The Chariot
Focus, Ambition, Middle-Management, Delegation, Making Other People Do Most of the Work, Determination, Success, Square Your Chest, The Moon On Your Shoulders, An Eye-Roll From the Black Sphinx, Straight-Up Just Not Having Legs, I Don’t Think Chariots Actually Look Like That
These sphinxes want to go in two totally different directions — The Chariot is the one guiding them, prioritizing and directing them. They are, in a practical sense, a manager.
Both The Magician and The Chariot are cards indicating problem solving through force of will — the difference is that while the Magician solves problems through skills, tools, plans, and schemes, the Chariot solves problems through leadership.
Not leadership in the paternalistic, violent way of The Emperor, necessarily, but more in the way the supervisor of a small fast food chain would. They’re driven, focused, tactical but not strategic1, and calling you at 2AM to find out if you will cover Madison’s shift.
Beyond that, there’s the simple transportation angle to The Chariot: they’re driving, they’re on wheels. Movement is what is happening here.
The Chariot also doesn’t have legs. Their whole body just stops at the waist. Between that and the “wheel” connection, Chariot-based characters are often portrayed in media in wheelchairs or other mobility devices.
Friends & Foes
The Bounty Administrator is a local appointee of the law who’s handing out large cash prizes for apprehended criminals2.
The Small-Town Sheriff is overworked and desperate for help, the ratio of deputies to bandits in this town is weighted heavily in favor of the bandits.
The Driver3 is in charge of, let’s face it, just the coolest imaginable ride. Depending on the setting it might be an impressive car, a tricked-out airship, their own schooner, or a warp-enabled starcruiser – but whatever it is, simply owning and operating it is an impressive flex.
The Social Climber4 has been cynically and methodically working their way to the top by brown-nosing and betraying in equal measure. They’re oh-so-friendly if they think that you can help them, and oh-so-dangerous if they don’t.
The Fixer is who the wealthy and influential call upon when they need a problem disappeared. They’re well-connected, they seem to have “a guy” for everything, and they’re utterly unscrupulous.
The Pit Boss commands the fear and respect of a crew of terrifying low-lifes despite having soft hands and a slight build. How could this be possible?
Hooks
Even good players struggle to resist the allure of a Train Robbery. Make sure there’s something worth stealing on board and get heisting!
The Ghost Ship understands that it needs passengers and keeps trying to collect more of them, to predictably tragic ends.
Locations
The Regional Branch is a small outpost of a much larger and more powerful organization. Most of the employees here are not terribly connected with the mission and values of the greater entity.
The Docks are vital to the flow of goods and trade. Not only are workers constantly bustling around here, loading and unloading vast shipments – there is also a considerable amount of illegal contraband passing through here.
The Show Garage is a personal collection of impressive vehicles, many of them luxuriously maintained but rarely used.
The Work Camp is a collection of temporary structures located near a task that needs to be completed, and soon. Everything here is plain, serviceable, utilitarian, portable, and about as cheap as possible to get away with.
The Augmentation Lab is a well-kept secret but people keep coming out of it with enhanced bodies. What are they doing in there?
Treasures
The Pegasus is a legendary vehicle - faster, better storage, more unique custom features than anything your players have encountered so far. The kind of thing the Driver would be behind the wheel of.
The Ceremonial Plaque is awarded to the top performer every month, in lieu of financial compensation or any meaningful change in the day-to-day job. It is an almost supernatural struggle not to immediately throw away the Ceremonial Plaque upon receipt.
Names
Michael, DeAngelo, Vickers, Go, Trixie, Takumi, Herbie, Prix