Composition 	Main Base 	Date founded/founder	Fate 	Notes
Sun 	
: Harinwel ta'Sarea
: Jaher	Blazing Sun 	100% Elf 	
Escann
Setadasar, Sarhal	226 Harinwel 	Reformed into a new Sun Legion under the Sarhalyan Empire	Main Legion under Jaher and Jexis' reign
Moon 	Istalara Warsinger	Crescent Moon 	10% Elf, 50% Human, 40% Half-elf	Damesear 	226 Istalara 	Wiped out at Second Battle of Ibevar Forest 	Fought against Jaher during the Damerian Civil War
Dragon 	
Paeran Dragonheart
Jaerel Jaherian	Dragon Rampant	60% Elf, 20% Human, 20% Half-elf	
South Corvuria
Escann
Iess, Harimaria	226 Paeran 	Wiped out under Jaerel during Eastern Imperial Civil War 	Jaherist
Frost 	 	Snowflake 	30% Elf, 30% Human, 40% Half-elf	
Gawed
Gelad 	228 	 	Jaherist
Sky 	 	Three Clouds 	20% Elf, 50% Human, 30% Half-elf	Wex 	228 	Halessi Conqueror Kingdom: Kailum 	Damerian
Ember 	 	Fire 	 	
Busilar
Brasan	230 	Absorbed by Brasan 	
Jaherist
Betrayed Jexis and fought for Brasan
Rose 	 	Red Rose 	80% Human, 20% Halfling 	
Small Country
Lorent	230 	Disbanded, formed foundation of Rose Knights 	Jaherist
Wyvern 	 	Wyvern 	 	Verne 	232 	Cannorian Successor: Verne 	Damerian
Griffon	 	Griffon 	 	Marrland, Escann	243 	Escann Successor: Marrhold 	Jaherist
Bear 	 	Bear Rampant 	 	Escann 	245 	Wiped out during Phoenix-Harimar War 	Damerian
Wolf 	 	Wolf's Head 	 	Escann 	244 	Halessi Conqueror Kingdom 	Damerian
Raven 	 	Black Raven 	 	Corvuria 	246 	Cannorian Successor: Corvuria 	
Damerian
Guarded against Cyranvar
Dales 	 	Foot 	100% Halfling 	Small Country 	259 	Wiped out during Phoenix-Harimar War 	Damerian
Cat 	 	Ginger Cat 	 	Dameshead 	260 	Halessi Conqueror Kingdom 	Jaherist
Star 	 	White Star 	 	
Busilar
Haless	269 	Halessi Conqueror Kingdom 	
==Legions created under the Phoenix Empire==
Name 	Notable Commanders	Emblem 	Composition 	Main Base 	Date founded/founder 	Fate 	Notes
Shield 	 	Shield 	 	Wesarba 	321 	Cannorian Successor: Busilar 	
Sword 	 	Sword 	 	Eduz-Vacyn 	511 	Wiped out during Phoenix-Harimar War 	
Hammer 	 	Hammer 	 	Seghdihr 	410 	Wiped out during Phoenix-Harimar War 	Created after The First Elfaml
Serpent	 	Green Snake	 	Serpenthead	324 	Cannorian Successor: Serpenthead 	
Maggot 	Dush the Great 	Maggot 	100% Orc 	Haless 	515 Dush 	Raided Halessi successors, eventually wiped out 	Desert Orc slave Legion
Wind 	 	Wind 	 	
Essypone Port
Some random port into Ocean	550 	Created Halessi port trade hub 	
Created after Esspyone was recaptured
Provided naval presence for Phoenix Emprie in Haless
Kraken 	Erdakk Seaskins 	Kraken 	5% Elf, 25% Half-elf, 40% Human, 30% Orc	Haless 	525 Erdakk Seaskins, Erdakk	Dissolved into various pirate bands in Haless 	Prison conscript Legion
Tiger 	 	Tiger 	100% Harimari 	 	557 	Disbanded, many of its soldiers became lords in the new Haless	Harimarian volunteer Legion during Phoenix-Harimar War
== Legio List ==
Old Legions
Name 	Notable Commanders 	Specialization	Size 	Composotion 	Fate
Sun 	
Harinwel ta'Sarea (elf)
Jaher (elf)	Central 	10,000	100% Elf 	Wiped out
Moon 	
Istalara Warsinger (elf)
Elestor Silmuna (half-elf)	Rear 	10,000	50% Elf, 50% Human 	Halcanni Successor:
Cannor and others
Dragon	
Jaerel Jaherian (elf)
Aenar Dragarre (elf)	Vanguard 	10,000	45% Elf, 55% Orc 	Halcanni Successor: Castellyr nah
Frost 	Ildor Borell (elf) 	Harassing 	10,000	10% Elf, 40% Human, 50% Orc	Eastern Successor:
Gelad
Sky 	Syman Sorrex (half-elf) 	Scouting/Flank	10,000	70% Elf, 30% Halfling 	Eastern Successor:
Kailum
Ember 	Maglemmion Teperios (elf) 	Shock 	10,000	5% Elf, 95% Orc 	Eastern Successor:
Brasan
Stone 	Imingor Katap (elf) 	Defense 	10,000	5% Elf, 90% Orc, 5% Dwarf 	Wiped out, dwarven survivors join to create Halessi Dwarf Hold: Esshold
Rose 	Thiren Lorentis (half-elf)	Homeguard 	10,000	25% Elf, 75% Human 	Disbanded, formed foundation of Rose Knights
New Legions
Name 	Commander 	Specialization	Size 	Composition 	Fate
Wyvern 	Nerivar (half-elf)	Vanguard 	10,000	5% Elf, 45% Human, 50% Orc 	Halcanni Successor:
Verne
Eagle 	Gawed (human) 	Central 	10,000	85% Human, 15% Orc 	Halcanni Successor:
Gawed
Griffon	Falonde (half-elf)	Rear 	10,000	70% Human, 30% Orc 	Halcanni Successor:
Marrhold
Bear 	Unknown 	Frontline 	5,000 	80% Human, 20% Orc 	Wiped out
Wolf 	Unknown 	Shock 	5,000 	100% Human 	Halessi Conqueror Kingdom
Raven 	Karion (elf) 	Magic 	2,000 	5% Elf, 80% Human, 15% Half-elf 	Halcanni Successor: Corvuria
Shield 	Unknown 	Defense 	5,000 	80% Human, 20% Dwarf 	Halcanni Successor:
Busilar
Sword 	Unknown 	Charge 	5,000 	50% Human, 50% Orc 	Halcanni Successor: Karinos
Lion 	Unknown 	Cavalry 	5,000 	25% Elf, 75% Human 	Wiped out
Cat 	Unknown 	Stealth 	5,000 	30% Elf, 30% Halfling, 40% Human	Halcanni Successor Kingdom
Hammer 	Urdan (dwarf) 	Siege/Defense 	5,000 	100% Dwarf 	Halessi Dwarf Hold: Esshold
Dales 	Unknown 	Scouting 	5,000 	100% Halfling 	Wiped out
Maggot 	Dush 	Raiding 	10,000	100% Orc 	Raided eastern successor kingdoms, eventually wiped out
Star 	Unknown 	Naval 	1,000 	100% Elf 	Wiped out
Wind 	Unknown 	Naval 	1,000 	50% Elf, 50% Human 	Created Halessi port trade hub
Kraken 	Erdakk Seaskins 	Piracy 	1,000 	75% Human, 25% Orc 	Became pirates of Haless
== Precursor Legions ==
The Precursor legions were established shortly after the Unification Wars that created the Precursor Empire. The legions were comprised of 10,000 soldiers each, with mages and archers forming the bulk. In place of armored heavy infantry mage-crafted golems were used.
Officially each legion was named only with their number, such as Ducaniel's 4th Legion, though each earned their own monikers, the 4th Legion's being the 'Viridian Legion'.
The Precursor legions saw
=== Composition ===
==== Legionaries ====
The legionaries within the Precursor Legions were wholly comprised of precursor elves, they were known to be to be skilled in all forms of war (given their supposed immortality, a precursor literally had a lifetime to master the arts -J), this allowed the army to be extremely adaptive to any combat situation. At the minimum each legionary was to be proficient in the sword and bow.
This 'jack-of-all-trades, master of all' mentality also extended outside the battle, each precursor legionary was a skilled builder, hunter, surgeon and craftsman amongst other things.
Specialization was rare give this mentality but those with the natural talent and personality were given specialized roles, such as mages, guardsmen and scouts.
==== Auxiliaries ====
During the Precursor Empire's colonial wars such as the War of Enlightenment the Empire allowed subjugated natives to act as support troops, using them for their genetic advantages the precursors did not have e.g. humans for their numbers and giants for their size.
More than likely these positions were in the frontline and vanguard, sparing precursor elf lives. It was not uncommon for a human or giant to be fighting alongside the expendable golem armies of the Empire.
==== Golems ====
Like the elves we know today, the precursor elves had low fertility and thus were unable to recoup major losses in the field as quickly as their enemies: every life was sacred. Prompted by the devastating loss of life during before the legion's conception during The War of Broken Chains the skilled mages of the Precursor Empire created golems to serve as frontline soldiers and general labour workers, it was not uncommon for an entire battalions of golems to be standing alongside a legion of 10,000. Golems often stood the same size of their precursor masters though larger ones were created during the War of Subjugation to counter the giants.
The lost arts of golemcrafting were arduous and long however, and they were phased out during the final years of the precursor colonial wars in favor of the readily available (and sentient) natives.
The golems used in domestic purposes, mostly in Halwes, were eventually possessed by Ducaniel and made to kill their masters, eventually becoming the first shot that started the War of Two. While its goal of spreading widespread chaos was successful, integration into Ducaniel's armies were foiled when the remaining magisters employed a Halwessi-wide magical blast that destroyed animated life.
Some traces of golems found all over the world have unwittingly been used for inspiration or parts of art pieces, rituals, weapons or even worshiped as deities themselves.
=== Equipment ===
The Precursor legions first saw combat against dragons which might suggest the emphasis on ranged combat, notably magic, javelins and the iconic elven weapon: the bow.
In its later years in the wars beyond Halwes such as the War of Ages in Haless the legions still employed the heavy focused on ranged weaponry, though the guerilla-style Halessi jungle-combat and the dwarven tunnel skirmishes brought to use the shorter composite bow (which would later be adopted by all of Haless, most notably the centaurs).
Each legionary was equipped with the minimum of a sword and bow, shields found early use against the dragons but was phased out when golems were used as frontline defenders. Against the giants in the War of Subjugation spears and horses were used. The precursor swords were long and thin, scholars suggest it is the forebear of the katana we see in Haless today.
Legionaries wore what we would call today as plate armor, though lost precursorcraft of smithing or minerals allowed a degree of movement and weight as if one was wearing nothing at all.
=== Tactics ===
The general strategy of the Precursor legions was to kill the enemy before they even reached the precursor lines. If however this did not work the enemies of the legion would be faced with animated golem defenders as well as any native auxiliary they could muster. Overall the Precursor legions often fought defensively, as the enemy had no choice: get close and fight or die in a flurry of arrows.
In its first colonial war: The War of Subjugation the precursors fought against the giants who were stronger and larger than them, this led to the creation of larger golems as well as the adoption of skirmisher and horse tactics whose goal was to immobilize the giants.
During the War of Enlightenment the legions adopted a more guerilla-style approach, abandoning their longbows for short composite bows (which would later be adopted by all of Haless, most notably the centaurs). Golems had problems in the jungle environment of Halwes and were easily ambushed, however they still maintained use as guards and decoys.
In the War of Ages golems saw heavy use to essentially overwhelm the dwarven tunnels, this eventually backfired on the precursors when the dwarves learned to create golems of their own; powered by engineering alone, the dwarven constructs were immune to any spell that rendered animated life void.
=== History ===
==== Origins under Dragon Rule ====
The legions of the Precursor Legions originated from the old Dragonguard, an ancient corps of slave soldiers during the Rule of Dragons, a time where the precursor elves were slaves under their draconic rulers.
The Dragonguard was a standing army used to contain and quell slave revolts, as well as to fight and die in the squabbles between the ruling dragonlords. They were the first to be taught magic by their masters, as well as the only elves allowed to use and carry weaponry. Later, they served as leaders of the rebellion that freed the elves during The War of Broken Chains.
The early Dragonguard was actually an umbrella term used to refer to the elite soldiers that served under the divided dragonlords, though the term would be officially coined after the unification into the Precursor Empire.
==== Unification ====
As new elven kingdoms were created, those that served under their respective elite corps (their respective Dragonguard) formed the bulk of the nobility and upper class. The dragons they served under soon became the heraldry for the families that ruled the Precursor Kingdoms.
The Dragonguard under Venaan, a minor elven ruler from central Halwes, served under him as his personal legion during the Unifications Wars.
==== Precursor Empire ====
After the unification Venaan established the Precursor Legions, with those that served under him becoming the First Legion. In peace time the Precursor Legions served as the military police in Halwes, as well as serving as the forward guard of colonial endeavors. During the Colonial Wars almost all the legions were deployed overseas, either fighting the beastmen of Haless or the dwarves and giant kingdoms of Halcann.
The legions eventually retreated back to Halcann after King Aenarion's Call for Inward Perfection though some were lost in the retreat or otherwise, such as Ducaniel's 4th Legion.
Due to The Sundering it is assumed that most of the Legion fell, with only a few making surviving in the elven Remnant Fleet which itself took a similar military-led approach.
== New Legions ==
The New Legions were created by the Damerian Republic General Harinwel ta'Sarea after decrypting some old precursor manuscripts at Silmuna University. The 'Old legions' had 10,000 men while the 'new legions' had 5,000 or under. The new legions were catered to Halcanni thinking, favoring heavy infantry rather than the lost arts of golem-making. The bulk of the legions were comprised of elves, humans and orcs though some dwarves and halflings also joined. After Harinwel's death the development of the New Legions fell largely upon his successor Jaher, who used them to conquer Cannor and establish his own Empire.
=== Rise of the Old Ways ===
With the increasing threats against the Republic the elven general Harinwel turned to the past and sought the help of the Silmuna University Dean and sorceress Ilmindis Silmuna, with their efforts they managed to decipher precursor manuscripts and training manuals that would solidify the Republic's rule and determine the world's history altogether.
===Phoenix Empire===
Under Jaher the Legions, now known as the Phoenix Legions, were spread across Cannor and beyond. He used them effectively against the Harimarians during the Phoenix-Harimar War favouring strong defense and powerful magical artillery to defeat the agile and lightly armoured Harimarians.
=== Successor Kingdoms ===
Over time the legions were disbanded, with their generals and commanders establishing themselves as the new nobility. Subjugated kings and emperors, mostly in the east, were displaced by new elfblooded military commanders. The 'New Legions' in the west made peace with the newly formed Jexisian Empire and established themselves as petty autonomous kings under the young Jexis' rule.
The kingdoms we see today can trace their origins back to the Legions that came to settle in their lands, their passed down heraldry is testament to this.
== References ==
Harinwel ta'Saraea (226). Arethonni Military Reforms. Silmuna University Press.
Garon sil Terr (1641). Histories Before Ours. Crowne Publishing.
Awenar sil Ilvandet. (1204). The Crescent Blade. Silmuna University Press.
Endwin Maritty (1784). Empires of Haless. DamesBooks.
Jorge R.R Mahder (1669). A Dance of Dragons. Red Lion.
Bettany Sofenwit (1843). The Dragonguard Scrolls. Beepeck Books.
Abor Frostbeard. (1520). Ten Thousand Legions And One. Red Lion.
Category:Military