Pteranodon Air Force

Composition

Equipment

Pteranodons, being large but lightweight flying creatures, are unable to carry massive amounts of weight. The Pteranodon itself carries a saddle with a few small bags attached that are mainly used to carry snacks for the rider and sometimes bombs to throw during engagement. Riders typically only wear leather armor. Their coat is insulated with a thick inside layer of wool, and the inside of the pant legs are padded with a triple layer of soft leather to protect against saddle sores. A side pack is usually warn as well, especially for longer flights, that carry the most basic of materials for setting up camp at night. The side pack also includes medical supplies, both for the rider and the Pteranodon. Occasionally the riders also wear chain mail, especially if they know they are flying into battle.

Weaponry

The Pteranodons are special in that they themselves have the ability to breathe fire. This was granted to only a few individuals when the Air Force originally formed, by Ignacia, the first Arch of Ignus. These Pteranodons were specifically bred to create more, and soon a whole flock of them existed. Even today, however, fire-breathing Pteranodons can only be found at the facility.
The riders often carry long range weapons, even if they themselves are touched with any of the elements. Bows are the most common, as they are generally lightweight and a considerable amount of arrows can be carried before the weight of them becomes to great for the Pteranodons to carry.

Vehicles

The riders, of course, use the Pteranodon as their primary form of transportation. The ground crews, however, follow far behind in horse drawn carriages that carry the bulk of the equipment needed to make campgrounds for the formation.

Training

The training takes place at the Pteranodon Training Facility. Basic training is similar to most militaristic basic training, but with one huge difference. A large chunk of training time is devoted to getting over any fear of heights. Since part of the promotion from recruit to junior wingman includes having to launch oneself over the edge of a cliff, a lot of training includes scaling tall cliffs and jumping from a height into a pool of water.

Logistics

Logistical Support

Ground forces to carry food and camping supplies

Recruitment

When they first formed, their ranks were entirely made up of humans. Thanks to the various societies that lived in the Inuvaanah Savannah, both men and women were allowed to join. The biggest restriction was they couldn't be above a certain weight, for the same reason their gear is made of lightweight material. After the war, a group of war-hardened elves approached the facility and asked to join. They felt they could not in good conscious return to the peaceful life they once led before the war.
Any species is theoretically allowed to join, provided they are not over the weight limit. In practice, however, the ranks are mainly humans with some elves. On average, once a year a dwarf will get over their fear of open skies and attempt to join. Vampires and lycanthropes both are barred from entering the ranks. The Pteranodons can recognize either species and will refuse to let them anywhere near them.

Bonding

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Once the recruit finishes their basic training, they are paired with a Pteranodon. The ceremony takes place on one of the steepest cliffs in the Synal Mountains. Unpaired Pteranodons, usually yearlings, fly close to the cliff below the lip, waiting for a recruit to launch themselves into the air. Should the recruit be skilled in spiritus magic, they are banned from using it to slow their decent in any way. They have to fall and allow a Pteranodon to swoop under them and catch them. It is an ultimate expression of trust, and allows the Pteranodon to chose a rider they would get along with. Once all the recruits have been paired off, a ceremony is held that night to celebrate the end of basic training and the advancement of the new recruits to Junior Wingmen.

History

The Pteranodon Air Force was created specifically for The Great War, but decided not to dissolve after the war was over. They became a mercenary group, selling their services to the highest bidder. Most of the time their military might is used for conflicts that stay on Meridianus, but occasionally they have fought in conflicts on other continents.

Historical loyalties

Loyal to Ananda, the First Arch of Aquas

Type

Air Force

Founding

Year 60 of the Third Era

Overall training Level

Elite

Assumed Veterancy

Experienced