Wheeled Testudo

The problem of traversing Terra Hostili safely is an eternal one. The Coastal Safe Zone has experimented with large, armoured carts designed to keep all the travellers safe. So little is exposed to any passing monster, the theory runs, that there is no threat.
In practice, however, they have met with severely limited success.

Design

Wheeled testudos have four to twelve large cartwheels. The front of the vehicle typically has horses, oxen or bears that pull the weight of it along. They are as enclosed as its humanoid compliment, with narrow slits so the animals can see outside and LightRocks mounted to the chassis so they are not in the dark. The remainder of the vehicle is essentially a series of wagons hitched togther, each covered with armour. Around the carts but inside the armoured shell there is space for people to walk. These have their own slits they can look out of, to spot enemies and hazards. The rear of the testudo consists of a pair of doors that can only be opened from the inside. Smaller versions do not use beasts of burden, but use manpower to push it along instead. Wheeled testudos are unpopular assignments.

Drawbacks

There are many problems with the concept, including but not limited to:

• The animals becoming panicked, in an environment where it is difficult to reach them to keep them calm.
• The need to frequently refresh the interior LightRocks, some of which are difficult or dangerous to reach.
• Difficulty in traversing uneven terrain.
• Too much ground clearance, to cope with difficult terrain, leaves gaps underneath the armour that monsters can exploit.
• As tough as the testudo is to physical attacks, it is vulnerable to magic.
• The slits provide severely limited vision, which makes navigation difficult and monsters run alongside the vehicle and throw spells in through the them.
• The joints in the armour form natural weakspots.
• The top of the testudo is undefended, and monsters sometimes ride on top until its crew disembark.
• In warm weather, the interior is stiflingly hot. In cold weather, it is extremely cold.
• Enemies can set up roadblocks with ease, as there is no way to move them without disembarking.

Perseverance

Despite their many problems, their unpopularity, and the expense of manufacturing them, the Coastal Safe Zone has persisted with them. They believe that through trial and error, they will iron out all of the problems. The goal is to open up a new era of travel through Terra Hostili that is safe and reliable, without the need for seasoned adventurers to accompany it.

Beam

10-20 feet

Length

30-60 feet

Height

6-15 feet

Speed

Slow walking pace