Military Organization of the Realm
The Realm’s military is composed of several major parts: the Imperial Legions, the House Legions, the satrapial garrisons, and the House irregulars. On the sea, House Peleps retains exclusive command of the Imperial Navy, and House V’neef was awarded command of the Merchant Fleet, which is technically a civilian operation.
The Imperial Legions are the Empress’ own fighting force, the thousands and thousands of brave soldiers who lay their lives on the line for the defense and expansion of the Realm. Many Legionaries are citizens of the Realm who have chosen to take up arms; others are satrapial recruits rewarded with citizenship at the end of their terms. Trained thoroughly with discipline and focus, the Imperial Legions are among the most elite fighting forces in the world.
In addition to the Imperial Legions held by the Empress directly, each of House Cathak, House Tepet, and House Sesus have House Legions, commanded by their own generals on behalf of the Empress. These Legions are funded by the Great Houses directly and tend to see less direct action. Each of the Houses holds at least one Legion on the Isle to deal with domestic issues; the rest are staffed abroad to advance the Realm’s interests in the field.
The satrapial garrisons are less rigorously trained than the Legions, and primarily serve as police and defense forces for individual satrapies. Small and dependent on their Great House for funding and training, the satrapial garrisons range from well-trained to pathetic and from disciplined to thuggish, depending on the House and satrapy.
The House irregulars are all remaining forces fielded by the Great Houses, such as the now-defunct Ghostcutter Corp once fielded by House Iselsi, the mystical yamabushi scouts of House Tepet, the special forces of House Sesus, the bejeweled hireswords of House Ragara, and so on and so forth.
The Imperial Navy consists of the fleet of triremes, treasure ships, and galleons which the Realm uses for military operations on the water. Control of the remit of House Peleps exclusively, although individuals of all Houses can serve. The Imperial Navy is supported by Peleps’ irregulars, including their marines.
Lastly, the Merchant Fleet is technically a civilian operation, but deserves special mention. The primary involvement of the Merchant Fleet in military operations is the vital duty of shipping resources, personnel, and tribute to and from the Isle. Control of the Merchant Fleet is the exclusive right of House V’neef, who defend the fleet with their own security forces (or Peleps escorts) and their House’s irregular marines.