The Grand Highway is a meta-setting suitable for many fantasy roleplaying games, including the 5th edition of the world’s most popular fantasy rpg.
This winding, ancient roadway ties together a variety of fascinating communities. In sections, the path is broad and paved with fine cobblestone and brick, gleaming in the sun. In others, it takes the form of a meager and overgrown cart rail through impassable terrain. Villages, outposts, ruins, farms, and cities line the route. Some are inhabited by festive and hardy townsfolk, eager to pass on news or share their limited resources. Others may contain dark secrets or temptations.
For one long stretch of the Highway, the King’s River (though no one knows which King) parallels the promenade. Enterprising travelers may catch a ride up or down the river on barges or small fishing boats.
Bridges are common along the river, but there is debate over the value of leaving the path.
It is common to meet strange people who may claim to be from other realms or worlds. They may not speak a familiar language. Be guarded.
Assumptions
No one knows how they get to the Grand Highway, but they know somewhere at its end they will arrive at the Eternal Shrine, a booming city and religious center that greets travelers from across existence. If an adventurer finds themselves traversing the route, they instantly sense this and feel drawn to complete their journey.
There are no monsters along the Grand Highway. Every living creature has a role, a personality, a purpose for existence – even if it is to survive another day. Of course, many beings choose desperate measures to survive or embrace paths of evil for their own reasons.
The greatest need for all communities along the Highway is food. Daily sustenance is scarce. As such, farmland can be jealously guarded, and wild game and livestock are highly sought after. This need for food brings many creatures into conflict and forces normally pacifist people to desperate measures.