Tremad Mounted Archers
Composition
Manpower
It takes at least 450 Elves and 400 Dilophosauruses. Some formations can be as large as 5000, this normally is for combating a large tribe's mount.
Equipment
The Elves ridding will wear leathers studded with bone, a bow made of wood or bone, and have around 40-60 arrows. The Dilophosaurus will have leather armor covering its head, legs, and the flaps along its neck. These flaps act as a shield for the archer as they ride.
Weaponry
Bone or wooden bows are created special for the riders. The bows are short and compact, so they can be easily drawn and used while ridding. The edge of both sides of the bow has a small hook that allows the bow to be placed onto a small loop in the saddle, or to catch the ribs of an enemy while ridding.
Vehicles
The Dilophosaurus serves as the faithful and highly trained mount for the archers. Each archer finds and trains their own Dilophosaurus binding the two together. Most are trained to withstand almost anything and to never disobey their riders. The Dilophosaurus will fight and defend its rider when needed, however, the speed of one generally keeps it away from direct danger.
Structure
A charge can only be ordered by a matron mother or a Spirit Seeker, however, once battle has started there is no calling back. Each rider is her own general those who wish to follow her can but no one is required to. The chaos and confusion that these tactics cause are some of the most deadly affects. Since there is no power structure once a battle has started there are few who survive the ordeals. Most riders will hunt down any last enemies and enslave or kill them.
Tactics
Once a battle starts the riders will start to form a large circle around the enemy. This allows for riders who want to dive into the middle the change and prevents enemies from running. Once the circle is formed riders start to shoot arrows into the middle. Standing in the center of the circle you will hear the screaming of Elves, screeches of the Dilophosaurus, and whistling of arrows. Even the best trained enemies find it hard to hear commands or focus on anything with all the confusion occurring. Should some enemies attack the circle the Dilophosaurus will rip pieces of them off as they run, or the hooked bows will drag them along with the rider.
Training
Training normally occurs over a lifetime. The women of the tribe will start ridding and hunting at an early age and will find their mount around their coming of age. Once they are bound to their mount they can start ridding with the archers. It normally takes some years for a woman to find the perfect bow but once she does there are few who could withstand her power.
Logistics
Auxilia
There are normally around 50 girls or injured women who serve as the auxiliary. These women will ride larger dinosaurs that can carry much more. Should an archer run out of arrows, have their bow snapped, or be injured the auxiliary will have materials to help them. Once the archers go ridding forth and the circle is safely formed the auxiliary will start heading towards it with the supplies. This allows for the archers to keep firing and encircling the enemy regardless of what happens.
Upkeep
While traveling these archers are generally the hunters of the tribe. As such, they make plenty of money and serve as archers in the defense or betterment of the tribe. There is no official upkeep but the tribe will regularly host feasts and tournaments in their honor.
Recruitment
Any woman is free to join the archers. There are some who are placed into the auxiliary permanently but that is less than a fourth. Most view this service as a great honor and want to join, and as long as they have their own mount they are free to.
Current Date -
The Yet Unnamed Year of 1494 ce
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