Andat
An andat is the smallest unit of the Taalorang Military, consisting of 10 soldiers.
Each andat travels on an Indarig - the indarig is partnered with the group and never rotates to other groups. Members of an andat are intensely protective of their indarig and take excellent care of it. When outfitted for an andat, an indarig wears a helmet of bronze plates, with leather plates continuing down its neck. The top of the head also has leather straps between the ears, as the captain typically rides of up there. Any captain worth their salt can stay balanced up there, but in case of sudden action, they have something to hold onto.
On their backs is an enormous quilt of dyed cotton. Each andat has an individual design. In the rare case of an indarig and andat splitting up, whatever new team uses the quilt is considered the true successor to that andat's title. The quilt protects the indarig's skin from the wooden vessel perched on top and held in place with padded leather straps. This is where the soldiers ride and consists of a central enclose hut, a ring of deck, and another area at the back covered by fabric used for storage or rest as needed. During battle, the ten members of the andat are positioned 5 per side along the deck, equipped with bows to fire at the enemy. Bundles of supplies wrapped in burlap hang from the vessel against the indarig's sides.
Indarigs do need to stop and sleep during the night (or at least once every 30 or so hours), and when they do, the quilt is spread out on the ground as a carpet, the vessel placed on top as shelter for the captain, and the rest sleep under the stars or erect tents as needed.
Each andat travels on an Indarig - the indarig is partnered with the group and never rotates to other groups. Members of an andat are intensely protective of their indarig and take excellent care of it. When outfitted for an andat, an indarig wears a helmet of bronze plates, with leather plates continuing down its neck. The top of the head also has leather straps between the ears, as the captain typically rides of up there. Any captain worth their salt can stay balanced up there, but in case of sudden action, they have something to hold onto.
On their backs is an enormous quilt of dyed cotton. Each andat has an individual design. In the rare case of an indarig and andat splitting up, whatever new team uses the quilt is considered the true successor to that andat's title. The quilt protects the indarig's skin from the wooden vessel perched on top and held in place with padded leather straps. This is where the soldiers ride and consists of a central enclose hut, a ring of deck, and another area at the back covered by fabric used for storage or rest as needed. During battle, the ten members of the andat are positioned 5 per side along the deck, equipped with bows to fire at the enemy. Bundles of supplies wrapped in burlap hang from the vessel against the indarig's sides.
Indarigs do need to stop and sleep during the night (or at least once every 30 or so hours), and when they do, the quilt is spread out on the ground as a carpet, the vessel placed on top as shelter for the captain, and the rest sleep under the stars or erect tents as needed.
Structure
An andat consists of 10 soldirs. The leader of an andat is referred to as a darga, translated as captain. The darga answers to a jagota, who commands 10 andats. Each solider in the andat has a number, with the darga being number 1. Number 2 is the second in command, with the rest of the soldiers ranked sequentially. Each number has a standard responsibility:
- Captain
- Second
- Navigator
- Indarig keeper (tends to the physical needs of the indarig
- Surgeon
- Supplies master (outfits the andat and manages supplies)
- Cook
- Stitch master (upkeeps the indarig's harness or soldier's clothes)
- Lookout/Scout
- Cleaner
