Caterpillar Wagon

The caterpillar wagon, more colloquially known as the crawler, crawl wagon, or bug, is a motorized vehicle first invented in Aphelia roughly fifteen years ago. Each caterpillar is composed of several enclosed metal cars, usually three to five, attached on hinges, behind a small driver's cabin, with all components propelled on continuous tracks. The cabin is mostly enclosed in glass and is usually only large enough for the driver or maybe a second passenger. Passenger cars are usually larger and somewhat more comfortable with seats, beds, and seat belts for expeditions expecting turbulence.
The basic design of the caterpillar wagon is publicly known and not controlled by anyone, though the materials required limit the number of people who can construct one. Each crawler is unique to the engineer who designs it. The majority of these wagons are produced in Aphelia. A crawler's size will determine which species can comfortably operate and ride in it. The use of iron compounds in a crawler's construction will also make it unsafe for use by fair folk.
As the caterpillar wagon can transport groups of people and supplies and provide them protection on the move, it had become the vehicle of choice for traversing flat, stony regions. Most crawlers are used for scientific or salvaging missions, but a few are operated as purely commercial transportation.

Power Generation

The standard crawler uses a crystal-powered engine for propulsion along with heating and headlamps. However, as the crawler's weight and long journeys consume high levels of energy, some engineers have switched to quintessence engines. While more efficient than crystals, especially on expeditions in quintessence-high areas, the runic calibration must be exact to avoid explosions or rune poisoning.

Weapons & Armament

A few caterpillar wagons have guns, harpoon launchers, or small cameras mounted on them. Due to lack of visibility, these must be operated by a passenger riding on the outside.

Armor and defense

Additional plating of metal or ceramic can be added, but the weight concerns mean that these are only used in particularly dangerous environments.

Communication Tools & Systems

Most crawlers have radio antennae on top of the cabin. In the middle of nowhere, the radio is often the only forewarning crawlers can get for emergencies.