Trains

Imperial trains are the backbone of inexpensive overland travel across Orpheus. Fueled by Aetherium and bolted to Magitech tracks, these trains allow for mass transport of Indents, soldiers, and resources between major cantons, mining operations, and frontier towns like Brimstone.
While efficient, they follow fixed routes, making them predictable and vulnerable to raids or sabotage. Trains are often guarded, and travel is heavily regulated, especially in volatile areas.

Core Stats (for Hex Travel)
Range: 60–120 miles/day
Hex Travel: 3–7 hexes/day
Power Source: Aetherium powered or elemental engine
Track Type: Fixed, pre-existing Imperial lines
Vulnerability: High (ambushes, sabotage, monster attacks)

Train Types

Indent Transport

Standard-issue train used to move large numbers of workers between cantons and sites.
AC: 16
HP (per car): 100
Speed (Combat): 30 ft per round
Capacity: 60 Indents per car
Cars: Engine + 4–6 cargo/passenger cars
Crew: 3 (engineer, conductor, guard)
Security: 2–4 armed guards per car
Special: Shackling enchantments in certain cars; DC 16 Thieves' Tools to bypass.

Supply Convoy

Heavily laden freight train used to deliver resources, Aetherium, or weapons.
AC: 17
HP (per car): 150
Speed: 25 ft per round
Capacity: 1 ton cargo per car
Cars: Engine + 5–10 boxcars
Crew: 4–6 (including armed escorts)
Security: Reinforced plating; alarms magically alert the nearest canton if tampered.
Special: Often escorted by patrols overhead.

Imperial Armored Train

Used to patrol dangerous territories, transport prisoners, or deploy troops.
AC: 18
HP (per car): 200
Speed: 35 ft per round
Capacity: 40 soldiers or 10 prisoners per car
Cars: Engine + 2 barracks cars + 1 artillery car
Weapons: Mounted ballistae (2–3) or arcane cannon (rare)
Security: 10–20 soldiers + 1 Inquisitor
Special: Contains an Aetherium shield node (AC +2 for 1 minute/day, 1/day)

Frontier Runner

A smaller, faster courier train for sensitive information or VIP transport.
AC: 15
HP (per car): 80
Speed: 40 ft per round
Capacity: 12 passengers max
Cars: Engine + 1–2 personal cars
Crew: 2
Security: Light; relies on speed and stealth
Special: Can travel off standard schedules and sometimes through private tracks.

Blackline Smuggler Train (Illegal)

An off-the-books train used by criminal networks, rebel factions, or rogue magisters.
AC: 14
HP (per car): 100
Speed: 30 ft per round
Capacity: Varies (hidden compartments)
Cars: Engine + 2–3 disguised boxcars
Crew: 3–5
Security: Concealed traps, illusions, mechanical sentries
Special: DC 17 Investigation to detect false manifest; protected by bribes and intimidation.