Aodhian Trains

A fairly recent addition to Aodhian lives, trains provide immense capability for travel of people and goods across land. Originally constructed for the use of the upper class - both leisurely and commercial, as many of their businesses greatly benefitted from the invention - trains have since become a staple of Aodhian lifestyle, another additional convenience to brag about to their barbaric neighbors on all sides.

As the trains are still fairly new, any additions to the lineup or new stations being opened is always headline news. Aodhians tend to speak fairly affectionately and proudly of the trains. The trains, of course, come with additional merchandising and souvenirs.

Currently, train lines only function in the southern half of Eithne. Train travel north of Bloom has been cut off, leaving Opulence stranded and train journeys to Onean or Sirith borders impossible.

## A Short History

The development on the engine that would eventually propel the very first Aodhian train began during the reign of Edna, in 1613. Her power stable and coffers full, she had the time and resources to devote to various scientific teams and promising inventions, one of them being a prototype steam engine. Development and efficiency calibration continued for many years, with the first locomotive in 1635 being little more than proof of concept. The concept impressed Edna deeply, and she increased funding for the project. She also purchased properties that were torn down to make space for the future Central Station and Harbor Station.

The “Locomotive Project” continued during the reign of Remiel, with each prototype becoming increasingly more efficient and powerful, their test tracks slowly extending outwards from the borders of New Valore. Once the prototypes became stable, construction on passenger cars and additional tracks began. Labor slaves worked the distance tirelessly, forming both the intra city line in New Valore, and extending the original test tracks out towards the city of Bloom.

The first true steam train was unveiled with great fanfare in 1653. A great public event, the train was a point of pride for the Crown, and made its very first journey from the Central Station to the Harbor in good time.

In the coming years the train tracks would extend - all reaching outward from the majesty of New Valore, of course - towards Opulence and Ashlar, two of the main producers of valuable goods in Eithne besides Harborside. Sidetracks were made for other important producer townships. The railway was like a steel river, connecting the major landlocked production facilities with a never before known hauling power and speed. Used mostly by nobility as a leisurely activity, and for the transportation of goods to and from New Valore, train tickets were not sold, and the only way to get inside one of the steam trains was to be accompanied there by a member of nobility, or the few lucky armigers who had the Crown’s favor.

When Solaris came to power in 1676, she soon began work on improving the railroad network. With her funding the railroad extended to all major settlements, including Haven and Harborside. Intracity stations with New Valore were opened to the public, and new stations constructed. Stations were also given to some of the smaller towns that were close to the already constructed rail lines, making the commute use of the Aodhian train a possibility. Unlike Remiel, she made a point of using a lot of paid labor in the construction, which, while debated hotly among the nobility, did doubtless give many poor and less snobby Valorians a stable, if hard, job for several years. All of these extensions had been completed by 1685.

The final major addition to the rail line came in 1689, when the official end station, the furthest reach of the train, was constructed at the very border of Onea, where the War Lord’s Road comes to an end. This station played a great part in further increasing the speed and safety of trade between War Forged and Aodh, although it was mostly used for shipping from Eithne to Onea, rather than vice versa. Out of the major trade items, all but slaves now come in from Onea exclusively by train.

Some say that Solaris had aspirations of extending the rail line all the way to Skeldr Town, but personal tragedy struck before such plans were ever set in motion.

Amadeus’ reign saw no change in the lines available or trains in use, but Isador, among his grand gestures as the new King had a new train constructed. This train made its maiden trip in spring 1701, and on that trip was attacked by a massive wyvern. The train was able to complete the journey, but sustained heavy damage to its travel cars. It, among other larger trains, was used to evacuate settlements in northern Eithne. Once the kirins became too numerous for travel to be safe, all stations north of Bloom were closed.

### Summary

* First prototype engine in 1613. Funding from the Crown propels the project onwards
* First locomotive in 1635 - a prototype that sees the beginning of a great dream.
* First true steam train in 1653. First train tracks run within New Valore, and to Bloom
* Following years see the lines expand to cover almost all economically important locations
* Between 1676-1685, Solaris makes great improvements, connecting all major towns to the rail line, as well as bringing the line to Luxury in south-east Eithne and to the Onean border. New stations are established both in the city of Valore, and in smaller towns that fall near the railroad.
* Besides basic maintenance and occasional new trains being unveiled, the railroad continues function as usual, acting as a steel river connecting all of Eithne to the heartbeat of New Valore
* Isador unveils the first new train since the New Years Ball incident in Spring 1701. It comes under attack by Soleil’s wyvern en-route to Opulence.
* Trains are instrumental in the evacuation efforts across Eithne. As the kirin situation worsens, all northern stations are closed.

## Stations and Lines

All lines run from New Valore outward. No cross lines have been constructed to date, although there are some shorter side tracks built specifically for certain major producers of goods, such as farms, harbors, mines and quarries to use. All of the major settlements (New Valore, Bloom, Haven, Harborside, Opulence, Kingsfall and Pyre) are connected into the line, as was the minor but economically important town of Ashlar that has since been destroyed. Between the major stations, smaller stations have been constructed where appropriate, although not all passenger trains stop on these small stations. If one is heading to a more remote village, it is typical to take the train to the closest station, and walk the rest of the way.

The easternmost station of the train is the border of Onea. The most south-eastern part of the tracks (closest to Sirith) is a small station on the shores of the Broken Sea known as Luxury. Both of these stations are currently closed.

Some smaller trains also travel intracity within the city of New Valore, the only city or town to have more than one station. Intracity trains only stop at the New Valore Central Station, located on a large open plaza just outside the Sol District. Trains coming in with cargo skirt the city edge and stop at the Harbor Station instead, where they are unloaded on a large and much less extravagant trailyard. This is also where the trains are stored and given maintenance when not in use - the location is always buzzing with Chevaliers.

Intracity trains have more circular tracks, allowing for fluid transport of people between locations. Most, but not all intracity lines, stop at the Central Station.

### Scheduling

Intracity trains in New Valore run several different routes. Trains run at the shortest intervals during peak hours of early morning and early evening when citizens are going to or leaving from work. Trains don’t run between 1AM and 5AM outside chevalier and commercial transports.

Long distance trains have varying schedules depending on the popularity of the line. A train only goes to and from about twice a week. Meanwhile popular lines like the New Valore-Bloom line run several times a day, especially during holiday season.

#### Important Stations

* **New Valore**
	+ Central Station - located on edge of Sol District
	+ Harbor Station - located in the Port District, commercial/cargo only
	+ Valiant Station - located within the Chevalier compound. Not available for public use.
	+ Dark District Station - located inside the Dark District, near the entrance. Used only for transporting slaves and supplies.
	+ Outer Valore Station - located just outside New Valore
	+ New Valore has about 15 stations total, scattered across the city in various neighborhoods. There is, for example, a station located fairly near each of the non-Sol Sanctums of Vatros, Enya, Palasa and Azar.
	+ Outside New Valore, listed by approximate distance from the capital.
* **Kingsfall**
* **Pyre**
* **Bloom**
* **Harborside**
* **Haven** - destroyed
* **Ashlar** - destroyed
* **Opulence** - closed
* **Onea** - closed
* **Luxury** - closed

## Technical Aspects

* All Aodhian trains have steam engines. Electricity or other sources of power are not used
* Long distance locomotives have larger cabins, capable of fitting the driver, the coal keep, and a chevalier
* Long distance locomotives are significantly larger and more powerful than those intended to be used only within New Valore. The very strongest trains are designed for heavy cargo, although these are not quite as fast
* On the best, straightest portions of the railroad, the newer long distance passenger trains can reach and maintain  speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.
* Intracity trains maintain a speed of around 50 miles per hour, although they are capable of greater speeds
* Train fog lights and inside lights alike use oil lamps. Some models experiment with imbued light manipulation for fog lights.
* Long distance trains often run both cargo and passengers, although heavy commercial loads are driven by their own dedicated trains. This cargo can include mail, personal deliveries, smaller goods (such as luxury items like paintings or sculptures) and slaves
* The cars on a long distance train are organized as follows:
	+ Locomotive itself + tender
	+ Cargo cars, usually no more than two
	+ Economy class - these are comfortable enough, but fairly crowded. No catering
	+ 1st class - comfier setting and more personal space. Catering
	+ End car tends to have mail, chevalier guards and staff spaces.
* The cars on a short distance train are organized as follows
	+ Locomotive itself + tender
	+ Passenger cars - often extremely crowded, especially during rush hour
	+ Exclusive cars - more or less the same as 1st class, but not available on every train. Spacious cars intended for upper class to use
* There is a special car intended only for the King (and their entourage) that is only connected if the King is traveling
* Similarly, there is a special car reserved for the use of Advisers and Envoys

### Traveling By Train

* To use a train, one must have a train pass. This can be received at any government office in exchange for some crystal shards. To get one, one must either be an Aodhian citizen, a foreign citizen with an acceptable travel visa, or a foreign diplomat. Children also require passes, but they are cheaper.
	+ Slaves can not own train passes. They can, however, travel with their owners. Unaccompanied slaves are not allowed and will be detained if caught - their owner will have to pay for their release from the rail line holding cell.
	+ Anyone found aboard with no pass will be detained by chevaliers and made to pay a fine.
	+ The passes are notoriously hard to fake, as they utilize imbued ink and imbued stamps in their design
* Train pass is enough to pay for travel intracity in New Valore. For long distance trains, an additional ticket is needed. The ticket may either be purchased at any major station, or in the train from a conductor
* Children under the age of 12 need to be accompanied by an adult when traveling in intracity trains
* Children under 15 need to be accompanied by an adult when traveling in intercity trains.

### Security

* All intercity trains will have several chevaliers onboard for safety. Trains are heavily guarded and not easy targets
* Intracity trains have a chevalier or two for security
* The Aodhians are very protective of the security of their trains, and the secrets of how it all works. Sabotage is a real concern, especially after the Crucible attack
	+ Entry to the coach of a train is strictly forbidden to all but railroad employees, Chevaliers and the King and their Advisers. Even Eminents will be denied entry.
* The railyard in the harbor is equally well guarded. Trespassers are severely punished

## Staff

**Chevaliers**

Chevaliers undergo short special training to become certified to work on trains. To work on an intracity train, no additional training is required, but on intercity lines, a 10 hour training course is needed, as well as some experience on the intracity trains. The position pays extra, and is sought after.

In addition to providing security against potential attackers on long distance trains, Chevaliers keep peace aboard the train and detain troublemakers - the latter two are their main duties on intracity trains.

The additional training for long distances is mostly intended to provide Chevaliers with basic maintenance and emergency training (including emergency medical training), as well as going through strategies specifically geared to defend a moving train.

**Railroad Engineer**

Railroad engineer is the “captain” of a locomotive, the person who drives the train and is responsible for all functions aboard it. A respected job that requires either a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, or years of experience and training aboard a train.

They handle basic maintenance during travel and monitor the train for any abnormalities. If they meet issues they can not personally resolve, its their job to report these to the specialists at the trainyard.

**Conductor**

Conductors sell tickets, help customers load and unload personal items, provide information about schedules and stops, and keep basic order aboard the train, calling chevaliers as necessary. Conductors are also trained in basic emergency maintenance and medical care.

**Vendors**

All intercity trains have catering cars with condiment sellers and chefs, selling snacks (or on longer journeys, full meals) to the passengers. There may also be souvenir vendors - a special permit to sell aboard a train. Unlicenced salespeople are very quickly removed from the train.

**Other staff**

Long-distance trains will usually have a medic on-board in case of emergency, while cleaners will attend to the cars at end-stations before they depart for a new journey. One of the dirtier jobs aboard is as a stoker, feeding the great steam engine.

Labor slaves and occasional paid workers are employed to haul cargo on and off the train.

## Trains

Each locomotive is an individual, but during peak production, they were constructed in series, which used essentially the same core body and engine, and were only decorated differently.

The locomotives age can be easily found from the beginning of its name:

* His Highness's’ - HH are trains commissioned by Remiel
* Her Radiances’ - HR are trains commissioned by Solaris
* His Majesty's’ - HM are trains commissioned by Isador

While all Aodhian trains are beautifully decorated, cargo trains tend to be a lot less pompous looking.

All in all, there are over 50 trains currently in use all over Eithne. 10 of these are dedicated military and commercial use trains, while another 20 are only used within New Valore and its immediate surroundings, leaving 20 for more versatile use, but primarily for long distance transport.

Here are some of the more famous ones.

### HH Smoldering Sun

Construction: 1653 / Top Speed: 50mph

A small locomotive with a fairly boxy shape; essentially a functional prototype. Simpler in design and shape than later models.  A deep black with blue accents - has a sun symbol on the front of the train.

Unique in model, HH Smoldering Sun is currently only in use during special, short journeys, and is usually housed as an outdoor museum piece in New Valore.

**Series I: HH Valiance; HH Salvation; HH Inspiration; HH Ambition**

Construction 1655-1660 / Top Speed: 60mph

A series of small trains designed with nobility in mind - beautifully rounded and far more elegant than HH Smoldering Sun. Each train sports a brilliant gold and red facade with gilded scenes depicting valiant moments in Aodhian history.

Originally constructed to run the New Valore-Bloom line, they are now used as local trains within New Valore itself. The first mass produced models, they were far more decorated than the later repeated constructions.

### HH Luxur

Construction 1662 / Top Speed 70mph

An experimental model with a long, sleek shape and an enormous engine. Designed to be used on diplomatic journeys, and the King’s pleasure journeys to Opulence. It was a marvel of its time, but is currently known for overheating easily, and is only used to run the New Valore-Bloom line.

Luxur has artisan painted sides, making it look like a moving fresco. The base color of the locomotive is white and gold.

### HH Excel

Construction 1670 / Top Speed 75mph

An improved version of Luxur, it uses a better designed engine, but the same style of long, sleek body. A deep red with gold trim, Excel abandons the fresco style of decor for more traditional gilded sides, and a chimney carved in Ignacio’s likeness.

### HR Skeldr; HR Oriel

Construction 1678 / Top Speed 80mph

First trains unveiled during Solaris’ reign, she shocked the crowd with her names of choice. The twin locomotives sport identical deep green and gold colors, a mixture of Onean and Aodhian colors. They have long, sleek but slightly rounded bodies. Skeldr is decorated with gilded images of Kaia, while Oriel has similar artwork of Ignacio. Unlike earlier trains, some artistic freedom has been extended to the metal shell itself, which is carved at places.

Both trains are still in use on non-express lines. HR Skeldr is usually chosen as the mode of transport when entertaining Onean visitors.

### HR Vision

Construction 1684 / Top Speed 60mph

Abandons the sleek design for an equally aerodynamic but more rounded and compact type. Although slower than some previous trains, HR Vision was designed explicitly for use within the city of New Valore, and sports revolutionary maneuverability and safety features.

A metallic red with burnished gold trims. A fairly subtle decorated train that trades the extreme decor for more modest but still beautiful floral paint job.

HR Vision is in use within New Valore.

### HR Progress

Construction 1688 / Top Speed 100mph

First train to hit 100mph, HR Progress used the lessons learned from HR Vision - its engine and chassis were essentially upscaled from the smaller train. A large beast of a locomotive, HR Progress is black with silver trims. Vistas from Aodh are depicted on both sides.

HR Progress is used to run long passenger trips, usually to Opulence.

### HR Gilded Kin

Construction 1695 / Top Speed 101mph

A more refined version of HR Progress, HR Gilded Kin was constructed in honor of Solaris’ growing family. A tasteful bronze main tone is decorated with gold trim, and depictions of the royal family as kirinkind. The locomotive is notable for having sturdy decorative antlers on its nose.

HR Gilded Kin was originally reserved only for the use of the royal family, but has since been released to run long distances.

### HM Fortune

Construction 1701 / Top Speed 101mph

Uses an improved engine from HR Gilded Kin - although sharing a top speed, can maintain higher average speeds, and is notably more coal efficient. The locomotive itself shares a shape similar to HR Gilded Kin - elongated but rounded.

HM Fortune is a dark gold color with burnished bronze and and blue highlights. The entire locomotive, to the extent where it was possible, has been decorated to look like an enormous wyvern.

This train was heavily damaged in a wyvern attack, but has since received maintenance, and is still in use.