Primer: Lands

[GhostWolfe]

Source: SIFRP Campaign Guide

Westeros is, in general terms, a lot like western medieval Europe. A generic Westerosi village looks roughly the same as a generic medieval village (with the exception that farmers in Westeros grow maize).

Travel and transport are slow, uncomfortable, and expensive. Carts and wagons are slower than a walking man, unless the road is very good, but they can carry much more than a horse. Very good roads are a rarity in Westeros. Most are little more than mud tracks or game trails. On the other hand, outside a town they are rarely rutted because they are so wide that the few carts that use them do not constantly cover the same ground.

Water travel can be reasonably quick, and a boat can carry far more goods than any land vehicle. Thus, most trade goes by water, and it is not uncommon to buy passage on a ship or boat. Of course, unless you are very wealthy, you can only go to wherever the boat is going. If you want to get from King’s Landing to Braavos, it’s not a problem, but getting from Storm’s End to White Harbor is likely to involve at least one intermediate stop. Travel on a river is significantly faster going downstream, but most riverboats tie up at night, as navigation in the dark is too dangerous. Sea-going ships often keep up their speeds night and day.