Legion of Arcadia

*“ Even as our world splits apart, our purpose stays the same. Save the people, without them we are nothing”*

-Knight Galf of Legion’s first company to her soldiers

## The Aftermath of The Long Night

Shortly after the death of the Monarch, Chaos hit the colonies. New Empires’ action of succession caused a great schism. Nobility of the old Empire and those still with duty to the old ways were left to rebuild. The loss of the emperor, the Legion remniance faced many trials. The power vacuum caused infighting between the Dukes and Duchesses in a bid to become the new monarch. The political subterfuge and assassinations caused even greater losses for the legion. As a result, the Knights of Legion, originally meant to be the military arm of the monarch, had to take the role of intermediaries and military forces for the remaining leadership. Their role was met with little resistance, as the knight’s neutral stance made them a more palatable option than getting murdered by a rival.

## Dukes & The Council

Arcadia is a government run by a council of 13 Dukes. Each has tremendous power in their own right and could be considered their own state. They are all bound together by matters of honor, defense, prosperity, and politics to form Arcadia. The 13 ducal spots are highly coveted and they occasionally shift as new power players claim them and others fall by the wayside. All dukes swear loyalty to Arcadia and its legions. Their council manages matters for the entirety of Arcadia and all governmental agencies derive their authority from the council.

### Titles

All titles are hereditary, though they can be given and stripped away at the pleasure of the one who gave it. The title can be passed to any child of the one holding it but it is traditionally given to the firstborn. All titles grant a level of prestige and a lifetime salary. Those who do not perform well and earn their pay will quickly find themselves stripped of a title.

The spouse of a titled individual is addressed by their spouse’s title as well. (A Baroness’ Husband would be addressed as “Baron”, even if they are not a Baron in their own right.) You only use the most senior title someone has.

### Barons

Under each Duke there are a number of barons. Barons swear loyalty to their duke and run domains or military elements within their sphere of influence. When a new Duke is appointed they make their most loyal supporters barons. While some Barons oversee things like planets or colonies some are “Sword Barons”; Barons who instead hold senior military positions.

A Baron has a council of their Marquess and Counts that advise them on matters of state and act with the Baron’s authority. This is often called their “Court” or “Privy Council”.

### Marquess

The children of a Duke are called “Marquess”, though the title is generally reserved for the heir apparent. In rare instances a Count may be elevated to a Marquess in the event that they are acting as the regent/advisor for a young Duke.

### Counts

The term “Count” denotes either a senior officer or a high level functionary of a Baron. Most common people aspire to hold the title of “Count” as it is a title that ensures them and their family will be taken care of.

### Lord

A “Lord” is an officer or government official. Unlike other titles a “Lord” is not a hereditary title- it is not passed down from generation to generation. Anyone from the rank of Lord or Higher carries a weapon (traditionally a sword but it could be a sidearm) with them at all times and it is a great dishonor to ask them to remove it.

### Knights

A “Knight” is a unique term in the Legion. It is a title reserved for those in charge of large battle fleets, super-elite soldiers with a long track record of honor and loyalty, or the head of various military branches. They are beholden to no Baron or Duke- only to the Council of Dukes themselves. The title is not hereditary though and is not passed down, though the children of knights are given the title of “Lord”.

#### Squire

A Knight can take “Squires” who serve under them in hopes of one day becoming knights themselves. They serve as both members of the Knight’s elite unit & personal bodyguards but also act as advisors and attendants. Even if a Squire never becomes a knight their career will skyrocket as a result of their Knight’s prestige, training, and political connections.

### “Centurion”

While not a formal title those who command a “Century” are often referred to as a “Centurion”, regardless of rank (who is going to argue with a person in charge of 100 mobile suits?). This is much the same as how the person in charge of a vessel is often called a “Captain”, even if their rank is lower than that.

### Rank vs Titles

Members of the military gain rank as they progress through their careers. One’s title, a sign of nobility, is independent of this. However, notable service in the military (but also other areas of society) can confer a noble title on you. Most often mobile suit pilots become “Lords” (which can’t be passed on). This is **not** automatic and must occur in game.

## Forces

### Division of Forces

About half the forces controlled by the Legion are treated as a shared, unified, military. The other half are composed of “Ducal” forces- forced owned and supplied by the Dukes and their houses. These Ducal forces are loyal to their House first and the Legion second. This effectively means that each Duke has about 1/16th of all the military forces of the Legion at their command.

### Branches of the Military

Within the Legion are a number of branches: the infantry corp, the MS corp, and the space naval corp. The Infantry Corp handles ground forces and personal scale vehicles. The MS Corp employs and maintains mobile suits and other heavy machines (such as tanks). The space navy handles ships and transportation. These branches work in concert within a legion: a legion will have MS, infantry, and naval elements within them. Branches are used primarily for training, logistics, and planning within their areas of expertise. For example: space navy officers will meet to decide on tactics for an upcoming engagement and report to their more unified legion command structure with their findings and needs.

### Specialized Units

On the “warband” level of organization (about 12-16 suits) the Legion employs certain specialized units

* **Sword:** These are suits designed for close combat. Suits like OMS-15RF RF Gyan are common in Sword units.
* **Axe:** These are heavy assault units often loaded with heavy weapons. MMS-01 Serpents are commonly found in Axe units.
* **Shield:** These units are armored units composed of mobile dolls for screening purposes. Suits like Virgo I and Virgo II are used in this capacity.
* **Bow:** These are long range units designed to strike from a distance. Things like RGM-122 Javelins and Leos equipped with long range rifles fill this role commonly.

### Rough Rank Equivalents

**Note:** “OF-8+” is generally a position filled directly by a Duke, several dukes, or one of their direct appointees.

### Noble Patrons\*

Some military units have their designation changed if they are lead by a person with a title of if they have a high ranking member of the legion declare them their “personal unit”.

* Some military units have their designation changed if they are led by a person with a title or if they have a high ranking member of the legion declare them their “personal unit”.
* A Legion squad is called a “Lance” if it is a unit in service of a Count or higher.
* A Legion warband is called “Guards” if they are the personal unit of a high ranking member of Arcadian society. These can be “Ducal Guards” for a Duke, “Baronial Guards” for Baron. In very rare instances a “March Guard” can exist for a Marquess. They are expected to serve as their escort and bodyguards.
* The 1st Legion of the Arcadian forces is referred to as the “Grand Legion” and is the legion officially patronized by the Ducal Council itself.

### The Sanctified Century

An independent Century exists in the service of the Legion Newtype Cult called the “Sanctified Century”. While they may have other units employed by them they have a dedicated Century of mobile suits at their disposal. These are technically suits in the employ of House Lost Moon but they act independently under the control of the Newtype Cult’s leadership.

## Civilian Life

Civilian life is dependent on their Duke or Duchess, some experiencing a comfortable life with little problem. While others suffer from abject poverty and threat. Although Knights try and end such cruel agony, most times there are political reasons they cannot interfere with the Duke or Duchesses colony.

## Cult of the New Path

Description: The Cult of the New Path are a religious sept within Legion that have existed shortly after Legion’s separation from the Empire. The core belief of the religion is Newtypes are the incarnations of the Newtype ascended, and are here to lead humanity to a higher existence. They believe the goal of humanity should be to follow these individuals, no matter what, to enter the next realm with the others who have already ascended. They w--ish to cross “Heaven's Gate”, and some more zealous members wish to do so by any means possible.

### History

The Cult started during the time of the collapse of the old empire. At the time Holland Terminus and his followers provided aid and protect to victims of this troubled time. As they do so, they also spread their beliefs to the people they saved. In this way, the cult spread throughout the Legion world's, and has become a established in the world's. Along with many congregations, the cult has a church that encompasses and entire monn near the center of Legion space called " The Radiant Spire", where the still living Holland Terminus leads the cult and their actions.

### Prophet

**Holland Terminus:** One of the oldest and most powerful Newtypes. He serves as the figurehead of the church. He is already well into old age, and has also developed his Newtype ability to the point of manipulating people through suggestion, and sometimes force if needed. Ironically enough, Holland doesn't believe in what is being preached, but uses the church to increase his influence, and prolong his lifespan. His senses allow him to read the intentions of the members of the church, and allows some of the most corrupt individuals to exist within as long as it furthers his own goals. Above all else, he fears his own demise.

## Known Houses

**Main Article:** Ducal Houses of Arcadia

* House Lafayette
* House Trigger
* House Hazzard
* House Valerio
* House Washington
* House Lost Moon
* House Yoshifumi
* House Jian
* House Beauregard
* House Ceaser
* House Alucard
* House Freedom
* House Titan