Land travel in Metaphaze is dominated by the caravan.
Providing support and protection from the evils that lurk in the areas between the cities,
the caravan is the most protective of all modes of travel across the lands of Metaphaze. As a fine art, the caravans have developed a world unto themselves and any seasoned traveler will be quite familiar with the variety of caravans available in the various land areas of Metaphaze. Many caravans carry the banners of the more common and not so common trading companies of Metaphaze. When in need, a caravan is as good a place to shop as any city stores.
Wagons that compose the Metaphaze caravans are a 6-wheel variety. They are large,
and require 6-8 teams of oxen or sturdy horses to pull. On occasion, some caravans
hook wagons together into 5 or 10 wagon trains and pull them with magically enhanced
beasts some of which are giant-sized in proportion. These long trains tend to stick
to straight and level roads.
Caravans of Eporue
Being one of the most civilized areas in the Metaphaze world, the caravans of Eporue are among the smallest. Traveling quickly from city to city, these caravans utilize their small size to avoid any waiting danger. Too small to bring much attention to themselves, and moving too quickly to be stopped, they deliver their trade goods with a confident success.
Eporue being the most prosperous area in Metaphaze is blessed with a fairly safe environment for the pursuit of trade.
Typical Makeup
A typical caravan in Eporue is composed of 1 to 10 major wagons, no more than 25 smaller wagons and a population of no more than 100 people.
Protection
Protection of a caravan in Eporue takes the form of well armed merchants and a few hired mercenaries. Many of the merchant houses pay considerable armed bodies of men who routinely administer the merchant house's security as needed.
Caravans of Acirema and Acirfa
Moving around the borders of Acirema and through the jungles of Acirfa are the caravans of these two continents. While the land sports many hidden and obvious dangers, the caravans roll on to their destinations.
The more impressive wagon trains will be found traveling in these areas.
Typical Makeup
Acirema and Acirfa sport caravans composed of 10-20 large wagons and up to 100 smaller wagons with a population not over 500.
Protection
Protection of these caravans can be a mix of internal armed merchants and hirelings as well as hired protectors. Neither system is preferred over the other and most caravans encountered in this area will sport one or the other system. Smaller, less profitable operations will lean towards the armed merchant solution, while the larger caravans will sport at least one unit of finely outfitted mercenaries.
Caravans of Aissur
While the caravans of Eporue, Acirema and Acirfa are routine in both their structure as well as their destinations, the caravans of Aissur are totally different. Destinations for most caravans are undecided until they are out on the land. Generally traveling in great loops that may take months to complete, the caravans of Aissur have no specific destination other than to return to their starting point some time months down the road. Aissur caravans are enormous, complex mixes of vehicles, creatures and personalities.
Many of the wagons pulled around the Aissur plains are magically enchanted and are enormous in size. Many are like miniature castles, fortified and fully capable of withstanding any onslaught encountered in the plains of Aissur.
Typical Makeup
The typical Aissur caravan is composed of at least 50 major merchant wagons, 200 or more smaller wagons, and a population of around 1,000 people.
Protection
Protection of an Aissur caravan is a complex blend of military savvy as well as beaurocratic finesse. Mercenary units are most popular for this duty since they are paid and work for whom they receive their pay from. Their loyalty is only as good as the salary they draw from their employer. Mercenaries hired to protect the caravans earn the most from this dangerous duty and when relieved, find that they have earned every gold piece in their possession. Even though it is dangerous duty, this does not stop mercenaries from coming from the four corners of the world to do their service.
Ailartsua and Nekorb
Aliartsua and Nekorb because of their island nature do not support travel by caravan. Instead these areas concentrate travel via ship or by air.