Cult Of Kaesar

A religious cult organizing gang-like raids.

In the year 2246, the Followers of the Apocalypse sent a group to the Grand Canyon to study the region's tribal languages. The group included Followers Edward Sallow, Calhoun, a physician, Mormon missionary Joshua Graham, a specialist in tribal dialects. Not long into their travels, the group was captured by the Blackfoot tribe and held for ransom.

Noticing that the tribe didn't know how to fight, Sallow instructed his captors in the arts of war. Under his guidance, the Blackfoots not only defeated but subjugated the neighboring tribes and came to regard Sallow as their leader. Under the combined leadership of Caesar and Graham, the latter of whom had been declared the "Malpais Legate," the newly-formed "Legion" led campaigns against other tribes, forming a fanatically loyal army of assimilated warriors. In the early days of the Legion, the powerful Twisted Hairs tribe of Arizona would aid the Legion as scouts. However, the Legion would eventually break the alliance and conquer the Twisted Hairs as they had with many other tribes, erasing their tribal identity and crucifying those who resisted on Interstate 40.

In 2271, the Legion's presence served as a catalyst for the Ranger Unification Treaty. President Kimball recounts during that year, the Desert Rangers of Nevada joined the New California Republic's forces to protect the region against "the tyranny of [Caesar's] regime."

Subsequently, the Legion expanded west into the Mojave and established a base of operations on Fortification Hill overlooking Lake Mead and the Colorado River in 2277. The advancing forces eventually made contact with the NCR near New Vegas and began a campaign to take the region with their forces consisting of at least 87 conquered tribes.

### Battle of Hoover Dam

Under the command of the Malpais Legate, Legion forces marched against the New California Republic garrison at Hoover Dam, in an attempt to take the strategic asset and river crossing. In what became known as the First Battle of Hoover Dam, The Malpais Legate advanced against the NCR defenders but his forces were unable to penetrate the Republic's defenses. The NCR First Recon and NCR Rangers, under the command of Chief Hanlon, executed a tactical retreat west into Boulder City after using their prowess in marksmanship to kill the Legion's centurions and decani from afar, an act that prompted the Malpais Legate to order the Legion's elite forces to push forward in pursuit of the enemy sharpshooters. He realized too late that the Rangers and First Recon had booby-trapped Boulder City, laying explosives all along their route of retreat and throughout the city itself.

When the Legion's elite forces entered the city, the Rangers and First Recon detonated the explosives and inflicted severe casualties on the enemy, crippling their offensive. Shortly after the few survivors of the trap at Boulder City were finished off, NCR Troopers under the command of General Lee Oliver then counter-attacked, pushing back and eventually routing the Legion's main force after having successfully held the Dam. Caesar, angered at the failure of his Legate, made an example of him. The Praetorian guard covered the Legate in pitch, set him on fire, and cast him into the depths of the Grand Canyon. Caesar forbade mention of his name and now he is spoken of only in hushed whispers by the lowest legionaries and slaves, who call him the Burned Man.

By 2281, Caesar's Legion has reestablished its power in the west, rebuilt its army, and has slowly encroached on the city of New Vegas. They continue to contest NCR in the Mojave region, destroying several NCR bases such as Ranger Station Charlie and Camp Searchlight, overrunning the NCR town of Nelson, decimating the town of Nipton and creating unease and terror across the region.

## Society

Main article: List of tribes assimilated by Caesar's Legion

The Legion proper is first and foremost a slave army, the sole owner of which is Caesar. As Caesar conquers the peoples of the wasteland, he strips them of their tribal identities and merges them into his forces. The non-tribal people who live in Legion-controlled territory are not considered legionaries.

### Ideology

Caesar wishes to dedicate its members to a higher ideal, he seeks to prevent humanity from fracturing and destroying itself again. He believes that the only way to achieve this is through enforcing a nationalist, imperialist, totalitarian, homogeneous culture that obliterates the identity of every group it conquers. The individual has no value beyond his utility to the state, whether as an instrument of war or production. Caesar firmly believes that mankind requires warriors and their sacrifice, rather than gadgets that allow for bloodless victories. Caesar describes the Legion's culture as one that "forbids painkillers and is largely ignorant of medical science."

Caesar cites the NCR as an example of government corruption by wealthy brahmin barons and landowners, greed permeating every level of society, all leading to the abandonment of the collective and the greater good. The Legion is intended to be the Republic's opposite, shunning democracy in favor of a strong, centralized rule that would prevent fragmentation and internal weakness.

This opposition is based on a loose interpretation of Hegelian dialectics, where the thesis (NCR) and the antithesis (Caesar's Legion) will inevitably form a synthesis at the resolution of the conflict, eliminating flaws and leaving a new quality, with common elements and ideas. He likens the situation between the NCR and the Legion to the transformation of the ancient Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.

### Social structure

Cassandra Moore mentions that she has heard the Legion doesn't allow women in the military, considering them nothing more than breeding stock. Jimmy states that women are treated as a form of currency. Veronica, when asked about the Legion, states that they "Mount their soldiers as much as they mount their women." Cass also states to a male Courier with the Confirmed Bachelor perk Courier that she "doesn't like soft living or soft men" to which Cass states that he has a "Legion outlook on things". Major Knight also confides to a male homosexual Courier that the Legion is "a little more forgiving about... friendships."

Caesar also works with members of the White Glove Society to further his goals. It is also believed by some NCR citizens that those in the Legion practice cannibalism.

Those who escape this fate and become subjects enjoy superior stability and security, thanks to the Legion's governance. Traders can travel on their own without guards most of the time in Legion lands. Coupled with the absence of heavy NCR taxation out in the frontier, many traders stick to Legion lands for regular trading, though some cross the river to trade with the NCR from time to time. The Legion holds firm to their ideology against drugs and alcohol, punishing those they capture with the illicit substances severely.

Anyone outside the Legion ranks or under their rule is considered to be "dissolute" or are called "profligates," referring to those lacking morals. Freshly caught individuals are called "captures" and are considered the lowest of the low. Their only right is to be tested as a slave. If they do not meet the requirements, they are killed.

Slaves are one step above captures and consist of captured humans unfit for combat duty as a legionary. They are expected to adhere to the virtues of a slave and follow their master's orders without question. They are given a new name and wear rags with a bright red X painted over the chest. Some captures and slaves are forced to wear slave collars to ensure their docility. Slavery is managed by the Consul Officiorum ab Famulatus. Consul Officiorum typically acts through his representatives or administrators, who handle sales, bargaining, and issuing legal documents, such as bills of sale. The Legion treats documentation with exceptional care, especially when pregnant women are concerned: Slavers may receive subsequent payments if the child is born.

## Military

The least seasoned legionaries are typically fielded first during a battle, allowing them to prove their mettle in combat. Those who survive and prove themselves on the battlefield become prime legionaries eligible for command as a decanus and deployment as second-wave attacks. The top ranks of the legions are occupied by veterans, who form the third wave and rear guard. These elite troops are deployed once the first two waves fail to achieve their objectives, allowing the Legion to field its most powerful, fresh troops against a weakened, tired enemy.

The Legion has special postings and branches in addition to regular military ranks. The vexillarius (standard-bearer) carries the Legion's flag into battle and serves as a rallying point for other legionaries. The *frumentarii* and *speculatores* are the Legion's special forces, tasked with infiltration, subterfuge, recon, and other essential tasks, both of which have special training that legionaries who show promise in such matter can participate in. The praetorians are an elite unit of bodyguard hand-picked by Caesar to protect him and the legates.

### Legionaries

The Legion draws its manpower from the dozens of assimilated tribes that it has conquered over the years and any children born thereafter and consists of roughly 35,000 soldiers. Legionaries are trained to not have to think for themselves. In extreme cases, the Legate may order one tenth of the unit's troops be beaten to death by the other nine-tenths. Each soldier is equipped with a standard M4A1 as their primary, and a fully automatic .22 pistol carrying 40 rounds. Each soldier has a white, tungsten mask with a large smile on it. As well as a small engraving of it om their shoulders/breast piece. The soldiers are more of a hivemind, able to constantly be in touch with Kaesar himself, as well as thousands of others. The extreme discipline and obedience of the lower ranks require a strong chain of command to exist, to guide the soldiers on the field of battle.

Legionaries are authorized to and will scavenge better weapons from fallen enemies and use them in combat. Veterans and centurions use anti-materiel rifles or 12.7mm submachine guns.

### Military doctrine

In larger battles, legionaries are deployed in waves, with recruits upfront, prime soldiers behind them, and veterans, the old guard, bringing up the rear. Smaller Legion raids involve both quick attacks and methodical slaughter and crucifixion, such as in Nipton. Legate Lanius states their forces are much better suited at taking positions than holding them due to their up-close style of fighting. In addition, Legionaries are known to use children as traps. The Legion tortures prisoners within eyesight of NCR forces.

## Relations with the outside

In 2281, it is locked in conflict with the New California Republic at the Colorado River. Organizations like the Van Graffs oppose the Legion. White Legs are firm allies of the Legion and are used as proxies for the Legion in the war for Zion. After the defeat at Hoover Dam, the Legion has allied with the Great Khans and Omertas and plan to use them to aid their plans.

Dale Barton often prefers to trade in Legion territories, saying that he finds it cheaper as he doesn't have to hire protection on most occasions, nor does he have to pay extortionate taxes, due to the effectiveness of Legion suppression of raiders and wasteland creatures. Rose of Sharon Cassidy admits that caravan life would be much easier if the Legion controlled the roadways instead of the NCR, as the Legion does not require the same exorbitant tolls and simultaneously provides consistent and effective protection of routes in their territory. She states that for the same reasons caravans side with the Legion, if towns could be provided the same level of security, they would likewise be tempted to capitulate.

According to Ulysses, Caesar has commanded Legion couriers not to kill another courier (even if they appear to not be Legion), as many couriers are disguised frumentarii.

## Equipment

Lower ranks typically use either simple firearms (typically revolvers or lever-action rifles), power fists, or melee weapons in the form of machetes and throwing spears. Higher ranks, such as prime legionaries, decani, and centurions have access to superior weapons, such as anti-materiel rifles, marksman carbines, and super sledges. The personal guards of Caesar themselves are equipped with high tech ballistic fists. The Legion's lack of technical expertise means that many legionaries are untrained in the use of certain weapons, with some unaware that land mines can be disarmed.

While no Legion member wields energy weapons, they show interest in purchasing them from the Van Graffs. The Legion has a large number of Stealth Boys. These Stealth Boys are never seen used by Legion soldiers in the Mojave but are used by the Legion at Dry Wells and the Legion marked men in the Divide. Centurions make their own armor, crafted from elements of body armor scavenged from felled foes. Beyond that, the Legion is opportunistic and will use any kind of technology to further its goals, whether it be using a howitzer to suppress NCR snipers or occupying HELIOS One after the Courier wipes the NCR out with ARCHIMEDES.