Equiterian Military

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What we know...

The symbol of the Equiterian Empire was the Bladed Sun. A sun, of which the rays are composed of sharp blades. The sun is thought to symbolize enlightenment and the swords, force. Equal parts of the pen and the sword, intelligence and strength, knowledge and power. Findings and artifacts indicate that the Equiterian Army was a pillar of the Equiterian community and social life. The Equiterian Army was more than simply a fighting force. It provided for the Equiterian population academically, culturally and was a requirement for any high ranking position in the Empire.

The Equiterian Army made many learning places, both of the physical and academic arts, as the Equiterians believed the two shared a strong connection. These Gymnasiums were both places of physical fitness and combat training and both centers of higher learning of magic and academia. Equiterian youth would enroll into the Gymnasiums as preparations for their military and civilian life. The Gymnastai, the teachers, trainers and coaches of the Gymnasium were highly respected. In addition to these aspects, there was a very social aspect about the Gymnasium, as it was also a place for bathing, philosophical discussion, lectures and public games.

The Equiterian Army was divided into Legions, each legion was led by a Legate, called Strategos. As opposed to legions seen in the old Equestrian army, Equiterian Legions were armies in and of themselves. Containing a fair share of auxiliaries, infantry (undead), heavy infantry (golem) and of course, battle mages. Any Magistrate of any province would have to have been the Strategos of the legion that conquered it.

Each Legion in the Equiterian Empire had its own emblem, name and number. Much like the Griffon Armada, legions were more than just an army, but more akin to a roaming state under the leadership of the Empire. Legions were often in competition with each other and the Equiterians would have war games every four years (a unit of time decided by legion rotations around the empire) to celebrate this competition. Winners of war games would often go to the harshest fronts and most difficult regions in the empire as a reward to their victory. This was seen as a blessing by Equiterian warriors, who treated any form of adversity as a chance to prove their worth to the Emperor.

An interesting and little known fact was, that the Equiterians had a legion in which there were no golems or undead present. Legio VI: Immortalis. This legion contained only the best and most prized warriors of the empire, those who have stood out during their service or war games. This legion had little to do with the others and was mentioned very little and only with awe and fear.

One interesting and peculiar aspect of the Equiterian Empire was their meticulous registration of their battles, campaigns and more specifically, each living soldier's kill counts. Researchers believe that within a unit or a legion, honors were given based on feats in the battlefield and such were measured mostly it seemed, with kill counts. Such lists only contain military engagements and not internal policing affairs.

It is further known that the Empire had rewarded those with above average kill counts at the end of their term of service by plating their weapons in precious metals.

So far, plated weapons of these varieties have been found:

Bronze

Steel

Silver

However, one most particular reference refers to Rose Metal as being the highest honor, only achieved by few in the empire. Researchers have refuted the claim that Rose Metal is gold, as gold is mentioned many times in scripts and used in many artifacts. What Rose Metal is, is yet unknown. Hopefully these weapons are still intact somewhere in the world, so that this mystery could yet be solved.

These are the current findings, theories and research known to us regarding the Equiterian Military. More will be published as discovered.