The Sword Road

This muddied trail (hardly a road at all) is constantly patrolled by Nyrondese troops in groups of 22-60 soldiers (including I d4 + I officers, fighters of levels 4-7). Supply wagons fight through the mud bringing food, clothes, and weaponry, constantly reprovisioning the many militia posts along the road. Here, as fast as funds allow, earthwork defenses and fortified militia posts are being erected. This work is very similar to Furyondy's Flare Line, but work here is being done at a much slower and less efficient pace.

Anyone approaching within a mile or so of the road will be approached very swiftly by troops. If they are not busy on the king's business, will be brusquely turned back westward. Troops along this road have some important magical resources available to them, in addition to the priests and mages who assist the army. The most noteworthy of these is Holmgren's Stone, a wheel of flint which can sharpen metallic edged weapons (up to 50 per day) and impart a magical quality of + I enchantment for 12 + it 12 hours for each weapon. However, the mages and priests in Archbold's service are also careful to use "flashy" spell effects to improve morale. For example, a heroes' feast spell may be employed to feed and succor ordinary troops, a fabricate spell may be used to craft finished items from raw materials before the eyes of the soldiers, or monster summoning/ messenger spells used to recruit animal helpers. Troops may be fed on gooseberries enchanted before their eyes. Most such actions are really only for show, but spell casters understand their effect on the minds of ordinary soldiers. Priests and wizards don't just sit around waiting to blast orcs with fireballs, they use their spells constantly to support and supply the army and maintain its morale.