The Great Arch Bridge and the Twin Isles Crossing

The Arching Channel was a formidable obstacle for the people of the west who sought to connect with the large island to the east. However, two ambitious medieval bridges were constructed, spanning the channel and allowing safe passage for travelers and traders.

• The first bridge, known as the Great Arch Bridge:
The Great Arch Bridge was and still is a marvel of medieval engineering. It consisted of a single arch spanning the entire channel, with a length of over a mile. The bridge was constructed using large stone blocks, quarried from nearby hills within their caverns, and was supported by massive stone piers that plunged deep into the bedrock below the channel. To accommodate ships that traveled the Arching Channel, a large drawbridge was incorporated into the design of the Great Arch Bridge. The drawbridge consisted of a massive wooden platform that could be raised or lowered by a system of ropes and pulleys. When a ship needed to pass beneath the bridge, the drawbridge was raised, allowing the vessel to safely navigate through the channel. The Great Arch Bridge is also heavily fortified against aquatic monsters that lurked beneath the depths of the Arching Channel. Large stone walls were erected around each of the piers supporting the bridge deck, protecting them from the attacks of giant squids, sea serpents, and other dangerous creatures that were known to inhabit the waters.

• The second bridge, known as the Twin Isles Crossing:
The Twin Isles Crossing was a different design altogether. It consisted of two large towers rising up from the water on either side of the channel, connected by a long, narrow bridge deck suspended by thick steel chain cables. The towers were constructed using a combination of stone and wood, with the upper portions of the towers made of wood to reduce weight and increase stability. To accommodate ships, the Twin Isles Crossing was constructed with a system of drawbridges, similar to the Great Arch Bridge. When a ship needed to pass through the channel, the drawbridges were raised, allowing the vessel to pass beneath the bridge deck safely. Like the Great Arch Bridge, the Twin Isles Crossing was also heavily fortified against aquatic monsters. Large nets were hung beneath the bridge deck to catch any creatures that tried to climb up the towers, while guards armed with crossbows patrolled the bridge, ready to fend off any threats that arose.

Both of these medieval bridges were feats of engineering and design, and they served as vital links between the mainlands to the west and the large island to the east. Their construction and defenses were a testament to the determination and skill of the people who built them, and they remain standing to this day as enduring symbols of human ingenuity and resilience.
Tolls and Fees
To ensure the safety and security of the Great Arch Bridge and the Twin Isles Crossing, a toll system was established for all merchants and travelers who wished to cross the bridges. The tolls are collected by a team of guards stationed at checkpoints on either end of the bridges, and the amount of the toll varied based on the size of the caravan and the number of guards required to maintain order and safety. The tolls for each bridge were as follows:
Great Arch Bridge and the Twin Isles Crossing:

• No carts: 5 copper eagles per individual
• 1-5 carts: 2 silver eagles
• 6-10 carts: 4 silver eagles
• 11-15 carts: 6 silver eagles
• 16 or more carts: 8 silver eagles

In addition, a security fee was added to the toll for each caravan, based on the number of guards required to maintain safety during the crossing:

• 1-5 guards: 1 silver eagles
• 6-10 guards: 2 silver eagles
• 11-15 guards: 3 silver eagles
• 16 or more guards: 4 silver eagles

Merchants and travelers were required to pay the tolls and security fees in advance of crossing the bridges, and failure to do so would result in fines and potentially even imprisonment. The toll system helped to fund the maintenance and upkeep of the bridges, as well as pay for the guards and other security measures needed to keep the bridges safe and secure for all who crossed them.

Type

Bridge

Parent Location

Kingdom of Markia