A colored version of the elite and regular soldier from this image The basic idea is that in the land where these guys live there are two types of soldiers. Most of them are provincial soldiers from peasants and poor townsfolk and city dwellers. Said conscripts usually serve for two year terms (unless war is declared), get some basic training (usually with a glaive, axe and shield as shown here, though cheap crossbows are also comparatively common and there are regional specialties) and second hand gear and spend their days drilling, patrolling and doing various odd jobs for the community (among them being assisting in the harvests). They are led by a mixture of local patricians as officers and a few old timers. For their efforts they get a wage of a copper piece a day (the first two months of which is held back until the end of their term of duty when they return their gear), a place to sleep, three square meals, a cut of the plunder and the right to vote in elections after service.Imperial Soldiers serve the Empire. They are usually drawn from the best conscripts (either in terms of excellence in training or performance on the battlefield) each province can provide and are sent to the Imperial Province for a year of additional training and more intensive drilling. Imperial Soldiers serve for 25 year terms, but are much better paid and have a higher morale. Imperial forces are well equipped and supported and are useful in keeping the provinces in line even though they are outnumbered. In battle they are the solid core around which armies are built. Each soldier has a cutlass for close quarters fighting