Transportation

Beasts

Riding animals are the oldest means of conveyance, and in some places they are the only means available. Horses and camels have been introduced into many parts of the world and can often traverse terrains that motorized vehicles cannot. Certain exotic creatures, such as the gorilla bird and llama, provide indigenous transportation in regions where common riding beasts are unavailable or unaccustomed. Controlling a riding beast is a matter of the rider's skill versus the animal's temperment; particularly stubborn or ornery creatures may prove to be a real handful for an inexperienced rider.

Ground Vehicles

Automotive travel significantly broadens one's transportation options. Owning an automobile is considered a sign of middle-class affluence, but not everyone can afford to buy and insure a car. The average motorist may lease a vehicle for a specified time or borrow a ride from a friend. The other alternative is chartered transportation such as taxi service, widely available in metropolitan areas. Chartered ground travel in something fancier, like a limousine, is very expensive; some foresighted entrepreneurs purchase luxury vehicles and run their own livery services.

Public transportation thrives in urban areas. For a small fee, travelers may ride buses, streetcars, subway trains, and elevated trams throughout major cities such as Cape Suzette. Commuter trains connect downtown areas and the suburbs, while passenger trains span the great distances between cities. Trains operating on transcontinental rail lines may feature amenities like dining cars, sleeper cars, and private compartments.

Sea Vessels

Travelers looking for adventure or the chance to visit new lands may take to the high seas. Travel by sea is a favorable alternative to air travel, and remains the preferred means of transporting masses of people from one continent to another. Unlike aircraft, which are limited by design to only a handful of accomodating features, ocean vessels have no limit to size or extravagence. The grandest of ocean liners operate like communities at sea, complete with shipboard entertainment, games and activities, and social clubs.

First-class passage on a luxury ocean liner is an expense few but the rich can afford. Most seafarers book passage on steamers and passenger ships, anywhere from second class to steerage. Boat dealers market speedboats and leisure craft to people interesting in having a boat of their own for fishing and recreation. Wealthy businessmen and millionaires may keep a private yacht for excursions around the globe. On the opposite end of the scale, simple boats such as rowboats, canoes, and kayaks sell at bargain prices to people engaged in outdoor pursuits.

For all its charm and history, sea travel lacks one important element: speed. Even the swiftest of ships, manned by the ablest seamen and most precise navigators, can take days to cross from one shore to another — a journey made all the more difficult by storms, rough seas, and other perils of the deep.

Aircraft

The predominant method of long-distance travel is by air. Passengers may purchase airfare to any number of destinations, on aircraft ranging from speedy air taxis to twin-engine cabin cruisers. Leading airlines transport dozens of people per flight smoothly, reliably, and affordably. Luxury tours whisk sightseers and vacationers to exotic destinations, aboard giant air vessels nothing short of small cities in the sky.

Some people desire aircraft for recreation; thus the large rental market for touring gliders and private planes. Recreational amateur pilots must be trained and federally certified, and they are nearly always accompanied by a certified copilot. The cost to purchase an airplane is higher than that of any other vehicle. More experienced flyers may wish to buy their own aircraft for convenience's sake. A few ambitious types might invest in cargo planes new or used, and launch fruitful careers as pilots for hire.

For details regarding air travel, please refer to the "Aviation" portion of the General Equipment section.