loftar wrote:I've actually considered making it so that you can teleport with the cart. The arguments against it have primarily been that it detracts from other mechanics like bulls with packracks, or wagons.
Do away with teleportation on roads but make the turn points on roads give a speed boost when 'traveling' the path (so the character goes reasonably Sonic), with the usual speed modifiers from ground type. The boost should give 1-2 levels of speed (without increase of stamina drain, preferably removing it nearly completely on paved ground).
Make wagons useable with 'follow' of paths (which would imply that they would also work with travel) and carts able to cross shallow water and to follow you through cave entrances.
Preferably make cave entrances and mine holes allow a fluent transmission between levels, like employing steep slope that takes longer to cross than average map loading time - entering the slope starts loading the map on the other side, being in the middle tiles only shows the tunnel up/down. This should enable transit with attached stuff.
EDIT: Detailed mechanic concept here (with a slight update to it regarding the direction trails are constructed in).