Alyite Light Cavalry

Light Cavalry – These women usually wear studded leather armor, their helmets partially cover the face and feature a lobster back to protect the neck with a red horse hair crest at the top. They carry the same oval shields as the heavies. For weapons they carry a short composite bow, two quivers of arrows, a dagger, and a scimitar. Alyite battle mages typically wear the light cavalry armor and equipment.

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

Studded leather armor, their helmets partially cover the face (nose guard and cheek guards) and feature a lobster back to protect the neck with a red horse hair crest at the top. They carry the same heater shields as the heavies. For weapons they carry a short composite bow, two quivers of arrows, a dagger, and a scimitar.

Vehicles

Ligtht squadrons typically employ sturdy two wheeled horsedrawn wagons.  The number of wagons depends on the length of the mission.

Structure

The basic unit of the light horse are squdrons of 100 commanded by a captain supported by a lieutenant, an ensign and six sergeants.  Squadrons are organized into regiments of 10 squadrons with a ten member command section. Regiments are under a Command Major supported by a senior captain, a lieutenant, a bannerwoman, a drummer, a trumpter, two ensigns, a priestess, a battle mage and ten horse archers.

Tactics

The light cavalry makes up the bulk of the Alyite Order's forces. Their tactics emphasize moving quickly across the battlefield and using massed arrow fire to break up enemy formations. The light cavalry always tried to use the bow first turning to hand to hand combat against enemies in disarray. On the offensive they weaken and break up enemy formation so they can be charged by heavier units. They will then draw their scimitars and roll over units that have already been crippled by attacks from heavier units. The lights are frequently used as skirmishers and will serve as scouts when dedicated scouting units are unavailable.

Training

These units are well trained with emphasis on mounted archery and rapid maneuvers.

Type

Cavalry

Overall training Level

Professional