Halfun Outriders

As the primary military force of a Shire, the Outriders are made up by the population of late teens through those in their early to mid twenties. As such they can field about twenty percent of the shire's population. With their mastiff having dual usage as guards and mounts each of the outriders has access to at least one mount.

Outriders require a trained mastif mount with light or medium armor. They travel light, carrying three to four days of supplies assuming that they can regularly resupply.

Their primary weapons are a sling and a spear. They carry a half dozen alchemical bombs they can use in their slings to frighten, disturb, and flummox their foes.

Each Shire settlement has a single Outrider unit. As such the command structure of the unit is fairly flat. The unit is lead by a young person of a prestigious family. They have a small cadre of lieutenants who are responsible for passing their instructions to the rest of the unit.

Focused on hit and run tactics, Halfun Outriders rarely stand and fight. They strike and attempt to lure opponents into traps. Their highly agile mounts with high visual acuity in darkness allow for late night lightning strikes on unfortified camps. Between these two tactics they force enemies to move slower, march under arms, and reinforce their camps each day.

Each Outrider raises and trains their mastiff for riding in combat and guarding livestock or territory. They are highly bonded together. Outriders regularly participate in sports and competitions in activities that make up combat riding. Agility training, hunting training, speed training, endurance training, and sling training are all pastimes in peacetime that translate to combat prowess. Because of the precarious nature of a Shire surrounded by potentially hostile settlements, regular training is necessary and Outriders tend to be better trained than normal militia. Outsiders — not familiar with how this training combines — sees this as indicating Halfuns are more invested in entertainments than hard work.

Each settlement is responsible for training, outfitting, and equipping its Outriders. It is rare for Outriders to range far from a Halfun settlement and as such are not equipped with their own logistical corps.

Halfun Outriders have minimal upkeep over other miltiary units. Their upkeep and training are integrated into their peacetime lifestyles. When they are on campaign, they provide their own upkeep for the first week. After that they require advanced logistical support. This limits their operational range without additional support to three or so days away from their settlement.

Service in the Outriders is required for all unmarried youths and is part of becoming an adult in Halfun Shires. Participating in training is integrated into Shire social life and even if a Halfun refuses to participate in the Outriders, they will participate in the training if physically able.