Baronial Railroad Project

((NOT WINKS))
((Directions for Land Actions at bottom of post))

This posting has been approved by Lois Maxwell, Seneschal of Travance.

Good people of Travance, progress has come to this Barony. With the approval of Baronial leadership, I have begun a project that will greatly increase the flow of trade between the five provinces. Back in my home of Londwyn, we have taken the concept of the small railcars used in mining and adapted it to a much larger scale, developing self-propelled carriages to pull vast quantities of supplies over long distances at a rate much faster than horse-drawn caravans. We call these conveyances "trains" and they travel over networks of rails anchored to the ground with wooden planks, just like in mining tunnels.

While myself and a few others of scientific mind will be developing unique trains that can function cleanly in Travance without offending anyone's traditions or sensibilities, we will need laborers to help not only with the railroads themselves but also the various stationhouses where the trains will stop. The Barony will compensate any who assist with construction at the normal rate of 10 gold for a month's work.

The first stage of this project is simple, building the central stationhouse and railyard. The railyard will be where the trains themselves will be developed and constructed, as well as where the supplies for the railroads will be produced. The stationhouse project will be overseen by Angrin, Baronial Quartermaster, while I myself will oversee the railyard. Until these are complete, nothing else can be done. If you would like to assist, simply meet us at the construction site and we will put you to work.

Thank you for your time.
-William Sterling

((OOG: Directions for Land Actions. As stated above, most of this will take place as Land Actions. If you would like to help, put in a Promote Science action in the location Baronial Estate - Travance Proper. Specific Target will be either Central Stationhouse or Railyard, and Comments should be anything along the lines of "assisting with construction." Once these two aspects are complete I will post updated directions.))

Sself-Propeled?

Self. Teacher Sindarion Man tell me this word. Self is StooL.

This Peeple beside StooL say Propeld is push.

StooL not know Sterling Man. Sterling Man want StooL push caregge?

StooL ask friend PolyP to help! StooL help!

StooL

*the signature is followed by a large, dirty hand print*

Mr Sterling,
I suggest that you arrange a meeting with the Northmen of my land to insure that this project does not offend their traditions. If you survive this meeting I'd say they are not offended.

Risk of harm upon a subject of the Barony suggests that Mr. Sterling be escorted by a member of the Baronial Guard. If you wish it, Mr. Sterling, I will be such a volunteer.


In Service,
Sgt. Nalick DeMonteforte

You of course have my assistance, Mr. Sterling.

-Dr. Nigel Whitworth

Sterling,
I'll see to helping out with what I can do. Also, in the off chance that something near the work sites needs to die, I'm your man.

-Justé

I'm a tad suspicious about this project. How by the spirits do you make a wagon self propelled? Do not the rails prevent you from changing course? How is this safe? What if a train or rock blocks the rails? What if you are laying track and come across sacred land?

You will need to address more of these concerns and explain yourself Londwyn if you expect more of the towns backing.

I thank you to all who have offered assistance so far, though Mr. Stool I would recommend you have someone else such as Mr. Sindarion explain the project to you before promising your aid.

Lord Silverbow, after our discussion the other night I do fully intend to meet with representatives of the Northmen in Pendarvin. If Dame Danae is available during the next feast weekend I will be glad to set aside time to speak with her. Sgt. DeMonteforte I do appreciate your offer however I feel I can defend myself.

-William Sterling

Captain Albatross, your concern over the local sacred lands is valid and is something I actually have already thought of. Before laying a single plank or rail we will of course be planning out each route throughout the Barony. If we run into any significant obstructions, including sections of land held as important by the people nearby, we will simply plan around them.

As to your other points, the mechanism for propelling the trains themselves has long been developed back in Londwyn through the use of steam power. It's a bit much to get into here, but I would be happy to explain when we are able to meet in the Proper. The entire point of the railroad, and what allows it to transport goods so much faster than other methods, is that it does only travel on a single pre-determined course. There will still be people working aboard each train to ensure its operation and security, and so if any obstacles appear on the tracks such as fallen branches or boulders, they will be able to remedy the situation.

If you have any other questions or concerns, Captain Albatross, I encourage you to seek me out in person. You can ask for me by name, which is William Sterling by the way, and I'm the gentleman in a top hat and somewhat disheveled tailcoat.

With all respects
-William Sterling

This does not make me comfortable. I do hope you will not find yourself at odds with Arawyn over this construction, as the conflict would be unpleasant, and be detrimental to all involved.

Caldor

I am with my cousin. I do not like this idea. It sounds destructive, big, and wasteful.

Just because something works for londwyn doesn't mean it will for other places.

Burkhart

To be perfectly honest, I welcome the concerns of those who may see things from differing viewpoints than my own. This project was not approved by the Seneschal lightly. I first conceived of the idea many months ago, and it is only now that work is being started. I assure you that my intentions are purely for the benefit of Travance and its people, and not simply for the purpose of bringing Londwyn ideas to a new land.

Mr. Eirson and Mr. Jarlson, I would be pleased to have a cordial sit-down with either or both of you to go over the concept that the Seneschal and I have in mind. As I said in my original posting, we intend to adapt it to work within the boundaries of Travance's unique diversity. This includes changing the designs of the trains to not produce nearly as much waste as they do in Londwyn, and minimizing as much as possible the effect that the railroad will have on the surrounding landscape. I look forward to speaking with absolutely anyone who has concerns.

-William Sterling

Trains sound interesting. I've never seen steam do anything like that! Is it going to be hard to make the track go around all the trees?

-Midori Suarez
Daughter of Mercy

Midori,

Unlike a cart path or road, I do not believe rails of this "train" will be flexible enough to divert around trees. I expect many trees to fall to axes and saws for no reason other than they were in the way of the railroad.

-Duncan

I have some concerns of my own that I would like to discuss with you. As in we have enough enemies getting here quickly how do we know others will not seek a quicker way to Travance aboard your transport. Please seek me out when you can

I am not aware of commerce being slowed or stymied as things are, and only foresee problems with the new system.

Good luck getting this track through my swamps. From what you have described, I doubt these planks and metal will function in Drega'mire.
But If I hear of a single marsh being filled in to make way for this contraption, we're going to have problems.

Additionally, now that I think of it. This apparatus is likely to be quite loud, is it not? In keeping with other Londwyn devices?
If so, it would appear there is no way to construct this without causing serious disruption and harm to the local life.

Will fauna considered 'dangerous' be killed simply because they are a threat to this train? Even though this device is encroaching upon their territory and they are simply defending themselves? Travance already has serious issues with slaughtering innocent animals that mistakenly stumble into town, and this 'train' will only make things worse.

Have you considered the use of arcane script for a silencing spell that activates from pressure along the rails?

While Annora's candor is much more aggressive than mine, I agree with concern over the potential destruction of my lands.

We discovered that enchanted Aerobark inscribed with the right sigil can hold a great deal of weight and stay afloat in the air. This is how we keep the Tarrasque consistently in flight. This could potentially keep the tracks from needing ground support.

I can consult with you on solutions to some of these problems, as almost all of them are easily solved with some clever application of magical sigils and enchantments.

Depending how fast this train can travel, this might actually be able to help with transporting supplies to and from Valandra into the proper without being robbed by bandits on the caravan trails.

Can't say I know much about the natural sciences. Can say I know more about the finer points of fighting off the back of a mechanized transport then operating one, but I know most rail projects tend to run along rivers-- not through implacable swamps.

Unless of course this ambitious project were taking to a more unorthodox approach in these most unorthodox lands.

In Service to the People,

We are not going to be running this into any of the individual lands without going over the plans with the Lords. Mr. Sterling has several different concepts in mind to work within the unique cultural and ecological requirements of the many types of areas in Travance.

I know that both myself and Mr. Sterling are willing to explain the basic concepts of railroads for those who are curious (although I do ask that if possible you approach in groups; I do not have the time to have the same discussion over and over in a day, and I doubt Mr. Sterling does either - perhaps we can set up a sort of public class on the subject if there is enough interest?).

Allow me to address one comment that Annora made specifically: These are not your lands. They belong to His Excellency, through the Crown.

I will keep in mind your comment about how much you value silence, though.

As the Baron and Seneschal (And likely a few of the Lords) have already approved this project I implore anyone who is at odds with the train to use their time thinking of constructive ways to assist the train in being as environmental and culturally friendly as possible.

I'm sure that the Seneschal and Mr. Sterling would be overjoyed for helpful feedback about how to best construct the train in each area, as it gets approved in new areas over time.

I, for one, have been collecting seeds of the various plant species that are known to filter contaminants out of the air and ground at a swift rate - so that those plants can be planted along the routes to minimize environmental effects. If anyone would like a list of these plants, so they may begin collecting seeds for their areas, feel free to send me a missive.

I would hope the carriage to be quite load. At the speeds you say a metal contraption of the sort would undoubtedly destroy anything that got in its path. If this where to be a silent contraption; one could easily cross its path.

May I suggest you purchase assorted bells and whistles from the local Romani of the areas. In this way it may make a slightly more pleasant sound to the passer by, animal or not, that would be distinct enough to alert those in close areas of the tracks.

***Not Caelvan***



I hope these will not go through any graveyards, or sacred sites.

Many people may get upset if it disturbs the peaceful sleep of the dead.

-Z'Hade Enam Merikh Tazam

---

Lord Aleister,

Would those sigils power the train as well or merely--and not to detract from the promise--cause the train to hover?


-Nalick

With the right application, magic can do a tremendous amount of wonders. Sir Tellinghast and I were just discussing the potential application of a controlled gate network to speed up travel and avoid unnecessary railways.

I can't say I think steam is an effective power source in the slightest bit. In talks I had with Jack about the airship, we came to the conclusion that the use of mercurial inetrium as a catalyst to activate the latent energies within the elemental cores was much more effective when applied across a network of patterned arcane sigils carved into a special type of crystal.

But to answer your question much more simply, yes. That's how the Tarrasque flies.

As the Z'Hade Enam attests, we will not tolerate rails to be placed over graves.

And the entire Barony is filled with graves.

--Mahka

**Not Caelvan**

Mahka,

I ask you do not add meaning to my words. I did not say that I disapprove of this project in the Barony. Simply that I disapproved if it desecrated any graves or holy sites. Until I know more about this, I can not make a decision if I am in favor of this project as a whole or not.

If it is your opinion that you are against this project, then say "I" not we.

You will not speak for all of the people who worship.

-Z'Hade Enam Merikh Tazam

---

Once again, thank you everyone for your concerns and suggestions. I will hear everyone in turn and I promise to be as open as possible throughout this process. Please understand that the actual work that goes into this project is very complex and so as much as I would like to go into detail here, it simply wouldn't be practical. As the seneschal said earlier, we will be happy to sit down and explain the basics to anyone willing to keep an open mind.

Z'Haden Enam Tazam, if you look above to my response to Captain Albatross, you will see that sacred lands, including burial sites, are high on my list of priorities to work around. If there is ever doubt along any route, I will be sure to seek you out.

Lord Tartaros, I look forward to working with you using Mr. Cypher's notes on magitech. Our intention is to fully design the locomotives using the original steam powered schematics first, then work on where we can substitute alternatives from alchemy, magitech, and other special materials. With all due respect, I would prefer not to rely too heavily on pure magic, and rather do what we can to integrate everything. In fact, for the possible branch into Pendarvin, with respect to their population, I would prefer not to use magical sources at all. Again, I look forward to discussing all of this in person.

To everyone else once again I implore you, please keep an open mind. I am committed to keeping this project as clean and low impact on the environment as possible. Having been in Travance for a few years now I am fully cognizant of the unique relationship many of our people have with the land around them, and do not wish to do anything to disrupt that.

Thank you for your time.
-William Sterling

I know these issues will not be addressed here but I only wish to offer them up to add to the list. So far, this construction seems excessive and expensive but I'm willing to hear the arguments.

- Do you have figures on the economic cost/benefit of this project? If the goal is to increase trade are there means that would be much more viable than this?
- Won't these rails be an easy target for our enemies to cripple our supply lines?
- Why wouldn't we just use magical gates which seems far less disruptive to the land and inhabitants?
- Who will own these "trains"? Will traders have to pay the owner of these lines to trade goods along it? Will this tax be added onto the tax requires to run a business in the barony?
- Will areas that do not have depots or stations be left in a void when it comes to trading where as before trading could happen at any point along the roads?
- Will there be a separate tax for each land these rails pass through?
- What if a land or area refuses to allow these tracks to be built? Will a track just suddenly end?

Thank you for addressing the concerns.