ArcLev train

Well, the job may be Stifur shit, but at least it pays well

— A local train levitator

ArcLev trains as the public calls the arcane driven trains that run across the vast plans of the Ke'Galan Magocracy, are one of the staples in transportation in the country. This feat of both engineering and arcane study was what connected the Divided plains and subjected it to a more central ruling.

Transport of the poor

One of the reasons that ArcLev trains gained popularity quickly, was the cheap price with which everyone could travel the vast country. While comfort may be seriously lacking, traveling long distances in hours instead of days removes a lot of extra effort that large journeys brought with them. Prices depend heavily on the length of the distance and the amount of comfort a person expects and tickets can be as cheap as a couple of coppers, something that hired carriages or airships cannot beat. The most common way prices are calculated are by having a set fair for a certain comfort class per hour of travel.

What you pay for

ArcLev trains have various carriages, each with it’s own level of comfort, often it is differentiated in three classes, but that is not standard in all trains. The lowest class is nothing more then an open carriage without any seating areas. As this is the cheapest, it is also the busiest, leaving people to stand most of the time. Mid-class gives a similar size carriage, but with simple seating options. The carriage is split down the middle with a walking path and two seats on either side. As ArcLev trains drive both ways, the benches are designed in such a way that the backrest can change sides, allowing people to modify if they want to sit with or against the travel direction. This also allows seating to be either in groups of two or four. Lastly there is the most expensive high-end class. Here the walking path is not in the middle, but on the side, allowing the seating to be split into private cabins. While in this case the seating cannot be modified to be in the travel direction, these seats are made to be more comfortable and long distance ArcLev trains may even offer cabins where the seats can be transformed into beds for extra comfort.

Cultural impact

Across the plains of Vestar many villages and cities had erupted to make use of various natural resources, but trade was sparse as the lands were vast and dangerous. This all changed when the High-Arcanist Ke'Galan started expanding their influence. ArcLev trains were part of his plan to unite various parts of Vestar, which has succeeded. This allowed both for more wide spread trade as well as allowing everyone, not only high ranking people with personal guards, to travel across the plains. This has had a big cultural impact on the first remote people and places. While it is to this day still visible that every town once had its own distinct culture, now the plains of Vestar are united under the common rule and culture of the Ke’Galan magocracy.

Technological advancements

Besides a big cultural impact, the ArcLev trains are also seen as a technological advancement as this is the first time ArcLev technology was used on such a large scale. Besides this allowed trade to be practiced in such efficient manner without the need for large guard patrols or many carriage drivers as an ArcLev train is controlled by a levitator and a small group of train guard patrols the carriages.

Full name

Arcane Levitation train

Propulsion

ArcLev Technology