Strength is duty. Duty is victory. Victory is the Imperium.”
The military of the Arkanis Imperium is one of the most formidable fighting forces in the galaxy, forged through centuries of conquest, discipline, and devotion to the Storm Sovereign. Its structure embodies the Imperium’s values of hierarchy, loyalty, and strength, with every soldier—be they common guardsman or Stellar Knight—sworn to uphold the Imperator’s will.
The backbone of the Arkanis war machine, Officers provide the leadership and strategic coordination that keep the military disciplined and effective.
Origins: Officers are drawn from civilians of noble lineage, great wealth, or distinguished service records. Some earn their place through valor in battle, but most are cultivated from birth for command.
Training: Prospective officers enter one of the Imperium’s military academies as Cadets, where they undergo rigorous education in strategy, history, logistics, and discipline. Their training molds them into loyal servants of the Imperium, bound by both oath and ambition.
Roles: Officers serve as generals of legions, captains of starships, brigade leaders, sergeants of units, or lieutenants and staff officers. Their authority is absolute within the chain of command, upheld by the fear of dishonor—or worse, execution—for disobedience.
The rank-and-file soldiers of the Arkanis Imperium are diverse, drawn from its countless worlds and molded into distinct roles within the military hierarchy.
Guardsmen: The most common troops, serving as planetary garrisons, police forces, occupational enforcers, and security details. They are the first face of Imperial authority most citizens encounter.
Marines: Elite shock troops trained for invasions, planetary assaults, and boarding operations. They are also skilled in armored warfare, serving as tank crews and mechanized infantry.
Infantry: The bulk of the Imperium’s combat forces, fighting in planetary campaigns and ship-to-ship battles. They also man defensive emplacements and serve as gunners on ground and air vehicles.
Pilots: Specialists trained to fly starfighters, bombers, and gunships, or to serve as gunnery crews on capital ships. Angel-class fighter pilots are especially revered for their skill and daring.
Psi-casters are among the most prized and dangerous assets of the Arkanis Imperium’s military. Bound to the Psionica through their Psi-links, they wield powers that can turn the tide of war.
Origins: Most Psi-casters are of noble birth or high social standing, ensuring their talents are trained under Imperial supervision. Rarely, civilians of exceptional potential are recruited, though only under close scrutiny.
Training: From childhood, Psi-casters enter academies as Initiates, where they are instructed in magical theory, discipline, and martial application. Their Psi-links are honed to ensure obedience and efficiency.
Ranks by Power:
Low-Level Psi-Casters: Typically assigned as sergeants in combat units, or used as support roles such as medics, scouts, and communications specialists.
Mid-Level Psi-Casters: Often placed in special operations units, or elevated to command positions such as lieutenants, trainers, or elite squad leaders.
High-Level Psi-Casters: Serve as captains, generals, military commanders, and specialized operatives. Their abilities make them highly valued by both the military and noble houses.
Elite Psi-Casters: Exceptionally rare, these individuals are usually withdrawn from the regular military to serve directly under noble houses as advisors, guardians, or battlefield champions.
The military of the Arkanis Imperium operates as a seamless machine:
Officers ensure the chain of command and strategy.
Soldiers provide the mass manpower for the Imperium’s conquests and defenses.
Psi-casters act as force multipliers, unleashing devastating powers to complement conventional arms.
Stellar Knights stand above them all as paragons, serving as both inspiration and enforcers of Imperial might.
Together, these forces embody the Imperium’s philosophy: strength through order, loyalty through fear, and victory through power.