(Tom Clare)

Bridges are common on the main roads of the land, but are less frequently met on the minor paths and tracks of the countryside, where very often the only way across a waterway is by traipsing up or down stream in search of a ford. On minor roads and small estates bridges are usually made of wood. The building of a stone bridge is a great work for any lord or monastery, but a task that is deemed an act of charity by the True Faith.

The minor, less-used bridges can be sad structures indeed. When the alms collected for the maintenance to the crossing become insufficient and regular repairs cease, then little by little the bridge deteriorates. The arches wear through, the parapets become detached, and no rider can cross over without stones falling away into the river. Eventually such a poor structure becomes a danger to anyone who attempts to cross it.

Important or strategic crossings may be fortified; some will even have small castles at either end. Many of these will be guarded by a knight, who has been granted the living of the bridge by his lord in return for some exemplary (or politic) service. Such a knight supports himself by collecting the tolls of all who use the crossing, passing a set fee onto his master quarterly.

Whenever the characters’ path crosses a river the referee may roll to see what sort of crossing exists. Of course, for a very large river a bridge may be out of the question, and the party will have to take a ferry.

Fords

Fords are shallow points along a river’s course. Those crossing a ford must make an intelligence roll with a difficulty of 8 or step into a deep spot and sink. In the flood-time of Spring the roll has a difficulty of 12.

Bridges

Bridges fall into four types.

Well kept bridges have been cared for by their keepers and present no danger.

Dilapidated bridges are not so well-kept. The referee should roll 2d6 for every person or animal that passes over it; on a 10,11 or 12 bits of the bridge fall away alarmingly as they cross.

Dangerous bridges are ill-kept and falling apart. The referee should roll 2d6 for every person or mount that passes over it; on a 9, 10 or 11 bits of the bridge fall away alarmingly as they cross. On a 12 the part of the bridge they are on falls, and, unless they make a reflexes roll with a difficulty of 16, they fall 1d20 metres. To the casual observer a dangerous bridge is indistinguishable from a dilapidated bridge.

Perilous bridges are obviously about to collapse, and only the desperate will attempt to cross. No matter how light a traveller is, bits of the bridge fall away alarmingly as he crosses. The referee should roll 2d6 for every person or mount that passes over it; on an 9, 10 or 11 the part of the bridge they are on falls, and, unless they make a reflexes roll with a difficulty of 16 they fall 1d20 metres. On a 12 the whole bridge falls, and everyone must make a reflexes roll or fall 1d20 metres.

Tolls

A toll is often required by the bridge-keeper before a wayfarer is allowed to cross. This revenue supposedly goes to the upkeep of the bridge itself, but embezzlement is rife and finely-dressed bridge-keepers often preside over lamentably maintained structures.

The toll is usually minimal, but the more important crossings may charge a tariff for goods in bulk, too.

Floods

Spring is proverbially a time of flood, but any weather roll of heavy rains has a 2 in 6 chance of bringing flood. Floods will automatically sweep away a dangerous or perilous bridge along with anyone on it.

Causeways

Owing to the abundance of marshy ground, causeways, made of logs or stones sunk into the boggy ground, are common in the east of Gramayre, and the building and repair of such are also considered meritorious works.
Causeways may be dilapidated, dangerous, or perilous, just like bridges, but instead of falling, those who pass over an ill-kept causeway risk the chance of stepping into a sinkhole (see book three, page 18).

Ferries

Those rivers too wide for a bridge or ford, lakes, and short sea crossings require the service of a ferry. Most ferries have a 95% chance of making a trip without mishap. Even on the rare occasion when something goes wrong it is likely to be a minor problem: someone gets wet, or a bedroll gets knock over board.