Tactical Doctrine of the Guluar Tribe

The ranks of the Guluar Army, or Horde as some have come to call it, are divided into three tiers.
 
The Nomadics, The Regulars, and The Elite.
 
The Nomadics, in both combat in their day to day, rely heavily on their domesticated animals, particularly horses, elk, and riding wolves. In expeditionary armies, The Nomadic forces consist entirely of light cavalry, primary mounted archers. They organized into squadrons according to their clan of origin and it is typical for larger clans to field multiple squadrons when called up in force. Each squadron is led by a lesser spellcaster, who has the privelage of riding a dragon horse. Clans are expected to provide their own squadron leader, but in times of need, these can be provided by the great house they swear fealty to.
 
The role of the Nomadics in the order of battle is primarily as skirmishers. They will ride into no man's land and harass the enemy formation with volleys of arrows. Each squadron rides as a group, but separately from other squadrons. The squadron leader does not actually dictate the path of the squadron, that is the job of the lead rider. The squadron leader rides behind the lead rider and uses their magic to protect their squadron from enemy arrows and magic. The goal is less to inflict damage upon the enemy, and more to consume their resources in the early phases of the battle. Ideally the enemy can be goaded into breaking ranks and pursuing.
 
If the Nomadics are the meat of the horde, then the Regulars are its backbone. The Regulars fill their ranks with the most skilled and capable warriors from across the nomadic clans. Each great house is responsible for forming and equipping at least one column of regulars. Most Regulars ride powerful dragon horses into battle, though riding bears can also be used. According to legend, the horses were a gift from the Great White Dragon to the most powerful families that would go on to found the great houses of Guluar. What is kept from most is that these dragon horses are actually a crossbreed between dragons and horses, the exact methods of how this is done is a closely guarded secret, known only to those responsible for maintaining the breeding program. Dragonscale is the traditional armor material for regulars and their mounts, however it is not unheard of to use steel when the supply of dragonscales is low. Command structure of each column varies between great houses. Though ultimate command rests with the head of the house, in combat they are not always readily available to give orders, thus a commander is appointed to the command and lead the column in their sted. Often the column will be divided up into smaller sub divisions for increased flexibility on the battlefield.
 
In battle, the Regulars are the heavy cavalry. They will often wait for as long as necessary for the right moment to charge the enemy lines.
 
When the Regulars charge, they are commanded and supported by The Elite. The Elite are the best sorcerers of the great houses. Each great house fields a single white dragon in battle. A majestic being with serpent-like body, massive claws, and shimmering white scales. Half a dozen or more sorcerers, all from the same house, will ride on the back of the dragon, front-to-back in order of family precedence and typically spaced out with 30 or more feet between them. They are provided with seat saddles for longer journeys, as well as ropes and harnesses that allow them walk part way down the side of the dragon's body to achieve a better vantage point from which to impact the battle below.
 
In a pitched battle, doctrine calls for the Regulars to form up in sight of the enemy, but out range of spell and arrow, with the Nomadics behind them and the Elite circling overhead. Without delay, the Nomadics are commanded to ride forward, utilizing gaps in the Regulars formation to begin harassing the enemy.
Less disciplined enemies will break ranks and attempt to charge the Nomadics, making them extremely vulnerable to a charge from the Regulars. In such battles, the Elite will move to strike at the back lines of the enemy formation. The shock of back lines under fire and front lines in disarray is often all that is necessary for the enemy to quit the field.
Wiser armies will stand their ground, and respond only with arrow and spell fire. This will test the Nomadic's squadron leaders ability to defend their squadrons. Once it is deemed that sufficient resources have been expended upon the Nomadic squadrons, or the squadrons' losses have become so great that they are at risk of breaking off, the Elite will call for the charge. In such cases The Elite will strike the enemy front lines will disrupting spells before the charge impacts, reducing the ability of line to absorb the charge.
The armies that think themselves clever will attempt to a feinting charge, with the intent of reforming their spear wall moments before the Regulars impact upon them. Such tactics are easily spotted by the Elite, and they have counter measures prepared. It is difficult to transition from a convincing charge to a spear wall on icy ground.
 
Terrain manipulation is one of the favored and most effective tactics of the Guluar when fighting against the outside. Dragon horses are able to traverse icy terrain without issue thanks to their clawed hooves, while regular horses are equipped with special horseshoes that afford them traction on ice. Against foes that attempt to stand their ground, icy terrain can be combined with a chilling winter gale that will literally push open holes in the front line that can be exploited by the Regulars.
 
Against better equipped armies, the Elite have several combat tactics available to them. If there is a single entity on the field that posses a significant threat, the dragon can circle overhead while the sorcerers rain spells down upon it. Against particularly large enemy formations, two or more dragons will fly overhead in a line abreast formation, with sorcerers bringing down spells on either side, such spells from each dragon is able to cover the area directly under the adjacent dragon, leaving no blind spots in the bombardment.
 
It is no great secret that battles are won and lost on morale more so than actual casualties inflicted. The combined effect of a solid cavalry charge, especially into an disorganized enemy, and the sorcerers wielding magic from the backs majestic white dragons is enough break any army's morale. This is the ultimate core of the Guluar war tactics.