The Legion Sword

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    And so, we finally get to the famed Legion sword, the symbol of the Legion. Despite its prevalence in popular culture, there never was the Legion sword; only a Legion sword for you see like the Legion itself, the design of the sword is adaptable to whatever the Legion might face. In fact, during my years of service, the sword has undergone three redesigns; some changes subtle others drastic but the sword has and always will be the standard arm of the Legion.

     

     

    Nonetheless, each iteration of the Legion sword bears a similar design conformed to Legion infantry doctrine of Close-Combat. The blade is double-edged straight capable of cutting with a tapered point for thrusts, how the weapon is primarily used and a shallow stab to the gut is fatal to all but the most unnatural of foes. Short-bladed of at most thirty inches, the sword excels in tight corners; the closed formations of a century to urban operations to dense forests and deep swamps.

     

    I will admit the sword is not without its deficiencies; longswords are better at slashing, spears are superior at stabbing, hammers defeat plate armour, and daggers are even more controllable. However, what the Legion sword sacrifices in specialisation is versatility – it can slash, it can stab, it can fit through gaps of armour, it has longer range than a dagger, and no matter the disadvantage, the Legion sword remains a deadly weapon.

     

    There is a saying they teach you in basic, ‘No Legionary fights alone,’ and the same value applies to our equipment.

     

    The Legion sword does not fight alone, it is partnered with the other symbol of the Legion: our shields, which we call the ‘Drakes’ for its resemblance to the drake of the Empire. With the shield each individual Legionary is a force to reckoned with and when fighting together as a Legion, as they should, they become unstoppable.

     

    - Excerpt from I Served and Survived by Cassius Batavus, Retired-Armicustos and Legionary

     

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