Donchar Warchariot

Horselords of Donchar have earned their name for a reason. Their cavalry causes awe among their foes and destruction with hooves and blades, yet their now large muscular warhorses were once much less intimidating and smaller. From these early days of the horse lords, things have changed quite drastically, but there is a remnant on those early days that still can be seen in with some talented archers on the battlefield, high lords when they charge to battle and athletes in their arenas.
Donchar Warchariot may not be as relevant these days as it was in times of skinny little ponies, but they have become a cultural icon. Not only that, as time has past donchai have invented new ways to utilize the old practice. In grasslands and savannas they inhabit, chariots haven't completely lost their edge, but are, when possible, employed with deadly effectiveness.

Usages

There are several uses for the trusty war chariot, though some of them are more popular than others. As chariots require certain qualities from the battlefield itself, they are not always viable. But when they are, most commonly seen uses are:

Sign of status

While many lords choose to engage the battlefield on the back of their own horse, sometimes it is important to be spotted easily from the crowd. For this, war chariot makes wonders. Specially generals more trained with archery can be seen leading their troops from their chariots while firing arrows to damn their enemies.

Mobile artillery

Some of the chariots have been strapped with lightweight ballista, making the already devastating weapon even more viable as it can move around in ease.

Mage chariots

One of the most terrifying things in donchai army is a talented mage on a chariot. Having charioteer concentrating on driving gives a mage chance to focus on bringing destruction and blight to the enemy forces with deadly speed and accuracy.

Fast restock

Some of the chariots have been made bigger to work as a means to move supplies in the battlefield quickly in the back of the troops. While not as capacious as the wagons, speed makes chariots more fit for fast refills of arrows and such, were wagons with most supplies stay far from the battle, intact. This can also be used to move infantry, that otherwise would need time to catch up, but now they can be dropped to the front line while chariot crushes its way through the enemy line.

Sports

In big cities arenas for chariot racing are common and betting on the best charioteers is a common past time. These races can get devastatingly deadly but are usually over with just with bruises and possibly a broken limb.

Weapons & Armament

Most typical weapons used on top of the chariot are javelins and arrows and on some occasions spears, with point or hooks on the end. Those in chariot might also wish to have their close combat weapons with them if they need to step out of the chariot.
Sometimes, chariot may have a ballista-like weapon attached to in, to do further damage.

Armor and defense

Generally, while relatively light, chariots are made sturdy. One of the most recognizable features of Donchar Warchariot is large spike coming from the middle of the spoked wheel. Sometimes there are just one of these spikes, sometimes they break into several ones, they can be straight or hooked. These spikes make sure no one gets too close to them and can do some devastating damage when the cart goes past without affecting the mobility of the chariot.
The high guard is sturdy, and sometimes extra shields are added to protection. The high guard doesn't have back, but on some occasions, some kind of back guard in the form of gate. This makes sure that rider and passengers won't drop out in a bad moment.

Class

Carriage

Nickname

Spikewheel

Owning Organization

Donchar state

Price

~250 gp

Weight

Varies, usually quite light

Complement / Crew

Rider, archer/lord/mage etc, 2 to 4 horses

Cargo & Passenger Capacity

Classic version holds 2, larger ones up to 8

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The Steadfast

Donchai forms close relationships with horses, considering them as their spiritual brothers and sisters. When a loyal horse dies, a family whom the horse belong to grief it like a family member. To keep their loyal friend's spirit close to them, they take mementos from the dead horse; this often includes things like a piece of bone, skull, hide and locks of their mane and tail. These mementos are worked to objects like saddles or kept as an ornament or lucky charm.
One usage is turning the remains of the horse as part of a war chariot. This way the family's loyal steed keeps riding with the family even after death. Chariots of veteran warriors and talented charioteers can have hide and skulls of several horses ornamenting their chariot, honoring the trusty steads and showing the length of their career.

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"Oh yes, I remember my first ride on those damn Spikewheels... I first thought they were pulling my leg, I should be traveling on THAT brutal thing? By the Seldarine, I couldn't trust that at all.
Scared? No, I was terrified to be perfectly honest. I had never really actively cast spells from horseback or wagon of any kind. But I wouldn't let those human mongrels tell me what they thought 'fine elven lady' should be doing... So I hopped on and told to driver do his thing.
I thought I would never learn to work like that... But believe me, after a while, I wasn't scared anymore. Oh no. On one of those beast's, you don't need to be afraid of anything. No, everyone else would be afraid of ME."

— Elven warmage Maralya Dharasha
from her years in Donchar

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