Vardo Wagons (update name)

Au'Kael tend to live and travel in wagons, seldom using tents or other temporary shelters. These wagons, called Vardos, are often built to be self-enclosed rooms with many built-in amenities. Seats, beds, shelves, storage areas, even portable kitchen hearths can be built into these. The purpose is to both provide a comfortable and secure living space, but also to let the bands carry their possessions with them.

The stereotypical Vardo is a wagon is typically made of wood, riding atop large wheels that can accommodate various terrains. The roof that encloses the interior, and typically there are assorted windows and skylights, along with a chimney or other ventilation opening. Vardos are typically very elaborately decorated with paint, carvings, and other aesthetic touches, and are a central focus of creative energies within the Veldt and some of the diaspora communities abroad.

In more modern times, wagons can be built incorporating large amounts of metal and synthetics to provide strength and save weight. There are also increasing incorporation of portable power cells and modern amenities like lights, cooking appliances, remote network connections, powered tools, and sometimes even repulsors to make wheels unnecessary. But the majority of Vardos are still built in very traditional ways, just incorporating minor modern conveniences.

The wagons are traditionally pulled by draft animals, most often one or two Khori’s, as the larger animals make it easier to draw the heavier loads. Sometimes teams of Parahsi can be used in the same way, and right before the Veldt War there was the appearance of small micro tractors and skims that could pull them. In recent times, if the wagons are not pulled by draft animals, they are typically built as stand-alone vehicles with engines and a separate cab to steer and operate it with.

In addition to the Vardos themselves, traveling bands will usually have several other wagons for more utilitarian purposes. Wagons with canvas-tops are commonly used to transport supplies, and are often built to be modular in order to provide a myriad of uses and applications. (Covered Wagons) Further, in recent years, with the adoption of Skim Bikes for pastoral work, it may also be common to see a larger, mostly hollow type vehicle used to park skims inside of, as well as typically housing tools to be the main workshop for the band while on the road. (Toy Hauler)

When an Au'Kael band makes camp, they typically circle their wagons, forming a large central space in. Sometimes they can use brush and scrub to create barriers in between the wagons, to form a more secure central space to pen animals or for protection. There is usually one part of the central area where the smaller food preparation wagon is parked, near a central fire, and where most of the band spends spare time working or recreating. Often one or more supply wagons can be broken down to create seating decks, cannopies and windbreaks around the fire.