The Chariot

How would you expect to understand what drives those wheels of flame? These are not living creatures as you understand them, even I cannot fully grasp what they are.

— Saronere

The Chariot is a mysterious group consisting of five flaming wheels. Nearly three-hundred years ago, the Chariot rode across the Earth, in an event known as the Cremation— which reduced most of Earth's population to ashes. Not only this, but the event left many regions of the planet scarred and uninhabitable.

Symbol

Unseen Origins

Not much is known about the Chariot, none can say for certain where they came from or why they attacked the Earth. Many theories exist, however, with stories as numerous and varied as the stars above.

Experiments

Some say that the Chariot was created in a series of Cold War experiments by the Soviets. Perhaps the experiments invovled dust in some fashion— the Soviets, after all, were the first to officially discover them.

Dreams

A strange theory proposes that the Chairot is a collection of dreams. Something created from mankind's own thoughts, desires, and sins. A manifestation of their mistakes and supressed desire for penance.

Gods

There are those who worship the Chariot as gods, believing their attack of Earth was warranted. Some sort of punishment for a sin committed. What, exactly, that sin is varies within the myriad cults worshipping the Chariot.

Advertising

More frequently brought up as a joke— though still having its own firm followers— is the theory that the Chariot were a marketing gimmick gone wrong. What they were supposed to be marketing is never quite clear.

The Wheels

Each of the five wheels possesses a distinct coloration, personality, and territory within the system. Some ascribe meaning to each wheel, relating to their particular personality— and the faction controlling their territory.

The Believer

The Believer is said by some within the Deserite Congregation to directly communicate with them via their dreams. This has lead directly to the creation of the Believers cult. The Believer's flames burn yellow.

The Free

The Free appears to fly around the system as it pleases. Much akin to the nomadic Free Orbit Clans it does not hold its own territory beyond Luna. The Free's flames burn white.

The Alchemist

The Alchemist creates and combines things, from new comets, to unfortunate souls that pass by the wandering wheel— becoming Faceless. It patrols territory owned by Osiris. The Alchemist's flames burn green.

The Conqueror

The Conqueror fights its comrades to expand its territory— not unlike The Last Dynasty. The fights almost always end in a stalemate, however. The Conqueror's flames burn red.

The Watcher

Much akin to the archivists of Alexandria, the Watcher simply observes the system. The Watcher's flames burn blue.

The Pygmy

Some claim that there is a sixth wheel, one that is substantially smaller than the rest— known as the Pygmy. Supposedly it leads the rest, acting as the rider of the Chariot.

The Pygmy's flames are said to burn black, which would conveniently explain why so few have seen it in the darkness of space.