Occomor Chariot

A common sight on the wide paved roads linking the large city-states of the Confederation of Ak'aara, in northern Mahador, the Occomanis, as they are known localy, are large and robust vehicle, drawn by tamed Occomor.

Appearance

The chariot is bulky, large and has a box-like frame suported by a pair of large wheel. The frame is made of Emandine wood, and metal sheets are nailed to it. A second, larger platform section on top of the box frame is were passengers may sit, while the area bellow is used as storage. Some models which are used in war do not have the platform and the box area is smaller, allowing for more mobility.

Propulsion

The chariots are pulled by a pair of large and powerful Occomors, who have been raised together since infancy and trained specificaly for the role.

Uses

Commerce:
Occomor chariots are the main way that over-land trade between cities in the region is done. Caravans, containing a dozen or so chariots in a line are commonly sighted trotting along the stone roads of the region, transpoting many different items.
Warfare:
They are also often used in warfare between the various city-state alliances. Just like the simpler occomor mounts, which are just a occomors equiped with a rider on a saddle, the chariots have a similar role as the heavy cavalry of the armies of Enaskia and Arros. They are also extensively used to transport food provisions and replacement bows and sheilds for the soldiers.

Nickname

Occomani / Mud Tanks

Manufacturer

Ak'aaran Confederation

Complement / Crew

1 crew (Conductor)

Cargo & Passenger Capacity

2-4 passengers

Societal Changes

Originaly, the chariots were invented out of a need to bolster trade between the various Ak'aaran city-states. The road system had already been partialy built, but they served the chariots well and so was expanded. The massive boost of trade between them caused the city-states to become richer and also fostered a deeper sense of unity between them. This likely contributed in their success against various foreign invasions in the past. Their military also saw many changes as the introduction of the chariots allowed armies to be bigger and to go further away from their home base, since they could carry more provisions. The war chariots are used in inter-city wars quite often, but are most effective against foreign armies, since they have little experience dealing with dealing with such scary animals.