Legion VIII Aequium

[Senatus-Populusque-Velianus 98]

SENATUS POPULUSQUE VELIANUS

Senate and People of Velia

 

Legio VIII Aequium

 

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Unique to the isles of Atlas are the legions of Velia, a body of citizen-soldiers raised during emergency and war to perform the ultimate patriotic sacrifice in defense of the citizens of the Senate and People of Velia. Though not at foreign idea to the denizens of Atlas, the Velian Legion operates as a highly professional force when raised. The structured chain of command allows for tactical flexibility when accomplishing war goals, an otherwise unknown concept. All soldiers follow strict adherence to rules and orders— or they meet the cane of their Centurion.

 

Although originally a body of hoplites, the Legion has evolved to fight in a system of staggered squares, like a chess board, known as manipular formation. This has allowed the legion to remain flexible and lethal across varied terrain. Instead of using the traditional and time-proven hasta, or spear, the soldiers adopted the beloved gladius— a short sword optimized for close-quarters combat. When the components come together and act in unison, the Velian Legion is a formidable adversary.

 

    Traditionally, the Legion has comprised exclusively of Velian-born sons, looking eagerly to be invested with the same honors as their heroic forefathers. Although the upper echelons of Velian society can afford the latest and greatest arms and armour, or even a fast steed, the poorer citizens find themselves afforded welcome subsidies from the Senate to bolster the ranks of the elite. Socii, or confederate city-states around Velia, further provide auxiliary manpower to defend the heartland from invaders.

 

    All Velian men are expected to serve five years in service to the Legion at some point in their lives, and the constant wars on the Northern frontier have more than satisfied this requirement for the population. Confederate auxiliaries, levied from the allied tribes around Velia, can expect to earn valuable Velian citizenship after fifteen years of dedicated service.

 

More Information

[Creating a Character] [Character Application]

 

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Organization

 

High Command

 

Proconsul

Elected after a well-received term, the Senate chooses to extend the powers of an exemplary Consul after his term of office in order to make him a provincial governor. Generally, Proconsuls are seen as military leaders, but in reality have complete and unrestricted control over their provinces, save for Senatorial decree and the risk of being prosecuted after their term expires.

 

Legatus Legionis

    The Legatus Legionis is the supreme commander of a legion. Generally, there will be two-to-three legions in a given province, with one being commanded directly by the Proconsul. In Colonia Aequium, the Proconsul has assumed the responsibilities of the Legatus Legionis, as there is only a single legion.

 

Tribunus Laticlavius

The Tribunus Laticlavius is a young man of the Patrician class elected by the Senate to start his political career in a legion. Though he is generally extremely inexperienced, her serves as the second-in-command to the Legatus Legionis or Proconsul.

 

Other Legates and Tribunes may be sent or promoted as required.

 

Low Command

 

Centurio

    Centurions are the veteran officers of the infantry appointed from every hundred soldiers to serve as a leader and disciplinarian. All centurions are given a vine staff to signify their elevated position, and with which they are able to administer swift beatings to unruly soldiers and citizenry. The most senior of the Centurions is referred to as the “Primus Pilus”, and acts as a de-facto commander in lieu of higher command.

 

Optio

Optios are chosen by Centurions as deputies, carrying out what tasks are assigned to them and acting as secondary enforcers. Some Optios are given specific roles throughout a camp, such as organizing sentries, guarding the grain storage, or leading foraging parties.

 

Enlisted

Evocatii

    An Evocatus is a veteran soldier who, after serving a minimum of fifteen years, has decided to re-enlist in the Legion. As a condition of his reenlistment, he is immune from manual labor and granted double enlisted pay of one-hundred denarii.

 

Immunes

    An immunis is a miles (soldier) who has been trained in a specialist role, occupations such as that of an artilleryman, engineer, or carpenter. Immunes are exempt from the more dangerous duties in the Legion, such as area patrol, and other undesirable or laborious duties. Due to their special skillsets, immunes receive seventy-five denarii after expense.

 

Discens

    A Discentis is an apprentice training to become an Immunis.

 

Milites

    Milites are the standard rank-and-file soldiers of the Legion. As well as being the backbone of the army, they are crucial for providing labor to public works. After factoring the cost of equipment and food, Milites will receive a monthly allowance of fifty denarii.

 

Probationes

    Probationes are the raw recruits. After reciting an oath of servitude to the Senate and People, they will begin weapons and formation training. Once their Centurion deems them fit for further service, they will move into the ranks of the Milites.

 

 

 

 

Obviously this legion layout is not 100% historical. We have crafted it to be viable on Lord of the Craft. We hope that those wanting to be soldiers will have fun and that role-play will flourish under this system. ?

 

Also, please pin this post @Riftblade ❤️
 

 

[osumanduas 1442]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.