Almean technology

[Glenn]

Given that there hasn't been much action in this part of the board lately, I'm going to ask Mark a couple of questions.

About the state of technology in Erelae: you've talked about Verduria's own level of technology and development (similar to England and France in the 17th-18th century, without effective firearms or steam engines, but with printing, deep-sea ships, streetlights (oil lamps), and a touch of magic), and hinted that Kebri, Erenat, and Flora are nearly as advanced, while the kingdoms on the Plain's western and southern fringes (Barakhun and related lands, Benecia, Beshbalic, Deshtai, Dracnae) are significantly more "primitive." You also mention that Dhekhnam is less urbanized and technological than Verduria, but also equipped with ships and explosives(and even diplomats).

How about some of the other lands, though? How do Ismahi and Azgami compare to Verduria, and Erenat? (They certainly seem to contrast politically, if not technologically, being more "despotic"...something in the Ismain contrast between authoritarian government and decadent, "superfluous" intellectuals reminds me of the early 19th-century Russian intelligentsia vis-a-vis the Tsarist state--not that the Russians were decadent.) Xurno, Belshai and the Skourene and Litteral states seem "advanced", and the Qaraus, jungle peoples, and steppe nomads more "primitive," but it's hard for me to get a good sense of how these different peoples compare to each other (apart from Verduria, my brain wants to attach the standard "medieval" label, unless I fight it). I do realize that labels like this are misleading and an oversimplification, but could you say a few words?

[How about the Nanese, for that matter? They're an interesting case as well: a more recent "civilization" with large-scale shipbuilding and sailing capabilities, especially judging from their colonies. You talked about the Nanese on the old board a couple of time; I wouldn't mind hearing more about them someday.]

Incidentally, it has occured to me that at least the southern Naviu nomads of the Barbarian Plain could well have summer pastures in the northern slopes of the Diqun Bormai, very close to the elcarin settlements there...any sign of contact?

Finally, a question of a different sort: do you think you'll have a chance any time to continue "Almean Belief Systems" (maybe after the Count of Years comes out?) I'd love to have a look at Arashat, Eledhat, Irreanism, Endajue, and whatever other faiths you manage to add in...

p@,
Glenn

[zompist]

How about some of the other lands, though? Xurno, Belshai and the Skourene and Litteral states seem "advanced", and the Qaraus, jungle peoples, and steppe nomads more "primitive," but it's hard for me to get a good sense of how these different peoples compare to each other (apart from Verduria, my brain wants to attach the standard "medieval" label, unless I fight it). I do realize that labels like this are misleading and an oversimplification, but could you say a few words?

Your suppositions are pretty accurate. The nomads live pretty much as they have for the last milennium or so-- not quite understanding why the agriculturalist states are tougher than they used to be, but not yet constrained to pay them any attention. About the same can be said for the Rau peoples, except for Leru Leru, which is a center for trade with the outside world.

The most advanced states in the South are Belshai and Skouras, followed closely by Cheiy. Xurno is a lot more open than it used to be, due to the Revaudo revolution, but Xurnese culture has also traditionally been quite proud and inward-directed, and it hasn't been as quick to absorb northern ideas (rather than just northern technology). (On the other hand, its government is arguably the most modern on the planet.)

Incidentally, it has occured to me that at least the southern Naviu nomads of the Barbarian Plain could well have summer pastures in the northern slopes of the Diqun Bormai, very close to the elcarin settlements there...any sign of contact?

Sure... the nomads appreciate elcarin arms and armor, and they can provide food and even some excess plunder.

Finally, a question of a different sort: do you think you'll have a chance any time to continue "Almean Belief Systems" (maybe after the Count of Years comes out?) I'd love to have a look at Arashat, Eledhat, Irreanism, Endajue, and whatever other faiths you manage to add in...

Yes, that's an ongoing project. Also a slow one: it's a lot easier to invent a language than a believable religion! I have a lot of materials on the Xurnese religions, but it doesn't seem alive enough to me yet.

[Glenn]

Your suppositions are pretty accurate. The nomads live pretty much as they have for the last milennium or so-- not quite understanding why the agriculturalist states are tougher than they used to be, but not yet constrained to pay them any attention. About the same can be said for the Rau peoples, except for Leru Leru, which is a center for trade with the outside world.

I suppose I can see the nomads remaining basically stable technologically (although not necessarily politically--different chiefdoms and alliances may have risen and fallen). The northern fringe of nomads close to Eretald, specifically the Obenzayet (the one group to begin settling down), have probably been subjected to outside influences, however (as perhaps has the eastern fringe, close to Xurno). Here in Kazakhstan, some of the most famous figures in Kazakh history come from the first generations of Kazakhs to learn Russian and/or obtain a Russian education--people who crossed from one world to the other, or remained in between. If I ever carry out my threat to write about Obenzaya, I would definitely like to include this element.

The most advanced states in the South are Belshai and Skouras, followed closely by Cheiy.

Thanks; I realized after posting that I'd left Cheiy out, but I hadn't gotten around to editing it in yet.

Yes, that's an ongoing project. Also a slow one: it's a lot easier to invent a language than a believable religion! I have a lot of materials on the Xurnese religions, but it doesn't seem alive enough to me yet.

Looking forward to it--although I can certainly understand the difficulties. (One of my ambitions is to create a believable fictional religion or two. Another is to portray a believeable fictional and/or historically obscure division of Christianity--which is essentially what Eledhat is as well.)

p@,
Glenn