As a counter/compromise to mounts, I think it would be a unique mechanic to implement a small (5-10%?) move-speed buff along the main roads of the game. This could be something that is worked on via the project board and the speed bonus could degrade if the roads aren’t maintained. It’d also be neat to see roads improve with cobblestones or something.
Personally, I’d prefer this instead of mounts as there’d be less of a mess to deal with as opposed to figuring out how to work out mounts for PvP and it would placate some players complaints of “movement too slow.” I feel as if movement is fine with the amount of teleporting we can do, but I also realize I’m probably in the minority.
I think this might actually be one of the better ideas on this general topic. I can still see how someone on the road could literally drive-by-snipe someone who isn’t on the road, in PVP. So I’d suggest not applying the speed bonus to PVP flagged characters.
Other than that, there could even be two or more “grades” of roads. When you look at the map, there are at least two different sizes - wide main roads between settlements, and then side roads usually leading through a farming village or to another landmark.
Main roads could increase speed by 30%, side roads by 15%… I could see that as a nice feature.
Another possible modifier could be an additional boost percentage when the same faction owns adjacent towns. Call it “safe passageways” or something.
There are so many possibilities with this incremental-boost setup, and it all addresses the long travel times between towns without making it easy-mode.