Alyite Heavy Cavalry and Lancers
Heavy Cavalry/Lancers – These women will wear either ¾ plate (lancers) or full plate mail (heavies). Their helmets cover the entire head and feature a crimson crest for the heavies and a black crest for the lancers made of dyed horsehair. They will typically be armed with an oval shield with a crimson field and a white Alyite sword emblem on a red field. For weapons they will carry a lance, a long sword, dagger with a mace or battle axe. Only about 10 percent of Alyite cavalry are heavies and 15 percent are lancers.
Composition
Manpower
Alyite cavalry squadrons (companies) have one hundred and one members when at full strength. The commander carries the rank of Captain. Additional officers include a lieutenant and an ensign (officer trainee). Each squadron is broken down into nine lances consisting of ten troopers commanded by a sergeant or ensign. Squadrons of may have scouts, priestesses or sorceresses attached to them according to the needs of the missions. These attached Sisters often remain with the squadron more or less permanently.
Weaponry
Heavy troopers will wear full plate armor while lancers wear three quarters plate. Both units wear sallet type helmets with a red horsehair crest. Heavies use a heavy wood lance, a long sword with a battleaxe or mace as a secondary weapons. Lancers use long ash spears and carry additional weapons similar to the heavies. A Heavy trooper will use a heater type shield while lancers use longer tear drop shaped shields. Many troopers carry a light crossbow.
Structure
The commander carries the rank of Captain. Additional officers include a lieutenant and an ensign (officer trainee). Each squadron is broken down into nine lances consisting of ten troopers commanded by a sergeant or ensign. Squadrons of may have scouts, priestesses or sorceresses attached to them according to the needs of the missions.
Tactics
Typically heavy squadrons operate closely with light squadrons. Light squadrons will use concentrated arrow fire to break up strong enemy formations which will be followed up by charges by the heavy squadron or lancers. These units usually avoid direct clashes with enemy heavy cavalry if it is in good order.
Training
Alyite cavalry is among the most highly trained large military formations in the world. Drill and weapons training are part of daily life when in garrison. The heavy/lancer squadrons will typically train with light squadrons perfecting their joint tactics. Much attention is given to training the horses and carrying out complex maneuvers.
Logistics
Recruitment
The Alyite Order recruits women and girls through several different channels. One pool is the daughters of current members of the Order, the second pool is experienced female warriors who are not members of any religious order, the third pool is women and girls who seek out the order through its chapter houses, temples and other bases. The strongest and biggest of these women are usually recruited into the heavies or the lancers.
Type
Cavalry
Overall training Level
Professional
Assumed Veterancy
Experienced
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