Pistoliers

The Pistoliers are the gilded youth of the Empire at play in the deadliest game of all: sons of noble houses too impatient for the discipline of the knightly orders, who ride to war on fast, light horses with a brace of blackpowder pistols apiece. They serve as scouts and skirmishers, ranging ahead of the army to screen its advance, run down fleeing stragglers, and harry the enemy's flanks. Their favoured tactic is the caracole: a headlong gallop toward the foe, a thunderous volley loosed at close range, then a sharp wheel away in a cloud of smoke before the enemy can bring weapons to bear. Reckless, boastful, and hungry for glory, Pistoliers take risks that appal their elders, and many do not live to inherit their titles. Those who survive the experience are blooded into the finest cavalry commanders the Empire produces, having learned war the hard way: at a full gallop, with powder-burns on their gloves.