An imperator holds the highest military rank in Thalassai and commands its legions. Aelius, Hadrian and Marcellus have held it.
Command
Imperators stand above the legati in military command. They lead the legions and train military mages. Hadrian put Kaelion through punishing sparring and military drills in Pyrenis, while Aelius worked from the military academy in Chronasis.
The rank is distinct from archon, the civic office governing a region. An imperator's military strength does not make him an archon.
An imperator holds the highest military rank in Thalassai and commands its legions. Aelius, Hadrian and Marcellus have held it.
Command
Imperators recruit and train military mages, assign officers and lead the legions. Hadrian recommended promising recruits for the army, while Aelius assigned officers to posts and gave them command of their own men. Under Cassian, the legions also supplied mages to rebuild damaged cities and patrol the surrounding seas.
Imperator is distinct from archon, the civic office governing a region. Aelius served in Chronasis, and Hadrian was based in Pyrenis. Their military strength did not make them archons.
Appointment
Aelius's victories in the Celestial Games helped him become an imperator.
Political authority
Before Cassian's election, the military had no vote in the selection of an archon. After Thalena disappeared during the invasion of Thalassai, the archons extended voting rights to imperators and legati. The imperators supported Cassian's election as archon of time.
An imperator holds the highest military rank in Thalassai and commands its legions. Aelius, Hadrian and Marcellus have held it.
Command
Imperators recruit and train military mages, assign officers and lead the legions. Hadrian recommended promising recruits for the army, while Aelius assigned officers to posts and gave them command of their own men. Under Cassian, the legions also supplied mages to rebuild damaged cities and patrol the surrounding seas.
Imperator is distinct from archon, the civic office governing a region. Aelius served in Chronasis, and Hadrian was based in Pyrenis. Their military strength did not make them archons.
Appointment
Aelius's victories in the Celestial Games helped him become an imperator.
Cassian later planned Games to find new imperators, expecting many legati to enter.
Political authority
Before Cassian's election, the military had no vote in the selection of an archon. After Thalena disappeared during the invasion of Thalassai, the archons extended voting rights to imperators and legati. The imperators supported Cassian's election as archon of time.
An imperator holds the highest military rank in Thalassai and commands its legions. The rank carries authority over military mages, recruitment, training and deployments. Aelius, Hadrian and Marcellus have held it.
Command
Imperators direct the legati and the forces beneath them. Their duties include assigning officers, organizing military exercises and leading operations. Hadrian recommended promising recruits for the army, while Aelius assigned officers to posts and gave them command of their own men. Under Cassian, the legions also supplied mages to rebuild damaged cities and patrol the surrounding seas.
The rank is distinct from archon, the civic office governing a region. Aelius served in Chronasis; Hadrian moved from its command to Pyrenis when Aelius succeeded him. Marcellus oversaw the forces of Terranova and Aetherion. Their strength did not make them archons.
Appointment
Military service and the Celestial Games provide opportunities to demonstrate ability. Aelius's victories in the Games helped him become an imperator. Hadrian and the archons secured his appointment; Thalena declined to take part in that decision. His appointment was announced in the colosseum.
Cassian later planned Games to find new imperators, expecting many legati to enter.
Political authority
Before Cassian's election, the military had no vote in the selection of an archon. After Thalena disappeared during the invasion of Thalassai, the archons extended voting rights to imperators and legati. The imperators supported Cassian's election as archon of time.
Origins
Helena created the rank while building the army that ended the Internal Thalassai War. She gathered promising survivors, including young people orphaned by the fighting, and trained them for decades in a settlement north of Chronasis. She named her most skilled mages imperators and entrusted them with command, organization and management. Legati, centurions and legions served beneath them.
She retained the older title of archon. After her army conquered Thalassai, she left its commanders to lead the rebuilding and withdrew from public view.
An imperator holds the highest military rank in Thalassai and commands its legions. The rank carries authority over military mages, recruitment, training and deployments. Aelius, Hadrian and Marcellus have held it.
Command
Imperators direct the legati and the forces beneath them. Their duties include assigning officers, organizing military exercises and leading operations. Hadrian recommended promising recruits for the army, while Aelius assigned officers to posts and gave them command of their own men. Under Cassian, the legions also supplied mages to rebuild damaged cities and patrol the surrounding seas.
The rank is distinct from archon, the civic office governing a region. Aelius served in Chronasis; Hadrian moved from its command to Pyrenis when Aelius succeeded him. Marcellus oversaw the forces of Terranova and Aetherion. Their strength did not make them archons.
Appointment
Military service and the Celestial Games provide opportunities to demonstrate ability. Aelius's victories in the Games helped him become an imperator. Hadrian and the archons secured his appointment; Thalena declined to take part in that decision. His appointment was announced in the colosseum.
Cassian later planned Games to find new imperators, expecting many legati to enter.
After returning from the abyss, Aelius resumed his duties while rebuilding his lost magic through training with Hadrian and Anshar.
Political authority
Before Cassian's election, the military had no vote in the selection of an archon. After Thalena disappeared during the invasion of Thalassai, the archons extended voting rights to imperators and legati. The imperators supported Cassian's election as archon of time.
Origins
Helena created the rank while building the army that ended the Internal Thalassai War. She gathered promising survivors, including young people orphaned by the fighting, and trained them for decades in a settlement north of Chronasis. She named her most skilled mages imperators and entrusted them with command, organization and management. Legati, centurions and legions served beneath them.
She retained the older title of archon. After her army conquered Thalassai, she left its commanders to lead the rebuilding and withdrew from public view.