Shared Rider Automatons are compact clockwork conveyances, a network of low-profile steam-and-clockwork transport platforms designed to carry two to six people. They consist of a squat rolling chassis with seasonal runners/wheels, a padded standing platform, handholds, and a forward-mounted, permanently integrated Operating Automaton. They are the normal, non-optional method of transit.
Directional Operation: A passenger points to steer. Pointing left makes it veer left; pointing forward accelerates it. Vague pointing causes hesitation. Multiple people pointing leads to physical negotiation. The automaton interprets confidence and group consensus. Verbal directions are ignored unless shouted with conviction.
The Running Automaton: The humanoid Operating Automaton has legs that piston rapidly beneath the chassis, with steam venting rhythmically. Bells or whistles signal speed changes. Its facial expression adjusts to strain; passengers prefer when it looks tired. A Rider that glides too smoothly makes people uneasy.
You Do Not Ride Alone (Unless You Must): Taking a Shared Rider alone is discouraged—it feels lonely, looks selfish, and wastes effort. Solo riders are often silently joined by strangers mid-route. This is normal.
Mounting Is Cooperative Chaos: Boarding is not orderly. People hop on mid-motion, pull others aboard, and shift positions constantly. Complaining about balance is your fault. Falling off is embarrassing but not serious unless you stop the Rider.
The Courtesy Lean: When Riders turn sharply, passengers lean together instinctively. Leaning the wrong way marks you as new. Not leaning at all is worse.
Do Not Apologize to the Automaton: Thanking the automaton is normal. Apologizing is strange—it implies guilt, misuse, and unwanted inspection.
Talking to the Automaton Is Encouraged: Common phrases include: “You’re doing great,” “Almost there,” or “Ignore them, they always point like that.” Affectionate insults are allowed. Threats are not funny and make the ride uncomfortable.
Riders Do Not Stop Quickly: Stopping involves steam venting, skidding, shouting, and sometimes mild collisions. People prepare by bracing or kicking each other into better positions. Demanding an immediate stop marks you as dramatic.
Crashes Are Handled Casually: Minor collisions happen constantly. Standard responses are: “We’re fine,” “That was on me,” or “Anyone lose anything?” Major concern only arises if the automaton stops smiling.
Modi Synchronization: Shared Riders subtly synchronize with the city's central Modus Primus for traffic flow and congestion. During a Noel Modus activation, they gain decorations, speed up slightly, and the automatons become more enthusiastic. This is never announced.
District Behavior Differences:
Lumos District: Riders are flashy, louder, prone to showboating.
Maestro District: Movement is smooth and rhythmic; automatons hum or sing.
University District: Riders stop unpredictably due to foot traffic and arguments.
Ginger-Crust Commons: Riders are overloaded with food and children.
Near Silentia routes: Riders become quieter and less responsive. No one discusses this officially.
Payment Is Vague on Purpose: Riders accept coins, snacks, compliments, gifts, or “I’ll get you next time.” Overpaying is awkward. Underpaying is corrected socially later. Some automatons are clear favorites and receive better treatment.
Regular Riders Are Recognized: Automatons remember frequent passengers, habitual directions, and people who fall off a lot. This memory is not acknowledged but is absolutely present.
If a Rider circles the same block twice, someone must change who’s pointing.
If the automaton slows dramatically, people get off without asking.
If it starts running backwards, everyone pretends this is fine until it fixes itself.
Calling a mechanic mid-ride is considered excessive.
Raverie is slippery, crowded, constantly under construction, and emotionally allergic to silence. Shared Riders keep people together, prevent isolation, turn transit into a social act, and make danger feel communal instead of personal. They are not the safest option. They are the correct one.
Shared Rider Automatons are how Raverians move through their city: together, slightly off-balance, pointing confidently in directions they only half understand, trusting a cheerful clockwork runner not to let go. Walking alone is possible. Standing still is allowed. But to belong, you grab the rail, lean with the group, and point like you mean it.