Imperial Legion Soldier (Skyrim)

## Imperial Legion Soldier

*For other uses, see Imperial Legion Soldier.*

*"What the rebels like to forget is that the Empire's what's keeping the Dominion out of Skyrim."*
―Imperial Soldier[src]
**Imperial Legion Soldiers** are soldiers of the Imperial Legion in *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*.

## Background

They are the main soldiers of the Imperial Legion located in Skyrim. These soldiers were put to their greatest test during the Great War. Many of the Legion's senior commanders are veterans of the Great War.*[citation needed]* Imperial Soldiers are primarily composed of Imperials, Nords, Redguards, and Bretons who have been rigorously trained as light infantry. The waning of Imperial power, and a lack of available reinforcements, has forced the Legion in Skyrim to rely on local recruiting to bolster their ranks. Many soldiers have a strong sense of duty to the Empire, and a great resentment of both the Nordic rebels and to a lesser extent the Aldmeri Dominion, with whom they have an uneasy peace. Imperial Soldiers are found throughout the province of Skyrim, and are led by General Tullius in the Civil War with the Stormcloaks.

## Battle and interactions

Their armor and weapons are inspired by those of the ancient Roman military. Imperial gear generally has a better defense rating than that of their Stormcloak counterparts. This makes the Imperial soldier more suited to defense, often using shields to block attacks.

Unlike Stormcloak Soldiers, whose ranks are relatively equal in terms of gender, Legion soldiers are all males, with only four female soldiers found at the beginning of the game; one Imperial Soldier at the tower in Helgen, one Imperial Captain, one Imperial Mage fighting Alduin, and one Legate, Legate Rikke. However, it is possible for the Legionnaire's corpse at Dragontooth Crater to be female, as well as an Imperial corpse at Shor's Watchtower.

Siding with the Imperial Legion during the Civil War prompts soldiers to greet the Dragonborn with their rank.

## Apparel

Imperial Legion Soldiers wear a full set of Imperial Light Armor, wearing either Studded Imperial Armor or normal Imperial Light Armor. They sometimes use Imperial Shields, and are armed with Imperial Swords and an Imperial Bow with Steel Arrows.

Legate Rikke and Captains wear heavier Imperial Armor with the Imperial Officer's Helmet, while normal Legates wear heavy Imperial Armor, without the helmet. They are armed with Imperial Swords and an Imperial Bow, with steel arrows at their disposal.

Imperial Quartermasters wear a Blacksmith's Apron and shoes and are armed with an Imperial Sword and Imperial Bow, with Steel Arrows.

## Locations

* At the beginning of *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*, Imperial Soldiers lead the Dragonborn to be executed in Helgen. Hadvar is the first Imperial Soldier the Dragonborn can speak with.
* Imperial Camps.
* Imperial Guards appear in cities conquered by the Imperial Legion during the Civil War quest line; they are Imperial Soldiers that act as Hold Guards.
* Defending captured forts.
* Assaulting Japhet's Folly during the quest "Rise in the East."
* They can be found throughout the Civil War quest line, as either allies or enemies depending on which side chosen.
* Three Imperial Soldiers can appear as random encounters, escorting a Stormcloak Prisoner to Solitude.
* Three Imperial Soldiers can be found in a random encounter fighting three Stormcloak Soldiers. The Dragonborn can join the fight on either side with no repercussions.
* Three Imperial Soldiers can be found in a random encounter fighting three members of the Forsworn.
* Three Imperial Soldiers can be found, wandering the wilds.
* Three Imperial Soldiers can be found at an unmarked reach camp in Markath Hold where they are fighting Forsworn.

## Subtypes

 File:Imperial Soldier Concept art proper.png
* Imperial Soldier – Basic Legion soldiers which make up most of the Army, proficient in One-Handed and Light Armor skills.
* Imperial Archer – Legion soldiers with a higher Archery skill than One-Handed skill.
* Imperial Mage – Legion soldiers that are proficient in Destruction Magic. Only two of these can be found at the beginning of the game.
* Imperial Quartermaster – Legion blacksmiths that can be traded with, who can be found in the Imperial Camps.
* Imperial Fort Commander – Commanding officer at a captured fort.
* Imperial Field Legate – Commands the soldiers in the field and second only to the general.
* Imperial General – Highest Commanding officer of the entire Legion.
	+ East Empire Mercenary – Imperial soldiers under the employment of the East Empire Company.

## Quests

* Civil War questline
* Rise in the East
* Siege on the Dragon Cult

## Conversations

**Captain Valmir:** "The research I've done seems to indicate that Skorm Snow-Strider left part of his journal here after laying siege. I believe it should indicate how to enter the blocked off sections of the stronghold. I should warn you, Forelhost is quite haunted, but I'm sure you can handle it. Return to me here once you've obtained the staff."
**Imperial Soldier:** "Wait it's haunted? I don't like ghosts... let me think about this for a minute... Wait... who in the blazes is this?"
**Captain Valmir:** "Oh! Um, he he... Hold on... I... I can explain..."
**Imperial Soldier:** "Valmir, you rat. You're not a soldier at all! Must be one of the Thalmor!"

**Imperial Soldier 1:** "I'm still sore where I took that arrow, I hate archers."
**Imperial Soldier 2:** "Aww, quit your bellyaching." **or** "Yeah, I know what you mean."

**Imperial Soldier 1:** "So why'd you join up with the Legion?" **or** "How did you end up here?"
**Imperial Soldier 2:** "I know it's what everyone says, "To go to new places and see the world." But it's true in my case... I never bargained on seeing more than I liked." **or** "My father was a legionnaire, and his before him. I guess I never considered doing anything else." **or** "I signed on 'cause I couldn't watch the Stormcloaks tearing everything apart and not do something. But, most of my family disagrees with my choice."

**Imperial Soldier 1:** "This Imperial armor is damn heavy."
**Imperial Soldier 2:** "Aww, quit your bellyaching." **or** "Yeah, I know what you mean."

**Imperial Soldier 1:** "I'm sick of waiting, when are we going to see some action?"
**Imperial Soldier 2:** "Aww, quit your bellyaching." **or** "Yeah, I know what you mean."

### Civil War questline

**Legate Rikke:** "What's the situation?"
**Imperial Soldier:** "Stormcloaks were already camped out around the entrance when we got here. They don't know we're here yet, though."
**Legate Rikke:** "Well, that's something at least."

At the second room:

**Legate Rikke:** "I don't like the look of this. Perfect spot for an ambush. Ten to one they're just waiting for us on the other side."
**Imperial Soldier:** "But there isn't any other way through, Legate."
**Legate Rikke:** "Let's not jump to conclusions, soldier. The Legion always finds a way. I'd rather take a moment and look around than walk blindly into an ambush. Auxiliary, see if you can find another way through. We'll charge in to help as soon as we hear fighting."

After seeing a dead draugr:

**Imperial Soldier 1:** "What in the nine holds is that?"
**Imperial Soldier 2:** "Is this what killed that Stormcloak over there? Can't be. It looks like it's been dead for a hundred years."
**Legate Rikke:** Steady now. The Legion has faced down worse than a few dusty old bonewalkers. We're not leaving here until we get what we came for. Now let's keep moving"

At the Hall of Stories:

**Legate Rikke:** "And this must be the Hall of Stories."
**Imperial Soldier 1:** "Oh... I've heard of this. These walls are supposed to show the history of the ancients who built this place."
**Imperial Soldier 2:** "Too bad we can't read these carvings. Who knows what secrets we'd uncover?"
**Legate Rikke:** "One thing at a time soldier. Focus on our primary mission. We're searching for the crown. Looks like we weren't the first ones here, either. Even if these carvings tell us where the crown is, I'm sure we're going to have to find a way through this door. See what you can figure out auxillary, I'm going to check out these carvings over here. Let me know if you find something."

As a Stormcloak:

**Imperial Soldier:** "You hear anything?"
**Imperial Soldier 2:** "Must be the Stormcloaks, find them!"

**Imperial Soldier:** "Sir! I... I have..."
**Cipius:** "Take a moment to breathe, soldier."
**Imperial Soldier:** "But... Sir..."
**Cipius:** "Breathe!"
**Balgruuf:** "The outer walls are strong. If we can hold them there..."
**Cipius:** "They have catapults."
**Balgruuf:** "Damnit. Where'd they get catapults? The city walls are already falling apart as it is."
**Cipius:** "My scouts tell me they're loading them with fire."
**Balgruuf:** "So, he wants to take my city, walls intact."
**Cipius:** "The men will be fighting in the flames."
**Balgruuf:** "My men are fearless. It's the Imperial milk drinkers I'm worried about."
**Cipius:** "If you prefer I took my men and left..."
**Balgruuf:** "No. Of course not. Just - don't let me down Cipius. We'll need to set up water brigades to combat the flames."
**Cipius:** "Already taken care of."
**Balgruuf:** "You Imperials are efficient, I'll give you that. How long until they arrive?"
**Imperial Soldier:** "Sir."
**Cipius:** "Not long. They're hiding in the country side."
**Balgruuf:** "Damnit. What's he waiting for?"
**Imperial Soldier:** "Sir!"
**Cipius:** "What?!"
**Imperial Soldier:** "Sir, they're on the move. They'll be at the gates at any moment!"
**Cipius:** "Why didn't you say so immediatly?!"
**Imperial Soldier:** "Sir, I tried."
**Balgruuf:** "This is it! Time to see what these Stormcloaks are made of."
**Cipius:** "The men are already gathering at the gates. Move it soldier. Spread the word. Go. Go. Go."
**Balgruuf:** "Oblivion take them. Every miserable last one of them."

## Dialogue

### Rescue from Fort Kastav

*"Thanks! I thought I was going to rot in here. So what's the plan?"*

**We've got men outside, we're taking over the fort.** *"Good! I've got a few scores to settle."*

**Wait here.** *""*

## Quotes

* *"How in Oblivion do we kill this thing?"* (Fighting a dragon)
* *"What in the eight divines is this monster?"* (Fighting a dragon)
* *"What the rebels like to forget, is that the Empire is what's keeping the Dominion out of Skyrim."*
* *"Been so long since I killed a Stormcloak, my sword-arm's getting flabby."*
* *"Can't wait to kill another of Ulfric's boys."*
* *"Stay alert. Never know when one of those Stormcloak dogs might charge."*
* *"For the Empress!"*
* *"The Legion's always looking for strong, capable warriors. If you think you've got what it takes, our headquarters is in Solitude."* ―Starts "Joining the Legion."
* *"What in the Eight Divines is this thing?"* (Fighting a dragon)
* *"Keep your eyes on it!"* (Fighting a dragon)
* *"It's still coming!"* (Fighting a dragon)
* *"By Ysmir! Nothing kills it!"* (Fighting a dragon)
* *"Die! For the love of the gods, die!"* (Fighting a dragon)
* *"Over there, by the fence! Do you see them?"* (During the Battle for Whiterun)
* *"Keep an eye out for Stormcloak spies."*
* *"Stay sharp."*
* *"Keep your guard up."*
* *"Keep an eye out for trouble. It's only a matter of time."*
* *"The waiting... the insufferable waiting."*
* *"Can't wait to gut one of those rebels."*
* *"Soon. I can almost taste it."*
* *"Well? Where the hell are those damned Stormcloaks? Let's get this over with already."*
* *"If those rebels think they can best us, they have another think coming."*
* *"Stormcloaks, get them!"* (Unbound)
* *"Weren't you on that cart with the Stormcloaks? Well if Hadvar vouches for you that must mean you're all right."* (Unbound, if pacified)

During combat
* *"Die rebel!"*
* *"Send Ulfric my regards!"*
* *"You call yourself a warrior?"*
* *"For the Emperor!"*
* *"For the glory of the Empire!"*

Warning player of Trespassing or escorting Stormcloak Prisoner
* *"Imperial business. Be on your way."*
* *"This is none of your concern, citizen."*
* *"Move along."*
	+ *"Citizen. I'm warning you. Your presence is interfering with Imperial business. Be gone!"*
	+ *"Be gone!"*
		- *"Citizen. You have been warned. You leave me no choice but to resort to violence."*
		- *"You leave me no choice, citizen."*
		- *"You have been warned."*

## Trivia

* According to the *Manual of Armor*, light armor is mainly used for scouts, archers, light cavalry and skirmishers, while heavy armor should be used by frontline infantry, pikemen, heavy cavalry or foot knights. Despite this, every legion soldier seen in game uses light armor.
* Stormcloak soldiers may say that *"Legion soldiers gleam like fresh-fallen snow and clank like a kitchen,"* but the Imperial Studded Armor that Legion soldiers wear in game does not reflect sunlight and is not noisy, thus implying that imperial soldiers would use heavy armor as well during Skyrim's Civil War (what is also implied by how Beirand says "*heavy armor for full on combat*" if the player questions him about the type of armor during Get Outfitted)
* During Hadvar and Ralof's "quarrel," Alduin grabs an Imperial Soldier with his talons and throws him into the air.
	+ If the Dragonborn is an Imperial and uses the Voice of the Emperor on an Imperial soldier, talking to them will reveal that his name was Caius.

"I saw Caius.. that dragon just grabbed him and... I don't know how I made it out of there..."

## Appearances

* *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion*
* *The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim*

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