Teluna Imperial Highway

The Imperial Highways of the Teluna Empire are the greatest works of infrastructure in the known world. Stemming from the former Imperial Capital of Iriden, the highways trace out the most efficient routes to each of the greatest realms of the empire. Stondruic, New Tempest, Imeana, Quizou, and Rethiln are all connected to each other and the capital through this immense system of paved highways and canals, with Areqbri, New Tempest, and even Senix benefiting from their use.

## History

The Imperial Highway was first commisioned by Verinas II after his appropriation of the dwarven kingdoms, alongside his great capital city of Iriden which was to be their nexus. Verinas II lived only long enough to see the work begun, with his daughter Camilia I directing its completion. The highways were expanded upon by succeeding emperors, as well as their vassals. Every major city was eventually connected via the highways, and through them nearly every town and village. Even after the fall of the empire the highways were kept by various orders and governments, as a means to ensure commerce and diplomacy flowed freely. It was only after the Infernal Invasion that the highways began to fall into disrepair, and even felt the corrupting footfalls of the vast demonic legions themselves.

## Architecture

Stone pavement wide enough to hold five cohorts abreast stretches across the landscape, kept relatively level across its length, either atop vast archways or through fortified tunnels, easing the journey from one end of the once all-encompassing empire to the other. Along the edges of the highway lie canals wide enough for two galleys to pass one another with ease, though these are focused within the heartlands of Irida, where the land is low enough and the centralized location would prohibit naval vessels from moving from one side of the continent to the other. These canals occasionally stretch out from trading capitals such as Quizou, Elrit, or Imeana, but only to ease the passage of such vast wealth within.   The stone pavement of the highways is raised along the two sides that run parallel to each other, with channels along the outer edges and between them. These channels carry rainwater away from the roadways themselves, with small tunnels under the roadways allowing the central channels to empty into the outer channels.

## Major Arteries

### Deep Folk Road

Leading southwest from Iriden towards the lands of the dwarves and down toward the Kel'Korin archipelago. This road passes through the famed Camilia's Gate, a massive edifice of stone that protects the pass between the two continents. Deep Folk Road eventually terminates in the Dwarven Capital of Stondruic, after passing through the Imperial-built fortress of Orschtenfort that allowed passage into the Dweonine Valley.

### Frozen Road

Leading northwest from Iriden towards Rethiln itself, one of the safest routes to the fortress city. This road lies between the Allarian Mountains and the Grithe Sea, with massive structural supports keeping it in place above the treacherous and ever-churning waters.

### Sanctuary Trail

Leading east from Iriden towards the elven capital and then the goblin-held lands of Dermonal and terminating in the city of Quizou. This trail is perhaps the most heavily traveled, as the only safe passage between the continents of Irida and Naran. Before the main shot north within the Tyraig Peninsula, the Highway breaks south into the Trail of Broken Gods, an infamous stretch of road bearing the remnant idols of ancient slaughtered deities of the nomadic inhabitants of the land.

### Shielded Way

Splitting from Deep Folk Road and running south towards the Southern Marshes of Irida, the highway follows the River Schutz at the city of Vistetir all the way to its terminus in the Godwave, continuing on to the coastal city of Gradeste. It is so named the Shielded Way for the long covered stretches of highway that once provided protection to the marching legions of the Teluna Empire.