Squad The base unit of the Yodotai Military, the squad consists of 8 men. Thought there is no official rank within the squad, the squad is lead and represented by the veteran with the most time in the legions.

Century A Century is comprised of 10 squads totaling 88 fighting men. Seven squads are standard infantry, a squad that is dedicated as light infantry (skirmishers), one squad of Artillerymen, and finally a squad of Archers who double as light infantry when not shooting. Every century also has a command and control squad comprised of:Centurion – The century was lead by a Centurion, who was top rank officer in the century, and the man in charge. This was the start of the official officer corps of the Legions, and could only be held by someone who was a full citizen of the Yodotai Empire.Optio – This was the second in command, usually chosen by the Centurion to assist in running the century. Tesserarius – Third ranked officer in the century, his primary duty is being in charge of the skirmishers, artillery, and archery.Signifer – Responsible for the century’s wages and savings, he also carries the standard pole, bearing the medallions and ribbons of honor won by that century, into combat.Cornicen – The horn bearer for the century, he worked closely with the Signifer, as an assistant to that position. In battle, the Cornicen was responsible for sounding the orders of the Centurion.Veneficus – A wizard whose primary duty is the flow of information both up and down the chain of command. The Veneficus did not fall within the military chain of command, so he does not actually report to the Centurion, but is usually viewed as an officer of equal rank to their Centurion by the Legion.Praebeos – The quartermaster for the century, he was responsible for supplies and equipment and was in charge of the non-military personnel that traveled with and were employed by the century.Quaerous – A messenger and runner, only the Quaerous were allowed to wander through the various camps of the legions. He was the right-hand man of the Praebeos, delivering orders and fetching supplies. His other primary duties were to the Centurion and the Veneficus, deliver messages to their superiors.

Cohort Composed of 6 Centuries, and numbering 528 soldiers, was the Cohort. There was no additional command and control staff within a cohort. The hierarchy of the Cohort and so the ranks within it, were set by the numbering of the centuries. The strongest, most able century in the cohort was the First Century, followed by Second, Third, etc. The Centurion of the First Century of the cohort was of higher rank than the Centurion of the Second Century, who was in turn hire than the third, and so forth. Similarly, the Veneficus of the First Century was of higher Rank than the Veneficus of the Second. Both the Centurions and Veneficus within the cohort were referred to by their rank, which went like so:1st Centurion or Veneficus = Primo Prior2nd Centurion or Veneficus = Primo Tergum 3rd Centurion or Veneficus = Medius Prior4th Centurion or Veneficus = Medius Tergum5th Centurion or Veneficus = Extremus Prior6th Centurion or Veneficus = Extremus Tergum

Legion The highest defined military group in the Empire is the Legion. It was

comprised of 10 centuries, and Equitatus (Cavalry Force) of 120 men, and another command staff of eight, and two special standard bearers, for a total strength of 5410 men. As the centuries were ranked within the cohort, so the cohorts were ranked First through Tenth. The command officers were comprised of:Legatus Legionis – The commander of a Legion. This post is obtainable only by Imperial decree. In provinces where only one legion is present, the Legatus Legionis also acts as provincial governor. Vitium Legatus – Second in command to the Legatus Legionis. This position is an apprenticeship to promotion to the Augusticlavii or to Legatus Legionis. The Legatus trains the Vitium, as mentor to pupil, thus training the future generations of legion commanders. In the event of the Legatus’s death, he would then assume command until a new Legatus Legionis is appointed by the Emperor.Praefectus Castrorum – The legions Prefect. Usually a long time member of the legions, he would have been promoted through the Centurion ranks. He was responsible for discipline and was charged with policing the legion under his authority.Tribuni Augusticlavii – Five Tribunes, men who hold the interests of the Empire above all else. Coming from the nobility, four of the Augusticlavii were longtime military officers, and the fifth is the Veneficus Princeps, or Chief Wizard.Aquilifer – The standard bearer of the Legion. This was a prestigious position filled from within the legions. An Aquilifer next step would be promotion to Centurion.Imaginifer – Another position of prestige, the Imaginifer carried the standard bearing the image or personal symbol of the Emperor. His next promotion would also be to Centurion.The Cohorts are numbered one through ten, in order of their combat effectiveness. Before entering battle, the centuries of specific cohorts are intermixed, placing the weaker troops alongside the stronger ones. This maximized combat effectiveness, and ensures the greener troops will be flanked by stronger combatants, to help keep moral high. The standard mixing is:Primus (first rank) & Decimus (tenth rank)Secundus (second rank) & Nonus (ninth rank)Tertius (third rank) & Octavas (eighth rank)Quartus (fourth rank) & Septimus (seventh rank)Quintus (fifth rank) & Sextus (sixth rank)These cohort rankings also preceed the Centurion rank titles discussed earlier. So the fourth Centurion of the Fifth cohort is the Quintus Medius Tergum.Finally, the Yodatai numeral system is used upon the standards within the cohorts, to identify at a glance their rank and prowess. The ranks are separated by a - symbol, with the cohort first and century second.I = One II = Two III = Three IV = Four V = Five VI = Six VII = Seven VIII = Eight IX = Nine X = TenTherefore the sixth century of the ninth cohort would appear as IX-VI.

The Legatus Legionis is in personal command of his legion, and is ultimately responsible to the Emperor himself. However, the provincial governors, where they exist, have authority over the legions stationed within his borders. This is to allow the governor access to the military might necessary to maintain order and stability within his province, but not give them direct control over a significant military force. Early on in the empire, there were no Legatus Legionis, and the governors themselves were in charge of the legions. Unfortunately, this arrangement allowed for several coup attempts against the Emperor some nasty civil wars. Thus, direct control was removed from the

governors. Of special note is the relationship of the Consuls and the Legions. In an area where the Yodotai have not conquered, but are instead engaged in a mutually beneficial treaty with that kingdom, a Consul is assigned to that area. The Consul purpose is to oversee the commercial interests of the Empire, to look after the citizens that live in that kingdom, and to ensure that all parts of the treaty are enforced. A part of all Yodotai treaties, the kingdom is required to allow the Legions full access, both to create and maintain trade routes and to allow for free safe passage through their lands. If the kingdom breaks the treaty, the Consul can call upon the legions, like a governor, and will take command of them to do what is considered in the best interest of the Empire.

Equipment

Gladius – The primary combat weapon of the Yodatai Legion. A short (blade of 24”), wide and heavy sword, straight bladed and double edged where the final three inches tapered to a point. Primarily a stabbing weapon the gladius could also be used as an effective slashing weapon. Carried in a sheath and worn on a shoulder strap.

Pilum – A heavy javelin, the pilum is a wooden pole lashed to a soft metal shank with a hardened barbed head. Designed to be thrown while advancing upon an enemy, the pilum’s primarily function is to disrupt the combat effectiveness of an opponent. After impact, which drives the barbed head into the target, the weight of the wooden pole bends the shank. The awkward angle impedes movement and makes the enemy easier to overwhelm.

Hasta – A long heavy spear used for thrusting attacks. When engaged with an enemy army, the Pilum would be used, but for defending or enforcment, the hasta was the preferred weapon.

Pugio – A short heavy dagger, used as a last resort weapon.

Plumbata – Designed similarly to the pilum, the plumbata is a dart used to soften up the enemy before battle. Each soldier carries four clipped to the inside of his scutum, which are tossed high above the enemy. Weighted towards the barbed end, the plumbata fall into the ranks of the enemy, stabbing and piercing as the hit. The weight then snaps the shank, leaving a wickedly barbed head imbedded in the victim.

Verutum – A short light javelin carried by the skirmishers.

Tribulus – A small metal caltrop distributed by the skirmishers. It is used to disrupt infantry formations and render cavalry useless.

Spatha – An elongated and slightly thinner version of the Gladius. This was used primarily by cavalry units and was often carried by the officer corps.

Sagittarius – The composite bow carried by the archer units.

Lorica – The body armor for the Yodotai, this metal shirt covered the shoulders and upper arms as well as the body, hanging down to the middle thigh. It was constructed in one of three variations:

Lorica Hamata – Made from interlocking rings of metal, this is the most common variant in the legions. Strong and effective, the bulk of a legion will be armored in hamata.Lorica Squamatae – Constructed of small plates of metal sewn to a leather backing, this scale armor is an older variation. It is easy to maintain and repair in the field, and is popular among the longest ranging troops. This armor is also distributed to the newest troops. Lorica Segmentica – Strips of metal fashioned to overlap creating excellent plate armor. Segmentica was the most elaborate and expensive of the armors, and to receive it was a great honor. Officers and soldiers of the first cohort would typically be outfitted with Lorica Segmentica.

Scutum – A rectangular, semi-cylindrical body shield. Constructed of bent wood, rimmed in metal, and surrounding a central metal boss. The scutum is carried and wielded with a single hand, and offers excellent protection for the individual.

Galea – An open-faced helmet, the Galea had a neck protector bolted onto the back. It flared out and downward from the helmet. There was also a pair of hinged cheek protectors attached at the brim. Officers will have a plume of some sort atop the helmet.

Sporran – A wide belt, worn at the waist over the lorica. This helped to take some of the weight of the armor off the shoulders, as well as giving a place to hang a pugio. Leather strips reinforced with metal would hang from the belt to the top of the knee.

Caligae – These are thick hobnailed sandals with long leather thongs that wrapped around the lower legs to the knee. Curved metal plates could be held to the lower leg by the thongs, creating lower leg protection.

ArtilleryScorpio – A tension device with a pair of arms, this ballista was used to fire both bolts and heavy stones. While large and heavy, a scorpio could be carried by its three man operating crew. This gives the scorpio great mobility over a wide range of terrain. Experienced artilleryman could achieve and sustain a high rate of fire (3 per minute), and with an effective range of out to 500 yards, the scorpio is an excellent support weapon for the infantry. Each century was supplied with a pair of scorpio.

Onager – Another tension device, the onager was used to provide indirect fire onto the enemy. A single arm wrapped by the tensioning material was winched down and then locked into the firing position. Ammunition wrapped in a sling would then be attached to a metal bar at the top of the arm. Crewed by four men, the onager could not match the scorpio for rate of fire (1 per minute), and was far to heavy to move about the battlefield. However the benefit of longer range (1000 yards) and higher trajectory (200 feet), and its ability to throw projectiles over an enemy’s walls, make the onager a valuable part of the fighting force.

Mangonel – Similar to the onager in construction, the mangonel had a bowl shaped bucket at the end of the firing arm. This gives the projectiles a lower trajectory (75 feet) and less range (750 yards) than an onager. The bucket allows a mangonel to fire a large variety of items that do not work well in an onager’s sling, like loads of fist sized stones

or vessels filled with flammable materials. A century would have either a mangonel or onager.