Imperial Ten Thousand

The Imperial Ten Thousand is the standing imperial army of the Exum. They were initially founded as a mercenary group during the Jakaphet Wars but were brought in to be the standing army of the empire by the Imperial-Heir Kasaye during the Unficiation War. They are commanded by the Lion General of Exum.

Structure

While in the field or in camp, the army is composed of a vanguard, main body, left and right wings and a rear body. The titles of the upper level of officers reflected this organization:

Second Lion, is second to the Lion-General and is in charge of the main body

First Lion of the Vanguard, marched to the fore of the Imperial Train

First Lion of the Left Wing, responsible for the defense of the left wing of the Imperial Train

First Lion of the Right Wing, responsible for the defense of the right wing of the Imperial Train

First Lion of the Rearguard, marched to the rear of the Imperial Train and is responsible for the security of the Imperial Train in the event of an attack. One of the Emperors most trusted men and when not in the Imperial Train is with the Emperor as his bodyguard

Under the Lion-General is the command element of the army. The members reported directly to the Lion-General and to the Chief of the Gate in his stead. The other members of the command element were:

Chief of the Spies - responsible for the training of the Spy boys and overall in charge of all military intelligence. Also reports any pertinent intelligence to the emperor and the Imperial Train.

Chief Flag - responsible for the army communications and the training of Flag boys

Quartermaster/Logistics Master- responsible for the supply train

Rank Structure

The Ten Thousand takes its rank structure from the time when they were a mercenary unit. Unlike the tribal armies, the Ten Thousand promotion structure is based on merit rather than bloodline and favoritism.

Lion-General of Exum - supreme commander of all military forces, second only to the Emperor

Second Lion - second to the Lion-General

First Lion - leader of a division, usually a wing commander

First Shield - the highest-ranking spearman, usually in charge of training

Lion - second-in-command in legion. They are responsible for a group of squads or watches. Those assigned in garrison are given the title, Lion of the Gate

First Sentry - a garrison rank, a senior soldier that is over a Watch

First Spear- a field rank equal to a First Sentry, a senior soldier that is over a squad of spearmen

Spearman - the lowering ranking men-at-arms and foot soldiers

Initiate - Those who have not been through their first battle yet and are still in training

Combat Classifications

Inside of the Ten Thousand, there are several combat classifications that received their beginnings in the time of the Orishas. Through the oral tradition, some of the skills of these specialties were passed down and incorporated into Exum's modern armies. Those combat classifications include:

Spy boys - the scouts of the army

Flag boys - the standard bearers and skilled in using flags and drums for communication

Wild Men - heavy infantry/ skirmisher units whose origins come from the stories of the Kojun warriors that would take a special herb that left them without

Assets

The Ten Thousand maintain several assets to include three Cold Palaces and eight caravansaries that act as garrisons, as well as several units that act as auxiliary forces such as the Kyosi-Eya River Fleet and each Pillar's own legion. The Ten Thousand also run the imperial orphanages where they conscript and train children, due to Exum's law that bastard children and orphans fall under the empire's protection.

History

The Imperial Ten Thousands started as a mercenary company that fought in the Jakaphet Wars. Kasaye, who ran away to join to fight in the wars in Northern Exum. His father sent for his son and told him of a rebellion in his homeland and requested the help of his mercenary company.
Kasaye his then Captain-General of his father’s message but he refused, stating that the men that Kasaye’s father was fighting against were his family. Kasaye was said to have killed the Captain-General by beating him repeatedly over the head with a rock. The Songs say that when men moved to take the body and bury it that there was nothing attached to the neck except flesh and minced bone fragments.
No one attempted to wrestle away control of the Thousands from Kasaye as he led them back to the southeastern corner of what is now the Northern Pillar with promises of gold and glory. Kasaye fierceness in battle caused his men to call him “the Lion.” In the Song of Kings, it is said that the emperor thought that the members of the Thousands called him Lion as rank as the Enegua-Eya Tribe uses it, meaning champion. The emperor then named Kasaye the Imperial Champion and since anyone who has led the Ten Thousand has been known as Lion-General and Imperial Champion.
And while the Four Pillars of Heaven were responsible for different quarters of the empire, the Imperial Lion would lead and maintain the Imperial Ten Thousand as Exum’s standing army.

Family. Tribe. Country.

Type

Military, Armed Forces

Training Level

Professional

Veterancy Level

Decorated/Honored

Parent Organization

Imperial Train

Controlled Territories

• Cold Palaces