The Charioteers

Los Cocheros, Rudders

“Trade and cunning speak all languages and open all doors”

Symbol

A ship helm over two parallel, horizontal oars. Sometimes, these oars are replaced with jagged spears. The three main Fleets have their own personal take on this symbol.  

Lore: Low

Charioteer lore is primarily the basic knowledge of one specific Fleet and some of the maritime traditions. Especially with the concept of a privateer/pirate/mariner being a popular media trope, this is straightforward and easy to absorb.

Aesthetic

Explorers, traders, and smugglers are the usual connotation with the Charioteers. Many of these folk dress the part, with patchwork clothing, long coats, and rugged textiles. Pouches, hats, and a variety of other accouterments finish off the look of a person in modest/low means that is prepared for anything and has experienced enough hardship to know better. Some call the look “sea-scavving”, after the Scavver Caravans - but the Cocheros make it their own and add the Illustrados flairs of Caras (guide masks)  and Vayans (colorful mantles)

Outlook

Bravado and Seaworthiness: Many among Los Cocheros adhere to the concept of “Navegabilidad” or “Naveh”, which means seaworthiness. Culturally, the concept is similar to honor and reputation. Those who have “Naveh” are known to fulfill one’s promises at any cost, answer insults to them (inc those to family and friends), and are trustworthy individuals. Those with Naveh are more likely to be awarded with jobs, contracts, and allies. Those without must earn their way back in or continue to be regarded with suspicion and/or pity.

Look for the Worst: The Cocheros are survivors. They know that there is always a catch to any advantage, that nothing comes easily and that opportunities must be taken swiftly. They typically assume the worst in other people and in every situation. Some call them paranoid or pessimistic; having clawed their way through dire straits and sailed through dangerous seas, most Charioteers simply consider the attitude they have adopted as common wisdom.

Merchants and Mercenaries: The Charioteers have a reputation for being exceptionally mercenary with their services, doing nothing unless it is paid for. Sometimes this is because they have families and dependents to feed back in the Illustrados isles. Other times, it can be because of accrued debts or the exorbitant cost of maintaining a ship and feeding one’s crew. Regardless of status, a Charioteer knows well their worth to the world and will fight to ensure that they receive their due. 

Physical Ticks: Charioteers are also known for their “ticks”, born of long days at gambling at sea. Some prefer having a coin in their fingers or a hand on their weapon. Others like to chew on straw or to touch their hat. In truth, these so-called "ticks'' are actually feigned, designed to draw others into a false sense of awareness. When people think that a Charioteer blinks when they lie, that Charioteer uses their assumptions to their advantage. Similarly, when people pay attention to coin tricks, they may miss out on the Charioteer’s facial expressions or what their other hand is doing.

Stories and Palaver: When a Charioteer is bored, they start chatting to folk or telling them stories. This leads some people to consider Los Cohceros as air-headed loudmouths who speak without forethought. Truth be told, these individuals are as capable of quiet and thought as most folk. However, stories and tall tales are entertaining ways to pass the time and conversations have a tendency of building bridges and revealing secrets.

Names

The individuals among the Los Cocheros tend to forsake the naming conventions of their locale, usually going with a nickname or a similarly short appellation. While they have rankings within their organization, these are not brought about unless formality necessitates such an act or unless they are a title with weight, such as Capitan. 

Naturally, some follow tradition and use their(first name, middle name, and both last names of their parents. In the current era of the Illustrados, the first family name of a person is decided in advance by their parents. Tradition dictates that they take the name of the birthing parent, but this is often ignored by the working class in favor of their own preferences. The more entrenched and well-off families stick to old matrilineal traditions.

Example Names:

• Though born Maria Manuela Villanueva-Luna, Capitan Ardy is named after the squirrel Cara that she possesses. A former member of the Magistrados, she has taken her naval and survival skills to the private sector and into the Mid-Atlantic. 

• Few know of Mundo the Mountain’s birth name, but usually the prodigious strength that gives him his name is enough to make people stop asking. Though many think him a mere carrier of freight and luggage, he is actually the tactician of his crew. 

• Recruited from Mid-Atla, Antonio Davis is often just called “Ant”. Sometimes, he’s called “Army Ant” for the arsenal of weaponry he likes to carry around. Swords, longarms, and a wealth of knives enough for a small squad grace his personal clothing.

Example Character Ideas

The following are some character concepts that may be seen from this Gremio. If desired, Feel free to use or alter one of these for your character.

Bone-Saw: The high seas and the deadly wilds are a strange place to learn medicine, but necessity often supersedes one’s preferences. More than a few medics on a Corsair or a Bumblebee earn their knowledge through the school of hard knocks, field stitching flesh after a claw swipe or pulling a patient’s life from the brink of a banshee’s scream. Sometimes reluctant and often ill-tempered by their bloodsoaked duties, these individuals can literally spell life or death for the people on their crew when things go awry… as they tend to do. 

Suggested Classes: Builder, Ranger

Cocheros Mercenary: The Charioteers often have a bad reputation among civilized folks for their capacity for violence. But the truth is that the World Beyond the Fall has a great need for those who can beat down the horrors of this terrible new reality -- for those less protection and great need, there exists the Mercenary. What civilization and city has rejected, the outskirts and the wild requires and prizes. Thus do these folk stand ready to dole out punishment and pain for coin and currency. 

Suggested Classes: Ranger, Warrior

Crew Face: Regardless of their travels in the wild, the crew of a Charioteer ship need a face -- this is often their captain but it can just as easily be some poor soul designated to the task. This is someone they use to talk to people, sometimes angry people and occasionally rightfully angry and dangerous people. The role can be a hazardous one, but many take to it with relish -- they like meeting and dealing with people and the risk of death makes their experience all the sweeter. 

Suggested Classes: Ranger, Warrior

Ship Officer: Every crew needs a commanding presence, be it from the leader, their boatswain, or even their chaplain. These individuals exhort their allies to greater effort and lead the way when the path is unclear. Some Officers use a hard-bitten approach to guidance, while others might use parental direction or even verbal whipping. While a Bone-Saw keeps the crew on its feet, the Officer gets them moving, ignoring the curses and derision aimed at them along the way.  

Suggested Classes: Arcanist, Counselor

Rogue Trader: With the rise of the Illustrados Union and the presence of the other Arch-Factions come tariffs and taxes that many worldly mariners balk at following. Rogue traders are common  among the Los Cocheros, trafficking valuables and goods around the forces of law and order. They frequent the ports and the harbors of the eastern coast, though they may run in-land when inquisitors and Jaguar Scouts are too close behind. 

Suggested Classes: Counselor, Ranger

Leadership

The Triune Admiralty (Trinidad de Almirantazgo) are the rulers of Los Cocheros. Currently, these Admirals are “Mad Goat” Mobius, “Latigo” Lopez, and “Costly” Kościuszko.

While it is claimed that their laws are iron and unbreachable, the truth is that they have firm but not absolute control over the Charioteers. In addition to their duties in leadership, each must also govern their own Charioteer Fleet. It is through both bodies of governance that they direct their people and punish wrongdoers (at least, the ones that get caught).

Membership as part of the Charioteers involves yearly dues that help grease the wheels of the Triune. In exchange, mariners and Delvers have access to Charioteer safehouses, contacts (including buyers and bribable harbormasters), and protection from other Charioteers. 

Note: the yearly dues are assumed to be part of a Character’s normal maintenance and does not cost them anything.