The Legion of Il Senso De Acqua is its principle, veteran fighting force. Numbering nearly 1000, the legion is made up of men (and women) who have shown aptitude on the field of battle, or at least enthusiasm for the army way of life. Unlike the militia which forms the bulk of the city's defenders, the Legion is a professional military organization which is well trained, disciplined and well armed. Many of its soldiers have fought engagements with marauding Goblinoids or other evil beasts and so have some small measure of experience in actual combat.

The basic unit of the Legion is the Contubernium (commonly known as a 'Squad') and consists of seven men led by an Optio, or Sergeant. Ten Squads make up a Century which is led by a Centurian or Captain. Five Centuries make up a Cohort and two Cohorts comprise the Legion. The Legion is commanded by Legatus (General) Longinus Merik.

The Praetorian Guard, while technically a part of the Legion, is actually a separate unit one Century in strength and is also known as the 'First Century' as a term of honor. The Praetorians are commanded by Primus Pilus (First Spear) Cassadorius Flavius, who's official rank is Centurian. Due to his position as the Praetorian's commander, a high honor, Flavius actually outranks the other Centurians in the city.

Organization
The Il Senso Legion is organized primarily at the squad level, with each Contubernium specializing in an aspect of battle which, when combined with others in its century, provides a good, all-around self sufficient force. Some are line infantry, some are archers, some slingers and some provide magical support in the form of Arcane spells or Divine aid.

A Line Infantry squad would normally be composed of seven soldiers and an Optio. Each soldier would carry one or two javelins (pilums), a heavy wooden shield and a short sword for attack. The Optio might carry a longer sword and a lighter, steel shield. The typical infantry soldier wears either Studded Leather armor, or Lorica Hamata (Mail shirt) while on normal duty but don heavier Lorica Segmantata (Banded Mail) while on campaign. The Optio might also wear such armor but of more intricate design, or might also be clad in Breastplate, Lorica Squamata (Scale mail) or Chain Mail.

The squad fights as a unit, usually in a tight knot where their shields can provide mutual protection and their attacks can be concentrated on a single opponent if necessary. Usually, the squad will throw their javelins at a foe as they close the distance, to weaken them. Once in melee combat, the short swords are brought into play.

The Archers and Slingers are usually assigned to their own squads which go into battle in support of the Line Infantry. They stay behind the line of battle and are most often used in the minutes prior to melee battle to rain a hail of arrows on their foes. The Composite short bow is the weapon of choice for the legion. As the enemy closes, the Slingers will add their lead bullets to the fray. These supporting squads also carry buckler shields, short swords and a long spear. Once battle is joined, and the squad can no longer safely attack the enemy with their ranged weapons, the long spears are brought into play attacking the enemy through the Infantry's ranks from behind, using the weapon's reach. The Optios for these squads typically wear chain mail shirts while the squad itself is lightly armored in leather.

Magical Support is not a squad of clerics and wizards but usually an individual attached to a squad for the purpose of aiding them with spells. These casters serve the same role as those found in the adventuring parties; by remaining behind the line of attack and using their spells to good effect. Few sorcerers are used by the Legion, as they are considered flighty and untrustworthy (though some have proven themselves reliable and are treated well). Clerics and Wizards, trained to be of maximum use in battle, make up the majority of combat casters.

In general, every two Line Infantry squads will have one supporting Archer/Slinger squad. Also, each of these support squads will have both a cleric and wizard assigned to it to further aid the infantry. Depending on the foe they are facing, the terrain and the time available for preparation, this organization may change.

The Praetorian Guard
These elite troops serve as the body guards for the Emperor as well as Senate guards. They are drawn from the ranks of the legion and are usually combat veterans of several engagements and years of service. However, as the post is a prominent one, many unworthy Praetorians have purchased their way into the Guard via bribes to senators, so the mighty Praetorian Guard does have a chink in its armor. These 'appointees' do not number enough to thin the Praetorian's fighting abilities that much, and though their post is largely ceremonial, they do serve in the capacity as 'Shock Troops' when the need arises. They are well drilled, trained and disciplined.

The Legion of Il Senso does not support a large cavalry unit, owing to the terrain on which the city sits. However, the Praetorians are trained in mounted combat and can serve as a quick reaction force by riding around the enemy?s flanks or used in an assault role in a traditional cavalry charge.

The typical Praetorian carries a long spear, a long sword, a large, metal shield and wears either a Breastplate, Segmentata or Chain Mail depending on his duty and the climate. Their armor is ornate and well made by the Dwarven smiths of the city. Organized as the regular Legion squads, the Praetorians do not usually fight in shoulder to shoulder line battles and so are more used to individual combat than a typical Line soldier. However, this individualism is also their weakness as each Praetorian usually vies with his fellows for glory in battle, which can lead to more prominent political postings.


Game Information

The following are Stat Blocks for a typical Legion Soldier of Il Senso De Acqua of each type, as well as a member of the Praetorian Guard. Also included are the rules for a squad of each type that might be typically encountered in the city. (It should be noted that citizens of Il Senso would know roughly how tough these soldiers are, having been near them all their lives.  As such, this information is available to the players).


Patrol
This is the most common group of Legionnaires encountered in the city is the patrol. Seen frequently on the streets during the day, they serve as police and city watch. At night, when the citizens are abed, these squads check for suspicious activity and maintain a watch on the city walls and gates. Unlike a squad deployed for a battle, these patrols are often of mixed specialization.

Organization: 7 Legionnaires + 1 Sergeant (Optio).

Legionnaire (75% Lvl. 1 Fighter, 25% Level 1 Warrior)
70% are human, 20% are Dwarven, 10% are ½ Elven (adjust attributes accordingly)

Attributes:
STR: 12, DEX:10, CON:12, INT:10, WIS:10, CHR:10

Armor Class: 15 (Studded Leather Armor or Banded Mail (B) + Heavy Wooden Shield (D))

Hit Points: 11

Weapons (Combination of the following): Short Spear or Javelin (A), Short Sword (C), Short Bow, Sling.

Feats: Weapon Focus: (Selected Weapon), Combat Reflexes, (Bonus Legion Feat: Phalanx Fighting)

Skills: Jump: 3, Climb 3, Spot: 1


Sergeant (Optio) (75% Level 2 Fighter, 25% Level 1)
80% are human, 15% are Dwarven, 5% are ½ Elven (Adjust attributes accordingly)

Attributes:
STR: 12, DEX:12, CON:12, INT:10, WIS:10, CHR:12

Armor Class: 17 (Chain Shirt Armor + Heavy Wooden Shield + Dex)

Hit Points: 18 (11)

Weapons (Combination of the following): Short Spear, Short Sword, Short Bow, Sling.

Feats: Weapon Focus: (Selected Weapon), Combat Reflexes, Hold the Line, (Bonus Legion Feat: Phalanx Fighting)

Skills: Jump: 2, Climb 4, Spot: 1, Intimidate: 2


Praetorian Guard

Encountered at the Senate and Palace as elite guards, these men deal little with the public.

Praetorian Guard (5 % Level 3 Fighter, 70% Level 2 Fighter, 25% Level 1)
95% are human, 5% are Dwarven, (Adjust attributes accordingly)

Attributes:
STR: 12, DEX:12, CON:14, INT:12, WIS:10, CHR:12

Armor Class: 18 (Breastplate + Heavy Steel Shield + Dex)

Hit Points: 26 / 19 / 12

Weapons: Long Spear, Long Sword

Feats: Weapon Focus: (Selected Weapon), Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, (3rd lvl Feat: Mounted Combat)

Skills: Jump: 2, Climb 2, Spot: 1, Intimidate: 3, Search: 1, Ride: 1
(Additional skills per level: 2nd lvl. Add 2 to Ride, 1 to Handle Animal. 3rd lvl add above + 1 to Ride, 1 to Spot)


Note: These are guidelines and should not be counted on as representative of every soldier met in the city.