Chocobo Knights

The Chocobo Knights are an elite cavalry unit in the Altathairian army. The unit is led by the son of King Jordan III, Prince Romis. Their crest and standard in battle, a stylized armored knight riding on a chocobo with a lance in hand, is known to bring fear into all those who are on the opposing side of the forces of Altathair.
The Chocobo Knights were established in the year 979, by King Tendree. Before the formation of the unit, chocobos were used by the Altathairians, but mostly in a passive manner, as beasts of burden. The Altathairian army utilized the birds as well, but also in a passive manner, such as pulling carts filled with goods, weapons, or soldiers. The idea to use chocobos in battle was first suggested by General Beougarden, after witnessing the aggressive manner in which a group of wild chocobo fended off creatures getting too close to their eggs, or young.
The Chocobo Knights gained their notoriety in the year 1,025, when they routed a small bandit operation without incurring any casualties. The Chocobo Knights killed 75 bandits operating a smuggling and highway robbery operation near the Troll Fens without losing as much as a single mount. Since then, the Chocobo Knights have become known for their battle prowess.
Since then, the Chocobo Knights have stood as the most feared and respected unit in the Altathairian army. Many young boys and girls across the nation aspire to become a Chocobo Knight from a young age. Most never make it, however. Cadets face a great deal of competition and mental and physical barriers. Only the cream of the crop of Altathair’s army is given the opportunity to become a Chocobo Knight, and of that group, only the most skilled and determined actually become part of the unit. Currently, the Chocobo Knights are composed of one hundred and thirty knights, and nearly the same amount of chocobos. They key to the knights’ success is that they treat their mounts with a great deal of respect, and form a very close rapport and bond with them, allowing the chocobo to anticipate the actions of its rider, and of the knight to anticipate the actions of their mount.