The Imperial Army
- Thread starter Blue Ghost
- Start date
Just the sort of position the Emperor would much rather have filled by one of his own people rather than someone borrowed from a member world.
Hans
Yeah, there's an actual Imperial Army with tons of beings in uniform. This whole borrowing regiments from worlds seems more like an idea to augment what troops are needed for what roles to assist the Imperial regulars, and not the actual army itself. We're talking a major empire, not the Continental Army of the United Colonies.
I remember reading somewhere in one of the books (book 0? book 4?) that the marines were essentially the assault force, then the regular army was brought in to do the heavy slug and/or garrison whatever world needed garrisoning.
Since this is untouched, or there seems to be a schism here, maybe this is a good thread to hash out what's up with the actual Imperial Army.
I remember reading somewhere in one of the books (book 0? book 4?) that the marines were essentially the assault force, then the regular army was brought in to do the heavy slug and/or garrison whatever world needed garrisoning.
Since this is untouched, or there seems to be a schism here, maybe this is a good thread to hash out what's up with the actual Imperial Army.
MT makes it abundantly clear that there's no Imperial Army BELOW the subsector command level, just local army units on imperial service, Hans.
The CT references to the Army fall in two camps - early stuff tends to look like "Yanks in Space with Nobles" - but the latter stuff doesn't, and lacks a clear "Imperial Army" - we see regiments from various worlds used elsewhere, but no central training, no central standard. Striker's pretty clear on it as well.
The CT references to the Army fall in two camps - early stuff tends to look like "Yanks in Space with Nobles" - but the latter stuff doesn't, and lacks a clear "Imperial Army" - we see regiments from various worlds used elsewhere, but no central training, no central standard. Striker's pretty clear on it as well.
Enoki
SOC-14 1K
So, the Imperial Army is more like the British one up thorough the mid 19th Century. That is, individual regiments (or whatever the Traveller / Imperium equivalent is) are raised on a local basis likely by warrant under the command or patronage of a noble or very wealthy individual.
With such a system a Baron or Viscount might raise a regiment of say, 12 companies of troops. The companies are each commanded by a Knight who is given leave to raise his company by commission of the Baron. That would be the noble version.
The wealthy version might be a local corporate CEO or other well-to-do individual is commissioned by the planetary, sub-sector, or sector government to raise a unit. He does so and also determines how the unit is staffed, maybe selling commissions, or by appointment, or even vote of the men.
In both cases, the likelihood is that most or all of the expense of raising and paying these troops would fall on the local command. That would mean they either have a good depth of money available or they have a means of taxation locally to raise funds to pay for the unit. I could see subscription as an alternate too (ie., a 'fund rasier' to pay for the unit).
I would think on a larger scale such a system would result in a very haphazard and unreliable army when needed enmasse. Units would have very different standards of training and their contract of service could be very different too. Loyality would lie more with the unit commmander than higher commands making such units of dubious reliability.
Training and equipment would also likely vary although there might be some sort of standard, at least on paper even if it is ignored sometimes. The level of equipment would likely be pretty basic and cheap rather than cutting edge or high tech. Heavy equipment and artillery would be in very limited numbers due simply to cost.
On the whole it would make for an army more suited to partisan and colonial warfare against poorly equipped opponets than against a "real" military. I could also see the widespread use of mercenary units as a substitute for grabbing up the locals and forming a unit.
With such a system a Baron or Viscount might raise a regiment of say, 12 companies of troops. The companies are each commanded by a Knight who is given leave to raise his company by commission of the Baron. That would be the noble version.
The wealthy version might be a local corporate CEO or other well-to-do individual is commissioned by the planetary, sub-sector, or sector government to raise a unit. He does so and also determines how the unit is staffed, maybe selling commissions, or by appointment, or even vote of the men.
In both cases, the likelihood is that most or all of the expense of raising and paying these troops would fall on the local command. That would mean they either have a good depth of money available or they have a means of taxation locally to raise funds to pay for the unit. I could see subscription as an alternate too (ie., a 'fund rasier' to pay for the unit).
I would think on a larger scale such a system would result in a very haphazard and unreliable army when needed enmasse. Units would have very different standards of training and their contract of service could be very different too. Loyality would lie more with the unit commmander than higher commands making such units of dubious reliability.
Training and equipment would also likely vary although there might be some sort of standard, at least on paper even if it is ignored sometimes. The level of equipment would likely be pretty basic and cheap rather than cutting edge or high tech. Heavy equipment and artillery would be in very limited numbers due simply to cost.
On the whole it would make for an army more suited to partisan and colonial warfare against poorly equipped opponets than against a "real" military. I could also see the widespread use of mercenary units as a substitute for grabbing up the locals and forming a unit.
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I didn't think you accepted Striker and MT material as evidence for CT, Wil???
Oh well, be that as it may, I do, of course, accept it as evidence, so if you could just provide me with references to those aboundantly clear passages that I must have overlooked, I'll be happy.
Lack of references to central training and central standards is not proof of the absence of an Imperial Army.
It is? Where?
Hans
What is the mission of the 'Imperial' army?
Is it to defend against external threats, such as the Zhodani, or is it to defend against internal threats, such as non-pacified worlds within its borders?
The first case is military in nature against enemy armies as opposed to engaging in police actions against Imperium citizens.
The first case might have forces garrisoned in locations likely to be attacked by outside forces, whereas the second case has forces garrisoned in areas of internal unrest and is an indication of imperialistic policies.
Armed forces are often the tools of diplomatic policy. They are the 'stick' and economic benefits being the 'carrot'. Might this 'stick' be used when acting upon diplomatic policies with member worlds (threat of police actions) as well as with foreign powers (threat of attack)?
Answering those sort of questions might help define the ImpArmy and suggest organization and deployments.
In MT, chargen rules, basic and advanced for 'army', do not specify or even mention Imperial Army in the manner that the advanced chargen for the Navy does. The text in the rules concerning chargen only describe the army as 'planetary forces'. The AdvCharGen gives 'police action' as a mission...
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In practice, imtu, I would model the Imperium's Armed Forces after the People's Liberation Army of China in terms of mission, organization and internal deployment. Their military regions are analogous to the various domains of the Imperium.
Is it to defend against external threats, such as the Zhodani, or is it to defend against internal threats, such as non-pacified worlds within its borders?
The first case is military in nature against enemy armies as opposed to engaging in police actions against Imperium citizens.
The first case might have forces garrisoned in locations likely to be attacked by outside forces, whereas the second case has forces garrisoned in areas of internal unrest and is an indication of imperialistic policies.
Armed forces are often the tools of diplomatic policy. They are the 'stick' and economic benefits being the 'carrot'. Might this 'stick' be used when acting upon diplomatic policies with member worlds (threat of police actions) as well as with foreign powers (threat of attack)?
Answering those sort of questions might help define the ImpArmy and suggest organization and deployments.
In MT, chargen rules, basic and advanced for 'army', do not specify or even mention Imperial Army in the manner that the advanced chargen for the Navy does. The text in the rules concerning chargen only describe the army as 'planetary forces'. The AdvCharGen gives 'police action' as a mission...
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In practice, imtu, I would model the Imperium's Armed Forces after the People's Liberation Army of China in terms of mission, organization and internal deployment. Their military regions are analogous to the various domains of the Imperium.
Otto Harkaman
SOC-12
Supplement 03 Spinward Marches:
Imperial Way Station. A base established for the repair, maintenance, and overhaul of Imperial equipment. It may include provisions for Army troop barracks, naval and scout ship overhauls, and intelligence operations.
The Traveller book:
Imperial Army Quartermaster Corps is mention in The Raggedy Old Man
I am guessing the order of battle for Invasion Earth represents a good portion of the regular Imperial army.
Imperial Way Station. A base established for the repair, maintenance, and overhaul of Imperial equipment. It may include provisions for Army troop barracks, naval and scout ship overhauls, and intelligence operations.
The Traveller book:
Imperial Army Quartermaster Corps is mention in The Raggedy Old Man
I am guessing the order of battle for Invasion Earth represents a good portion of the regular Imperial army.
Yeah, to me there's no argument about whether there's a regular professional Imperial Army with a set standard of equipment and training. There is. End of story.
I think what's interesting might be the forces that are tacked onto, say, a regiment of Imperial Regulars stationed on planet Backwater in the Star's End sector, where space is essentially a big desert between Vargr enclaves and the K'Kree fanatic-ocracy.
Say one of the neighboring subsystems needs some extra troops from planet Backwater. Planet Backwater probably has little authority or say as to whether the troops can leave or not. But, planet Backwater probably can muster its own armed forces at the behest of a noble or other rich patron, such as the local taxpayers or a megacorporation or conglomerate thereof, who are willing to flip the bill for supplementary troops.
I think if the Imperial High Command calls upon planet Backwater's troops to help with some action somewhere, then planet Backwater, being a loyal member of the empire, might say "Hey, we've got these other men willing to serve if you pay them."
Or, like someone else suggested, a high ranking noble might create his own regiment. I kind of like that idea. A knight who raises his own regiment or more, then leads his personal army into armed action against some foe of the Imperium. That's an adventure waiting to be written up right there.
I think what's interesting might be the forces that are tacked onto, say, a regiment of Imperial Regulars stationed on planet Backwater in the Star's End sector, where space is essentially a big desert between Vargr enclaves and the K'Kree fanatic-ocracy.
Say one of the neighboring subsystems needs some extra troops from planet Backwater. Planet Backwater probably has little authority or say as to whether the troops can leave or not. But, planet Backwater probably can muster its own armed forces at the behest of a noble or other rich patron, such as the local taxpayers or a megacorporation or conglomerate thereof, who are willing to flip the bill for supplementary troops.
I think if the Imperial High Command calls upon planet Backwater's troops to help with some action somewhere, then planet Backwater, being a loyal member of the empire, might say "Hey, we've got these other men willing to serve if you pay them."
Or, like someone else suggested, a high ranking noble might create his own regiment. I kind of like that idea. A knight who raises his own regiment or more, then leads his personal army into armed action against some foe of the Imperium. That's an adventure waiting to be written up right there.
Umm... where does it say that? And what "central standard" are you expecting from the Imperial army that would differ from the central standard of any planetary army? They both do basically the same type of job - just for different masters.
I see Rebellion Sourcebook's "EXPECTED TROOP STRENGTHS ON A SPECIFIC WORLD" table. Those values correspond with Fifth Frontier War's planetary defense batallions as shown on the world boxes on the map.
I see this, also from Rebellion Sourcebook:
IMPERIAL FORCES
"The Imperium maintains standing military forces in order to provide security for its bases and governmental offices, and in order to maintain peace and order. Imperial forces range in size from armies to platoons. Higher level units (armies, corps, divisions) coordinate with local popular forces and include them in their span of control. Lower level units make up the reaction forces of the Imperium and are generally mobile units which can respond quickly when trouble flares up."
The planetary batallions do not owe their allegiance to the Emperor, except indirectly. They constitute the "local popular forces" being described above. They are under the command of the planetary governments (and likely key to keeping some of those governments propped up). If called up to do something locally unpopular - like putting down a rebellion - they are at risk of being suborned as a result of local sympathies and relationships.
"Popular forces are reserve troop units raised from the local population. Their purpose is clearly the defense of the population and territory of a specific world, and their training is directed toward that mission. ... Popular forces are raised on a specific world and rarely leave that world."
The Imperial Army units on the other hand would owe their allegiance only to the Emperor; they would face no conflict of interest if asked to do something locally unpopular since their individual members are likely to be drawn from a variety of different worlds. Their focus would be the security of Imperial assets (starport, perhaps, and bases) while the local batallions defend key cities and strategic points. While their primary purpose is to hold ground, they can be moved and concentrated where the biggest threat to Imperial "ground" exists.
And THEN there are the Marines: "Marines are units normally assigned to squadrons or fleets in order to give them a military reaction capability. They are under Navy jurisdiction."
Icosahedron
SOC-14 1K
In my book, Carlobrand has it right. But I'm a CTer.
Each planet will have its own local (colonial) army (and navy and air force) for its own defence and perhaps defence of its less capable neighbours, but there will also be an Imperial army, to which locals may volunteer and find themselves fighting on the other side of the Empire for causes in which they have no personal stake (and no conflicting loyalties). The army invades worlds and defends worlds, and keeps the peace on worlds where the local forces are clearly incapable of doing so. Unlike the Navy/marines, it does not have a patrol function, it is simply called in from the nearest base to occupy a world or part of a world when needed.
In contrast, the Marines are permanently on patrol with the Navy and are on hand to lend a mailed fist whenever needed. This is why the Marines often form the spearhead of an attack - not because they are better equipped than the army, nor because they replace the army, but simply because they are there when the balloon goes up.
Each planet will have its own local (colonial) army (and navy and air force) for its own defence and perhaps defence of its less capable neighbours, but there will also be an Imperial army, to which locals may volunteer and find themselves fighting on the other side of the Empire for causes in which they have no personal stake (and no conflicting loyalties). The army invades worlds and defends worlds, and keeps the peace on worlds where the local forces are clearly incapable of doing so. Unlike the Navy/marines, it does not have a patrol function, it is simply called in from the nearest base to occupy a world or part of a world when needed.
In contrast, the Marines are permanently on patrol with the Navy and are on hand to lend a mailed fist whenever needed. This is why the Marines often form the spearhead of an attack - not because they are better equipped than the army, nor because they replace the army, but simply because they are there when the balloon goes up.
I have to say that I always felt the marines were a little more psychologically motivated than regular army personnel, regardless of what empire or nation we're discussing. That's just my impression.
Like you say, they're the first ones "on the beach" or in the drop/landing zone (mostly anyway), then the army brings its mass to the fight. The marines, given the US model, like to be a trim and mobile fighting force. To me that speaks that the army, though no less capable, may have some heavy equipment that the marines don't. I don't really know. Do the marines of any nation field mobile artillery? Maybe the Imperial Army has the much hated (and discussed) "mecha" division and/or corps attached to high tech worlds, in addition to regular grav-tank armor. I'm not sure. Just tossing out ideas here
GT may have dismissed the Imperial Army as an anachronism, or something that never existed, but I think GT needs to catch up and follow now only some of the arguments here, but the real practicalities of having a standing heavy fighting force.
I think it's either GT Ground Forces or GT Mercenary that states that planetary armed forces have a variety of organizations; from Impis to warbands to "armies" of only a few hundred heavily armed men and the like. I can't imagine such a hodge-podge selection of forces being asked to coordinate, spend time together in jump for a few weeks or months, and then deploy to some far off world for action. Particularly when you're facing oppisition that clear has regular standing forces, or large scale forces.
Example; the Aslan might be the closest thing that both GURPS military supplements refer to when they say there's no Imperial Army, in that the Aslan clan heirarchy has no supreme standing army that oversees all clans, and calls upon units from clans to serve at separate installations and bases as one cohesive fighting force. Instead the Aslan or more like what GURPS describes for Traveller; a kind of polis that can offer troops to the clan leadership when needed. And that said troops might be highly disparate in terms of training and equipment, as per GURPS description of its version of Imperial regulars. So, I can see the Aslan having that kind of structure.
But certainly not the Imperium's neighbors, especially not the Solomani (Terrans). The Hivers? Meh, maybe, I don't know enough about them. The K'Kree? They might have something close to the model, but again, largely because of their herd mentality it would seem unlikely. The Droyne? Heck, they provide troops to whoever. The Vargr? Yeah, they're more like the GURPS Imperial Model than anybody else, and then some. The Zhos? Probably not. Even though they're tech is a bit substandard, and they're snobbish because of their hoity-toity superiority complex, they might have some anachronistic individual regiments for their privileged classes, but it seems they would have a uniformed standing army. Darriens, Swordys, minor client states, pick your poison/race, it seems that if you want to keep your neighbors at bay, then you better mimic their model lest you try to defend a world with a mish-mash of TL-1 barbarians in vacc suits with spears trying to coordinate with Bwaps and Vegans and Geonee troops armed with a variety of different weapons and equipment.
In short, given the Imperium's size and modus operandi, I've no doubt that there are private armies for corporations, nobility, and other private parties, all using their personal standards for training and equipment, but the Imperium needs to maintain its territorial integrity, and needs a cohesive, functioning, fighting force other than the navy and marines to help it send a message of preponderance to its neighbors, but also to maintain internal order.
I think this is a mildly tapped subject that really hasn't been addressed properly.
More brainstorming; various regular units across the empire might have some varrying degrees of preparedness, but they all have to answer to the same command structure for the Imperium.
Forces other than Imperium, let's say Norris has some personal Dragoons that fly around in high performance grav attack craft. Certainly tey can be added to the rosters, but they're his troops, subject to his command, and perhaps not those of whatever high ranking army or marine officer is on board that transport/cruiser/transport that's headed to some world embroiled in a conflict.
Just my imagination working overtime here. Don't mind me.
Like you say, they're the first ones "on the beach" or in the drop/landing zone (mostly anyway), then the army brings its mass to the fight. The marines, given the US model, like to be a trim and mobile fighting force. To me that speaks that the army, though no less capable, may have some heavy equipment that the marines don't. I don't really know. Do the marines of any nation field mobile artillery? Maybe the Imperial Army has the much hated (and discussed) "mecha" division and/or corps attached to high tech worlds, in addition to regular grav-tank armor. I'm not sure. Just tossing out ideas here
GT may have dismissed the Imperial Army as an anachronism, or something that never existed, but I think GT needs to catch up and follow now only some of the arguments here, but the real practicalities of having a standing heavy fighting force.
I think it's either GT Ground Forces or GT Mercenary that states that planetary armed forces have a variety of organizations; from Impis to warbands to "armies" of only a few hundred heavily armed men and the like. I can't imagine such a hodge-podge selection of forces being asked to coordinate, spend time together in jump for a few weeks or months, and then deploy to some far off world for action. Particularly when you're facing oppisition that clear has regular standing forces, or large scale forces.
Example; the Aslan might be the closest thing that both GURPS military supplements refer to when they say there's no Imperial Army, in that the Aslan clan heirarchy has no supreme standing army that oversees all clans, and calls upon units from clans to serve at separate installations and bases as one cohesive fighting force. Instead the Aslan or more like what GURPS describes for Traveller; a kind of polis that can offer troops to the clan leadership when needed. And that said troops might be highly disparate in terms of training and equipment, as per GURPS description of its version of Imperial regulars. So, I can see the Aslan having that kind of structure.
But certainly not the Imperium's neighbors, especially not the Solomani (Terrans). The Hivers? Meh, maybe, I don't know enough about them. The K'Kree? They might have something close to the model, but again, largely because of their herd mentality it would seem unlikely. The Droyne? Heck, they provide troops to whoever. The Vargr? Yeah, they're more like the GURPS Imperial Model than anybody else, and then some. The Zhos? Probably not. Even though they're tech is a bit substandard, and they're snobbish because of their hoity-toity superiority complex, they might have some anachronistic individual regiments for their privileged classes, but it seems they would have a uniformed standing army. Darriens, Swordys, minor client states, pick your poison/race, it seems that if you want to keep your neighbors at bay, then you better mimic their model lest you try to defend a world with a mish-mash of TL-1 barbarians in vacc suits with spears trying to coordinate with Bwaps and Vegans and Geonee troops armed with a variety of different weapons and equipment.
In short, given the Imperium's size and modus operandi, I've no doubt that there are private armies for corporations, nobility, and other private parties, all using their personal standards for training and equipment, but the Imperium needs to maintain its territorial integrity, and needs a cohesive, functioning, fighting force other than the navy and marines to help it send a message of preponderance to its neighbors, but also to maintain internal order.
I think this is a mildly tapped subject that really hasn't been addressed properly.
More brainstorming; various regular units across the empire might have some varrying degrees of preparedness, but they all have to answer to the same command structure for the Imperium.
Forces other than Imperium, let's say Norris has some personal Dragoons that fly around in high performance grav attack craft. Certainly tey can be added to the rosters, but they're his troops, subject to his command, and perhaps not those of whatever high ranking army or marine officer is on board that transport/cruiser/transport that's headed to some world embroiled in a conflict.
Just my imagination working overtime here. Don't mind me.
hmm...sounds like they play the role of MP's on a modern day military base.
Off that base, they are out of their jurisdiction and their presence directly challenges that world's "monopoly on the legal use of violence" thus weakening the local world government's claim of being a legitimate 'state'. Again, is the ImpArmy's mission to defend against external threats or internal threats?
vs Internal threats = military police as an instrument of imperialism... a big stick to make sure that member worlds toe the line.
Respond quickly when trouble flares up? So those units are deployed near the borders of the Imperium where they can respond to invasion? or are they deployed internal to the Imperium where a rapid response could only be against member worlds, aka a big stick to keep member worlds in line.
I don't believe defending the border will be lift to Imperial Army. This is Navy job.
The border planets dirtside defense will be left (IMHO) to their own units, as if they have large enough population, they are able to defend themselves (e.g. Efate), and if they don't they're lost anyway once space supremacy is achieved by enemy (whoever will it be), and garrisoning them with enough Imperial Army units to properly defend them would likely be leaving them stranded to surround for lack of supplies (or to be massacred by orbital bombing)
As I envision it, the main missions of the Imperial army would be:
-A cadre to help upgrade local forces and coordinating them in case of emergency large enough to "imperialize" them or to boost its power when needed.
-Deep reserves to be moved into war zones to participate in planetary assaults once the Marines (or with its own jump troops) have a bridgehead.
-Garrisoning Imperial occupied planets (as Terra in CT).
-Ceremonial (even if they have full fighting capablity, as the Imperial Guard).
Just to fan some flames a little :devil:
Yes, those values correspond to the ones in FFW, and don't feature on them the pop multiplier, that already exists in MT, while this is one of the criticisms FFW troop strength has received in severla threads when used as an example of the troop levels in the SM.
I see nothing in this paragraph saying that those standing military forces are Imperial Army Units, they might as well be Marines, should Imperial Army do not exist, and this paragraph would be equally true.
Yes, those values correspond to the ones in FFW, and don't feature on them the pop multiplier, that already exists in MT, while this is one of the criticisms FFW troop strength has received in severla threads when used as an example of the troop levels in the SM.
I see nothing in this paragraph saying that those standing military forces are Imperial Army Units, they might as well be Marines, should Imperial Army do not exist, and this paragraph would be equally true.
G. Kashkanun Anderson
SOC-13
I dunno...
148-1106⑆Efate (Spinward Marches 1705)
¶Reliable sources in the defense establishment have admitted in private that the Imperial Army's 1197th Separate Light Infantry Brigade has been engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the Vandere district of Kormoron (Efate's northern continent) for the last eight months. When asked to comment on Rear-Admiral Lord Santanocheev's recent claim that no Imperial army or marine units had been committed, they declined
¶One official did explain, however, that the brigade was only employed in mopping up operations and had been inserted only to allow rotation of indigenous troops out of combat. "Once all the local units in Vandere have had a spell in the rear, the 1197th will be pulled out," he said. Ω
That seems awfully specific to be attributable to an act of overzealous journalism.¶Reliable sources in the defense establishment have admitted in private that the Imperial Army's 1197th Separate Light Infantry Brigade has been engaged in counter-insurgency operations in the Vandere district of Kormoron (Efate's northern continent) for the last eight months. When asked to comment on Rear-Admiral Lord Santanocheev's recent claim that no Imperial army or marine units had been committed, they declined
¶One official did explain, however, that the brigade was only employed in mopping up operations and had been inserted only to allow rotation of indigenous troops out of combat. "Once all the local units in Vandere have had a spell in the rear, the 1197th will be pulled out," he said. Ω
Not to mention the fact that there is at least one mention of just such a central standard:
204-1107 ⑆Rhylanor (Spinward Marches 2716)
¶Army Vice-Marshal Adam Lord Bryor today announced that a presumed state of war now exists between the Imperium and the Sword Worlds, following receipt of word that Lanth (Spinward Marches 1719) was under attack by fleet and ground elements of that state. Characterizing the Sword Worlds' action as "a perfidious betrayal", Bryor dismissed any suggestion that Rhylanor was vulnerable to a Sword Worlds attack
¶"In addition to the Imperial Marines on-planet, Rhylanor has 25 active divisions equipped to Imperial standards", Bryor explained. "Even if a Sword Worlds squadron could fight its way through Rhylanor's boats, there's no conceivable way a Sword Worlds army could gain a foothold on-planet. Since Rhylanor is one of the foci for naval reinforcement from Deneb Sector, a Sword Worlds fleet would be courting disaster to strike here."
¶Army Vice-Marshal Adam Lord Bryor today announced that a presumed state of war now exists between the Imperium and the Sword Worlds, following receipt of word that Lanth (Spinward Marches 1719) was under attack by fleet and ground elements of that state. Characterizing the Sword Worlds' action as "a perfidious betrayal", Bryor dismissed any suggestion that Rhylanor was vulnerable to a Sword Worlds attack
¶"In addition to the Imperial Marines on-planet, Rhylanor has 25 active divisions equipped to Imperial standards", Bryor explained. "Even if a Sword Worlds squadron could fight its way through Rhylanor's boats, there's no conceivable way a Sword Worlds army could gain a foothold on-planet. Since Rhylanor is one of the foci for naval reinforcement from Deneb Sector, a Sword Worlds fleet would be courting disaster to strike here."
Once again playing devil's advocate...
While I believe Imperial Army exists, and I myself quoted the first one you gave here (where Imperial Army is explicity named), I must state that in this second quote no explicit reference is given about Imperial Army.
The reference to an Army vice-marshal might well be Rhylanor Army's, and Imperial Standards could as well refere to the Marines.
While I believe Imperial Army exists, and I myself quoted the first one you gave here (where Imperial Army is explicity named), I must state that in this second quote no explicit reference is given about Imperial Army.
The reference to an Army vice-marshal might well be Rhylanor Army's, and Imperial Standards could as well refere to the Marines.
The Imperial Army is those world's regiments that meet the "imperial standards" and are available to the 3I for use off-world. There IS a standard - but if one looks closely at the counter mix in Invasion Earth, all the impies have homeworld based names.
Very much 19th C UK army. Expect similar uniform divergence, too.
Very much 19th C UK army. Expect similar uniform divergence, too.
The Imperial Army is explicitly mentioned here and there. I don't think that's a real issue. I think their role in terms of fighting is.
Gray Pennell
SOC-12
What difference does it make if the Imperium does have an organized Army?
