Harsonian Dinosaurs

The Harsonians have a connection to their animals akin to a farmer and his beasts of burden. Most Harsonians see dinosaurs, and the other wildlife of Zimildran, as mere animals, creatures meant to be tamed, trained and to undertake the harder labors that a man cannot do. Everything from carrying wares for merchants to pulling a plow in a field to carrying soldiers into battle are roles given to the beasts of Harsonia.

The iguanodon is by far the most widely-used beast in Harsonia, and even into her neighboring regions. Loyal, easy to train, and considered by many Harsonians to be relatively dimwitted for a dinosaur, the iguanodon serves as a trusted mount for citizens and soldiers alike, though it should be noted that an iguanodon left unattended in a combat situation is likely to flee the area, requiring some tracking to find again.

For a more formidable wartime creature, the Harsonians have taken to training and outfitting triceratops with heavy armor and multiple riding positions, creating a veritable war machine out of the already intimidating dinosaur. Generally ridden by two or three Harsonian knights, the triceratops is capable of breaking through enemy encampments, creating a breach in fortifications through which other soldiers can pour. Sturdier and more reliable in combat than many other dinosaurs, the triceratops is the beast of choice for most of the Knight Commanders. In the civilian world, triceratops are owned only by the wealthiest merchants.

The flagship of the Harsonian military, and the most awe-inspiring creatures they ever bring onto the battlefield, are their brachiosaurs. Fully-armored, manned by a skilled Harsonian dinosaur handler, and capable of carrying a group of knights for transport, the brachiosaurus is the true thunder-lizard of the Harsonian military. Harsonia currently only has five fully grown, well-trained brachiosaurs, yet the dinosaur handlers of the Covenant spend much of their time with the young sauropods, training them from their earliest days to be the crown jewel in the Harsonian army.

Harsonians will use different herbivorous dinosaurs as necessary, such as the ankylosaurus and the parasaurolophus, yet the iguanodon, triceratops and brachiosaurus have been by far the easiest to train and the most reliable. Harsonians do not train carnivorous dinosaurs, after too many failed attempts and too many deaths. Generally speaking, Harsonians show a strong fear for most carnivorous dinosaurs, having heard stories as children about the vicious and unforgiving nature of the world's predators.