The Legion of the Dragon

Back to the WoT Files Section

 

 

“Foot!  Burn my soul, they’re no good foot.  They’ll scatter at the first charge!  Before!”

- The foolishly concerned words of High Lord Weiramon

 

 

ORIGINS

                                                                                     

The Legion of the Dragon is a newly formed military force.  So new that it has hardly any history to mention.  The Legion holds no allegiance to any specific country, but rather to the Dragon Reborn himself.  What is more interesting is the unique way the Legion of the Dragon has become so large and powerful so quickly.  The recruiting of new Legionmen is very different to the recruiting methods employed by other major armies of the Westlands.  In fact the formation of the Legion was originally only a by-product of recruiting male channelers for the Black Tower.  All men that failed the test to discover if they could channel the male half of the One Power were decided to be sent to training camps set up in Andor by Lord Davram Bashere, Marshal General of the Saldaean army.  At the camps, these men were trained to very high standards, utilising unique tactics and maneuvers devised by Bashere and Matrim Cauthon, commander and patron of the Band of the Red Hand.  As the trainee numbers rapidly grew in size, they became known as the Dragon Reborn’s personal army and they were suitably named the Legion of the Dragon.  More and more men leave their homes each day to join the Dragon Reborn in his fight against the Shadow by signing up to the Legion’s ranks.  This means that the Legionmen come from various different countries, united under a common cause.

 

APPEARANCE

 

The Legionmen all look very similar, even though they are men from all over the Westlands.  The types of equipment they have are very limited, with most men carrying steel-armed crossbows and swords.  Not one visibly carries any other type of weapon.  The Legionmen also carry shields, which are large, wooden, rectangular constructs that are as tall as an average man’s shoulders.  They wear blue painted Andoran style helmets, with long blue coats worked on the chest with a red and gold Dragon.  They also wear breastplates, but beneath their coats so the Dragon isn’t hidden.  Each coat is buttoned up the side so as not to break the pattern.  All Legionmen wear a blue pennant bearing the Dragon with a number marking which company they belong to.  Lieutenants and Under-Lieutenants wear a single tall, red plume on their helmets.  One of the most obvious differences between the Legion and other armies of the Westlands is that the Legion is purely made up of infantry.  No cavalry is used whatsoever.

 

INFANTRY MANEUVERS

 

While most infantry use simple maneuvers, the Legion of the Dragon employ more complex infantry actions to compensate for the absence of such troops as cavalry and spearmen among their ranks.  These maneuvers were largely devised by Lord Davram Bashere and Matrim Cauthon.  The Legion makes full use of these unique tactics in small skirmish situations as much as they would in larger battles.  A large amount of time is needed to teach and perfect the workings of such actions for each infantry unit, but once taught, the maneuvers are carried out with extreme efficiency. 

 

SPECIAL RULES

Calm in the Face of Danger: All members of the Legion of the Dragon joined for no other reason than they wanted to.  This means that all members of the Legion are willing fighters and are dedicated to the cause of the Dragon Reborn.  They recognize the importance of what is at stake and know that defeat in the Last Battle is not an option.  To represent this on the battlefield, a Legion of the Dragon warband may re-roll their first failed Rout test once, the re-roll result being final.  ‘Calm in the Face of Danger’ cannot be combined with any other special rules allowing re-rolled Rout tests.

 

Shields: These defensive items are used to full effect by the Legion of the Dragon.  Cynics would describe the large wooden shields as unwieldy cumbersome things that will lead their owners to sure death on the battlefield, but in fact the opposite is true.  The shields can be held in one hand with a sword held in the other providing the carrier with a great defensive advantage over his opponent. 

     Models equipped with a shield gain +1 to all their saving throws, just like with light armour.  However, if you choose to fire a crossbow with a model equipped with a shield, the model gains no armour save bonus for a whole turn, as both hands are needed to operate the crossbow.  The shield is simply thrown to the side until needed again.

 

Infantry Commands: Full details on the infantry commands rules can be found elsewhere in this warband list.

 

Choice of Warriors

 

Legion of the Dragon warbands must include a minimum of three models. You have 500 gold marks to recruit your initial warband. The maximum number of warriors in the warband may never exceed 15.

 

Lieutenant: A Legion of the Dragon warband must have one Lieutenant.  No more, no less!

 

Under-Lieutenant: Your warband may include up to one Under-Lieutenant.

 

Veteran Legionmen:  Your warband may include up to three Veteran Legionmen.

 

Legionmen: You must have at least one Legionman in your warband, up to a maximum of five.

 

Trainees: Your warband may include any number of trainee Legionmen.

 

Starting experience

 

A Lieutenant starts with 20 experience.

 

An Under-Lieutenant starts with 12 experience.

 

Veteran Legionmen start with 8 experience.

 

Henchmen start with 0 experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advance!

 

Instead of attempting to shoot with their crossbows, the Legionmen use the extra time to get closer to the enemy in an attempt to engage them in combat by using a quick burst of speed. 

     If this order is successfully passed on, the models concerned will immediately move an extra D6” towards the nearest visible enemy model by the fastest route possible.  This may be different for each model so move each one appropriately.  If there are several enemies at equal distance from a model, the Legion of the Dragon player may decide which enemy his warrior moves towards.  Note that you must move the full distance rolled.  If any models end up in base contact with an enemy model, the advancing Legionmen count as charging for the purposes of the combat phase.  All models affected by this order may not shoot with their crossbows (if equipped) this turn as the time needed is spent moving towards the enemy.

 

Regroup!

 

When a Legion of the Dragon leader barks this command, the men ordered will move towards his direction in an attempt to pull the warband together, leaving no holes in their lines for enemies to get through. 

     If this order is issued successfully, move the models concerned D6” towards the commanding model by the safest and fastest route possible.  This may be different for each model so move each one appropriately.  Note that you must move the full distance rolled and that only models not currently in hand-to-hand combat may respond to this order.  Additionally, this extra move may not be used as a charge move into an enemy model.  You may not end the move in base contact with any enemy model.  All models affected by this order may not shoot with their crossbows (if equipped) this turn as the time needed is spent moving towards the commanding model.

Defensive stance!

 

When facing an enemy who makes a considerable use of missile weapons in battle, a Legion of the Dragon leader will often issue this command.  Once ordered, the Legionmen will put down their weapons and take their shields in both hands.  They will then prop the shields up in front of themselves, crouching behind the shield for maximum defensive protection from the missile fire. 

     If this order is successfully passed on, the models concerned will gain a +2 bonus to all their saving throws from missile attacks and missile orientated weaves (that allow armour saves) from attacks from the model’s front 180 degree arc in the ensuing enemy turn.  This is in addition to the normal bonus to armour saves provided from the shield, in effect giving an unarmoured Legionman a save of 4+.  However, this action cannot be used in a combat situation, as the model would obviously be left very vulnerable without weapons.  If any enemy model manages to charge a model using the defensive stance infantry action, the Legion of the Dragon model will be forced to fight with his fists as all his weapons will be on the ground.  Additionally, he will also gain no extra bonus to his armour save (including the normal shield bonus) as the enemy will easily be able to get around this defensive action.  All models affected by this order may not shoot with their crossbows (if equipped) for as long as the command lasts.  Obviously the models you wish to target with this infantry command must be equipped with shields.  Legionmen using the defensive stance action may not move until the order is terminated.

Form defensive wall!

 

By issuing this command, the leader orders his men to stand together in a straight line in front of enemy models, propping up their shields on the ground and leaning on them to allow them to shoot and exchange blows in combat freely.  By doing this, the most part of the Legionmens’ bodies will be protected from any sort of attack from the front.

     To successfully issue this command, it must be targeted towards at least three Legion of the Dragon models who must be within 2” of each other.  All affected models are placed in a straight line in base-to-base contact with each other, at the position of one of the concerned models.  The ‘wall’ can face any direction the Legion of the Dragon player wishes, although all Legionmen in the wall must be facing the same direction.  Models in the wall gain a +1 bonus to all saving throws for attacks from the front of the wall.  Attacks originating from behind the wall do not allow the bonus to saving throws or the bonus usually given from using a shield.  Members of the wall are free to shoot with crossbows and attack in combat normally, although in the turn the wall is formed the affected models use the whole shooting phase to carry out this action meaning that they may not shoot with their crossbows that turn.  This defensive action may not be used to charge an enemy, in other words no part of the wall may end up in base contact with any enemy model.  The wall is a static formation, meaning in future turns the Legionmen cannot move unless the order is terminated or if the wall is broken.  If any member of the wall is knocked down, stunned, out of action or under the effects of the holding (bonds of air) or compulsion weaves the wall formation collapses, leaving the Legionmen as individual models, able to move around and fight normally.  Additionally, all models you wish to target with this infantry command must be equipped with shields. 

 

Form defensive circle!

 

Using the same principle of the defensive wall, the leader orders his men to stand together in a circle, propping up their shields on the ground in front of themselves and leaning on the shields to allow them to shoot and exchange blows in combat freely.  By doing this, the most part of the Legionmens’ bodies will be protected from any sort of attack as only their extremely well defended fronts will be exposed.

     To successfully issue this command, it must be targeted towards at least five Legion of the Dragon models who must be within 2” of each other.  All affected models are placed in a circle as close to each other as possible, at the position of one of the concerned models.  All Legionmen in the circle must be facing outwards.  Models in the circle formation gain a +1 bonus to all saving throws from all attacks against them.  Members of the circle are free to shoot with crossbows and attack in combat normally, although in the turn the circle is formed the affected models use the whole shooting phase to carry out this action meaning that they may not shoot with their crossbows that turn.  This defensive action may not be used to charge an enemy, in other words no part of the circle may end up in base contact with any enemy model.  The circle is a static formation, meaning in future turns the Legionmen cannot move unless the order is terminated or if the circle is broken.  If any member of the circle is knocked down, stunned, out of action or under the effects of the holding (bonds of air) or compulsion weaves the circle formation collapses, leaving the Legionmen as individual models once again.  Additionally, all models you wish to target with this infantry command must be equipped with shields. 

Perfect all shots!

 

When a Legion of the Dragon leader barks this command, the men ordered will ready their crossbows, and take time to carefully aim their shots at the enemy targets.

     Models affected by this command will spend the current shooting phase lining up the perfect shot at an enemy model.  They will count as hidden for the ensuing enemy turn if they are behind any sort of cover.  No shots will be fired this turn, but in the following Legion of the Dragon turn all shots by the concerned models will gain a +2 to hit bonus.  Any model may be selected to be shot at, not just the closest, although all other shooting rules still apply (i.e. range, line of sight etc).  The Legion of the Dragon player may decide who the shot is directed at after the enemy turn to avoid the enemy models purposely moving behind cover.  Once the model fires his crossbow he is no longer counted as hidden, but may continue to perfect his shots over the following Legion of the Dragon turns until the order is terminated.  Also, Legionmen perfecting shots may not move until the order is terminated and all models you wish to target with this infantry command must be equipped with crossbows.

Prepare for charges!

 

With this command, the Legion of the Dragon leader orders his men to be on the lookout for potential charges from enemy attackers.  Holding their crossbows at the ready, the Legionmen pay careful attention to the area around them and react to any charging enemies with the sharp end of a crossbow bolt. 

    If successfully issued, this command allows all affected models to take a shot with their crossbows at any enemy model that attempts to charge them.  This shot is worked out just like any normal shot but with a –1 to hit penalty.  Work out the results of this shot before any combat starts.  Only Legionmen not currently in combat with other enemy models can follow this command, and all models ordered in this way must be equipped with a crossbow.

 

1 Lieutenant

 

80 gold marks to hire

A Lieutenant is the most highly trained officer available to a Legion of the Dragon warband.  They are known to be capable leaders with the respect of their fellow Legionmen.  Lieutenants usually lead a small but skilled company of troops to battle.

 

Profile	M	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld
Lieutenant	4	4	4	3	3	1	4	1	8

 

Weapons/Armour: A Lieutenant can choose equipment from the Legion of the Dragon Equipment list.

 

SPECIAL RULES

Leader: Any warrior within 6” of the Lieutenant may use his Leadership characteristic when taking Leadership tests.

 

Sword Forms: A Lieutenant may choose three sword forms when hired and may choose additional sword forms instead of a new skill.

 

Infantry Commands: A Legion of the Dragon Lieutenant may issue one infantry command each turn.  He may only issue commands to models within 12”.  See infantry commands rules for details.

 

0-1 Under-Lieutenant

 

55 gold marks to hire

Under-Lieutenants are the second in command of a Legion of the Dragon warband.  They are not as highly skilled at fighting or in leadership respects compared to the Lieutenant, but they can still command the troops efficiently.

 

Profile	M	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld
Under-Lieutenant	4	4	3	3	3	1	3	1	8

 

Weapons/Armour: An Under-Lieutenant can choose equipment from the Legion of the Dragon Equipment list.

 

SPECIAL RULES

Sword Forms: An Under-Lieutenant may choose three sword forms when hired and may choose additional sword forms instead of a new skill.

 

Infantry Commands: A Legion of the Dragon Under-Lieutenant may issue one infantry command each turn.  He may only issue commands to models within 6”.  See infantry commands rules for details.

 

0-3 Veteran Legionmen

 

35 gold marks to hire

Veteran Legionmen are the most experienced fighters in the Legion.  Like other Legionmen, they are dedicated to the cause of the Dragon Reborn. Veteran Soldiers can be picked out from other Soldiers as they are more experienced in the ways of war and are more skilled with the weapons they carry.

 

Profile	M	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld
Veteran	4	3	3	3	3	1	3	1	8

 

Weapons/Armour: Veteran Legionmen can choose equipment from the Legion of the Dragon Equipment list.

 

Henchmen

 

1-5 Legionmen

 

30 gold marks to hire

These men form the core of the official military force of the Dragon Reborn.  They are excellent infantrymen and are dedicated to the fight against the Shadow. 

 

Profile	M	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld
Legionman	4	3	3	3	3	1	3	1	7

 

Weapons/Armour: Legionmen can choose equipment from the Legion of the Dragon Equipment list.

 

Trainees

 

25 gold marks to hire

Trainees are men who have just joined the Legion’s ranks as it moves from place to place.  They have not yet been trained to full Legionman standards, but they continue to train and fight with the Legion until they can get to the training camps at Andor.

 

Profile	M	WS	BS	S	T	W	I	A	Ld
Trainee	4	3	3	3	3	1	3	1	7

 

Weapons/Armour: Trainees can choose equipment from the Legion of the Dragon Equipment list.

 

SPECIAL RULES

Still in Training: Trainee Legionmen do not yet know how respond to any of the commands given by the Lieutenant and Under-Lieutenant, but they can attempt to learn the correct maneuvers and actions.  Trainee henchmen may learn to respond to one infantry command instead of gaining a statistic increase when they reach a black experience box.

 

Top of Page