Legion
Here inscribed are the words of deeds and actions of the 103rd Lancers, here on known as the ‘The Black Shadows’. Let it be known that I, Arthur ‘The Quill’ officially take over responsibility for the duties of the company’s scribe. To record all actions. As is customary at this momentous occasion I have begun a new book in the companies library. In the event that precious books are taken or destroyed I will begin with a brief history of the Legion and the current state of affairs.
Legion Life
Legion children are raised from a young age to always challenge themselves. Even in their early years they can be found in games such as Man Hunt, Wrestling, and playing games of chicken. At the age of 16 they are entered into the ranks of the military and begin their training to become a soldier. While the majority of Legion children will be entered into the military in some form or another, a number are denied entry. These will become members of lower castes but the drive of competition will never leave them. It is common for even simple laborers to challenge each other to see who can complete a project the fastest.
Those who do enter the service are trained to fight for their tribe. These complex battles are governed by a harsh set of rules of conduct for what is permitted on and off the battlefield. But in the end, war is the truest test and therefore Legion soldiers hunger for this test of their skill. Wars can be fought over just about anything, from land to resources. From right to technology, to settling a political dispute. Regardless the reason however, specific victory conditions are set down before hand and the code of conduct understood by all sides. Turning war into a spectator sport that many will travel great distances to witness and record the events of.
Tribes
The Legion government system is broken into distinct tribes. Each tribe focusing on a different characteristic of combat.The size of a tribe can vary widely, with some tribes being only a few thousand people and others being millions large. Each tribe is led by a Warlord, an individual who is the strongest of the tribe.
High Warlord
The highest of all among the Legion is the High Warlord. Chosen for life the High Warlord is the leader of all the tribes. Governing over disputes and making the final call in judgements of honor.The High Warlord is selected through a Grand Melee, a battle that is held to select whom Krath has chosen to be the next leader of the Legion. The battle is open to any who wish to compete, but it is as much a political battle as a physical one. Allies in the Grand Melee can mean the difference between victory and certain defeat.
Trials
Legion citizens live for the trial. When one tribe or individual wants something that someone else has they can challenge them for it. This is done by the attacker stating the object of their desire and declaring what they are willing to risk to get it. The defender is then permitted to declare how valuable the object is and what they intend to defend with. The Attacker chooses the time and the victory condition, the defender selecting the location and the conditions of defeat.There is great honor in the trial, and in reducing how much you plan to bring to the battle after your opponent has already announced their force. It is taken as a grave insult in some cases when a laughably small force is brought to bear against a foe. It is even worse when that smaller force is able to achieve victory.
Ways of War
As the Legion have moved fluidly through time, always in conflict their warfare is a mix of many different martial forms. Firearms and swords are just as common as crossbows and Kungfu. Each form of warfare has it’s advantages and to underestimate a foe due to their method of combat is to accept defeat before you begin. Combined arms are common, with both infantry and vehicular combat occurring frequently. Some Tribes have even begun to dabble in advanced experimental technology brought out of the Basted Lands to the north. Plasma weapons, and jump packs have begun to change the face of warfare across the realm.
I am sure I am leaving much out, however the enclosed pages will complete anything that I have missed. As Krath is my witness I shall do my best to entomb the fables of the Black Shadows into these pages, so that through their noble sacrifice, all who are slain will gain eternal life in the eyes of Krath. The Lord of War.
Amen.
Magi
The Legion find the Magi to be an absolute mystery. What seems like a defenseless civilian one moment turns into a living weapon the next. The Magi’s love of learning and scholarship is something that Legion can respect, but find to be a waste of time. What good is learning if there is no practice use for it? What use is there to scholarship, if you never put your skills to the test? How will you know what the next thing is to learn? These masters of the arcane are a true mystery to the Legion, but one that provides a worthy adversary.
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Teknocrats
The Legion despise the Teknocrats. What value is there to life if you are unwilling to do the labor of life yourself? How can you have any shred of self respect when you allow technology to do your dirty work for you. Machines of war so that you can stay safely at home, these are an abomination to the craft. However the impact of Teknocrat weaponry upon the battlefield, the sheer volume of fire power that the Teknocrats can bring to call if needed is enough to make even the seasoned veteran think twice.
