Imperial Roadway

The Imperial Roadway is a vast system of roads throughout the Forstem officially built and maintained by the Empire.

History
In 243, Viktor III was successfully petitioned by a group of Guilds to begin the creation of the Imperial Roadway. With it part funded by the Guilds themselves, work began in 245, after two years of design were performed. The roads were first bit connecting some of Vassas' more remote villages, to test the design, before success lead to the commencement of work on the Great Central.

After the death of Viktor III in 270, work on the roads slowed.

Design
An simple yet effective design was used throughout the Empire. A ditch the size of the road would be dug, and the earth left below would be packed and rammed tight. Atop this would be a series of finer and finer stones until a light gravelly texture was left at the top. Completed with stones marking the edge of the road, which also prevented the road becoming to mixed with mud., dirt and the like during rainstorms. The design was used throughout the Empire, with some variety to account for local resoources available, usually changing the stone used.

Milestones and Waymarkers
To allow for more effective navigation and throughout the Roadway, milestones are placed every five miles on the roads, each one indicating the distance from Vassas. Alongside these milestones are waymarkers, which range from simple wooden signs to stones which indicate the next settlement, and often the compass bearing the roads was heading in.

Inns and Stations
A selection of privately owned travellers inns sprung up along the major routes, with the Great Central boasting one Inn at least every fifteen miles, allowing for travellers to rest under a roof every night. The Roadway inns often also provided stabling and new horses, which allowed for those in need of great speed to change to a fresh horse every inn in exchange for a small fee, and their old horse.

Stations along the roads provide mandated shelter for Imperial agents, and those willing to pay a small fee. While often simpler then inns and more expensive, most stations have, at least, guarded outer walls.