Unorthodox Legion Formations

The Thousand Correct Actions of the Upright Soldier detail all manner of formations and unit types, but for some even these tried and tested approaches are not seen as capable. Some within the Realm engage in innovation as they draft their orders of battle, with a variety of results, though more traditionalist officers are highly critical of such violations of the Correct Actions being allowed to take the field.

Mounted Infantry Talon

Part of the reforms instituted by Sesus Dochao in reorganizing the 4th Imperial Legion was the testing of cavalry units. The Legions make regular use of cavalry, and the Thousand Correct Actions contains numerous maxims on their proper use. But they are always auxiliary troops, while Strategoi Dochao introduced units into the regular order of battle made up of proper full-pay Legionnaires, drilled and trained to ride in addition to regular duties. Mounted Infantry units are highly mobile and hard hitting, though many critics point to the bloated logistics train which must be kept up to support them.

A mounted infantry talon contains five scales of cavalry, each containing four fangs of spearmen who employ regular armour, javelins, and spears along with lightened target shields. These are accompanied by one fang of horse archers for scouting and harrying operations. For every talon there must also be a support scale plus wagons to provide feed and care for the mounts, though this is reduced to one support scale per wing as a cost-saving measure when operating from proper stable facilities.

4th Legion reports show this unit performed well on campaign in Azerban & Madura, though some criticize such logs as unreliable.

River Clan Talon

Another innovation introduced into the 4th Imperial Legion’s order of battle under Strategoi Dochao has been the River Clan Talon, influenced by the practices of the Linowan. Mounting Legion troops on canoes allowed extreme mobility along rivers, while use of Linowan techniques such as birchbark skins meant the weight was negligible when carried overland by troops trained with heavy loads.

A River Clan Talon consists of five canoe scales. Each canoe scale consists of two canoe sections, having two fangs of medium infantry and one 10-person canoe. The scale also includes a scout fang, of five archers and a lighter 5-person canoe.

Marine Infantry Talon

Marine Infantry talons are an innovation of House V’neef, and make up the vast bulk of the ‘Marine Guard’, combat troops in service to the military forces of the Merchant Marine, providing House V’neef with ground troops that can also be used for boarding actions or the storming of beaches. Most within the Legions or military Houses have paid little attention to House V’neef’s military operations and would be hard-pressed to know much of how these new units are set up.

A Marine Infantry talon consists of three ‘crew’ scales of light infantry (equipped with buff jackets, dirks & javelins) and two medium infantry scales, as well as an artillery fang operating a light ballista or sailcutter. Amongst the most elite units one crew scale is replaced by a ‘Fire Scale’, consisting of 1 fang of light infantry and 4 fangs equipped with firewands.

Lion Talon

An innovative formation pioneered by the 47th Imperial Legion in Harbourhead, rare amongst the tradition-minded officers of House Cathak, a Lion Talon is a reinforced light infantry talon which incorporates ranged support elements, designed to operate independently and with mobility, able to deal with native raiding forces without taking losses or relying on Dragonblooded officers. At its core it contains five scales of light infantry equipped with buff jackets, slashing swords, and javelins. These are supported by six fangs of slingers, two fangs of bow archers, and two fangs of scout cavalry.

House Ragara's 14th Legion has been experimenting with a 'Sea Lion Talon' that replaces the archers with further slingers and the cavalry with two small sailing vessels for coast and river operations.