The banner of the Imperial Legion
- "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empire!"
- ―Part of the Imperial Oath[src]
The Imperial Legion is a joinable faction in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Led by General Tullius, they oppose the Stormcloak rebellion and their attempt to secede Skyrim from the Mede Empire. The Dragonborn has the option of joining the Imperial Legion after Alduin's assault on Helgen, regardless of whom the Dragonborn followed — Ralof or Hadvar.
Philosophy
The Imperial Legion believes that as a province of the Empire, Skyrim must abide by its laws and customs, including the provisions in the White-Gold Concordat. However, most members of the Legion, including General Tullius and Legate Rikke, despise the Thalmor and hate the Condordat, and even continue to honor Talos.
Description
Once the strongest fighting forces in Tamriel, the Imperial Legion has been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self by the time of the events of Skyrim. With the disappearance of the Blades and the emergence of the Thalmor as a military power, many view the Legion as corrupt and decaying, much like the condition of the Empire.
The Imperial Legion is based in Solitude, and the Dragonborn may join and fight to keep Skyrim in the Empire.
The Stormcloaks are at odds with the Imperial Legion, as proclaimed liberators of the Nordic people. Because of this, the Legion is also at odds with the influential Gray-Mane family, an old and renowned Whiterun clan, whose views oppose those of the Empire of Tamriel. However, they have the support of the influential Battle-Born clan, also in Whiterun.
Joining the Legion
Hadvar suggests that the Dragonborn join the Legion at the end of Unbound if he is followed during the escape from Helgen. To join the Imperial Legion, the Dragonborn must travel to Solitude and find General Tullius in Castle Dour, which is found by following the path up the ramps. Castle Dour will be to the left, guarded by Imperial soldiers. Tullius will say to speak with Legate Rikke. After talking to Rikke, the quest Joining the Legion will start and, when finished, the Dragonborn will take an oath and be officially inducted into the Imperial Army. The Dragonborn will also be rewarded with a set of Imperial Armor from the blacksmith. Once the Dragonborn has joined the Imperial Legion, only one more opportunity remains to switch sides, leaving the Legion for the Stormcloaks. When the Jagged Crown has been acquired, the Dragonborn can choose to travel to Windhelm where they can give the crown to Ulfric Stormcloak instead. Jarl Ulfric will then recognize them as a Stormcloak soldier and immediately orders them to deliver an important message to Whiterun, while skipping the formalities of making the Dragonborn swear the Stormcloak Oath.
Oath
All new initiates to the Imperial Legion must recite the following oath:
"Upon my honor I do swear undying loyalty to the Emperor, Titus Mede II, (or simply "The Emperor" if Mede has been killed in the Dark Brotherhood questline) and unwavering obedience to the officers of his great Empire. May those above judge me, and those below take me, if I fail in my duty. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empire!"
Tactics
Imperial Sword and Imperial Shield concept art
Because of their use of one handed swords and shields, the Imperial Legion can stand up to more punishment than the Stormcloaks. They let their enemies beat themselves against their shields while at the same time using their swords to cut and stab through enemy ranks.
Armor
An Imperial in typical Legion light armor
The Imperial Legion almost always uses full sets of Imperial Light Armor (the armor piece of the imperial light armor set is often replaced by Studded Imperial Armor). These are roughly equal to the light armor worn by Stormcloak soldiers.
High-ranking legionnaires generally use Imperial Heavy Armor, making them considerably tougher opponents. By default, when joining the faction, three different armor sets can be chosen (light, medium, or heavy). The Legion's armor generally has a greater defense when compared to the Stormcloaks.
Post-Civil War
After the conclusion of the civil war in favor of the Imperial Legion, the Dragonborn will be told there are still Stormcloak camps out there to destroy. However, when visiting said camps, the commanders will still be flagged as essential and cannot be killed. Furthermore, the Stormcloak soldiers at these camps will eventually respawn. Additionally, citizens still mention the war. A number of notable changes occur after completing the Imperial Legion campaign:
- All Jarls that supported the Stormcloaks are replaced with those loyal to Empire.
- Imperial Legion soldiers replace the guards in all cities that previously were under the control of the Stormcloaks.
- Jarls who have been removed from their throne due to the Imperial Legion's take over are all kept in the main hall of the Palace of the Kings in Windhelm along with their housecarls, stewards, and a few other notable persons who supported the Stormcloaks.
- The Forts scattered around Skyrim will be occupied by Imperial Legion Soldiers.
- Imperial Legion Soldiers aid the Dragonborn in battle, if they are attacked by a foe. They do not lend assistance if the Dragonborn initiated the fight.
Imperial camps
An Imperial camp in the Rift
Imperial camps are located in each of Skyrim's Holds, with the exception of Haafingar. These serve as outposts for the Legion and are instrumental in the ongoing civil war.
They are normally commanded by a Legate who can be found in his tent, and also have an Imperial Quartermaster working at a forge who will also serve as a merchant.
- Eastmarch Imperial Camp
- Falkreath Imperial Camp
- Hjaalmarch Imperial Camp
- Pale Imperial Camp
- Reach Imperial Camp
- Rift Imperial Camp
- Whiterun Imperial Camp
- Winterhold Imperial Camp
Quests
Notable members
- General Tullius - Military Governor in Skyrim.
- Legate Rikke - Second-in-command of the Imperial Legion in Skyrim.
- Captain Aldis - Instructor and trainer of novice soldiers in Solitude.
- Hadvar - Soldier and potential survivor of the Helgen dragon attack.
- General Falx Carius - Undead general stationed at Fort Frostmoth during the quest March of the Dead.DB
- Imperial Captain - Commander of the execution prior to the Helgen dragon attack.
- Legate Adventus Caesennius - Legate of Haafingar.
- Legate Constantius Tituleius - Legate of The Pale.
- Legate Emmanuel Admand - Legate of The Reach.
- Legate Fasendil - Legate of The Rift.
- Legate Hrollod - Legate of Eastmarch.
- Legate Quentin Cipius - Legate of Whiterun Hold.
- Legate Sevan Telendas - Legate of Winterhold.
- Legate Skulnar - Legate of Falkreath Hold.
- Legate Taurinus Duilis - Legate of Hjaalmarch.
- Sulla Trebatius - Imperial Expeditioner at Alftand.
- Adelaisa Vendicci - Soldier stationed at the East Empire Company quarters in Windhelm.
- Ghorbash the Iron Hand - Served in the Imperial Legion under the name of Ghorbash Gro-Dushnikh.
- Torturer - He was used to extract information from prisoners at Helgen.
- Torturer's Assistant - Watches over the Torturer's needs.
- Rexus - Amaund Motierre's bodyguard.
- Noster Eagle-Eye - A beggar who was an Imperial scout during the Great War.
- Salvianus - Ex-Imperial officer, inferring by his possessions and the quotes he keeps repeating to himself.
- Imperial Deserter - A soldier wounded in Helgen, and he can later be found in Redwater Den.
- Margret - A Legion spy assigned by General Tullius in Markarth.
Ranks
There are five ranks that can be earned by the Dragonborn if the Legion is joined during the Civil War questline. Progress in rank occurs at the completion of key battles during the war.
- Auxiliary (Private) - complete Joining the Legion.
- Quaestor (Sergeant) - complete Battle for Whiterun.
- Praefect (Lieutenant)- complete The Battle for Fort Dunstad.
- Tribune (Captain) - complete The Battle for Fort Greenwall.
- Legate (Commander) - complete Rescue from Fort Kastav.
Unobtainable Ranks
These ranks cannot be earned by the Dragonborn, but are still encountered in the game.
- General - the commanding officer of a small Imperial army or even an entire legion and reports to the Emperor himself.
Subtypes
- Imperial Archer
- Imperial Soldier
- Imperial Quartermaster
- Imperial Fort Commander
- Imperial General
- Imperial Field Legate
- Imperial Wizard
Trivia
- Non-main female legionnaires are not present in Skyrim, with the exception of Legate Rikke, an archer killing Lokir as he attempts to flee Helgen, and an Imperial Mage using the Firebolt spell on Alduin. If the Imperial Legion has conquered the Rift, a dead female legionnaire can be found at Shor's Watchtower.
- If the Dragonborn joins the Legion some characters will call them a "milk drinker".
- This variant of the Legion seems to be of a Romano-British or Colonial Gallic style due to the heavy presence of the Nords.
- The ranks are all of Roman origin. However, a Quaestor was a government rank in real Roman times. Tribunes can be both government or military. Auxiliaries, in Roman times, were foreign soldiers/allies of Rome that served alongside the Legion and bolstered its forces; traditionally, the cavalry of the Legion was mostly Auxiliary. Legate was equivalent to a modern-day general, but the Cyrodiilic legate reports to a general, and is probably more equivalent to a colonel.
- If the Emperor is killed during the Dark Brotherhood questline, General Tullius won't mention Titus Mede II in the oath for the Imperial Legion.
- The Imperial armor bears a striking resemblance to the armor used by foot-soldiers in the Roman Empire.
Bugs
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This section contains bugs related to Imperial Legion (Skyrim). Before adding a bug to this list, consider the following:
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- Occasionally when promoted to Praefect, members of the legion will refer to the Dragonborn as "Tribune" instead.
Achievements
| Image | Name | Points | Trophy |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Taking Sides | 10 
|
 |
| Join the Stormcloaks or the Imperial Legion | |||
|
War Hero | 10
|
|
| Capture Fort Sungard or Fort Greenwall | |||
|
Hero of Skyrim | 30
|
 |
| Capture Solitude or Windhelm | |||