Of Bridges, Roads and Paths
Unlike most cities on Pasaulis, Toresta is a primarily wagon and coach free city. The "streets" of Toresta consists primarily of canals. The islands between the canals are tied together by paths, called by Torestans Takelis (or plurally Takelys) approximately 3000 in number tied together in a labyrinthine network of pedestrian alleys connecting the islands using over 400 bridges and 300 canals.
Canals provide the primary "roads" for transportation using small boats called ferries powered by paddlewheel arcana. The boats tap directly into the leylines running through the city, using collector crystals.
Takelys are categorized by function, width and history. Takelys are usually paved with grey stone. They delineate blocks of buildings, which often have unpaved spaces between them. Most buildings are constructed in lines with very little or no space between them. The lines are organized into rows and blocks usually consist of two to six rows a variable number of buildings. Takelys are typically between 20 to 40 ft wide, but are not intended for vehicular traffic.
Canal names often derive from professions (Bakers Canal, Smiths Canal), noble families (Brightbook Canal), deities (Straznik Canal) or famous people (Grendrey Canal). Some are named for Toresta's industrial legacy (Factory Canal), or military and naval might (Depot Canal). Walkways beside canals often share the canal's name, for example Guarding Walk parallels the Guarding Canal in the Entering District.
The only true road in the city is the Entering Road, which crosses the Entering Bridge and has the Wagon Yards on its southwest side and runs next t to the Entering Bathhouse, ending where the North Bath Takelis crosses the North Bath Bridge, next to the Entering Bethel.
Bridges are sometimes named for their location near a landmark, such as the South Bath Bridge, which is one of only two bridges over the Opadajacy Canal which divides the Entering District from Backbank. All bridges in the city are foot bridges, some being simple narrow Takelisways and others broad thoroughfares.
Utility
The Canals require water transport to use. The water can be brackish and only a fool swims in a Torestan canal by choice.
The primary transport along the canals is by paddleboat. Pattleboats come in two technologies. Traditional paddelboats, like those seen in Dur'argo, are small peddle propelled flat bottom boats capable of transporting two to four passengers. Modern paddleboats use paddlewheel arcana powered by ley energy collectors. They can be small canal taxis meant to serve up to four passengers or larger canal longboats which can carry a dozen or more passengers. A ride on a water taxi to anywhere in the city can be purchased for 1 sp. If a group is traveling together a single silver piece will suffice. Longboats typically have standard pickup and debarkation points and charge 2 cp per passenger.
While wagons and other animal powered vehicles are not used on takelys, handcarts and pull wagons are used to transport items. Horses are not common in the city itself, most are never allowed passed the Entering District, however dogs, outfitted with saddlebags, are sometimes used to carry items.Manufacturing
Takelys are typically made using layered construction. First a foundation layer of large, flat stones are laid down, typically two feet thick. Then a layer of rubble, typically consisting of clay dredged from where a nearby canal was dug, mixed with small stones and lime. Over that is laid a fine layer of compacted sand, from the sea bottom, to create a smooth base for the surface. Over that is set a top layer of tightly fitted, durable grey stoned.
Bridges are typically constructed of stone or concrete, using dwarven construction techniques. Bridges are often topped with wooden rails, pillars or other decorative pieces, which are ornamental or safety related by not structural.
