Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 RalofTyr Apr 02, 2012 14:06:36	I'm a bit hazy on my Dark Sun scales; could a group of slaves be forced-marched from Tyr to Alturuk non-stop with no food or water to weed out the weak destined to gladiator-schools? Given the terrain is a road on a constant Verdant-Belt?  How long would that march take? Thanks.
#2 Kamelion Apr 02, 2012 19:58:18	Which edition are you using?  That has a big impact on the answer. Under 4e scales, it's 175 miles from Tyr to Altaruk, and it's not all verdant belt.   Only the first 20 miles or so is.  The rest is scrub plains, stony barrens and sandy wastes. Under 2e/3e, it's more like 60 miles, but again only the first 5 miles are verdant belt. Then there's the issue of road condition.  How good condition is the road in? 2e has roads and trails.  The former removes all terrain penalties while the latter halves them.  However, in unfavourable terrain, roads are no better than trails.  Do you consider the desert unfavourable terrain? Under 3e, roads and trails are treated as the same - both slow movement to some degree.  However, 3e also has highways, which don't slow movement.  Is the Tyr/Altaruk road a road or a highway to you? 4e is much more lax with overland movement and just mentions roads, which don't impose a terrain penalty. Once you answer these questions, you can tell how long a forced march will take and what the effects of starvation/dehydration will be under the rules-set that you use.  2e is more likely to be lethal as dehydration was measured in Con damage, and a couple of missed days could well kill the weak. Of course, you could just handwave it for narrative purposes and decide how many die based on your desires for the adventure.  Depends on what kind of game you're running.
#3 RalofTyr Apr 03, 2012 1:36:17	It's probably will be 2e; it will take place at 174th King's Age when a small river ran from Tyr to Altaruk and the enter road will be along a verdant-belt and will be well maintained and much like a highway.