The Salt Route - Eastern Portion

Eastern Salt Route

The Chélna Gap and Kathéla Hills: Trobridge to Tashál

The fortified trading post at Trobridge offers a safe haven after the long, nerve-wracking trek through barbarian infested wilderness. The inn is owned by the Mercantylers’ Guild and operated by Terlin of Wesindan, a freemaster innkeeper. Kurson of Ondailis, the self-proclaimed “Lord of Trobridge,” levies tolls on travelers, exacts tribute from villagers, and seeks to control the inn and trading post. A few aggressive Káldôric traders brave the journey from Tashál in order to be the first to bid on the caravan’s goods. Trobridge’s craftsmen, particularly the physician, apothecary, and woodcrafter, offer their services to travelers and profit from mending things that failed along the hard road. After two days of rest, the caravan sets off again.
The Chélna Gap is rarely patrolled by the army of the Chelmarch and most travelers secure their safety by convincing a Chelni chief to give his protection in return for suitable gifts. Those who don’t are beleaguered by the swift staccato of hoof beats and the high chance of missing goods and animals in the morning. The ford on the Gélemè River is more than a tenday out from Tashál and the road through the forested Kathéla Hills can break a weakened axle or a tired man. The Kath tribesmen will observe the caravan but are a serious threat only to small bands and stragglers. The Kath have little tolerance for outsiders hunting in their territory, especially for the wild pigs of the Semethe Forest; hungry travelers risk death for a taste of pork.
The Army of the Chelmarch protects the Salt Route through the Kathéla Hills. From Kathane, its four overstretched companies patrol from spring to fall, augmented by a feudal levy in the summer. They are assisted by a squadron of knights and a company of light footmen from the Vadan chapter of the Order of the Lady of Paladins, who camp at Swune for the summer. At Kathane, most travelers are in high spirits after the long, dangerous journey.
In 718, Sir Korus Ynel, Deputy Warden of the Chelmarch, organized a tournament to coincide with the arrival of the caravan and it had many notable attendees. Sir Korus is eager to make this event a fixture on Káldôr’s social calendar. While the nobility happily bash each other in the lists, some merchants sell their goods in Kathane, while others know that they will find richer buyers in Tashál and are content to show their wares here in hopes of building a bidding war at the Summer Fair. Tashál is only a day’s march from Kathane along the well-patrolled and reasonably safe road. A traveler’s biggest concerns are fatigue and damaged equipment. Broken down wagons are common, with split axles and worn wheels being the usual culprits.

Security along the Salt Route

Merchants leading small, quick mule trains or groups of light carts leave Côranan and Tashál in Núzyæl and press through the chilly early spring to Trobridge for the annual gathering of the Chelni. The tribes trade for metal goods and weapons, the proceedings lubricated with strong drink. The Chelni are usually hostile to each other and to travelers. The larger caravans trade for peace at the watering holes or for fresh meat along the road. A broken axle or lamed animal can leave merchants vulnerable to Chelni attack. The well-armed warriors can cross the rough terrain quickly on their sturdy ponies to ambush and capture weakened and isolated groups. The Chelni are more likely to ransom travelers than to kill them.
The tight, wooded areas east of the Gélemè River make good ambush sites for the Kath and for outlaws and runaways from nearby Káldôr. These outcasts are armed and armored with steel and many are equal to the mercenaries guarding the caravans. The forest allows them to get close to their target before springing the ambush. While some are content to pick off easy prey and escape back into the trees, smaller groups of travelers have been wiped out completely by ruthless outlaws. The Kath resist all incursions into their territory, actual or perceived. Trade is mostly restricted to renegade or banished tribesmen. These Kath can be a lucrative source of furs and rare herbs, but the risks of such trade are high.