Since pollutive technologies don't work outside of Earth?, there are no cars, nor buses or trucks or nuclear-powered boats or jet-propelled aeroplanes or trains — or anything of that sort — anywhere in Elysia? or her sister realms.
These things all continue to exist on Earth itself, but they have never been welcome elsewhere. Instead, Elysians? cling to more traditional (and more fantastic) means of getting around.
But then, who needs a car or a plane when you can walk into a portal and cover the same distances in a heartbeat, or ride a pegasus to work?
Methods of Transportation
Because the portals? only appear in certain areas, Elysians have other means of getting from A to B. Besides walking (and flying? for those with wings), beasts of burden are the most common means of travel, though there are others.
Mounts: | Vehicles: |
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A Note on Roads
There are very few actual roads in Elysia, with most being dirt tracks beaten down by travellers. Even the more popular "roads" are rarely paved, and then only close to a town or city wealthy enough to afford the material.
There are definitely no roads west of the mountains?, and the major roads in the east follow the rivers Cora and Espira? so they can also be used as towpaths.
There is some argument to be had over which is the most dangerous — either following the main roads or staying clear of them. For merchants, who need the more stable tracks so their carts and beasts don't suffer needless damage, the choice is a simple one; but the popularity of the river roads naturally brings the threat of bandits.
Off the main roads, however, one may still encounter such thieves, and monster threats are much more common in the wilds as well.
Travel Times
The chart below gives some examples of the more common routes in Elysia for an idea of just how large the realm is and how long it takes to get from A to B without portals.
Route
(distance travelled) | Means of travel | Average speed | Time taken |
---|---|---|---|
Alexandria? to Danurai?
(2,800 miles) | On foot | 20 miles per day | 4.5 months |
Flying?
(Level 4-5) | 80-240 miles per day | 1 month - 9 days | |
On horseback | 25 miles per day | 3.75 months | |
Taroch caravan | 30 miles per day | 3 months | |
Anka taxi | 1,000 miles per day | 3 days | |
Riding nagrim | 640 miles per day | 4.5 days | |
Espur? to Despina?
(1,600 miles) | On foot | 20 miles per day | 2.5 months |
Flying?
(Level 4-5) | 80-240 miles per day | 18 - 6 days | |
On horseback | 25 miles per day | 2 months | |
Taroch caravan | 30 miles per day | 1.75 months | |
Riding nagrim | 640 miles per day | 2.5 days | |
By polémiko (1,390 knots) | 12.3 knots | 3.5 months | |
Espur? to Marport?
(434 knots) | Karavi | 9.2 knots per hour | 2 days |
Ikoiya | 10.1 knots | 1.5 days | |
Polémiko | 12.3 knots | 1.25 days | |
Cloud Palace? to Acheron's Fort?
(1,500 miles) | On foot | 20 miles per day | 2.5 months |
Riding azani | 35 miles per day | 1.5 months | |
Flying?
(Level 4-5) | 80-240 miles per day | 18.75 - 6 days | |
Anka taxi | 1,000 miles per day | 1.5 days | |
Riding nagrim | 640 miles per day | 2.25 days | |
Fae Tree? to Rowan Caverns?
(20 miles) | On foot | 12 miles per day | 1.5 days |
Flying?
(Level 4-5) | 80-240 miles per day | 15 - 4 minutes | |
Riding nagrim | 80 miles per hour | 15 minutes |