An Examination of Populations

opulation Distribution

In most states the majority of the population is centered around the capital city and the other large urban areas of the state. Similarly, most population occurs in the midlands of an area, with decreasing density at the border is neared.

 

mall Towns, Villages, et al.

Communities are nearly always located on a water way, road or coast (lake or sea) Some small settlements occur in wilderness areas where some produce, resource, or the like, gives a reason for habitation. These communities are most thickly scattered in agricultural areas.

 

ortifications

Forts and castles are generally found as the seat of aristocratic power or as protection against hostile incursion. Therefore, there will be several types of fortification within a state - those of a ruler, those of his or her leigemen, and military forts built to protect coasts or borders. there are also the fortified places built by independent nobles, petty lords, bandits, and so forth. These occur in borderlands, unclaimed areas, and other out-of-the-way locales.

It is safe to assume that one will encounter some form of habitation or stronghold in any given area of 100 square leagues, provided the place is relatively fertile and flat. the harsher the terrain, the less likelihood of discovering habitation, although robber forts and the castles of petty aristocrats might well be found in such areas.

 

istribution of Humanoids

The various races of humanoids have generally been driven into the least favorable areas - mountains, barrens, marshes and swamps, and forests. From time to time groups of humanoids band together and attempt to retake areas of better land. This occurred in the Pomarj and Bone March. A similar attempt is now taking shape in the area of Furyondy and Highfolk.

Only Iuz, the Horned Society, and portions of the Great Kingdom allow the more civilized humanoids to dwell amongst the humanfolk, at least to any large scale. The large free cities are also known to allow various sorts of humanoids free access to their precincts.

 

and Communications

There are roads between major cities in each state.  The general condition of these highways depends upon the particular state, but most are fairly broad an well-kept. These roads continue through border areas where trade routes exist.

A secondary system of poor roads and cart tracks connects the small towns and border forts to the main traffic arteries. Roads of this nature are usually the only links between most states. There are notable exceptions, such as in the Ulek States, the two Urnst States, Furyondy, and Veluna, and Keoghland and Gran March.

Maintenance of thoroughfares is by political subdivisions and communities. In certain areas travelers pay a toll for road usage, and a portion of this fee is used to maintain the road.