Is there a way for the players to build a bridge outside of their settlements? Or are they stuck with existing bridges/fords?
It seems there should be a way for them to do this, but I can't find anything in the rules. Do I need to house rule this? Or is there a reason I shouldn't allow that?
OMG! I totally missed that. Thank you!
AFAIK it's under Build Roads (page 523)
Wouldn't they just be taken over by trolls?
Jokes aside, I've got something for this, a minor faction in the Stolen Lands, the Taldorian Bridge Knights set up small camps and take over and repair old broken bridges, create new ones, and start small settlements under their protection. Putting these chivalric fellows in to add some more npcs, and give the players someone to attack/loot or work with early on. They don't grow like say Pitax, but if left to control the bridges, and bring in more settlers that they protect, they will create small strongholds. Then the players can deal with that if they ignore them, and perhaps annex them later.
If the players did make some lovely bridges outside of their territory, or even far from their settlements if there are no patrols, I would roll whether the Taldorians or Trolls take them.