Hundred Days Road

The Hundred Days Road is a trade route that crosses the Aban Steppe. Its eastern terminus is the isolated nation of Rovakhit, while in the west it ends at either the eastern coast of the Phiora Sea or the northern coast of the Kirnashal Sea, depending on which route is taken.

Trade goods

Numerous trade goods are carried along the Hundred Days Road. The inhabitants of Rovakhit have a great demand for spices, silk, and precious metals like gold and silver, while the rest of the world desires the onyx, porcelain, petrified wood, amber, and high-grade horses produced by Rovakhit and other people of the Aban.

History

The Hundred Days Road has existed in some form or another for millennia. It began as a natural route between the peoples of eastern and western Abanir before eventually growing into its current role as a facilitator of trade with those far away from the steppes.

The name of the trade route refers to the time once required to travel it from end to end. For the most part the Aban is considerably safer than it once was, however, and though the name remains in the modern day most can complete their journeys in rather less time.

Geography and route

The route of the Hundred Days Road is in no way fixed. It is a series of general directions rather than a set path, and as such many choose alternative routes that they may believe to be faster or more opportune at the moment. Small cairns built along the way are often the only way travelers have to know if they have stuck to commonly-trafficked paths. However, the trail is consistent enough to talk about directions in broad strokes.

Starting in the east and moving west, the Hundred Days Road begins within the nation of Rovakhit - Rovakhad, the capital, is usually considered to be the starting point. From there it winds its way north along the eastern Cage, avoiding the sands of the Uxtamazata Desert, at least until reaching White Bone Fort where travelers have little option but to traverse the desert. This next 200 mile stretch across the Uxtamazata, from White Bone Fort to Arzatam and the Painted Horse Oasis, is usually considered the most treacherous part of the entire route. After Arzatam travelers can continue onto the Aban Steppe and around to the north side of Mhakan's Trials.

Upon reaching the steppe the Hundred Days Road meanders between a number of fortified cities. For the most part the trail sticks close to the foothills of Mhakan's Trails or along the edge of uplands like the Demon Hills, in order to remain near places that provide more refuge than the open grasslands of the steppe.

At the western end of Mhakan's Trails, travelers have a choice, as the Hundred Days Road splits here. Most continue heading east across the open steppe, but some choose to turn south instead.

The eastern route crosses a massive expanse of the steppe, a region of largely flat grasslands and little else. Though longer, this path is usually considered safer than the southern option. Travelers along the eastern Hundred Days Road are funneled through the gap between the Zakros Range and the Kuzal Mountains and into the orcish lands of Druzda. Many orcish clans attempt to exact tribute from merchant caravans along the Road, something most traders are happy to pay if it allows them to pass unhindered. Upon reaching the coast the trail ends with many possible destinations. Most merchants unload their caravans at Mithridate or Thalatta, with the goods then loaded on ships to be sent across the Phiora Sea, while others continue over land into Pasuhalta & Kamman.

The southern route, meanwhile, turns and ventures into the more lush and forested lands around Tomb Lake. While this area is more populated than the rest of the steppe, and provides a good opportunity to restock any needed supplies, the Road beyond is quite dangerous. Not only are the Broken Wheel Hills the domain of many drakes, but after exiting the hills caravans must contend with the Xuldorai, extremely aggressive giants who use their chariots to easily run down any they see. Assuming one manages to survive, the next step brings them to to the Amshani settlements along the Rusted River and then to the coast of the Kirnashal Sea at Narbanden. Almost all travelers then board ships bound south for Amshan proper.