Chronicles of Sha'Lazar

The means of transportation are varied, but afforded little comfort to the traveler. And if life in a village or town is fraught with dangers, a life travelling is much more so. Travelling in company reduces the risks. While an expedition numbering hundreds of men and often accompanied by armed soldiers has little to fear from wild beasts or robbers, a lone traveler in a region where he is unknown and the population sparse, is vulnerable.

Regardless of terrain, or types of water travel, travelers also have to deal with the danger of outlaw attacks, which are more common at night. Bandits favor groups of travelers that seemed small enough to take on, as well as stragglers from larger groups. Another method of thievery is the confidence trick. A thief will make friends with travelers via the disguise of a priest and then rob them.

Travelling also added such dangers as exposure due to bad weather, difficulty finding food and putting up with bad food. Finding food can be difficult, even if you made it to a village or city, as one place could have lots of food, while another was stricken with famine.

Also, the geography of an area that a traveler traveled through posed problems. They might face crossing the mountains, the desert, the dense jungle, or even trying to overcome obstacles such as rivers. Added to this would be weather conditions that could make the terrain more difficult to cross.

People probably have a reasonably good knowledge of their vicinity, of the watering holes, villages, or towns that can be reached in a day's march or so. What lay much further afield is mostly of academic interest to them, as reasons for long distance journeys are few and far between, unless one is an official, a soldier, or a merchant. But for these, an education in geography may well have been indispensable.

Maps could help travelers to find their way. The principle of cartography is known, but does not result in usable maps. The closest the ancients came to systematically collecting geographical data is in the composition of itineraries, which contained names of towns and distances between them. But at times the terrain is, feature deficient, if not featureless; and even maps will not be of much use. Then the travelers have to rely on other means for navigation such as observing the stars which are visible most nights:
The camel-merchants travel in the night, directing their course by observing the stars.

Besides, criminal activity and weather hazards, the condition of the roads in general (if any are available) is normally poor. Most roads are mere animal trails, where there could be no signs or wrong signs. For the few well-maintained roads, travelers often had to pay a toll to use them.

But on land one had best know one's way, above all, when there is little to distinguish the road (if any) from its surroundings.
--- In the jungle, most routes of travel are animal trails. At best, well-worn paths by humans could be distinguished as roads.
--- In the desert areas, landmarks are erected to mark the route between oases; the ancient Rash’ani Amirs set up milestones along some of the desert routes.
--- In themountainous regions, travelers will often have to negotiate small, narrow animal paths or seek passes thru higher elevations.

Travelling on the rivers is the preferred way to get around, certainly if distances are large or one had to transport goods. A peasant might make himself a papyrus raft to get to the market place, but to go farther one would join a more substantial craft plying its trade along the rivers. Upon the rivers, one could hardly lose one's way, the options are limited: either up- or downriver, left or right riverbank. The Great Ocean with its great number of hazardous coasts and open waters is a bit more difficult to navigate.

Few natural dangers threaten the traveler on the water. There are, of course, hippos and crocodiles, but if one kept well clear of them, one would be safe even in an easily overturned reed raft, let alone a river boat. Then again one might run onto a sandbank, but that would hardly sink one's ship, unless one sailed recklessly. Sea journeys are a different matter. Travelers, who travel the Great Ocean have to contend with storms, which might throw them onto the rocky Sha’Lazar coasts, or local rulers who treat travelers in an arbitrary and erratic manner.

Sea travel was easier than land travel. However, overcrowding, rats, bad food and fleas all contributed to make boats an unhealthy place to be. Seasoned travelers brought a small apothecary with them, examples of which are figs and ginger. Anyone unlucky enough not to get a spot to sleep on the deck had to sleep in the hot and smelly space beneath the deck.

Another danger that travelers faced if they traveled by boat was pirates.

Walking:

The average man, without pushing himself too hard, can travel approximately 20 miles per day over flat terrain on a clear day.

The major means of getting about is, not surprisingly, by foot, and literally so. People use sandals, but when walking long distances, they seem to carry them in their hands and put them on when arriving at their destination.

Most elderly people use walking-sticks at times, as do travelers. Do not walk the road without a stick in your hand, as the stick probably serves both as a weapon against robbers and as much as a walking aid.

Men generally carry loads on yokes, on their backs or on their shoulders. Women balance them on their heads or support them with their hips.


Litters:

The better-off travel occasionally in litters or Carrying Chairs that are borne by men, usually slaves, but sometimes they are apparently adapted and strapped to the back of beasts of burden (donkeys, camels, or elephants) as a sort of primitive saddle… or litters consisting of a canopy-covered armchair to which four long poles are fixed. This can be small carried by 4 men, or ceremonial litters carried by twelve men, an honor vied for by princes and nobles. The average littered man, with changes in carriers, can travel approximately 12 miles per day over flat terrain on a clear day.


Chariots:

For their daily use, the wealthy preferred the chariot, with fine, well-bred horses harnessed to it. Expensive to keep, they are not a popular means of transportation and serve only the elite and the military. The average speed of a chariot is 100-120 miles per day.


Carts:

Wheeled vehicles running on disk wheels, with the axle and lynch pin clearly displayed are called “carts” and are used for transporting goods and cattle. The bigger the party, the slower the traveling. Carriages and carts are slower as well as the horse has more of a burden. Remember to adjust for different types of terrain as well. The average speed of a cart is 15-17 miles per day.


Sledges:

Wheeled vehicles are never widely used and for heavy loads they are not strong enough. Giant statues and the like are loaded onto wooden sledges with rollers and dragged by large numbers of men on packed, sun-baked soil. The average speed of a loaded and rollered-sledge is 7-10 miles per day.


Beasts of Burden:

---- Donkeys are domesticated and employed extensively for carrying loads and, less commonly, for riding. The average endurance of a burdened donkey is 15-18 miles per day.

---- Mules, the breeding of a jackass (male donkey) with a female horse (mare), are taller than donkeys and more amenable. The average endurance of a burdened mule is 25-35 miles per day.

---- Horses are occasionally used as beasts of burden. The average endurance of a burdened horse is 20-25 miles per day.

---- Camels grow to seven feet tall and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. They mature at the age of 17 and live up to 50 years. They are usually dark brown to dusty gray in color; however, white camels do occur. Camels are often ill-tempered and are known to spit at people, bite, and kick. The camel is well adapted for life in the desert. It feeds on desert vegetation and can go without water for up to three weeks. Loaded pack camels can travel for three or four days without water. The secret of the camel's endurance is its ability to conserve water. Its body temperature, unlike that of most mammals, is not constant; instead, it rises during the heat of the day, eliminating the need to sweat or pant and thus conserving water. In addition, little water is excreted in its urine and feces. The camel has flat, broad feet that enable it to stand on top of sand without sinking. Each foot has two toes with small nails. Tough, horny pads on the feet, chest, thighs, and knees protect the skin from burning when the camel lies down on the sand. Double rows of long, thick eyelashes protect the camel's eyes from glare and sand. The slit-like nostrils can be closed during sand or dust storms. The camel's hump contains fat, which sustains the animal during times when food is scarce. If the camel goes for a long period without food, the hump will collapse. It takes three to four months of normal eating for the hump to return to its normal size and shape. The Arabian camel is adapted to deep sand and extreme heat. It can carry up to 400 pounds on a four-day trip, covering about 40 miles a day. Camels bred for racing can run at speeds of about 8 miles per hour. Arabian camels have short, woolly hair and a slender build. They are more docile and easier to train than Bactrian camels. The Bactrian camel is adapted to snow and extreme cold. Its coat is denser and its foot pads thicker than those of the Arabian camel, allowing it to withstand cold winters. The Bactrian camel can carry loads of up to 1,000 pounds for short distances. It is endangered because of indiscriminate killing by nomads for its meat, which is used as food, and its skin, which is used to make leather. The average endurance of a burdened camel is 40-45 miles per day.

---- Oxen - Oxen were simply bulls of various breeds. They were castrated young to make them more manageable and were at their best between 5 and 8 years of age. Young and/or untrained oxen presented plenty of problems to the teamsters. They weighed about 1,000 pounds. Oxen were yoked in pairs, with two to four pair per wagon. Their normal speed of two mile per hour was a comfortable speed for the thousands who walked along with the wagons.

---- Elephants - Elephants swim well, but cannot trot, jump, or gallop. They do have two gaits: a walk; and a faster gait that is similar to running. In walking, the legs act as pendulums, with the hips and shoulders rising and falling while the foot is planted on the ground. With no “aerial phase”, the faster gait does not meet all the criteria of running, as elephants always have at least one foot on the ground. 5 mph, elephants can reach speeds up to 25 mph.


Ferries:

The canals and shallower river arms can generally be crossed by wading or, if they are too wide and deep, by ferry boat. Fording them is never completely without risk as hippos and crocodiles are ever-present.

Bridges, outside and distanced from the cities, while not unknown, are rare and not long enough to span the rivers.

During the season of inundation (flood), getting around is more difficult. One of the moral duties of the nobility and the wealthy in general is the ferrying across the river of people who have no boat. (Other duties are the feeding of the hungry and clothing of the poor, and, as happens with most moral obligations, probably are rarely observed). Some make sure that the gods will know that they had obeyed them in this life. Of course, there is no mention that these services are provided free of charge.

The average speed of the ferry is 1-2 miles per hour.


Water Craft:

Rafts, boats, and ships are the main means of transportation.

The speed of travelling on the river depends on the direction of the journey, the strength of the wind, and the current, the type craft, and its crew. The average speed sailing up-river is 20 - 30 miles per day depending upon certain conditions.

While navigation on the rivers is quite safe, the open sea is a different matter. The primary vessel for open seas is the Trireme. Sailors prefer to sail close to the shore, landing at nightfall. It takes the special and adventurous seaman to navigate over the open sea and away from known lanes.

In summer northwesterly winds prevail, therefore open sea journeys often take place from late spring to early autumn, when conditions are most favorable.

Triremes speed on open water was a maximum of 11 miles per hour (mph) for short periods of time, for example during ramming speeds. Leisurely speeds cruised about 7 mph. And continuous speeds, with the crew rotating for long distances, was maximized at 4 mph, and at best provided 30 miles per a 10-hour day.

Ships sailing before the wind could reach speeds of about 6 miles per hour; i.e. at best somewhat more than 110 miles per 18-hour day.

Malli’ayad Empire
Malli'ayad (capital city) to El Matamir, Mis'aru :: 6,400 km (4,000 mi) /
220 miles per 18-hour day = 18 – 20 days

Malli'ayad (capital city) to Adienne, Hamada :: 1,040 km (650 mi) /
220 miles per 18-hour day = 2 - 3 days

Malli'ayad (capital city) to Battai, Canas :: 2,688 km (1,680 mi) /
220 miles per 18-hour day = 4 - 5 days

Malli'ayad (capital city) to Ghyad, Acacus :: 5,840 km (3,650 mi) /
220 miles per 18-hour day = 10 - 12 days

Malli'ayad (capital city) to Arcadia, Tamazgha, Acacus :: 8,790 km (5,493 mi) / 220 miles per 18-hour day = 23 - 25 days


Kingdom of Red Hamada
North to South :: 1,504 km (940 mi)
East to West :: 570 km (360 mi)
Adienne to Dva :: 715 km (445 mi)
Dva to Chi’tadre :: 835 km (520 mi)
Chi’tadre to Tre :: 645 km (405 mi)
Tre to Adienne :: 870 km (545 mi)


Isle Mis’aru
North to South :: 1000 mi – 1600 km
East to West :: 1365 mi – 2184 km
Mu’ud, Canas to El Matamir, Isle Mis’aru (up the river) :: 730 mi – 1177 km
El Matamir to Alamein :: 575 mi – 920 km
El Matamir to Salamut :: 420 mi – 672 km
El Matamir to Zafira :: 1030 mi – 1648 km
El Matamir to Faiyun :: 462 mi – 739 km
Faiyun to Dar El Salam :: 1010 mi – 1616 km
El Matamir to Ras Gharib :: 430 mi – 690 km
El Matamir to Qantara :: 670 mi – 1072 km
El Matamir to Dar El Salam :: 680 mi – 1088 km -
El Matamir to Mansura :: 950 mi – 1520 km
El Matamir to Port Aswan :: 800 mi – 1280 km
Qantara to Faiyun :: 350 mi – 560 km
Qantara to Alamein :: 700 mi – 1120 km
Qantara to Ras Gharib :: 755 mi – 1208 km
Ras Gharib to Salamut :: 660 mi – 1056 km
Salamut to Zafira :: 745 mi – 1190 km
Zafira to Mansura :: 735 mi – 1175 km
Mansura to Port Aswan :: 725 mi – 1160 km
Port Aswan to Alamein :: 715 mi – 1145 km


Arcadia, Tamazgha, Acacus
Arcadia to Battai :: 3150 mi – 5065 km
Arcadia to Ty’re :: 1520 mi – 2450 km
Arcadia to Marsala :: 635 mi – 1025 km
Arcadia to Samadir :: 790 mi – 1270 km
Samadir to Al Manifa :: 690 mi – 1125 km
Arcadia to Kyrenaice :: 1405 mi – 2260 km
Arcadia to Al Manifa :: 1430 mi – 2305 km
Al Manifa to Utica :: 1345 mi – 2165 km
Utica to Kyrenaice :: 1665 mi – 2680 km
Utica to Mu’ud :: 710 mi – 1145 km
Mu’ud to El Matamir, Isle Mis’aru (up the river) :: 730 mi – 1177 km