[Imperial Legion] hierarchy and state of the Legion

[arvisrend]

What is the state of the Imperial Legion on the Mainland? How corrupt is it? How functional is it at what it is supposed to do?

What is its hierarchy? Whom do the captains report to? Is this someone in Cyrodiil, or is the level above him? Who decides on the Really Serious Stuff, like punitive expeditions? Who's got something to explain if a fort is successfully raided by a gang of bandits?

As far as I can tell from the already NPCed forts, the existing chapters of the Legion vary between useless and corrupted, a situation that is not very surprising given the downfall of the Empire. It can also be very well explained by adverse selection (the Vvardenfell parts of the legion get paid better due to the dangers of the wilderness there, which pulls all the good cadres away), provided this doesn't contradict some other piece of lore. And it's a good backdrop for a questline ("cleanse Windmoth of corruption", "resolve the quarantine at Ancylis", "check out the derelict forts in the Velothis", "investigate the smuggling at [some border fort]" etc.). I'd nevertheless want to check with you guys whether this is the direction we want to go (if not, we should let future NPCers know they're to counter the trend).

[immortal_pigs]

Morrowind is very large and having the most explicit showing of Imperial power be a bunch of failing forts would seem a bit strange. It can make sense that some forts are dealing with corruption, but having the entire legion be a bunch of losers is not really fun.

Rather the forts can be used to tell a story about the particular region they are settled in. They can provide a "normal" view on what "normal" Imperials think about the weird ass Dunmer. Imperial forts would be like enclaves of normalcy in a sea of strange.

This would mean that the legion is mostly impartial in Dunmeri politics. As long as le status quo isn't upset they'll be content. Legion quests could be mostly aimed at Imperial settlements and exploring the Imperial perspective of Morrowind. [/i]

[Yeti]

From "The Eastern Provinces"

In fact, a greater threat to Imperial security lies in the idle legions that the taxpayer spends thousands of drakes to support. The generals of these legions, facing no enemies or opposition within the borders of their provinces, may look with ambition to the West. With their loyal veteran troops and coffers fattened by friendly monopolists, they become unpredictable political factors in the uncertainties surrounding the Imperial succession.

[Infragris]

From the Skeleton Man Interview:

Finally, who do you think is the most important person in Morrowind? Who holds the most influence over the province?[...]

Let me tell you who it's not. It's not the Imperial Proconsul here in Narsis. See, he's so unimportant I don't even remember his name. He may think he runs the province, but he's out of touch with what's really going on. Must be. Morrowind's too big and strange and secretive for any one man to really control it. Maybe one of the Governors? Or, better, a military officer, the commander of the legions perhaps? Nah. First, the Army is divided. Supposedly the local commander reports to the governor, right? But the Army has never liked being under a civilian, and lately its gotten worse. Much worse. You'd be surprised what's going on out in the districts. Then add the Red Templars to the mix. Theoretically tied into the chain of command, right? But they don't really take orders from anybody but themselves. So, you say, the Imperials are a mess, just like everywhere else.

[arvisrend]

Thanks, guys. Good points and good sources.

I don't completely agree with IP's "exploring the Imperial perspective", though, because this can be covered by lots of joinable factions (MG, FG, IC, IL, EEC, Twin Lamps, Blades). So while it'll be good to have the player move some border stones in favor of the Empire, there's no urgent need to have it happen in the IL.