Preatorian Guard

The only soldiers allowed in the capital city of Balleron are the Praetorian Guard, called praetorians fpr short. Their purpose is to defend the city, the senate, and the Emperor. Wearing distinctive purple cloaks and functional armor polished to a bright sheen, these soldiers are easy to identify.

Composition

Manpower

There are roughly 5,000 soldiers in the Praetorian Guard, enough to make it a legion by Republic reckoning. A staggering five hundred are trained warmachine pilots, though there are too few warmachines to fully accommodate all of them; this does mean that the warmachines set to guard the city can be easily manned almost continuously.
Two cohorts are assigned to the Imperial Palace and Senate building specifically

Equipment

Praetorians prefer the typically legionnaire load out, with a short spear, falcata, large shield, and armor. The armor consists of a breastplate and plated kilt with an armored weapon arm (the other being under the shield), greaves, and a distinctive 'T' helmet. The Emperor's personal guards carry dwarven pistols as well, and praetorians who expect details on the city's defenses or in the countryside are issued rifles.
The praetorians also have access to 75 warmachines of various builds, making them the formation with the most warmachines in the Republic. Ten large skyships and their attendant escorts, each capable of carrying a full cohort, round out this legion's equipment.

Structure

The Emperor himself is in direct control of the legion. Below him are three colonels, each overseeing 15-20 cohorts with staff officers assisting. Under each are 3-4 captains commanding two maniples (two or three cohorts) each with a lieutenant in charge of the maniples themselves. A sergeant commands a cohort, with corporals in charge of the squads (typically eight soldiers).

Tactics

Unlike most legions, the Praetorian Guard spends most of their time in a city, and uses that to their advantage. Phalanx formations are still used, but tend to be smaller, and praetorians will always seek the high ground when they can get it in order to bring their rifles to bear. Other than in the few open spaces in the metropolis or outside it, larger warmachines are discouraged, leading to small and usually swift machines taking the lead in city defense with phalanxes trained to coordinate with warmachine pilots, funneling enemies into killzones.

Training

Praetorians undergo more rigorous training than any other legion, beginning in the early teen years of prospective warriors. Young praetorians serve as pages and assistants while learning the rudiments of weapon fighting, tactics, and perhaps more specialized training (piloting skyships or warmachines) if they show aptitude. The initial training lasts for two years, and as long as a recruit isn't drummed out, they'll join the legion proper at that time. Legionnaires continue to drill in infantry and weapons tactics throughout their careers.

Type

Infantry

Overall training Level

Professional

Used by

• The Republic