Charioteer History

Important Events:

Exploration and Salvage (11 BTF): As the Illustrados continue to build their nation, construction materials and Pre-Fall relics make their way from the mainland to the islands. Though the Senate attempts to regulate these efforts, demand is strong enough for “Delvers” and “Pel” to create their own opportunities. These would be the seeds for Los Cocheros (aka the Charioteers). 

Meat for Sale (30 BTF): The first Juracan’s defeat opens up more revenue -- Delvers and Pel raid its corpse on the behalf of scientists and collectors. Subsequent Juracan attacks lead to the harvest of “Abyssal Paraffin” from their bodies. The Delver ships began to lure Juracan into ambushes or look for their corpses to collect these Superior reagents and sell them to refineries. 

The Charioteer Fleet (49 BTF): Despite incredible danger and immense casualties, the first of the Charioteer Fleets is founded after decades of salvage, hunting, and profit. Uniting beneath the command of Mercury Mercado-Ruiz, they work in legally grey areas and are willing to brave danger. Thus, the Fleet is able to demand their worth from Tecnocracia buyers and compensate their workers and their families. 

Scovo the Shark (54 BTF): While attacks on shipping lanes are an expected occurrence, a series of  disappearances force the Magistrados’ attention. With the help of Los Cocheros, the pirate fleet of Scovo the Shark is cornered by Magistrados naval forces and sent to the bottom of the ocean. While piracy remains a threat, the like of Scovo’s fleet is never encountered again.  The Charioteers bar any of their members from dealing with suspected pirates.

The Tanpa Incident (60 BTF): Scandal and explosions rock the Illustrados Union. The influence of the Tecnocracia is cut down after an attempted coup. Many of their secrets are distributed to the rest of the Union while they regroup and recentralize their power under new management. Many Tecnocracia’s assets are auctioned and the Charioteers take a lion’s share of these resources, including new technologies and ships.

Triune Admiralty (78 BTF): The successor to the Charioteer leadership, Admiral “Machete” Mercado-Ruiz, abuses her power. She bleeds her fleet dry in exchange for personal luxury. A mutiny is led against him, ousting her after 3 years of skirmishes and struggles. The Charioteers organize under the surviving leadership of the mutiny, becoming the three Fleets it is known for today. 

First Contact (83 BTF): The Illustrados make amicable yet cautious contact with the Free Tribes of the Mid-Atlantic region of the North American east coast (aka “Mid-Atla”). Initial meetings with the Templars fare far worse. The Illustrados Union decides to keep at arm’s length, for the purposes of peace and goodwill. Despite this, the Tecnocracia manage to establish relations with the Cartel with the help of the Charioteers.

The War over Embers (93 BTF): Terrible monstrosities led by the sorcerous Harbingers invade from the west and ravage the Mid-Atlantic region. The vicious war against the remnants of humanity follows. The Illustrados Union is late to join, but they bring their technological prowess and Juracan-killing military to bear. The Charioteers lend their assistance primarily in the ferrying of goods and supplies from the Caribbean and assisting in scouting efforts. 

The Armistice at Libertina (96 BTF): After six years of brutal war, Mid-Atla settles to a troubled peace. The Harbingers are destroyed and a treaty between the Templar, the Illustrados, and the Free Tribes is signed at the broken bell of Libertina City.

Current Day (99 BTF): Illustrados technology, people, and culture filter into Mid-Atla. Their own problems and Juracan sightings keep their mighty fleets at home, but threats and menaces surface or are reborn. The Illustrados keeps eyes, ears and influence in the region while minding the limitations set to them by the Armistice. The Charioteers make trading partners with the Cartel and the Scavvers, as well as the Templars’ Carmine Conclave. 

Important People and Groups

Carmine Conclave: A portion of the Temple of the Shattered Mother known for its focus on diplomacy rather than militancy, though they are far from unarmed. Its members are called Carmine Templars or Carminians. 

Cartel (aka the Kindly Cartel): These soldiers, bankers, and merchants comport themselves like businessfolk and corporations of old, but act more like criminals when it suits them. 

The Charioteers (aka Los Cocheros): An Illustrados subfaction of mariners, monster hunters, smugglers, and scavengers. They have banded together to ensure that their services are not only regulated but so that they can protect themselves from their employers and the Magistrados. 

The Free Tribes: A group of communities and tribes based in and around the Mid-Atlantic (aka Mid-Atla) area, but also within the New England, Tidewater, and Midwest regions.

The Iglesia Solar: An Ilustrados faction of clergyfolk, academics, and engineers. They are a major civic force that maintain many hospitals, orphanages, and schools. 

The Illustrados Union: An Caribbean-based Archfaction known for their technological wonders, their mercantile bent, and their naval prowess

Madeline “Machete” Mercado-Ruiz: Daughter of Mercury Mercado and a High Admiral of the Charioteers. Her abuse of her subordinates results in a mutiny that splits the Charioteers into three different Fleets and its current incarnation.

Marisol Anna Celso-Malave (aka Marisol Celso): The genius behind the Celso Engine, a machine that is able to draw Magnetic Mana power from reagents. She is a storied hero among the Illustrados, even becoming a Cacique-General and leading the Union for a decade. 

Magistrados (aka Macana):  An Illustrados subfaction of soldiers, sailors, and scouts. They serve the whole of the Illustrados and are directed by the Cacique-General.

Mercury Mercado-Ruiz: The founder of the Charioteers and the first High Admiral. He organized them into a loose structure that can unite against their rivals and enemies. 

Scovo the Shark: The leader of a pirate lord that orchestrated raids upon the Illustrados’ shipping lanes, disguising their actions as monster attacks. After a decade of piracy, he and his fleet are defeated and scattered by the Magistrados and the Charioteers.

The Tecnocracia (aka Technocracy): An Illustrados subfaction occupied by wealthy investors, engineers, and entrepreneurs. They engage in banking, own several industries, reclaiming ancient tech, and investing in dangerous expeditions. 

Triune Admiralty: The ruling body of the Charioteers, comprised of the leaders of the three biggest Fleets.

The Temple of the Shattered Mother (aka Templars): An northern Archfaction based on their faith to the God-Empress and dedicated to the destruction of wickedness and eldritch evil.