ELBION
The Shields of Norath
These elite cavalrymen are the traditional defenders of Norath, the capital city of Elbion. Armed with longswords and kite-shields, the shields of Elbion have proven to be one of the most powerful and respected cavalry forces not just in defense of Norath, but in battle all around the Prythian Kingdom.
The Elbian cavalry ride Windhaymes, a light gray variety of horse that has been bred in the lands of Wyndvale, at the foothills of the Hythell Mountains, for thousands of years. Though not as fast as the Ebruscan Sandsteed nor as powerful as the Dunnish Roanan, Windhaymes are a formidable breed against any mount on the battlefield.
The Shields of Norath trace their origins back to the Light Age, when a handful of peasants led by Gavon the Fearless, defended the causeway of Norath from an army of Gallian archers using nothing more than the doors of their hovels for shields. Since that day, Norath has been proudly guarded by cavalrymen who honor that tradition.
GALLIOS
The Iron Ring of Agorayn
The Iron Ring of Agorayn are the well renowned deer mounted cavalry of the Gallian people. Armed with the most accurate and long-ranging longbows in the galaxy, the Iron Ring are famous for being the best archers in the Prythian Kingdom.
The Gallian cavalry ride Woodland Deer, full grown male deer that were domesticated from the wild forest deer over four thousand years ago. Woodland Deer are known for being fast and quiet, and so the Iron Ring have become infamous for their surprise attacks and quick retreats.
The Iron Ring of Agorayn trace their origins to the Light Age, when Celdon the Young ordered his deer mounted archers to form a ring around the capital city of Agorayn and repelled four armies at once advancing from different directions. Legends say that the Stag King, Ganon the Swift, was the first man to break a wild deer when he formed a bond with the legendary deer Sendrilon, who was said to understand its owner’s speech and could carry four men at once.
The Riders of the Veld are perhaps the most famous horsemen in the galaxy. Armed with warhammers and known for their unmatched skill in riding, the Riders of Veld have gained a fearsome reputation among the marauders of Dun Ronan and across the Prythian Kingdom.
The Dunnish cavalry ride Roanans, a shaggy red variety of horse bred in the lands of Murdow. Although slower than most breeds, the Roanan can run for days without tiring and is said to be as powerful as four horses of any other breed.
The Riders of the Veld trace their origins to the Dawn Age, when Dwayon the Hammer gathered a group of drovers and herders to fight against the marauders that plagued villages across the Southern Veld. Though outnumbered, Dwayon and his men used their hardy breed of horse and their knowledge of herding to devise a strategy to push the marauders into the Great Rift. Since that day, the Riders of Veld have kept guard over the Veld and fought for Dun Ronan in many battles across the Prythian Kingdom.
The Riders of the Veld
DUN RONAN
The Sandstriders, known to the Ebruscans as the Areliar, are the best mounted warriors on the planet. Armed with rapier and dagger, the Sandstriders are famous not only for the candro, or horsedance, but as a formidable foe in battle.
The Ebruscan cavalry ride Sahinar, or Sandsteeds, a sandy colored variety of horse bred in the desert lands of Gallaro. The Sandsteeds are small, but famous for being the quickest horse in all the galaxy.
The Sandstriders trace their origins to the Majadil, from the period of the Majadil Conquest of Ebrus Novo. After the rebellion of Perrazo of Zarres and the decline of Majadil presence on Ebrus Novo, the city of Gallaro became the last stronghold of their empire, and finally fell to Prythian control in 246 AD after being besieged by an alliance of Aurean planets. Although the continent of Abral remained highly influenced by Majadil practices, it has since been taken control of by the Ebruscans, who consider the Sandstriders to be their planet’s most beloved fighting force.
The Sandstriders of Gallaro
EBRUS NOVO
The Bloodhorns of Helmark are known across the Prythian Kingdom as one of the most brutal and ruthless cavalry forces to have ever existed. Armed with greatswords, this Canthosian mounted force is famous for fighting alongside the planet’s unrivaled siege equipment, and the riders themselves are known to break down gates with their horned bulls.
The Canthosian cavalry ride armored Helmark Steers, a breed of bull with a nearly impenetrable hide, bred in the lands of Helmark. The Helmark Steer are notoriously difficult to control, and it is said that the bull’s thirst for blood on the battlefield drives it more than the one who rides it.
The men of Helmark and the Bloodhorns have been fiercely independent for much of Canthosian history, often warring with ruling house for much of the past millennia. Not until the Twilight Age, and the rise of the Crimson King did Canthos fully unify and embrace the Bloodhorns as the most highly regarded army on the planet. According to legend, the Great Bull that was slain by King Karlof was a Helmark Bull and he was only able to defeat it after dipping his sword into the fires of Mount Thayle and cutting off its horns.
The Bloodhammers of Helmark
CANTHOS
The Vigilants of Vandroth are the traditional keepers of the Beacons of Vandroth, and the most skilled mounted army on the planet. Armed with spears, the Vigilants are known for their preference for fighting in the dark, instilling in any enemy a fear of nightfall.
The Vandrothan cavalry ride Nightwolves, a nocturnal breed of wolf that can see well in the dark and has a natural instinct to hunt the mounts of other cavalries like prey.
The Vigilants of Vandroth trace their origins to a legend from the Dawn Age, telling of how Tyranus the Bright, the Torch King, drove away the mysterious beasts known as Gremen by building the Beacons of Vandroth. Since then, the Vigiliants have guarded the civilization of Vandroth from the unknown enemy in the darkness on the other side of the beacons. Their relationship with wolves is said to have begun with Lutherus Nightslayer, who tied torches to wild wolves at night to deceive his enemy into thinking there was an advancing army, at which point he led his men in an ambush from the other side.
The Vigilants of Carthinac
VANDROTH
The Snowriders of Arnhelm are the most well known fighters of Asgaria. Armed with axe and shield, the Snowriders are a fierce group of fighters who are known for their resilience and ability to weather freezing temperatures, starvation, or anything that comes their way.
The cavalry of Arnhelm ride Snowbears, a large, white variety of bear that are nearly indistinguishable from their wild relatives in both appearance and behavior.
The Snowriders trace their origins to a legend from the Dawn Age, telling of how the Barromen of Asgaria killed King Ognar the Old, took his people captives, and threw his child, Ulfar, into the wilderness to die. Ulfar was then raised by a pack of snow bears and lived with them for thirty years before amassing an army of them to free his kinsmen, who then learned to ride the wild beasts and defeat the Barromen.
The Snowriders of Arnhelm
ASGARIA
The Horns of Osvol are the mounted cavalry of the men who live in the lands of Osvol, north of the Blakbaren forest. Armed with double-bladed axes, the men of Osvol prefer to live in peace and solitude, but are an indomitable force against those who disturb their lands.
The cavalry of Osvol ride Osvar Moose, taken from the wild and trained for battle, the Moose are as protective of the men of Osvol as they are of their young.
The Horns of Osvol
The Mammoths of Marador
The Mammoths of Marador are the mounted cavalry of the men who live in the lands of Marador, the vast tundras on the continent of Ursung. Armed with spears, the men of Marador have long been a loyal ally to the Lords of Arnhelm and have often marched to their aid.
The cavalry of Marador ride Ursar Mammoths, the last of the mammoths and a dying species. There are few Ursar Mammoths left on Asgaria, so the men of Marador fight in few battles anymore, and hold counsel to decide which fights are worth the lives of the precious animals.
GAYA
The Jungle Tribe
There is no formal army among the Aratak, or the Jungle Tribe of Gaya. Every Aratak man, woman, and child learns to ride the Shayeerah, or treecat, and fight when necessary. The men of the Jungle Tribe fight with spear and whip and learn from birth to move among the tall, jungle trees with extreme stealth. Gayans are born with the ability to bond with animals, so they ride with neither saddle nor reigns, but can control their mounts with subtle mental cues.
The Kahana, or Mountain Tribe of Gaya, ride Oskohah, or cavebear. The men of the Mountain Tribe fight with spiked clubs and are known for their strength and their practice of hibernating during the cold season. Like the Jungle Tribe, they are born with the ability to bond with animals and also ride without saddles.
The Mountain Tribe
The Plains Tribe
The Lokoni, or the Plains Tribe, of Gaya, ride Meeyalah, or horndeer. The Lokoni are a matriarchal society, and only the women are sent into battle. The women of the Plains Tribe fight with bow and arrows, and their deer are fast and agile. Like all Gayans, they are born with the ability to bond with animals and also ride without saddles
