» Thu May 03, 2012 10:45 am
I wouldn't think that another House could stop the Telvanni from using silt striders if they really wanted to. That explanation would have to be fleshed out a little more for me to buy it.
The teleportation explanation doesn't hold to just the Telvanni because in the other house towns/cities, those individuals and groups magically powerful enough would travel by teleportation as well. Its not like the Telvanni wizards have a monopoly on that. The question isn't why aren't there silt striders for the powerful Telvanni magi but why aren't there silt striders to the Telvanni settlements around the towers.
The geographical explanation is the only one of the three that makes a lot of sense and its the only one needed. Just examine a fully fleshed out map and its pretty clear why as others above have pointed out. Added to the island and seaside factors already mentioned, you got some nasty-ass Red Mountain territory to have to deal with, if one were to contemplate going from Vos to such places as Balmora or Aldruhn. With the lay of the land, the intense cliff racer population, the blight storms, and the length of the trip you have a terrible hurdle to cross -- too much for a regular business.