Travel in the Leilon Marches

Overview

Fort Leilon sits at a crossroads of land and sea. Its fortunes rise and fall with the flow of goods, armies, and adventurers. Distances may seem small on a map, but treacherous roads, foul weather, or hostile encounters can turn days into weeks.

Folk think th’ High Road’s safe ‘cause it hugs th’ coast. Truth is, it draws trouble like gulls tae a gut-pile. Ye’ll find bandits lurkin’ in the ditches, goblins bold enough tae charge a cart, an’ worse things crawlin’ up out o’ th’ Mere on a foggy night. I’ve lost lads tae wolves, trolls, even corpses walkin’ on their own two feet. So aye—take th’ High Road if ye must, but keep yer blade sharp an’ yer eyes open.

— Captain Thornwall on the High Road

Travel by Foot

• Fort Leilon to Leilon — about 20 minutes walking.
• Running Pace: A fit adventurer could cover it in ~10 minutes (assuming a jog, not a full sprint).
• On average, a person walking travels 3 miles per hour (about 24 miles in a full day’s march).

Travel by Horse

• A riding horse covers 5–6 miles per hour, or 35–40 miles per day at a comfortable pace.
• With hard riding (risking exhaustion or lameness), up to 50 miles per day.

Travel by Road (The High Road)

• Leilon to Neverwinter — 140 miles (~6 days on foot, ~4 days by horse).
• Leilon to Helm’s Hold — 125 miles (~5 days on foot, ~3–4 days by horse).
• Leilon to Thornhold — 125 miles (~5 days on foot, ~3–4 days by horse).
• Leilon to Waterdeep — 255 miles (~10–11 days on foot, ~7 days by horse).

Travel through the Mere of Dead Men

• Leilon to Thornhold — 85 miles (~3–4 days on foot).
• Dangerous terrain: bogs, monsters, undead. Progress is slower; some days may yield only 10–15 miles.

Now listen well—dinnae go wanderin’ intae th’ Mere. I’ve guards posted regular tae cut down th’ shamblin’ dead that stagger oot, an’ that’s bad enough without ye addin’ tae th’ body count. Once, long ago, a lich made his lair there—aye, they say he’s dust now, but whatever foulness he stirred up left th’ place rotten tae its bones. An’ if that’s not enough tae scare sense intae ye, there’s th’ tales o’ twin black dragons. Folk whisper they keep th’ bog free o’ other great beasts, but that only means ye’ll end up feedin’ th’ hungriest predators o’ them all… or payin’ through th’ nose tae sate their greed. And gods help us if ye cross one o’ them wyrms an’ drag its wrath back tae town—yer uncle Lord Darious will nae be thankin’ ye for invitin’ a dragon tae supper.

— Captain Thornwall on the Mere

Travel by Ship

• Ships average 3 miles per hour (72 miles/day) with favorable conditions. Faster in good winds, slower if becalmed.

Routes:

• Leilon to Thornhold — 85 miles (~1 day).
• Leilon to Waterdeep — 210 miles (~3 days).
• Leilon to Skullport — 210 miles (~3 days).
• Leilon to Nyelath's Grace — 20 miles (less than half a day).

Folk ask me what t’ fear at sea. Har har—it ain’t th’ grand ol’ terrors ye hear in dockside tales. Nah, it’s th’ things ye’ll actually face. Sharks big enough t’ snap a skiff in half. Sahuagin crawlin’ o’er th’ rails, hungry fer blood. Sea hags that’ll curdle yer guts wi’ just a grin. I’ve seen harpies sing a bosun right off th’ mast, an’ merrow smash a hull clean through. An’ aye, ye’ll hear whispers o’ krakens an’ worse, but if one o’ those stir… well, ye won’t be hearin’ me warn ye. Best mind th’ tides, keep yer crew close, an’ never mistake th’ sea fer a friend.

— Captain Tidevein