Legionnaire

A Legionnaire is the basic military rank of the infantry-centric forces of Imperial Legions, making up the bulk of their fighting forces. Legionnaires are called such because of their membership within one of the numerous Imperial Legions, usually number and named after the city from which the bulk of the soldiers were raised. 
The Calradian Empire uses multiple different methods to raise armies of Legionnaires, ranging from volunteers of the lower classes enticed by the chances of changing their lives with returns from The Bounty, to outright conscription in times of dire need. Most Legionnaires are in the position they are in because they were not of high enough status to contend for a position as a Legate, and so most are from the lower classes of Imperial society, and are illiterate as a result. 
Whatever the case, Legionnaires are as varied as the people of the Empire itself, and represent a cross-section of whatever region they are from. Thus, a Legionnaire of the 16th Myzean Legion is likely to be entirely different in ethnicity, initial martial prowess, talents, and temperament than a Legionnaire recruit from the 42nd Lagetian Legion. In the days of old, this was used to the advantage of all, as the differing skills and experiences of the different Legions would be used to gain victory over any foe by being able to exploit any weakness. However, since The War of the Three Emperors, the once "swiss army knife" that was the Imperial legions has now become much more region and city-centric.
The main difference between an Imperial Legionnaire and your "run of the mill" city militia is the period and nature of service. Legionnaires are required, whether conscripted or volunteer, to serve the legions for a period of no less than 5 years. This allows ample time for them to be sufficiently trained, gain combat experience, and create a pool of institutional knowledge that can be drawn upon by new recruits and replacements. After 5 years of service, legionnaires are usually permitted to retire back to their home if they wish. Most legionnaires serve well beyond the minimum though, as there are increasing monetary and authority benefits for continued service. Legionnaires who serve a full 25 years are provided an Imperial pension, guaranteeing them a minimum living standard for the rest of their life. In addition, "pensioning veterans" as they are called, often retire with a not-insubstantial amount of bounty and loot from their years of service, allowing many to start businesses or live otherwise comfortable lives. This tempts most to join as volunteers, as it is a way to escape the circle of poverty that many people find themselves in.

Qualifications

Legionnaires have no minimum requirements, and many join with no military experience whatsoever. Despite this, legions will seek to recruit individuals with useful skills to a military on the march, such as horse-riders, cobblers, carpenters, stonemasons, blacksmiths, and hunters. Eventually, every Legionnaire will be assigned a trade to master in their downtime, to make the Legion itself a more self-sufficient entity.

Requirements

Aside from the minimum 5 years of service, Legionnaires have a number of other requirements:

1. Be at least 17 years of age;
2. Be an Imperial Citizen (non-citizens may serve, but are not eligible for pensions. Instead they and their descendants receive Imperial Citizenship instead, see The Calradian Empire
3. Be able to march 20 kilometers, with 40 pounds of extra weight, without assistance; and
4. Have a full set of eyes, ears, limbs, and at least three-quarters of their teeth. 

Responsibilities

Legionnaires are of course expected to fight in battles on behalf of the Empire, but they are also required to carry out all of the day-to-day tasks required of a Legion, including but not limited to:

• Marching with their personal kit and any additional kit as necessary (pots, pans, tools, food, water, etc)
• Maintaining the personal clothing, armor and weapons, including paying for any necessary repairs not being able to be repaired by the Legionnaire themselves
• Pitching camps, and keeping them clean to a minimum military standard
• Paying proper respects to the Saints of Order on a daily basis
• Taking shifts on extra guard and patrol duties
• Learning and mastering a craft, as assigned by their Centurion, and using this craft as necessary (i.e. a carpenter will have to help construct wooden fortifications, repair carts or wagons, and go on wood-gathering patrols. A cobbler would be required to create and maintain the boots/footwear of a specific number of Legionnaires.)

Benefits

The main benefits, as outlined above, to a Legionnaire are the potential for a pension, their monthly salary, and the potential to take part in The Bounty.

Accoutrements & Equipment

Legionnaires are each issued clothing, armour, and weaponry upon their enlistment, and are expected to protect it, maintain it, and replace it in case of damage or lose.
Though Legionnaire equipment varies WIDELY from Legion to Legion, some universal basics still exist. All Legionnaires can be expected to carry at minimum the following:

• 1 set of fitted Half-Plate armour
• 1 steel helmet
• 1 longsword, or a shortsword and longbow
• 1 shield
• 1 travelling pack containing: 1 waterskin, 1 bedroll, 1 tinderbox, 1/10th of a tent (tent carried as a group in 10 sections), 2 torches, and 1 of either a spade or an axe.

In addition, legionnaires are also issued additional equipment in smaller numbers, usually with 1 for each 10 Legionnaires such as:

• 1 spyglass
• 1 cooking pot and other cooking utensils
• 1 map
• 1 set of artisan's tools
• 1 medicine kit

Many Legionnaires will save up money to purchase better kit, and this is actually encouraged, as long as the purchased gear is of a similar kind/type as the unit they are working in I.E. pike unit legionnaires must all be equipped with at least 1 pike.
Finally, Legionnaires will also often be dressed with accoutrements or other signifiers of their individuals Legion. A prime example of this is the soldiers of the 3rd Qasiran Legion, who all wear luxurious silk clothing under their armour, so that the gaps between their armour plates glitter with purple and gold reflected light in the sun.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

after 5 years of service, Legionnaires are permitted to return their issued kit, and retire from service. Before this time, any attempt to leave the Legion is considered treason, and is punishable by death.

Type

Civic, Military, Not Commissioned

Alternative Naming

Trooper

Length of Term

Varying from 5 - 25 years

Reports directly to

Centurion

Related Organizations

• The Calradian Empire

Legionnaire Current Average Life Expectancy After Enlistment: 8 years