Windriders

Windriders are the primary scouting and intelligence force for the Elves of Lasceye. They are recruited at a very young age and paired with their mount in a rite call The Binding and trained in seclusion until they are ready to join service. As elite scouts that often travel for months at a time, Windriders are entirely self-sufficient. Each scout is trained in archery, tracking, hunting, medicine, swordsmanship, and unarmed combat, and those with magical talent are encouraged to pursue the arcane arts. 
Most Windriders operate in teams of three, however when the need arises they may fly in force or, when a more delicate touch is required, completely solo. Their only constant companions are their mounts. As indicated by their named, each Windrider is paired with a winged mount: a Griffin, Hippogryph, or Roc who is their lifelong partner. During the Binding, rider and mount form a magical tie that connects their souls. Such a powerful connection can only be forged once, and only while both souls are young and malleable, so if either the mount or the rider dies, the surviving partner can never form another bond.

Structure

The Windriders answer to the General of Intelligence of Lasceye. The General of Intelligence compiles their reports, analyzes all intelligence gathered, and advises the Queen on matters of strategy. He also has the power to command specific scouting ventures and manage resources delegated to the Windriders are he sees fit. Each city and Windrider outpost has a commander that oversees the day-to-day of the Windriders in the region. These commanders are also responsible for sending reports to the General of Intelligence and communicating his orders to the scouts. Typically each team of Windriders will have a captain who makes decisions for the team when they are out of touch with their base of operations.

Culture

Compared to the rest of the Lascyan military, the Windriders are rather independent and informal. Often isolated from a solid command structure for months at a time, they are less bound to the ritual and strict hierarchy than the rest of Lasceye. They are also known to be a little unpolished and uncouth - another side-effect of spending most of their time in the wilderness rather than as part of society. As they tend to work in small teams, Windriders are known to form strong bonds with each other and are fiercely loyal to each other. Each Windrider also has an unbreakable bond with their mount and would be willing to kill or die for their mount.

Public Agenda

Windriders are known as scouts and the first line of defense for Lasceye's borders. They also serve as spies when needed, and, when the need arises, aerial support for the military's ground forces.

Founding Date

253

Type

Military, Intelligence

Training Level

Elite

Leader

Tiarnan Flendaris

Location

Atheneris

Notable Members

• Tiarnan Flendaris