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Paved With Good Intentions

Posted by Apostate on 01/08/19
The Great Road has become a popular cause in recent times, a project spearheaded by Lord Kaldur Seliki to establish a great unifying road to ease trade between the different domains of mainland Arvum. It's a noble goal, as the current systems of dirt paths that pass for roads are unreliable and dangerous, and the Knights of Solace lend their support in attempting to establish waystations along the truly monumental project. The reality, even initially, is far more difficult, as much of the land that the road would pass over is occupied by Abandoned even if though it is ostensibly Compact land. While the road is being built, few of the Abandoned contest the overwhelming force, and this gives rise to optimism that the Knights of Solace would be able to keep it mostly safe, even as most local lords do not wish to commit their own forces to constantly patrolling a new road through their lands, some refuse it to be built at all fearing provoking the Abandoned, and some encourage it to be built precisely to provoke their ancestral enemies.

But built it is, and at first it seems to go well, but the raids start almost immediately, and it's simply too big for the Knights of Solace to keep safe. And as caravans are slaughtered, and some turn to sellswords, and in turn Abandoned raids becoming increasingly large, while local lords launch punitive expeditions. Trade is the lifeblood of commerce in the Compact, but in this case it might also be kindling, and the Great Road will be the spark.

The good news is that trade does spike significantly, and many domains see gains as a result. Fame and admiration for the shear breadth of the project is gained by those who supported it. But whether it will be worth it will be an open question, as reports of violence start to come in. And that will be something all involved will need to ask themselves. The Great Road was built by Lord Kaldur Seliki, Lady Peri Seliki, Lady Kalani Seliki, Marquessa Samantha Deepwood, Duchess Grazia Rubino, Marquessa Rhea Acheron, Dame Thena Grayhope, Duchess Ann Crovane, Lord Michael Bisland, Lord Grady Deepwood, Duke Gabriel Bisland, Count Giulio Corvini, Marquis Malesh Stonewood, Prince Fecundo Valardin, Archlector Etienne Telmar, Lord Eddard Clement, Lord Bedivere Whitehawk, Marquis Ruslan Volkov, Lady Rey Laveer, Countess Mia Riven, Mirella Fiorelli, Lady Sudara Pravus, Tenebrae, Lady Carissa Malespero, Duchessa Belladonna Pravus, Lord Sebastian Pravus, Lady Celeste Pravus, Lady Mikani Redreef, Baroness Skye Blackshore, Lord Dycard Blackshore, Lord Archeron Tyde, Lord Mirk Halfshav, Count Magnus Stahlben, Volcica Stahlben, Lord Cadern Ravenseye, Lord Col Steelhart, Count Philippe Blanchard, Lady Eshra Rivenshari, Marquessa Sasha Sanna, Marquis Gaston Blackram, Lord Alessandro Greenmarch, Lady Jenessa Lyonesse, Marquessa Reigna Keaton, Lady Olivia Ashford, Lady Lilia Telmar, Lady Tessa Moore, Baron Kritr Clearlake, Seymour Oak, Baronessa Lucita Saik, Princess Sabella Grayson, Princess Tikva Grayson, Prince Niklas Grayson, Princess Jaenelle Velenosa, Lady Jennyva Shepherd, Lady Teagan Blackram, Sir Andry Bayweather, and King Alaric Grayson IV.