Ad-Anasian Highway

" That's Great Dragon's Road, fellow traveler, one of the wonders of the world. Those stones are older than most Dragons. When I look at it, I don't see a stretch of wide, empty road; I see a dream unfurled across this great land. A dream of another time, of Dragons divided. Every one of these roads you see forgotten were once roads that led to the heartland of Ad-Anasia. Do not wander long, traveler. This road will try to lead you to a place that never existed- save in their dreams."

— one traveler to another on the Ad-Anasian Highway

Considered one of Pathon's World Wonders, the Ad-Anasian Highway is the largest expanse of road, once covering the face of Pathon. Built during the Ancient Draconic Eras, this vast system of roads was used to connect groups of allied Dragons. Though the Ad-Anasian Highway still exists, the majority of its structure broke apart when the super-continent, Ad-Anasia, was divided. Towering land bridges, great Draconic aeries, ruined pillars, and miles of track crops up from the landscape of Pathon. While most of the highway fell into abandon, the Dragons and many others still use the roads- they either build onto the existing platforms or they use the materials left behind. Parts of the road have been preserved by historical societies as great landmarks.

Purpose / Function

The Ad-Anasian Highway was built to make the overland travel of Dragons easier. Dragons followed the trail of the road across the sky. When they became exhausted from flight, they'd use the Highway to travel by land. Situated at scenic locations, the Dragons constructed great aeries or "roosts", at different checkpoints. Rest areas became popular by Dragons as locales of social interest, where light trading and conversations could commence.

With the roads came economy between the Dragon clans, as trade and commerce quickly became a favorite part of the Dragon's travels. Through the practice of trade, Dragons became closer to one another as discoveries and news could be shared along a great network. The Ad-Anasian Highway was the first evolutionary steps that Dragons took towards becoming the widest land civilization in history.

During the Draconic Eras, Dragons were spread across the four corners of Pathon, by access of the Ad-Anasian Highway.

Alterations

While the vast majority of the Ad-Anasian Highway now lies in ruins, historical societies and Draceologists attempt to protect the legacy of the world's longest road. Areas of great historical significance include those where great battles were fought, or areas where Dragons commonly congregated (such as the roosts or Draconian Tolls).

Other cultures have built rails or roads atop sections of the dismantled highway, using it's network as a guide in the construction of cities, towns and various structures.

Architecture

Where the Ad-Anasian Highway touches the earth, a platform sits atop layers of rocks. Brass and Bronze Dracadian Engineers discovered the process for creating mortar- using their claws, they crushed rocks into dry, sand powder. A trench of about 15-30 ft. wide is filled with a layer of fine lime and sand. Rocks were chosen from specific quarries when processing the sand and blocks used in forming the road. This was due to the components found within acting as a thick, binding agent.

This mixture of the mineral lime, volcanic ash, and sandstone are used to buffer the lower layers of road. While the mortar is wet and tacky, "Gluem" Paste, a byproduct of the Amorpho Gumu or Glumi ooze, is added in controlled quantities. Blocks of mortar hardened with Gluem Paste are incredibly durable, lasting throughout the ages.

While the Dracadians referred to them as simply "blocks", Draceologists now refer to them by their designer, Arcadi Pliny the Brass Dragon. The process for making Arcadian Mortar & Blocks was once a well-kept secret hidden with the confines of Arcadian vaults.

Hewn lumber made sturdy supports for the earthn walls of the road, creating foundations and pillar structures. Molded into the earth, layers of stone were crushed beneath the stomps of Dragon's in large quarry vats. Saltwater was added to the mixture as the Dragons ground the mixture into a mortar. Dragons started referring to this as a ritual known as the "Vu lishi gnar" or the "Pressing Dance" as the mortar would harden quickly if enough energy wasn't spread through the mixture in frenetic stomping and grinding.

By the end of the "Pressing Dance", other Dragons ad interim continue to construct the foundation for the roads. To create their bridges, great wooden arches and boxes were layered with quarry stones and sediment. Volcanic ash and lime were covered in saltwater. Groups of Dragons would coordinate the effort to stretch the bridge by creating strong, sturdy pillar supports. From molds formed of earth, the mortar was added to the construction of beams and towers. Using mortar infused with Gluem, these supports would stick and hold against time and errosion.

Along the Ad-Anasian Highway, rest points were made between local quarry sites and supply areas. Those who rested would often take the opportunity to build on a structure there, such as a roost, before proceeding back to heavier labors. Construction of the road inevitably led to another invention which saved the Dracadians time and energy- the Draconic Chariot. Instead of flying between sites, Dragons could use the Chariot to haul materials with better efficiency.

Over 1200 years, the Dracadians built the Ad-Anasian Highway. By layering the stones and firmly rooting the structures, the roads themselves were wide enough to embody two large passing adult dragons- anywhere between 20-30 feet wide, depending on the local terrain. Supported by towering land bridges and pillars, the Ad-Anasian Highway is truly a testament to the strength and industry of the Noble Dracadians.

Defenses

Along the Ad-Anasian Highway, later structures were made to include Draconian Toll Houses and Dracadian Bastions.

Draconian Toll Houses were used during the Draconian Era to demand tolls and fees from pedestrian Dragons. Whether they chose to fly above the air space of the road or to travel by land, a Draconian would extract a toll for the Hoard of the Dark Dragon. Several soldiers would frequent Toll Houses, collecting the taxed income.

Dracadian Bastions were built during the Dracadian Era, when their armies rebelled against the Dark Dragon. These were crucial in their efforts to take back the Highway and repurpose the Toll Houses.

Tourism

While the roads still remain as a reminder of a long- gone era of war and blood shed, they also serve to remind people of the industry and might of the Dragons. Special tours are held on preserved sites of the road, where the scenic locales invite peoples from all cultures to visit their splendid views. Draceologists protect certain sites in the hopes of recovering ancient artifacts and relics from the Draconic Eras. Particular Dragon Aeries and trail markers have become their own sources of tourist attraction. Guests of these sights take in mountain ranges, distant plateaus, and coastal cliffs from trails of the Ad-Anasian Highway. People follow the path of a road that once connected the entire world.

Related Locations
Ad-Anasia: Supercontinent
Ad-Anasia: Central Sphere
Ad-Anasia: Eastern Hemisphere
Ad-Anasia: Western Hemisphere

Related Articles
Arcadian Mortar & Blocks
Draconic Chariot

RUINED STRUCTURE
Dracadian Era

Founding Date

Draconian Era

Alternative Names

Great Dragon's Road

Type

Highway