[color=gold][center][h2][b][u]Imperial Republic of Fuso[/u][/b][/h2]

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[i]"Only in Death does Service End."[/i]
~ Fusan Military Saying


Spring 1911

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While the Imperial Fusan Navy is considered to be one of the strongest if not [i]the[/i] strongest naval forces in the world, its ground based counterpart, the Dai-Fuso Teikoku Rikugun (Imperial Fusan Army), is generally seen as not quite up to par with the navy in modest, polite terms. However, the IFA and land forces has a much more regal and distinguished legacy in Fusan history. If not a much more bloody one. The roots of the Imperial Army lays in the Seisen Jidai, also known as the 100 year war in which the nation tore itself apart.

In the olden times, Fuso's power was divided between the Emperor's divine head of state and the Shogun who controlled military might of the nation and. The Shogun at the time, Shogun Daikurai Minamato, had his men attempt to assassinate the then Emperor Anatoiji Youmeru in a bid to seize all power for himself. Due to a betrayal by Hakatori Numebe, one of his generals, the Emperor was warned and managed to escape the attempt on his life. Almost immediately, the various clans and daimyos declared their allegiance to either the Emperor or the Shogun and full scale civil war broke out. Hundreds would die in the first few months of fighting, soon causalities were rising into the thousands as the samurai warriors were running low on numbers and peasants were drafted into both armies to fight.

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[i]The legendary armor of Shogun Daikurai Minamato, Arashi no Yoroi.[/i][/center]

Battles raged across the lands, people died by the masses, clans rose and fell like the growing and harvesting of wheat but war persisted. It seemed like that the flames of death and destruction would last generations but it was not the case as slowly and surely, the Shogunate forces pushed back the Emperor's men to their last few cities. Desperate and beaten, it seemed the the last member of the Imperial family, the young Prince Shitatasu Honji would be the last of his line.

But then, help came from the distant horizon with great ships from a strange land bearing new, deadly technology from the west. At the request of his advisors, Prince Honji allowed these foreigners into what little lands he still controlled. These foreigners would then share something incredible with the young heir, firearms; the black powder-fed dragons of death which would send an iron hail through the armor of any warrior. It was exactly what the Imperial forced needed. Armed with these new modern weapons, Prince Honji would lead his troops against the treacherous Shogunate forces, dealing deadly blows to his forces. Within a few years, Fuso was once again reunited under the banner of the most divine Emperor who would allow the westerners that save him and his people to walk and trade freely amongst his lands; with limits of course.

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[i]Wood Block Print of the [b]Battle of Honji-to-Kamai[/b], a major battle and turning point where Imperial forces would be sent continuously forced back until the arrival of the westerners and their guns.[/i][/center]

The modern IFA has seen only very limited action outside of training, most of the military budget of Fuso going towards the prestigious Imperial Navy. Their equipment is old, the primary rifle still being the M1898 Type 4 Service Rifle, a firearm based on older Archonan rifles adapted and modified for use over a decade ago. The reasoning behind the use of such old rifles is both a lack of budget for upgrades, no suitable replacement in the eyes of the higher up and pure stubbornness. It should also be noted that something of a rivalry is set between that of the IFA and the IFN.

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[i]Yuki no Shingun, a popular IFA march/military song[/i][/center]
Regardless of weaponry, Fuso boasts claims of having the most zealous and dedicated of troops who fight on behest of the Emperor himself as well as the best close quarter combat capabilities per soldier; the lack of long range fire power seemingly combated (in theory) by discipline and close range engagements. The bayonet used by the men of the IFA are long, almost like short swords and able to turn their rifles into spears if need be with many an officers carrying their own swords or katanas. Where as some drill sergeants may send their troops to additional firing practice or running exercises, Fusan officers are just as likely to send their soldiers to close quarter combat training or bayonet practice. Such fierce melee prowess amongst Fusan troops translates well into terrifying charges and courageous acts of heroics. Enlisting in the army means that one will be tied to the military in some fashion for almost all of their lives, wether it be in active service, reserve or support/administrative roles; being in the army also boasts several social benefits as well such as certain discounts and tax breaks. In short, while Fusan troops may lack the most modern armaments, their discipline and deadly close quarter combat training certainly makes them dangerous regardless, after all, "Service only ends in death."

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[i]Imperial Fusan Army uniforms circa. 1908[/i][/center]