I will note that many of the sites that forward pioneering work would be required at, or that would be chosen for such work, would be less hostile to a flying ship's support (of a ground force because, as you say, an aerial presence on its own traditionally cannot hold ground). A marching camp is likely to be set up in a place where the trees are sparser - a glade or the like - whereas a river crossing would obviously have its own large open space and a marsh would be more likely to have a thinner treeline. Plus, of course, there's magic as a major variable here - can interact with the terrain in myriad different ways! (Hmm. Note to self: consider whether an X-ray vision spell or something like it would be Azyr, Hysh, Ulgu or something else. That could be handy regardless of anything to do with skyships.)
Ach, that's a shame, though obviously entirely understandable from a writing/worldbuilding perspective. Genuinely really fascinated about some of the lore that has come out about Cathay (as my posts here, I'm sure, have long revealed), so it'd be a delight to see Boney explore it; at least Nerdasaurus' post offers hope in that regard!
Nonetheless, there are other places to go to, of course - the distant considerations of expanding the Waystone Project far to the North, the thought that was discussed at one point of examining the Geomantic Web... The freedom offered by a skyship brings those dreams, and ones like them, a touch closer to reality. That would be part of the appeal as I see it!
In any case, think I'm drifting sleepwards - feel free to respond but I doubt I'll have any rejoinder to offer! Appreciate the robust discussion, MrHobbit.
