Author Topic: Birthright vs The Real World  (Read 2934 times)

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Offline DM B

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Birthright vs The Real World
« on: March 04, 2009, 03:12:32 PM »
How similar is 16th century Anuire to medieval Europe? Well, its pretty similar in some respects, but not all that similar in others.

Here are some comparison (feel free to add more and ask questions):

- Anuire is, overall, technologically similar to late medieval/early renaissance Europe.

- Anuire has had its Dark Ages; from the Fall of the Empire and up through the 14th century - more than 400 years - saw a steady decline of Anuirean civilization. Indeed, if you look at Diemed and the South Coast, all the lands that are now Medoere and Roesone were only lightly populated and without central control only a few hundred years ago.

- The past century and a half has seen a steady increase in Anuirean fortunes, and Anuire is now well on its way to recovering what was lost. Indeed, many would claim that this is an age of unprecedented growth, wealth and opportunity. At the same time it is a time of great change and upheaval, as the growing middle class struggle against the old nobility and the commoners start wondering if they shouldn't get a bigger piece of the wealth they help produce.

- The forging of weapons and armor is highly advanced and realms are able to produce or procure large quantities of affordable equipment. Professional armies are better equipped in terms of arms and armor than Eurpoean armies were; i.e. even a common infantryman will have decent armor and good weapons provided by his lord.

- Disciplined heavy infantry formations dominate the battlefield. Heavy infantry never quite lost its importance in Anuire like it did in Europe. It probably didn't have the quality and cohesion it does today, but neither did infantry become completely eclipsed by heavy cavalry.

- Knights still play a role, but they are not the undisputed kings of the battlefield. They were very important a few hundred years ago, but now their importance is steadily declining as realms maintain larger and larger standing infantry armies.  Instead, lighter cavalry is used for flank attacks, envelopment, recon and pursuit.

- Archers are also employed by all Anuirean armies; unlike in Europe the longbow is accessible to all Anuirean realms. It is still a secondary weapon system, but it is very rare for Anuirean to take to the field without any archers in support of their other infantry and cavalry.

- From Brecht lands the pike and the polearm have begun gradually replacing the old sword and shield fighter that is so typically Anuirean. The crossbow is another brecht weapon seeing increased use - its expensive to make, but training men to use it is simple, so it works well with the new mass armies.

More later.
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Offline DM B

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Re: Birthright vs The Real World
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2009, 02:46:56 PM »
- Magic, both divine and arcane does play a part in Anuire; Europe had none of those (faith certainly, and the odd miracle, but nothing like divine magic). And although magic is by no means common, it IS part of Anuire. Magical creatures and weapons DO exist. Wizards CAN destroy armies. Priests CAN heal the Prince if he's wounded - possibly even bring him back from the dead!

- Monsters and non-magical creatures really do exist! Dragons once flew across the skies and goblins DO lurk in the dark woods. That's not to say that most people have met a goblin, let alone seen a dragon, but Anuire's mythical heritage is quite strong. Stone circles and burial mounds from giant civilizations dot the landscape, ruined elven towers are scattered across the land, dwarven weapon that never loose their edge...faeries dancing in a forest meadow...the list is near endless.

- Gods and other divine entities are truly real and involved in ways that have no parallel in the real world (such as the spells mentioned above); although they primarily act through their various priesthoods, they do have other otherworldly servants able carry out their bidding. So yes, an angle might actually appear before you, give you a holy quest and then be off again...literally back to heaven.

- The Great Beyond IS actually the abode of the gods, where they fight and bicker and plot, just like their followers do in the World. And when you die you actually go to heaven...or Hell, sorta depends ;) There you can enjoy the afterlife or perhaps another fate awaits...but there really is an immortal soul, and what you do, really DOES echo into eternity.

All these things...they are facts, not beliefs. Or are they? You can always argue that the people of medieval Europe believed a whole lot of similar things. So perhaps it is the same, only on different level of magnitude.
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Offline DM B

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Re: Birthright vs The Real World
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2009, 03:01:32 PM »
The Anuirean Empire was not the Roman Empire

- The Anuirean Empire was always a feudal structure, with the Anuirean Emperor ruling over a number of client states (Duchies). As a feudal lord, the Emperor would often consult his chief vassals beforehand, but there was never any Anuirean 'republic' with a senate and such.

- The power of the Emperor over his vassals varied during the course of the Empire. Roele created an Empire around his person. When he died, choas ensued, and it took several centuries for a true state to form. Even then the duchies had much power. At the height of the Empire the duchies had little power - the Emperor has a strong civil service, and controlled the military. Later the various duchies would again grain in power, wealth and independence. By Michael's time, the Emperor was dependent on gaining the support of at least some of his vassals.

- The Andu that arrive in Cerilia created a number of sates (5 major ones) in the years before Deismaar; they were not united in any way. Perhaps a parallel can be drawn between Roele and Rome in that they subjugated their neighbors that shared many similar cultural traits. But the similarity ends there.

- During the Golden Years of the Empire colonies were established and foreign lands conquered. Some of these lands acquired a certain Anuirean population, but mostly we're talking Anuirean lords setting up shop and controlling the commoners. Either that or local lords controlling their locals on behalf of Anuirean overlords.
DM Bjørn