Helios Imperium Military

The Helios Imperium Military is a full write up of the Military of **The Helios Imperium**.

## History

The Helios Imperium Military started out as simple Household troops for **House Arcturius**. House Arcturius has had a history of well-trained, disciplined Household Troops, but things changed when **Marcus Arcturius** ascended to claim the Household for himself, initiating what is known historically as the *Marcus Reforms*. This reformation completely changed how the Household Troops were organized, fought, and trained, and with it, came the formation of the **1st Legion**. Throughout the years since their initial formation on Sarenith the 15th, Year 1, Age of Might, the 1st Legion has been embroiled in numerous conflicts. Thanks to the *Marcus Reforms*, the 1st Legion was an extremely efficient fighting force, and when the expeditions to the new continents came, the Military adopted the reforms easily and swiftly.

Although organizing itself into a singular Legion, many individuals would be inducted into smaller groups of soldiers and warriors, to better provide safety for the colony of **Helios**. There, they also serve as guardsmen for the burgeoning township.

## Organization

The Imperium Military is a well-oiled machine of discipline, contingencies, plans, and doctrines. It is well organized and each part is intended to be able to function independently if need be, ensuring that if any parts are separated through any means, they are able to function individually. A full strength Legion is made up of 5,000 men, separated into Cohorts of 500 men each, up to nine Cohorts, with an additional Cavalry Cohort of 500. These Cohorts are then separated into six Centuries, of 80 men each. Which is then further reduced into Squads, of 10 men each. Each ten man squad is equipped with a single mule, and support equipment to provide themselves a place of living temporarily.

### Known Legions

The known Legions of the Helios Imperium Military are listed below

* **The 1st Legion:** The 1st Legion ever raised, initially just household troops from **House Arcturius**, now serving as the most Veteran of the Imperium. Generalists. Led by Emperor Marcus Arcturius.
* **2nd Legion:** The Praetor's personal Legion, dedicated to ranged and siege combat. Defensive Specialists. Led by Praetor Lucas.
* **3rd Legion:** Internal Legion, standard defensives and generalist force. Led by Legatus Agrippa Bellicus.
* **4th Legion:** Heavily offensive; well-trained and powerful, equipped for brawling with enemy forces and destroying them with superior prowess. Led by Legatus Brutus Hermina.
* **5th Legion:** Internal Legion, commissioned by the Sunclaw Pantheon; large amounts of Hellknights and Religious Forces. Led by Lucia Castina, of the Ordo Sororum.
* **6th Legion:** Internal Legion, suppression. Filled out with Ordo Custodia Guards, made as a response to any potential uprisings, rebellions, or similar. Made for subduing with minimal losses of life. Led by Legatus Titus Quintinius.
* **7th Legion:** Rapid Response; deployed across multiple fronts, the 7th Legion is never united as one, and instead, routes individual Cohorts to places within the Imperium, or sometimes spreading a single Cohort across more than one location in a specific zone or region. Although it is technically led by Legatus Flavius Apelles, most 7th Legion Cohorts have little interaction with their Legatus.
* **8th Legion:** Generalist Legion; the newest of the batch, and one of the largest, other than the 1st. Deployed with advanced training, equipment, and with newer doctrines updated for the New World and threats they may face. It is led by Legatus Lucius Vitulus.

### Non-Officer Ranks

There are fewer non-Officer ranks, and a majority of Legionnaires stay within this area. Legionnaires that are able to read and write are often more privileged than their less educated counterparts, and usually relegated to Squad Leadership in the form of Sergeants, or simply elevated to Officer Ranks very quickly.

* **Recruit (1-2):** The fresh recruits; often called 'greenies', Recruits are fresh individuals inducted into the Imperium Military, sent to Training Camps. New Recruits remain within their initial Training Camp for eight weeks before they are then transferred to a secondary camp, based upon what designation they are to be trained as, such as Sappers, Crossbowmen, Siege Engineers, Cavalry, War Mages and more. The lengthiest of this additional training is a month for Siege Engineers, after which they are transferred to an official Legion. Sometimes, Recruits are trained enmasse and used to form an entirely new Legion.
* **Legionnaire (3-4):** The base Legionnaire. Most Legionnaires will remain at this rank for the remainder of their lives. Legionnaire, as a title, is the catch-all term for most members of the Imperium Military
* **Specialist:** Specialist, as a title, is an additional rank, and can be assigned to any other rank - Specialist Legionnaires, for example are those individuals who have proven themselves skilled in something other than holding a shield and hitting with a sword. War Mages, Sappers, Crossbowmen, Gunners, Siege Engineers, Cavalry, and other specialist roles.
* **Sergeant (5-6):** A sergeant is the leader of a Squad. Typically, they have more experience in fighting than most Legionnaires. Individuals who are able to read or write are promoted to this rank as a precursor to Officer Promotions.
* **Bellators (6-10):** While significantly more influential and 'higher ranked' than some Officers, Bellators are not Officers themselves. Bellators are the Elite of the Elite of a Legion, the strongest, the most skilled. They are Elite Warriors, and significantly respected within a Legion. Bellators fill the entire 1st Cohort of a Legion, as the most Veteran.

### Officer Ranks

There are many more Officer ranks than there are non-Officer ranks, and many different layers. This is to ensure that should one fall, another may take it's place. A lower ranked Officer may take command in a temporary field promotion in the event that it's hierarchy is disrupted.

* **Centurion (7-8):** The lowest rank of Officer within the Imperium; Centurions command a Century, eighty men, and are typically veterans of combat, with the ability to read and write. This is usually the highest a non-Citizen can hope to rise in the ranks. After a brief tenure as a Legionnaire, most Summus Civis or Patrician-born Citizens are promoted to this rank.
* **Tribunes (9-10):** Tribunes are the next rank of Officers. Each Legion typically has between 5 and 10 Tribunes, and these individuals serve a large variety of roles; Quartermasters, Aides, Champions. In many ways, Tribunes is the Officer-variant of 'Specialist'. Tribunes can often have other titles, such as Tribunes-Specialist to indicate an Officer of a certain aspect of a Legion's forces. Mage Tribunes, Cavalry Tribunes, Sapper Tribunes, Siege Tribunes, Crossbow Tribunes, Gunner Tribunes, are just a few of the titles a Tribunes may receive based on their duties.
* **Prefect (11-12):** Prefects are the Lieutenants of a Legate, serving as aides, and sub-commanders in a Legion. Typically Veterans of multiple tours, or with enough experience to justify a promotion.
* **Magna Bellator (10+):** Magna Bellator is a singular rank within a Legion; this is the Captain of the first Cohort. Although functionally the same rank as a Prefect, Magna Bellators command significantly more influence and respect, as these individuals are highly skilled in their individual duties.
* **Legatus (13+):** Legatus, or Legates, are an esteemed rank that maintains command of the entire Legion. These individuals can also temporarily serve as a Governor during war time, taking command of a province, city, or zone. When serving in this role, they are known as 'Legatus Prefects', and will maintain this role as long as their Legion remains stationed in an area without a Provincial Governor.
* **Praetor:** The Praetor is the High Commander of the entire Army; they are appointed directly by the Emperor and the Senate. The current Praetor is **Lucas Klaus**.

### Auxiliary Branches

The Imperium Military has numerous other branches dedicated to it's success. Individuals apart of these Branches often hold a standard rank, followed by Specialist. Sergeant-Specialist, Centurion-Specialist, etc.

* **Ordo Mechanicus:** A vital aspect of the Legions, the Engineers of the Ordo Mechanicus are in charge of artillery, explosives, and production of guns. In addition to that, the Engineers are also in charge of organizing and setting up Camp defenses.
* **Ordo Excursor:** Another vital branch; the Scouts of the Ordo Excursor scout the surrounding areas around an active Legion, and occasionally conduct hit and run tactics. The Excursors are under the command of the **Princeps Sicarius**.
* **Ordo Magus:** The Mage Branch, while not always attached to a Legion, is vitally important to the Legions, providing additional magical firepower and protection. The Ordo Magus are under the command of the **High Magistrix**.
* **Ordo Clerus:** The Clergy Branch, often made up of Clerics and Priests of the Sunclaw, while not vitally important, often find themselves tagging along regardless, providing healing, guidance, and protection magic. They also spread the faith to new locations alongside the Legions. The Ordo Clerus are under the command of the **High Flamen**.
* **Ordo Custodia:** The Guard Branch; although not directly apart of the Military, the Custodia make up the Guards and Watchmen of the Imperium's Cities. The Ordo Custodia are under the command of the **Legatus of Law**.
* **Ordo Venatoris:** Ordo Venatoris, originally a Hellknight Order, has expanded significantly due to its success, and now has a branch in the Military itself. The Venators, as they are called, are a special rank assigned to individuals within this order, but are typically of a rank equivalent to Prefects. Venators are specialized Adventurers, meant to travel around the Imperium and hunt down any rogue individuals, monsters, or issues that the Military itself cannot handle. Essentially, Adventurers on a payroll, but significantly more respected across the Imperium.

## Payment & Equipment

Standard Legionnaire Pay is considered quite good, compared to much of the world. A Legionnaire is expected to make roughly 3 sp/day, and rights to any loot or plunder they receive from fallen foes. Although it is the same pay that most trained citizens receive, it is significantly more than untrained labor, such as construction work or roadbuilding, could be expected to receive. This makes Soldiering a legitimate career prospect for most Legionnaires. Despite that though, most soldiers would not receive all the money in direct silver, as clothing, food, and replacement armor would be deducted from their pay if a replacement was requested. Thus, Legionnaires were encouraged to take good care of their equipment, as only their initial set would be paid for. Another large pay supplement is typically through captured prisoners of war, which can be a significant boon for a Squad that captures a suitable one.

### Equipment

A standard Imperium Legionnaire is equipped with a Longsword, a Dagger, and a Tower Shield. Scale Mail is the standard armor, along with gauntlets, and a helm for protection. Aside from their standard battle equipment, they are also given the following:

* Satchel: A standard leather satchel.
* Two Waterskins: Each Imperium Legionnaire is given two waterskins, in the event water is unavailable during a march.
* Food: Legionnaires are expected to carry roughly seven days worth of food for themselves, although the armies will typically have a supply line available without needing to dip into those supplies; at the beginning and end of a day, legionnaires are fed without needing to go into their own rations.
* Cooking Equipment: A pot, a skewer, a pan, and more, are typically carried with a squad's mule.
* Entrenchment Tools: The Imperium Military sets up camp at the end of every march, to be fully ready to defend themselves if needed. All Soldiers are expected to carry some entrenching tools; either a standard shovel, or a mattock. A standard knife for cutting, and sometimes a basket, for hauling earth.
* Camping Equipment: Although the tent for the squad is typically carried with the mule, as well as the stakes for it, each legionnaire is expected to carry their own bedroll, and if in colder climates or seasons, a heavy blanket.

## Discipline & Regulations

Discipline within the Imperium Military is significantly harsher than standard laws in the Imperium for citizens, as the Soldiers are held to a higher standard than their citizen counterparts. Regulations are strict, but fair, ensuring discipline remains in the legion. Soldiers are still expected to adhere to the laws of the Imperium itself, but these laws are in addition to the Imperium's own.

### Regulations

#### Minor Regulations

1. Equipment shall be kept in good condition.
2. Fornication with other Legionnaires, or Prostitutes is not allowed.
3. Gambling is not allowed.
4. Possession of Drugs, Alcohol is not allowed.
5. Fighting with deadly weapons is not allowed; brawling is allowed, but may not injure a fellow legionnaire for an extended period, or permanently.

#### Major Regulations

1. Do not impersonate a higher rank than your own.
2. Do not assault your Officers.
3. Do not disobey your Officers.
4. Do not rape anyone, regardless of citizenship rank.

### Discipline

#### Minor Punishments

These punishments and disciplines could be inflicted on any Legionnaire who violated a minor crime, or a minor regulation.

1. Whipping (five or less lashes): Whipping a legionnaire five or less times.
2. Cudo: Caning or bludgeoning a legionnaire.
3. Reduced Pay: Reducing their pay for a temporary period.
4. Reduce Rations: Reducing their rations to Barley instead of standard grain.
5. Demotion: Reduction in rank; for non-Officers, this is typically quite minor.
6. Inferior Duties: Given inferior or less than savory duties, such as latrine duty.

#### Major Punishments

These punishments are typically only for major crimes, or major breaches of regulation.

1. Dishonorable Discharge: Removal from the Military and all advantages of Service. All pay that was going to be given is taken.
2. Whipping (five+ lashes): Whipping a Legionnaire more than five times; the more serious the crime, the most lashes are given. Sometimes comes with a discharge.
3. Induction into the Expendable Cohort: Many Legions will have a Cohort dedicated to the more unsavory of individuals; if you dessert, or abandon your duty, you are often placed in this cohort, or simply whipped brutally and discharged. These individuals may even be assigned to poor posts for some time.
4. Death: Rarely inflicted upon Legionnaires, this is typically only in extreme circumstances, where a Soldier caused the death of other's, or put them in grave danger, or even murdered someone.