Venator Legionis
Of all the legions in the Imperial Army, one stands out as being more determined, more committed to their task, and more loyal to The Empire of Belyos than all others, yet is rarely ever seen on the field of battle. This is the Venator Legionis, or the Hunter Legion.
Formed by explicit instruction from Til-Yaltur himself, in the early days of the reunified Empire, it does not fight battles against other similar forces, nor does it offer protection to the Empire's highest and mightiest, instead the Legion has but one role, a role that it is rarely used, but sorely needed. The Venator Legionis are monster hunters. Dedicated to removing the threat of incursions by The Failed; malicious and powerful beings from The Underworld.
Composition
Manpower
One of the few units in the Imperial Army that is almost always at full manpower, the Venator Legionis has the typical five thousand soldiers, split into the ten cohorts of five hundred soldiers that Imperial doctrine states. Unlike a regular legion however, they only have one cohort of light infantry, and an extra cohort of heavy cavalry instead. Additionally, all of the heavy infantry cohorts are trained in siege equipment, carrying many pieces in ready-to-assemble sections on carts.
Equipment
Similarly equipped to a regular legion, each decimus in the Legion is expected to be largely self-sufficient in everything but supplies, and carries everything it should need to be a functional unit. Each decimus has a pack ox, which carries their tent, basic repair, cooking and maintenance supplies, and any other equipment required. One of the auxiliaries is given the task for looking after the ox, but the whole decimus is responsible for setting up camp and packing it away afterwards.
Equipment varies, depending on the role of the cohort that the decimus is part of:
Heavy Infantry: The eight combat soldiers are given a breastplate made of steel to protect their torso, along with a helmet, greaves and vambrace for the legs and arms respectively, and a large steel shield. All of the soldiers are given basic clothing, and footwear is either sandals or enclosed boots if the climate is colder. Auxiliaries do not get the same pieces of armour as combat troops, or the large shield. Instead, they have a simpler hardened leather top to protect the torso, leather greaves and vambraces, a light steel helmet, and a wooden round shield. As heavy infantry cohorts in this legion are expected to be able to construct and operate heavy siege equipment, they also have the necessary tools, and an ox cart in which to transport the additional gear.
Light Infantry and all cavalry: Similar to the heavy infantry, the eight combat soldiers are given a steel breastplate and light steel helmet, but the greaves and vambraces are made of hardened leather instead, and the shield is a smaller, round, wooden one. Auxiliary have a leather top instead of the breastplate, but are otherwise similarly equipped. Cavalry units also have a horse each, with the accompanying necessary equipment. All soldiers are expected to look after their own horse.
Weaponry
All soldiers carry a short sword and knife, regardless of rank, position or duties. Heavy infantry are also given a long polearm similar to the hooked blades carried by the Palace Guard, cavalry carry a long spear with a straight blade, and light infantry are also trained in archery and carry a bow. Auxiliaries typically do not carry spears unless issued, but they are trained in archery, even those attached to heavy infantry and cavalry cohorts, and are expected to serve as archers if the situation requires it.
Structure
Venator Legionis cohorts have the exact same command structure as the Imperial Army; split into five hundred-strong centuries, each one further split into ten units known as Decimus. Unlike the regular army, the leader of the Venator Legionis is not expected to work within the typical Imperial Army command structure, and operates entirely on command from the Emperor.
History
Incursions by creatures known as The Failed have been a problem on Pande for as long as even the gods can remember. In the ancient days of the Usurpation and before, the gods were more than capable of dealing with creatures that insisted on preying upon the human population, banishing them back to whence they came with little effort. When the Empire was formed, the remaining gods vowed to remain hands-off in the world, and this included dealing with the infrequent occurrences of The Failed.
For the first few decades, no word was received of any instances of monstrous activity; if there were any crossings over from the Underworld, they either occurred far from Pande, or the creatures chose to remain hidden and free. The first event came not long after the death of the first emperor Jamal Hudor, in 48 IY, when a single large creature now known as a Behemoth, rampaged through the fertile area of lowland Archeld. It took the combined efforts of four legions to finally contain and destroy the creature, and Emperor Sios decreed that research should begin to come up with ways to defeat these threats far more quickly.
Over the following centuries, more incidents occurred, some more devastating than others, but the Imperial Army learned how to deal with each one, and developed specialised equipment, such as ballistas that could fire chain-nets, and a range of poisons that appeared to work against the unusual biology of the Failed. Incursions became more of an inconvenience than a true threat, and most creatures stayed away from Imperial territory. Rumours persisted that the lands outside of the Empire had become a haven for such beings, but a lack of sightings by explorers kept it unsubstantiated.
When the Empire split in the The Great Schism there was no longer a central body keeping watch on the instances of attacks, and for a long time, creatures were dealt with on a local level, often become entrenched for decades until they were finally defeated. The final collapse of the Empire further reduced the reporting of Failed attacks, although it is thought that they remained mercifully low.
The Sakamohr were well aware of the existence of The Failed, and had their own methods for dealing with them, often engaging in events known as Great Hunts, with great prestige and honour being lavished on whoever managed to slay the beasts. Whilst the people of the once-Imperial lands struggled under the oppression of the Sakamohr, The Failed appeared far less, one of the Sakamohr's only successes during their hegemony.
Their eviction did not see a noticeable increase in the Failed, and Til-Yaltur's crusade to unify the Empire also brought with it a cleansing of the land of those Failed that had dug themselves in more permanently. Tactics and equipment from the old Empire were brought to the fore, and once again humanity gained its advantage over the monstrous creatures. The Venetor Legionis were formally founded in 1738, and have continued to be at the vanguard of anti-Failed operations across the Empire ever since.
Type
Infantry
Founding
1738
Overall training Level
Elite
Assumed Veterancy
Decorated/Honored
Used by
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