Kalriv Legions
"My honest assessment is no kingdom or city-state's army can beat the Kalriv Legions conventionally. Mine certainly can't. Any king or Archon goes up against them, they're going to lose, and it's not going to be a close fight. Even the League was formed to keep them at bay, not actually defeat them in a straight fight."The Kalriv Legions are the standing army of the Kalriv Empire. Considered by many to be the finest fighting force in the known world, their training, equipment, strategy and tactics are second to none, with the visage of heavily armoured phalanges of legionaries considered a ubiquitous image of the Empire.
-Imperator Marius Veluinnis of the Royal Army of Mayoka, discussing the Legions with Archon Isola of Mayoka
Structure
The Kalriv Legions, as the name suggests, are made up of a number of legions, each around 5000 soldiers strong. They are divided further into battalions of 500, again into centuries of 100, and then into files of 10. While this system is primarily used to organise the Kalriv heavy infantry into managable phalanx formations, it is also applicable to the other divisions of the military.
Most legions use combined arms tactics, with the average legion consisting of:
- Heavy infantry, the backbone of Kalriv legions. They are equipped with round shields, spears, shortswords and javelins, and wear bronze muscle cuirasses, or scale in the case of shortages.
- Skirmishers, who support the heavy infantry and screen enemy approaches. They are equipped primarily with multiple javelins, a wicker crescent-like shield and a shortsword, and are either unarmoured or wear leather armour.
- Light chariotry, usually using wooden two-man chariots in scale armour, with a driver and either an archer or javelin skirmisher.
- Archers, equipped with linen armour and composite bows.
- Citybreaker crews- teams of heavy infantry to defend Citybreaker siege engines, and crews to move them, load them, aim them and fire them.
- Supporting engineers and foremen, tasked with constructing fortifications and siege towers, forging weapons and maintaining the Citybreaker siege weapons.
A typical heavy infantry legionary
Command Structure
The Legions are commanded at the highest level by the Basileus, who has the final say on all military matters. In practice, the Basileus is usually advised and delegates his authority to a staff of Sun Legates. Sun Legates usually command a particular region/province, while other Sun Legates may handle specialist duties or departments, such as engineering, logistics or artillery. Each Sun Legate oversees a number of Legates. Legates are senior officers, the equivalent of generals, who command a specific legion, and are responsible for the operational, administrative and strategic commands of those legions, implementing orders from the Basileus and Sun Legate. Legates are assisted by senior officers known as Apeces (singular Apex), who manage the operational effectiveness of battalions of 500 soldiers. Apeces are in turn assisted by junior officers known as Spearpoints. Spearpoints usually lead the rank and file soldiers, mostly in centuries of 100 soldiers, but in some cases may have their own individual assignments outside of the commanding of soldiers, such as logistics or overseeing siege weaponry. Spearpoints who command groups of soldiers are assisted by Spearstaves (singular Spearstaff), non-commissioned officers who are responsible for morale, leadership and discipline among rank and file legionaries, and serve as the link between the command structure and the rank and file. In addition to Spearstaves, Spearpoints also issue commands to the Chief Engineer and Foreman of their unit, who command teams of engineers and labourers respectively. Spearpoints also liaise with Chaplains and medical staff assigned to their unit. Beyond standard infantry, the Kalriv also deploy chariotry and archers; these are usually integrated as specialised units who follow the same command structure, with rank and file combatants answering to Spearstaves, Spearpoints and Apeces. Unlike the Helikans and Avadians, cavalry and ranged soldiers are generally not the main focus. Legions also have a number of Chaplains assigned to them, who are attaches from the Solar class. While not a part of the official rank and file of the army, they are usually assigned to officers of Spearpoint rank or in some cases higher, who direct them accordingly. A chart depicting the command structure of the Kalriv LegionsCulture
The Kalriv Legions are held to a strict code of military discipline and proscribed conduct tracing back centuries, dictating elements from personal grooming, dress and conduct through to eating arrangements.
All members of the legion are expected to maintain close-cropped hairstyles. Enlisted legionaries, along with engineers and army labourers are expected to keep their entire head cropped short at all times, while officers may grow their hair out (but are still expected to keep their sides and back cropped short). All legionaries are expected to be clean-shaven. All soldiers must wear short white tunics with blue trims, with any unauthorised modifications or additions strictly forbidden.
All members of the legion are expected to keep all of their equipment well maintained and presentable at all times. Weapons, shields and armour are to be polished, tunics are to be clean and unmarked, and all members of the legion are to be in peak fitness.
All members are to show proper deference and respect to their superiors - whether from lower castes to higher, or soldiers to officers. While working relationships between Legion members of different castes is unavoidable, any form of fraternisation (considered to be any personal relationship- including friendships) between Guardian-caste soldiers and engineers/craftsmen/labourers of the Crafter or Labourer castes is strictly prohibited.
Punishment for breaking this code of conduct is extremely severe, with demotions and/or floggings for the most minor breaches. Repeated or particularly egregious breaches can even see a legionary stripped of their caste, an act that effectively renders them slaves.
Public Agenda
The Kalriv Legions are described as the Hand of the Basileus and the Spears of Venderus. Officially their role is to serve the Kalriv Empire and advance its vision for bringing the world under order and protection.
Spears of Venderus
Type
Military, Armed Forces
Parent Organization
Related Ranks & Titles
Related Ethnicities
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