Mercenary War Chariots

For many Carrion kingdoms, chariots are the ruler’s pride and joy - second only to their war beasts. It is not uncommon for many Carrionites themselves to travel exclusively on chariots, the quality and extravagance being symbolic of the Carrionite’s success and status. Visiting Carrion Kings are often accompanied by a parade of their entourage, showcasing their immense power and riches. Giant desert beats accompany legions of servants and cars of gold, all of it followed-up by the Carrion King themself atop their most extravagant chariot.
They are not exclusively used by the avian rulers of the Dead Sands though. Chariots work remarkably well in desert warfare, possessing incredible speed and, unlike regular cavalry, armour to protect the riders from stray missiles. It is to no surprise then that most Carrion Kings field divisions of war chariots manned by groups of mercenaries. These chariots are nowhere near as expensive or extravagant as the ones ridden by the Carrionites, however they are still useful and formidable platforms. Heralded by great dust clouds, war chariot divisions are able to target weaker spots of an enemy formation without fearing retaliation. Their excellent speed also gives them the option of harassing the enemy from afar or charging in with a devastating shock attack.
== Variants ==
Though they serve the same general purpose, some units in a country's military are given different equipment, in order to serve slightly different functions in the overall army. The severity and size of these differences varies on a case-by-case basis. Some units are given only slightly different weapons, whereas others are given new and unique technology.
=== Spearmen ===
Most war chariots are ridden by simple mercenaries and thus are best used in melee warfare, wielding spears or (more commonly) khopesh halberds. This role is very ‘high-risk, high-reward’ as their lack of heavy armour means that they can be surrounded and destroyed if they become bogged down. That being said, if a general uses them properly, targeting weaker or wavering parts of an enemy formation, these chariots can be devastating. Savaging the foe with rending, powerful strikes, it is typically enough to cause the enemy to break entirely.
=== Archers ===
A skilled marksman will likely have the ability to accurately fire shots whilst on the move. In these cases, they will often be placed on horseback or atop a chariot, where they act as skirmishing units. From the chariot’s elevated platform, these archers have unparalleled opportunities to fire upon the enemy. Divisions of war chariots are often fielded in relatively small numbers, meaning that they will not match the mass volleys of regular archer units, but their speed makes them perfect for precise attacks from unexpected areas.