Kyutokar

The Tokaren is a creature native to the homelands of the Mershael. Its life cycle includes a land form, a seabound form, and an airborne form. The Mershael are known to ride all three forms.
The Airborne form and its rider, called Kyutokar, give the Mershael a platform that they can launch from land-based forts or their ships. The Kyutokar extend the range of the Mershael’s scouting ability considerably, but it is in combat that they truly excel.
The Kyutokar practice the art of Vay, one of the Hona Ihatha - The Mershael Martial Traditions.
Vay relies on a constant flurry of precise strikes by the wielder to wear down an opponent to the point that a Mershaeli warrior can strike a killing blow. There are both defensive and offensive forms.
Vay warriors are taught to begin a personal battle by striking first and last. Vay forms do not suppose a warrior will overpower or outmaneuver an enemy warrior with the first or second strike. The way of Vay is to strike (or defend) constantly and consistently to wear down an opponent and put a crack in their defense.
Where a Kyutokar may not see an advantage to be gained by employing Vay, they can practice hit-and-run tactics to disengage from an enemy before they are overpowered. This gives the Kyutokar a lot of tactical flexibility, which the Mershael prefer on ever-changing battlefields.
Over land, the Kyutokar can patrol farther and faster than their terrestrial cohorts, the Riktokar. They can also keep the sky clear of airborne enemies such as the Daklos Ravager. Over the ocean, they can spot enemy ships and other potential hazards from greater distances, giving the Mershael an advantage.
Mershael ships are often accompanied by at least one Kyutokar that they use for scouting and combat if necessary. The larger the ship, the more Kyutokar are based on them. The Mershael even have a special ship that does nothing but house Kyutokar. These Sumeda Ontala - Sea Nests - are built as floating Aeries to carry and care for the Tokaren and their riders.
Sumeda Ontala often accompany Mershael fleets when they sail from one of their home harbors. They also protect large merchant fleets that are easy prey to pirate attacks in the Shining Sea and along the eastern coast of Ryshael.
Kyutokar at sea are often nicknamed Daipaza - Pirate Bane - by the sailors of the Mershael Merchant Fleets for their role in keeping the numerous pirates between Mershael Ports and their far-flung destinations at bay.