On Mountain Passes

In the Spring of 1801, each of the two major mountain ranges on the continent of Tros features a single pass.  As can be seen on the map, each pass lies within and is controlled by one of the adjacent provinces. 

Here we see that passage through Anaktavuk Pass is controlled by the player who controls the Bethel province.  At the start of the game, Bethel is a neutral province whose lord whose only hope of survival is to play the three adjacent nations against each other.

The other, as yet un-named pass through the Eastern Range, is controlled by the valley town of Kaunas, to the southwest.

This may change.  Players may have the option of constructing defensive works within the pass - the cost of which has yet to be determined.  This would create a new province within the pass itself.  Unlike other provinces, units would not charged a movement cost for passing through the strongpoint.  (i.e. for movement purposes units are considered to travel directly from White Settlement to Bethel.)  In addition, the defensive work would not generate income at the end of the year, but would require an upkeep of 3AP.  Should a King neglect to pay the upkeep, the fortress would fall into ruin and the status of the pass would revert to as it was at the beginning of the game.