Travel and Technology

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On Travel

The spread of Rhyallia might make travel difficult...Except that many travelers simply shift into their animal form and are thus able to travel at a considerably swifter pace than a human could maintain.

Horse riding (of regular, non-shape-shifting, horses) is a common mode of transportation, but horses tire easily. Strong, healthy people use their own legs to travel, since many creatures can cover as much ground (if not more) in a day as a horse can. The rich and noble are most likely to use horses for travel, however, since travel via their own two (or four) feet would be beneath them. Horses and wagons are also used for carrying goods about, and caravans from the cities are a common sight.

Llamas in the farthest western cities are more commonly used as pack animals than horses because of their sure-footedness.

Recent rumors suggest the existence of flying horses, and some have suggested using those as transportation...But flying horses are mostly considered myth, and anyway, no one knows how to catch them.

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On Potential Technology

Rhyallia is not your standard "medieval fantasy world." For one thing, although fantasy influenced, it is definitely not a European Middle Ages world. It doesn't take much reading to see that styles of dress, travel, and weapon types vary some from player to player. We like to encourage our members to be creative in all of those areas.

That said, there are a few general rules that apply to the world of Rhyallia.

Most technology is fairly limited, owing mainly to the fact that it's only been a couple of centuries since the wars over the Stones ended. In Rhyallia, especially in the upper echelons of society, tradition often counts for more than actual law, limiting potential advancements or discoveries.

Swords and daggers are common weapons in Rhyallia and beyond, but edged weapons from all cultures are acceptable. Weapons technology should not exceed the 18th century, though (1700s). That means that pistols are acceptable, as are firecrackers and low quality bombs (don't expect a bomb to work more than 40% of the time, though, and don't expect it to do much damage).

Clothing styles vary by player, and any style is considered acceptable. Tunics and pants with boots are probably the most commonly seen clothing, but if you want your character to wear ragged skins, Victorian dresses, or pants and a jacket, that's fine, too. That said, sneakers and space suits don't really fit in well.


For more information on available magic, visit Elemental Powers and The Sorcerers of Rhyallia.