Driveres

Driveres is a fictional term used in speculative fiction to describe a class of professionals who operate and maintain advanced vehicles in dangerous or logistically challenging environments. The term is not tied to any single real-world occupation, and its meaning varies between works.

Etymology and usage: The name appears to be formed from the English word driver with the pluralizing suffix -es, reflecting fictional language conventions. Because the term is used across different continuities, there is no universal origin story. In different stories, driveres may be described as part of a broader mobility culture or as a specialized professional caste.

Role and functions: In many depictions, driveres transport people and cargo across hazardous routes, plan routes to minimize risk, and perform routine and emergency maintenance on vehicles and systems. They may also serve as scouts, pilots, or guards, and are often organized into guilds, orders, or crews that govern training, codes of conduct, and mutual aid. Some narratives emphasize a code of honor or a tradition of protecting vulnerable travelers and goods.

Culture and depiction: Driveres are typically portrayed as mobile, resilient, and adept at improvisation. Attire and gear range from rugged utilitarian outfits to sleek high-tech suits, reflecting settings from frontier towns to urban dystopias. Their communities may emphasize apprenticeship, secrecy, or a public-facing role as keepers of safe passage or critical infrastructure.

In fiction and media: The concept appears across novels, role-playing games, and video games, where driveres can be a playable class, a faction, or a narrative device to explore themes of mobility, trust, and dependency on transportation networks.

See also: Driving profession, Guilds, Caravans, Transportation in fiction.