47th Imperial Legion

Sponsor: House Cathak

Strategoi: Cathak Lazera

Location: Harborhead

Headquarters: Imperial Garrison, Kirighast

Notable Stations: Fort Tiraktou (Harborhead), Bent Creek Redoubt (Harborhead)

The 47th Imperial Legion was raised in RY399, formed as the realm gathered forces to prepare for the War with the Horn RY416-422, in which it fought along with the 22nd Imperial Legion and 28th Imperial Legion. The 47th, despite being less than two decades old, was the most successful Legion of the campaign, which saw the nation of Harborhead conquered and transformed into a satrapy of the Realm. The Scarlet Empress declared that no Legion was better suited to serve as garrison than the 47th... they have been stationed in Harborhead ever since.

The 47th had for a long time been regarded as a difficult assignment, securing a vast land with a rebellious populace. However when jade was discovered at Bent Creek in RY728, the rapid spike in wealth caused significant corruption within the 47th as officers became more concerned with taking a cut than doing their duty... many considered them on par with the disgraced 4th Imperial Legion, and little better than the Vermillion Legion.

All that changed when House Cathak assumed sponsorship of the 47th in RY764. Cathak Lazera was transferred from the 29th Imperial Legion. Lazera was known as a loyalist to Realm and House, but also as a strict disciplinarian. It had been expected that Tepet Tilis Rajin, the outgoing strategoi, would be transferred to a post in the 9th Imperial Legion to join the War with the Bull, House Tepet having taken massive casualties and being desperate for every Dragonblood it could muster. However, immediately on arrival, Lazera had Rajin arrested on charges of corruption. He and three Dragonlords of the 47th, two of them also from House Tepet, were charged and convicted by military tribunal and executed by beheading, Lazera taking blade to Rajin's neck personally. There was a great deal of shock within the Dynasty, but little could be done... those executed HAD been guilty of corruption and execution was a valid penalty according to the codes of Legion justice. Still, many Tepets remain bitter towards Lazera for this salt on their already-terrible wounds.

Lazera did not target Tepet officers exclusively. Legion justice on paper is harsh, with beheading a valid penalty for most infractions, but this punishment is rarely used. Lazera applies the exact letter of military law to the forces under his command, and under him the 47th has been transformed in a few scant years from an indolent and corrupt force to a disciplined and capable army.