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Author Topic: Distance  (Read 454 times)

EdTheKet

Distance
« on: July 15, 2007, 10:57:55 am »
The term Statute Miles was codified during the reign of Raklin “The True” Diamoniar.  This term came to use during his codifications of the laws of the land.  Before this codification people spoke of travel in terms of days, such as Pranzis was a two day walk from Lor.  This gave the estimation of time it would take for the journey but the actual length of the road was not measured.  Terrain could vastly change how long a journey took.  A journey over mountains could be half the miles but take more time that a journey twice as long over flat plains.

   As Raklin began improving the roads across the land to further the movement of trade goods and troops there became a problem.  This problem was how to pay the workers who improved the roads.  Debates broke out about how much should be paid for improving the roads.  Greed began to overcome some that were charged with repairing and improving the roads.

   Raklin realized that he must figure out a way to pay the workers fairly.  He set out one day to view some of the construction.  He walked for half a day before he came upon a group of workers clearing brush and rocks from a road.  He had brought a great feast with him and settled in with the workers to enjoy a fine mid day meal.  After dining and speaking with the workers, while getting a good idea of their work, he returned to the capital.

   The next day he had an idea.  He sent one of his scout back out to count the paces that it took for him to get to the place that he had broke bread with the workers the day before.  He sent a cart with the scout carrying a large carved stone, to be set next to the road at the spot.

   The scout started counting his paces as he left the main gate of Pranzis.  Upon arrival the workers set the stone next to the road.  This initial measurement would form the distance called “Statute Miles” once it was codified with the laws of the land.

   Raklin now had a unit of measure by which to estimate the costs of road repairs and also true distances between cities and villages across the land.

   Some of these stones can still be seen to this day, some more weather beaten than others.