Sky-Riders
'"Gots to run, gots to keep moving! Elves is flying, gots to run!!" The ogre snarled, pounding through the trees, not even looking back for its goblin war band. The beast moved through the trees, trying to stay under the cover of the canopy. The beast stumbled, sliding down a hill as it lost its balance. Pushing itself to its feet, the ogre glanced around, eyes, wide, panicking. But it saw nothing, and began to calm down, chuckling. "Elveses is to slow for Gronik, they no keep up."
The beast turned to the riverbank, intending to follow the river. All of a sudden, before it the ogre could properly react, it heard the whinny of a horse, the sound of wings beating through the air, and a grim elven voice. "Ride the Wind!" a war call, all to familiar, as a lance erupted through its back and diaphram, a second slamming into its shoulder blades and neck.
Composition
Manpower
This elite part of Valewyr's military is 3000 strong
Equipment
Besides their pegasi, these warriors are generally armored head to toe in chain and plate, often expensive, made of materials beyond common steel. Naturally they carry all manner of supply, and if travelling in large units, wagons and a supply train would accompany them. If not, this is why they are also trained marksmen, with either rifle, longbow or crossbow.
Weaponry
A longbow, heavy crossbow, or rifle of choice, generally. A light short elven curve blade, in case forced to fight on foot. But their primary weapon is their sky lance. A leaf tipped eight foot long spear, the haft reinforced with langets where it joins the tip.
Vehicles
Their pegasi mounts, obviously, and in the circumstances of large numbers of troops gathered for a march or mission, a supply wagon or wagon train is naturally a thing.
Structure
Each unit, called a flight, has 300 within it, and is led by a flight captain, of which there are 9. The tenth is the First Flight, led by Skymistress Teliana Elviane, a true veteran. A quarter of the way through her second century of life, she has a century of experience in the saddle as a pegasi rider. She is the commanding officer, in charge of not just her flight, but of all the Pegasi Core
Tactics
Given their extra entire plane of movement, (being airbourne), this opens up doors to many other tactics beyond the capability of most soldiers. Sweeping fire zones, since you can always have the high ground. Calvary like charges, regardless of terrain, if you can simply charge nearly straight down on you target. This extra maneuverability is perhaps their greatest asset.
Training
To be a rider of the Pegasi Core, one must train for a half decade, raising a pegasi from birth, caring for it, training it, training yourself. Weapons, martial skill, commands, awareness, and most importantly, proper and safe pegasi mounted travel and combat.
Logistics
Logistical Support
In a larger scale situation, a supply train would be required, as would some priests, a few magi and a few archers.
Auxilia
Generally yes, archers and magi the most common choices.
Upkeep
Besides the cost of training, of the pegasi, and supplies, all of which are naturally massive, these soldiers earn 2 gold suns a week
Recruitment
Generally anyone attempting the entry examinations for the Core must have at least 3 years of military service, and no criminal record of any kind, obviously. They must also have financial good standing. Valewyr has no intentions or desire to have elite troops whom are bribe-able.
History
This military unit, the might of Valewyr's skies, was reformed upon reclamation of the nation itself. It took nearly a century to return to anything resembling the stories of its former glory. Since then many flights have distingushed themselves both in battles with all manner of beast at home and in some cases abroad, fighting alongside some of their neighbors, lending aid in difficult times
Historical loyalties
To Valewyr first and foremost, but also to the land of Valerick herself.
Type
Special Forces
Founding
900
Overall training Level
Elite
Assumed Veterancy
Decorated/Honored
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