Skybreakers

Among the many aerial cavalry units of the Principality of Zaratan few are more versatile than the daukageit riders of the Skybreaker company of house Ua Raida. More sleek and lightly armored than heavier air cavalry, the daukageit exhibit the speed and maneuverability of their antelope and falcon ancestors in the air and on foot. It is one of the Zaratanni formations with the greatest density of Sparks, making it capable of terrifying control and destruction on the battlefield.   Skybreakers bear livery of teal and silver with leathers tanned to match the brown fur and feathers of the daukageit. With two of three soldiers in the company being a spark the unit is capable of deploying a wide array of spell effects in the field. Ua Raida fields a smaller number of troops than some other great houses of Zaratan, but with a large complement of spell weavers they are one of the most adaptable forces, capable of performing not just as shock troops but also intelligence gatherers, saboteurs, engineers and recovery units.   Additionally all Skybreakers are masters with ranged weapons, including skybolts, bows and grenades capable of delivering spell effects on the target. Unmounted they can fight with a variety of small blades as well as using skybolts as shortspears. Light armor is favored by Skybreakers in most circumstances, with some sparks forgoing armor entirely in favor of spellwoven shielding.   Less ferocious in appearance than some other aerial mounts, the daukageit are still very dangerous, particularly to other large beasts of the sky which the daukageit are able to rapidly outmaneuver and deliver a wing-breaking kick to. This form of attack is not favored by the riders however, who are thrashed about by the rapid movements of the mount performing it. Also unlike most aerial mounts the daukageit is herbivorous, favoring the tender clover and grasses of the plains downriver from the plateau.   In addition to their military role the Skybreakers and the speedy daukageit are occasionally used for diplomatic service where direct magical delivery is not favored or possible. Mixed aerial formation of the Skybreakers with heavy hippogriff cavalry, or gryphon bersekers are occasionally deployed against enemies hardened against one form of attack. When attached to ground troops the Skybreakers frequently guard command and control units, or other special forces.