Chariots were a type of two-wheeled, animal-drawn land vehicle.[6][7] They were typically pulled by horses[7] and they provided warriors better protection and maneuverability on battlefields.[8]
Description[]
Single chariots typically measured 5 feet (1.5 meters) by 5 feet (1.5 meters) and were 5 ft (1.5 m) tall, while double chariots were larger at 10 feet (3 meters) by 5 feet (1.5 meters).[3]
Both sizes of chariot normally were capable of reaching speeds of up to 40 miles (64,000 meters) per hour,[3] though ultimately the speed of a chariot was dependent upon the creatures pulling it.[9]
History[]
Calishite warriors battling a beholder from the back of a war chariot.
Throughout the history of Toril there had been many myths and legends that told of chariots flying in the sky. Some scholars believe that many of these stories were accounts of spelljammer sightings.[10]
Prior to the development of chariots by mortals, the Mulhorandi gods Horus, Osiris, and Re all owned magical chariots. Though only Re's would survive the Orcgate Wars.[11]
In the land of Zakhara, chariots dated back to the earliest days of civilization.[12]
The development of the chariot proved to be crucial in the Calimshan Empire's battles against the beholders of the Alimir Mountains between -1280 to −1080 DR. [13][14]
Some time between the First and Second Mulhorandi Empires, around -1048 to -105 DR,[15][16] people in the land of Mulhorand discovered the wheel and soon after developed chariots.[8]
In 729 DR, when the Scaled Horde overran the nation of Impiltur, a nalfeshnee named Drallith "the Poxed" drove a golden chariot pulled by chained chasme.[17]
Following the introduction of the saddle and stirrup to Zakhara, the widespread use of chariots there gradually died out.[12]
In 1359 DR, the army of Bloodstone fielded chariots against their enemies in the Bloodstone Wars.[18]
Varieties[]
- Sea-chariots: a chariot designed for aquatic environments. They were typically used by sea elves and drawn by hippocampi.[19]
- Sky-chariots: a chariot designed for aerial environments. They were drawn by flying creatures, such as griffons.[20]
Notable Chariots[]
Queen Amlaruil's Chariot flies through the sky, pulled by a pair of pegasi.
- Chariot of Nyratiis: a magical chariot that was created by the sea elf wizard Nyratiis.[21]
- Chariot of Re: a magical, golden chariot that belonged to the Mulhorandi god Re.[11]
- Queen Amlaruil's Chariot: a magical chariot that belonged to Amlaruil Moonflower.[22]
Spells[]
There were a handful of spells in the Realms that could temporarily conjure a chariot and steed. These included the following:
- Chariot of Sustarre, an evocation spell tapped into the Plane of Fire to create a fiery chariot pulled by a pair of flaming horses.[23]
- Cloud chariot, a prayer that could conjure forth a chariot pulled by a winged horse, both made out of cloudstuff.[24]
- Death chariot, a clerical spell that allowed Silvanites to summon a fiery chariot pulled by a pair of fiery horses.[25]
Notable Users of Chariots[]
Individuals[]
- Alicia Kendrick was known to be a skilled charioteer.[26]
- Deirdre Kendrick was known to be a skilled charioteer.[27]
- Garb Lludd, a firbolg, rode a chariot that was pulled by a great elk.[28]
- Helyos, a mercenary from the nation of Chessenta, was known to be a skilled charioteer.[29]
- The Master of the Hunt sometimes rode around in a two-horse chariot.[30]
- Nebuseddar, a fighter from the nation of Unther, was known to be a skilled charioteer.[29]
- Sorn, a fighter from the nation of Thay, was known to be a skilled charioteer.[29]
- Theriheb, a paladin from Mulhorand, was known to be a skilled charioteer.[29]
Races & Sentient Creatures[]
- Noble efreeti were known to ride bronze chariots drawn by nightmares.[31]
- Some sea elves drove chariots uniquely designed for aquatic environments.[19]
Regions & Settlements[]
- In Chessenta, Mulhorand, and many other lands the racing of chariots was a popular sport often featured in athletic competitions.[32] The Thulbanian Games were one such competition.[33]
- The Arena of Hillsfar was known to hold chariot races.[34]
- In the city of Calimport, the Arena Efreetum was known to hold chariot races. While they typically held the standard horse-drawn race, they would occasionally use other animals, such as behir or hippogriffs.[35]
- In the city of Cimbar, chariot races were often held in its theaters.[36]
- During the time of Hledh Hellspawn's rule, the fire giants of Maerimydra utilized chariots in the city's coliseum.[37]
- In the Moonshae Isles, the army of the region's High King was known to contain several charioteers.[38]
- On the plane of Netaph, the petitioners of Anhur rode in chariots.[39]
- In Port Nyanzaru, some traveled by means of chariots pulled by hadrosauruses.[40]
- The army of Ravens Bluff kept a small force of war chariots on standby, stored within the fortress Belgard's Stand.[41]
- In the nation of Thay, one could find skeletal horses and other undead beasts pulling heavy chariots, as well as a small number of light chariots that were propelled by merely magic.[42]
- The cavalry units of Unther were comprised entirely of charioteers.[43]
- In the city of Waterdeep, chariot races were a common facet of the annual holiday Plowing and Running.[44]
- By 1367 DR, chariots in Zakhara were mostly used within cities and in showy processions. In this land chariots were most often pulled by camels and elephants, rather than horses.[12][note 1] In the bazaars of this land, a riding chariot could generally be bought for around 150 to 300 gold pieces depending upon how well one haggled.[45]
Religions[]
- Specialty priests of Tempus were typically proficient in riding chariots.[46][47]
- The Celtic god Manannan Mac Lir drove a sea-chariot in his avatar form that was pulled by various sea creatures.[48]
- The Norse goddess Freya drove a chariot that was drawn by two lions.[49]
- The Olympian goddess Demeter drove a chariot that was pulled by two green dragons.[50]
- The Untheric goddesses Inanna and Ishtar both drove flying chariots. Each was drawn by seven enchanted lions.[51]
- The Vedic god Agni drove a flaming, red-gold chariot that was pulled by two giant-sized red horses capable of flight.[52]
- Priests of Waukeen were known to ride in chariots enchanted to float above the ground.[53]
Trivia[]
- The deity Anhur was known to show his favor or disfavor, respectively, by having war chariots seemingly drive themselves or suddenly lose a wheel.[54]
- Those who worshiped the Olympian pantheon believed that each day Apollo carried the sun across the sky with a chariot, though there was no evidence that he owned a chariot.[55][note 2]
- A chariot was one of twenty-two cards featured in a Wroth deck of cards.[56][note 3]
- In Zakharan folktales, the moon was described as the chariot of the goddess Selan.[57]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ Canon material does not provide dating for the Al-Qadim campaign setting. For the purposes of this wiki only, the current date for Al-Qadim products is assumed to be 1367 DR.
- ↑ Across all the editions, no sourcebook has ever listed a chariot as being among the possessions of Apollo.
- ↑ This card is described but not named in the source material. However, the description is nearly identical to the Chariot card from the real-world tarot.
See Also[]
Appearances[]
Adventures
Novels & Short Stories
Referenced only
War in Tethyr
War in Tethyr
Miniatures
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
Gallery[]
A chariot skids out of control as one of its wheels breaks.
Some men ride in a chariot on the cover of The Dragon #15.
A group of deities watch a chariot race of horses and panthers on the cover of Dragon #153.
External Links[]
References[]
- ↑ Gary Gygax, David Cook, and François Marcela-Froideval (1985). Oriental Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 40. ISBN 0-8803-8099-3.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (August 1989). Player's Handbook (2nd edition). (TSR, Inc.), p. 90. ISBN 0-88038-716-5.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt (March 2003). Arms and Equipment Guide 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 56. ISBN 978-0-7869-2649-7.
- ↑ Logan Bonner, Eytan Bernstein, & Chris Sims (September 2008). Adventurer's Vault: Arms and Equipment for All Character Classes. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 18. ISBN 978-07869-4978-6.
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford (2014). Player's Handbook 5th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 157. ISBN 978-0-7869-6560-1.
- ↑ Eric Cagle, Jesse Decker, Jeff Quick, and James Wyatt (March 2003). Arms and Equipment Guide 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 43. ISBN 978-0-7869-2649-7.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Logan Bonner, Eytan Bernstein, & Chris Sims (September 2008). Adventurer's Vault: Arms and Equipment for All Character Classes. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 20. ISBN 978-07869-4978-6.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Scott Bennie (February 1990). Old Empires. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 34. ISBN 978-0880388214.
- ↑ David Cook (April 1995). Dungeon Master Guide 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), pp. 166–167. ISBN 978-0786903283.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend, Dale Donovan (September 1998). Empires of the Shining Sea. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 16. ISBN 0-7869-1237-5.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Scott Bennie (February 1990). Old Empires. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 86. ISBN 978-0880388214.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Jeff Grubb and Andria Hayday (April 1992). Arabian Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 95. ISBN 978-1560763581.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (August 1997). “Book One: Tethyr”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Lands of Intrigue (TSR, Inc.), p. 23. ISBN 0-7869-0697-9.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend, Dale Donovan (September 1998). Empires of the Shining Sea. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 17. ISBN 0-7869-1237-5.
- ↑ Scott Bennie (February 1990). Old Empires. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 4–5. ISBN 978-0880388214.
- ↑ Richard Baker, Ed Bonny, Travis Stout (February 2005). Lost Empires of Faerûn. Edited by Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 62. ISBN 0-7869-3654-1.
- ↑ Brian R. James, Ed Greenwood (September 2007). The Grand History of the Realms. Edited by Kim Mohan, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 100, 101. ISBN 978-0-7869-4731-7.
- ↑ Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson (1987). The Bloodstone Wars. (TSR, Inc), p. 20. ISBN 0-8803-8398-4.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Anne Gray McCready et al. (March 1994). Elves of Evermeet. (TSR, Inc), p. 27. ISBN 1-5607-6829-0.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, et al. (September 2016). Storm King's Thunder. Edited by Kim Mohan, Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 190. ISBN 978-0-7869-6600-4.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars. (TSR, Inc), p. 72. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.
- ↑ Anne Gray McCready et al. (March 1994). Elves of Evermeet. (TSR, Inc), p. 74. ISBN 1-5607-6829-0.
- ↑ David "Zeb" Cook (April 1995). Player's Handbook 2nd edition (revised). (TSR, Inc.), p. 294. ISBN 0-7869-0329-5.
- ↑ Rob Heinsoo, Andy Collins, James Wyatt (June 2008). Player's Handbook 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 70. ISBN 0-7869-4867-1.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 149. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Dale Donovan, Paul Culotta (August 1996). Heroes' Lorebook. (TSR, Inc), p. 12. ISBN 0-7869-0412-7.
- ↑ Dale Donovan (July 1998). Villains' Lorebook. (TSR, Inc), p. 18. ISBN 0-7869-1236-7.
- ↑ Brian R. James (June 2009). “Realmslore: Sarifal”. In Chris Youngs ed. Dragon #376 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 61.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 29.3 Scott Bennie (February 1990). Old Empires. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 70. ISBN 978-0880388214.
- ↑ James M. Ward and Troy Denning (August 1990). Legends & Lore (2nd edition). (TSR, Inc), p. 62. ISBN 978-0880388443.
- ↑ Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. Genie Lore. (TSR, Inc.), p. 23. ISBN 978-1560766476.
- ↑ Scott Bennie (February 1990). Old Empires. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 53, 64. ISBN 978-0880388214.
- ↑ Scott Bennie (February 1990). Old Empires. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 68. ISBN 978-0880388214.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 89. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ Steven E. Schend (October 1998). Calimport. (TSR, Inc), p. 36. ISBN 0-7869-1238-3.
- ↑ Scott Bennie (February 1990). Old Empires. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 53. ISBN 978-0880388214.
- ↑ Will Doyle (2015-08-01). Blood Above, Blood Below (DDEP3) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Rage of Demons (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 62–63.
- ↑ Douglas Niles (November 1987). Moonshae. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 34. ISBN 0-88038-494-8.
- ↑ Colin McComb (October 1996). On Hallowed Ground. Edited by Ray Vallese. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 86–87. ISBN 0-7869-0430-5.
- ↑ Ruty Rutenberg (2016). A Day at the Races (DDAL07-03) (PDF). D&D Adventurers League: Tomb of Annihilation (Wizards of the Coast), p. 7.
- ↑ Alex Lombardi (February 1995). “Poised for War”. In Dave Gross ed. Polyhedron #104 (TSR, Inc.), p. 16.
- ↑ Matt Sernett, Erik Scott de Bie, Ari Marmell (August 2011). Neverwinter Campaign Setting. Edited by Tanis O'Connor. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 215. ISBN 0-7869-5814-6.
- ↑ Scott Bennie (February 1990). Old Empires. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 39. ISBN 978-0880388214.
- ↑ Christopher Perkins, James Haeck, James Introcaso, Adam Lee, Matthew Sernett (September 2018). Waterdeep: Dragon Heist. Edited by Jeremy Crawford. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 185. ISBN 978-0-7869-6625-7.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb and Andria Hayday (April 1992). Arabian Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 88. ISBN 978-1560763581.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb and Ed Greenwood (1990). Forgotten Realms Adventures. (TSR, Inc), p. 32. ISBN 0-8803-8828-5.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 160. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ James M. Ward and Troy Denning (August 1990). Legends & Lore (2nd edition). (TSR, Inc), p. 65. ISBN 978-0880388443.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Rich Redman, James Wyatt (April 2002). Deities and Demigods. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 176. ISBN 0-7869-2654-6.
- ↑ James Ward, Robert J. Kuntz (August 1980). Deities & Demigods. Edited by Lawrence Schick. (TSR, Inc.), p. 68. ISBN 0-935696-22-9.
- ↑ James Ward, Robert J. Kuntz (August 1980). Deities & Demigods. Edited by Lawrence Schick. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 24, 110. ISBN 0-935696-22-9.
- ↑ James Ward, Robert J. Kuntz (August 1980). Deities & Demigods. Edited by Lawrence Schick. (TSR, Inc.), p. 71. ISBN 0-935696-22-9.
- ↑ Julia Martin, Eric L. Boyd (March 1996). Faiths & Avatars. (TSR, Inc.), p. 179. ISBN 978-0786903849.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 97. ISBN 978-0786906574.
- ↑ James Ward, Robert J. Kuntz (August 1980). Deities & Demigods. Edited by Lawrence Schick. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 64–65. ISBN 0-935696-22-9.
- ↑ Erin M. Evans (December 2013). The Adversary. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 145. ISBN 0786963751.
- ↑ Jeff Grubb (August 1992). Land of Fate (Adventurer's Guide to Zakhara). (TSR, Inc), p. 51. ISBN 978-1560763291.