The Empire of the Avalon, or The Avalonian Empire

Founded upon the destruction of the Gorian empire, with its capital in the newly-constructed city of Avalon in Nagrand, Draenor, the Empire is less than a decade old. However, thanks to extensive modeling off of the ancient and widely successful Roman Empire in Ancient Time on Earth, it is well-formed and quickly growing more comfortable with itself.

 Its first Imperator, the former Earth-Born human (Harry Potter), claimed the throne of the Gorian Empire according to ancient ogre tradition. However, in a symbolic gesture, he announced its disbandment and the equally symbolic destruction of its ancient capitol, Highmaul. This was done to provide a proverbial 'clean slate' as the new Imperator did not want his House to be tarnished by any association with the long, cruel and bloody history of the Gorian Empire.

Furthermore, it is not a true dictatorship in the classical sense, in that while the Imperator still has absolute power, there is an established Senate, formed of members of every race that is a member of the Empire, even the defeated Ogres. Each Senator must swear an oath under truth potion to never proliferate corruption, to never ferment unlawful rebellion, and to do his utmost to aid in the betterment of the Empire and the happiness of its people.

The Imperator also establish a Great Charter, based on the Magna Carta of Middle-Ages England and the Constitution of the United States. This document is to ensure that the Sovreign Rights of The People are not violated in any way, shape, or form. It also established a once-a-month audience with the Imperator and The Senate, where The People might bring forth problems or requests that they feel need to be answered. This Audience last five days. Finally, it establishes a State of the Empire address, which is essentially the State of the Union for the USA.

The Military of Avalon answers directly to the Imperator, NOT to the senate, although the senate is given significant leeway in advising the Imperator in matters of war as well as politics. This military is based off of the greatest eras of each individual method of battle. Ground combat is based around the Roman Legions and Pike phalanxes of old, while the navy and limited air force are based around early to mid world war two.

The Equipment of an Imperial Legionnaire of Avalon

Each combat infantry solider of the Avalonian Empire, referred to as Legionnaires, has the same equipment as a general rule*. Certain members who have proven themselves above and beyond may be gifted with specific, named weapons of higher quality. However, legendary weapons such as these are normally reserved to the Legatus such as Hellscream, Doomhammer, and the like.

Each soldier is equipped with a full suit of armor, forged from either Blackrock Ore, or the Crystal-forge of the Draenei, in a style similar to that of the Roman Empire, with full plate protection to the torso, shins, knee joints, and forearms/hands. This plate is augmented by a dense chain mesh on the upper thighs, and the upper arm below the shoulder. The helm follows the design scheme of the plumed Corinthian-style helms made so famous by the Spartan hoplites of Ancient Greece.

Centurions, to signify their rank and make identifying them easier in the havoc of battle, wear crimson cloaks trimmed with gold, and the plums on their helmets are crimson as well.

For weapons, each solider is armed with a a mid-length spear called a pilum, which is able to be used as a javelin or a conventional spear depending on the situation. This is their default weapon when marching and first engaging in combat.

Secondary weapons are usually based on preference, though most prefer swords and axes over maces.

Furthermore, each soldier has three magical seals on their gauntlets, all three on the right hand. These seals contain a Welsh-style longbow, a Swiss-style pike, and the third would, when the bow was drawn, magically summon arrows to the string of the bow. This wide array of weaponry, so easily and conveniently stored, allows the Legion to respond to essentially any form of threat at any given time, as well as ensuring that each soldier is capable of assisting in anyway during battle. This is especially useful for the rear, un-engaged ranks of a legion, as they can support the front ranks with arrow fire. The pikes are best used against cavalry, naturally, but are sometimes utilized in combat against enemy formations, forming the center whilst legionnaires using their default weaponry would form on the flanks and wings.

Each soldier is also equipped with a long rectangular shield, again based off of the Roman legions. However, in order to add to the deadly arsenal of the legion, it was specifically designed do be more curved that its Earth counterpart, allowing the nine spikes that adorn it to be used as weapons when in close-combat situations. A legionnaire can thrust the shield towards his enemy, potentially causing fatal harm with these dangerous protrusions.

In magically-created bottomless bags, each soldier has their own tent, 'civilian clothing', basic supplies and first aid kits, as well as whatever few personal keepsakes they were allowed to bring along.

Combat Structure of an Imperial Legion of Avalon

While there is some variation from Legion to Legion, based on several factors, the majority of Legions keep to the following organization.

A Decuria is used only during scouting operations, and consists of ten or so soldiers.

A Centuria is the smallest official combat unit in a legion. Contains 120 Combat Infantry Soldiers.

A Cohort is composed of ten Centuria, for a total of 1,200 Combat Infantry Soldiers.

A Legion is composed of ten Cohorts, for a total of 12,000 Combat Infantry Soldiers.

All Legions have approximately 400 Mounted Troops in support, though the composition of this mounted support does vary somewhat. Legions Legio III Invicta have heavy cavalry in full plate for support, while legions like Legio I Infernus are more prone to light, fast cavalry support.

Each legion also has approximately  100 Skysong-class aerial support, ususually mounted on Wyverns or Rylacks. In addition to this number are four Dragonfire-class aerial support, mounted on drakes (post commencement of the Azerothian Campaign).

All Legions also have their own support staff, consisting of cooks, armorers, blacksmiths, stablemasters, etc. These are not counted in the overall strangth count, however, as they are non-combatants.