Cataphracts

A class of (generally humanoid) piloted vehicles used mainly as weapons of war, specifically within the so-called Cataphract Realms.

• what "technologies" exist in this area, and what effect do they have on the world (other than the armours)? Haba-ish Sunfire-throwers?
• Why did they decline? essence flow, infrastructure collapse, outmoded by other weapons (e.g. sunfire, cannons)? perhaps Cataphracts arise again at some later point, possibly more widespread?
• Create a parallel set of heroes - Riders. what special abilities do Riders have? are they born, or made?
• who funds the building of the Cataphracts?
• What are the non combat uses?

Combat Roles:

• anti-troop
• anti-cataphract
• seige/heavy
• recon/scout/outrider
• transporter/defender
• long-range/artillery
• all-rounder/mixed

Individual Cataphracts:

• short-range indirect mortar/trebuchet/launcher that acts as highly mobile artillery to support troops in open combat or in sieges. Has "utility" ammunition such as smoke, oils, caltrops, nets etc. possibly fires out of one (or several) chest- or stomach-launchers.
• flame- or sunfire-shooter
• "wizard" walkers
• bombardiers/mortars/grenadiers/trebuchets
• archers/ballistas
• chargers
• tanglers/vine-whips
• anti-troop
• light/small/nimble
• heavy/large/lumbering
• recon/stealth/exploration

Mechanics & Inner Workings

internal struts of metal, wood, stone or bone, covered in vine-based "musculature" that has an armoured skin of similar materials to the struts. the Rider is supended in an enclosed or semi-enclosed compartment, wrapped in vines, and in communion with them.
other infusions and technologies can be included within the Cataphract.
capabilities:

• movement/strength
• resilience
• incorporation of other elements/components (see below)
• able to channel muscle-magic

limitations:

• require water from Cenotes to run and recharge
• as they "map" onto their rider's bodies for control, can't deviate too wildly from the humanoid bodyplan
• their vines are fairly flammable
• can't have powered wheels/fully-rotating bearings
• riders feel pain at their cataphract's injuries.
• possibly, riders have to have some degree of muscle-magic infusion/training?

Manufacturing process

Cataphract-makers - vinemages - shape the vines, in accordance with designs, over frameworks made by other workers. it is a months-long project, even taking years for the largest and most elaborate Cataphracts. it can also only be done at Cenote.

Significance

the most important military forces within the Cataphract Realms, so important that the entire area is named after them in later centuries

Item type

Armor

Current Location

Dow

Rarity

Uniquely built rather than mass-produced - though often modelled along existing lines - each Cataphract is idiosyncratic and must be adapted to by their Rider. there were never more than 1,000 Cataphracts in a battle-ready state at any one time, and often less than half that.

Weight

tonnes to hundreds of tonnes

Dimensions

5-30m in height

Raw materials & Components

inclusions of other components/esences:

• flame/sunfire
• spears/harpoons/javelins
• bows/crossbows/ballistas
• whips/lashes/flails/nets
• catapults/trebuchets/throwing arms
• axes/swords/claws
• hammers/maces/mauls
• metal armour plates
• shields
• wheels, tools etc
• force-fields/bubbles/similar?