<?xml version="1.0" ?><?encoding UTF-16?><?xml-stylesheet type="text/xsl" href="../xsl/unit.xsl"?><unit><full_name>eastern missile cavalry azad asavaran</full_name><dictionary>eastern_missile_cavalry_azad_asavaran</dictionary><category>cavalry</category><class>missile</class><voice_type>General_1</voice_type><soldier><name>steppe_cavalry_azadasavaran</name><soldiers>25</soldiers><extras>0</extras><mass>1</mass></soldier><mount>hellenistic kataphraktoi horse</mount><mount_effect>elephant -1, chariot +2</mount_effect><attributes>sea_faring, hide_forest</attributes><formation><side_spacing>1.2</side_spacing><front_spacing>3</front_spacing><loose_side_spacing>3</loose_side_spacing><loose_front_spacing>5</loose_front_spacing><ranks>4</ranks><formations>square</formations></formation><stat_health><hit_points>1</hit_points><animal_hit_points>1</animal_hit_points></stat_health><stat_pri><attack>5</attack><charge>44</charge><missile_type>no</missile_type><range>0</range><ammo>0</ammo><weapon_type>melee</weapon_type><tech_type>blade</tech_type><dammage_type>piercing</dammage_type><sound>spear</sound><min_delay>200</min_delay><lethality>0.4</lethality></stat_pri><stat_pri_attr>ap</stat_pri_attr><stat_sec><attack>11</attack><charge>25</charge><missile_type>no</missile_type><range>0</range><ammo>0</ammo><weapon_type>melee</weapon_type><tech_type>blade</tech_type><dammage_type>slashing</dammage_type><sound>sword</sound><min_delay>0</min_delay><lethality>0.225</lethality></stat_sec><stat_sec_attr>no</stat_sec_attr><stat_pri_armour><armour>20</armour><def_skill>10</def_skill><shield>0</shield><sound>metal</sound></stat_pri_armour><stat_sec_armour><armour>0</armour><def_skill>0</def_skill><sound>metal</sound></stat_sec_armour><stat_heat>4</stat_heat><stat_ground><scrub>0</scrub><sand>0</sand><forest>-5</forest><snow>-1</snow></stat_ground><stat_mental><morale>14</morale><discipline>disciplined</discipline><training>highly_trained</training></stat_mental><stat_fire_delay>0</stat_fire_delay><stat_food>60, 300</stat_food><stat_cost><turns>1</turns><cost>4785</cost><upkeep>1196</upkeep><upgrade_weapon>80</upgrade_weapon><upgrade_armour>100</upgrade_armour><custom_battle>4785</custom_battle></stat_cost><ownership>parthia</ownership><description><name>Asavârân-î Âzadân (Parthian Noble Cataphracts)</name><short>These Parthian nobles are superb horsemen, armoured lancers who can put most infantry units to flight. They are elite, trained from birth and eager to prove their worth to their king.</short><long>Elite
Disciplined
Hardy

The Asavaran are the elite cavalry of the Azakt nobility. On the battlefield Asavaran nobles are often used to break through an enemy line after it has been weakened by archery, carrying all before them in a disciplined, dangerous charge. They are equipped as armoured lancers wearing heavy bronze scale corselets, and trained from birth to charge with lances in a tight knee-to-knee formation. Laminated vambraces would protect their arms and legs, a flexible armour of overlapping leather or bronze bands They do not bother with shields as both hands are needed to manipulate the two handed Kontos lance and the straight Iranian longsword. These Parthian nobles are superb horsemen, who can put most infantry units to flight. Mounted on the strong Nisean breed of horse these heavy cavalrymen, while not the equal of the Cataphracts, cannot be ignored.

Historically, the Asavaran used tactics of speed and maneuverability, especially in the charge which was carried out at a full gallop in tight formations. They wore cloaks that could also be used for concealment, as they were at least less conspicuous than the armour underneath and fit in well with the brightly outfitted horse archers. They had large flat golden collars around their necks, marking them as Parthian nobles. The leather bridles and harness trappings would be red or light brown colour and the bit of iron or bronze. Large saddle cloths were brightly coloured red or crimson, heavily embroidered with geometric designs or animal motifs.</long></description></unit>