the Mailfight

New Ships, New Technology

Mailflight was invented when welkinships became more common. Maiflight is the system of courrier invented by The Arkivon to transport their messages to all the Libraries or Arkives throughout Alven.

It is particularly effective to reach the most far-flung outposts at the borders of the clanlands. The Arkivon has built around ten wellkinships for that purpose. The Maiflight Ships are becoming a common sight in the skies of Alven. The balloons of the dirigibles are made of bright white silk painted with the red Arkivon emblem.

To distinguish the different ships from each other, they have been given numbers one to ten. Each Welkinship's number is artistically patchworked on a red flag in red silk. The flag is worn hanging down from the ship's long, thin prow.

The first Mailflight ships were small but some are now powered by Rods of Powers from the Rod Depository in Highfort. Because of the magical energy buoying the ship, four of the Mailflight ships have been developed to be big enough to take on a crew and passengers of up to six people. The four 'improved' Mailflight ships need an Arkiven who is also a Rune Wielder to power the rods.

The Arkivens helming the ships usually belong to the Circle of the Welkin and are usually young recruits up for some adventures and travels. A lot of the Helmsmen currently in training in the Arkivon help run the Mailflight.

Access and Availability

Because of the limited amount of Welkinships yet available, only the more pressing missives, objects and people are transported by the Mailflight. Less pressing or precious cargo is still carried on horseback.

The main route of the Mailflight is between the capital city of Highfort and the bustling city of Hollyholm. Traditionally, it would take couriers on horseback a whole week at breakneck speed to make the journey between the two most influential urban centers of Alven. The Welkinships are able to do the same journey within three days.