The world and those within it
They life of a person in the steampunk world is not dissimilar from the life of your typical industrial revolution citizen. There are some differences however, and I want to take a few moments to explain some of those differences. Since the game is primarily (at least for now) set in Europe, I'm going to explain a typical European mind set as a way of showing what the world is like. This will contain some statistical data, and as most of my endeavors of this kind, is probably a bit more technical than most people probably want to read. I'd also like make a disclaimer of sorts. I'm don't have a masters degree in history. I'd like to consider myself a student of history insofar as I understand most of what occurred, but in depth knowledge is beyond me. As such, many people may see very atypical things here regarding my views of culture in Europe when compared to the real culture of Europe in the past. My response to this is that some changes are bound to be present in such a world. Mad scientists exist and so does magic. Perhaps I should instead say please suspend disbelief. It'll make reading this much easier.
The current European population sits at about 500,000,000 people, or roughly 20% of the worlds population. Of this, roughly 89% of the population is Human, 7% is Halfling, 2% is Erl, 1% is Dwarven, and 1% is other races including Orc, Half-Orcs, and Half-Ogres. However, this statistic is only reflective of races that are commonly considered civilized. There are uncounted Ogre, Giants, Goblins, and other "sentient" beings in Europe. The main religion in Europe is Catholicism, with small pockets of Lutheranism in Germany and Anglicanism in Great Britain. Obviously this also discounts the religions of the Erl, Dwarves, and other races. Curiously, many of these races have adopted human religious traditions, especially Orcs, Half-Orcs, Goblins and Half-Ogres. Many of these races have at one time or are currently enslaved depending on the nation. As such, Christianity offers a measure of solace. In Great Britain especially, a strong animist tradition has sprung up in many of the more rural areas. Among Halflings, who call the British Isles their birthplace, this animist tradition is especially strong.
Typically, most Europeans are very tolerant of other "Races". One of the side effects of existing in a world where creatures such as Ogres and Orcs exist is that among humans, less emphasis is placed upon ethnic diversity because humans truly are one race. This has a curious effect of spilling over to other races such as Dwarves and Halflings, creating a more accepting tolerance of them as well. This isn't always the case however. One of the primary divergent aspects of this is seen in slavery. Unlike our "real" history, Africans were never imported as slaves. Instead Orcs, and to a lesser extent Goblins, carried that distinction. Among Europeans, slavery was outlawed long ago, and an attitude of equality is very much ingrained in the ideals of most European nations and states. However, examining the norms would show that many Orcs and goblins still have the distinction of being the poorest of the poor. Incidents of racism exist, as do incidents of sexism, but racism at least in Europe is not as common place as it might be other places.
Your typical European citizen knows very little about the superstitions that exist in the steamppunk world. As a whole, most of them live in and around large cities. This is somewhat divergent from real history, but in the face of intelligent and combative entities such as dragons and trolls, most intelligent people congregate to areas that are safe. As such, cities in the steampunk world tend to be substantially larger, and the distance between them more barren. Farms certainly exist, and so to do small hamlets or villages, but these are generally protected by some powerful spark or mage. The average commoner in a large city lives their life without ever really seeing anything too out of the ordinary. Most have a passing familiar with Orcs, Goblins, Erl, and other demi-human races. They will probably see a few of them in their lives. But just as common in a large city are Clanks, Jaegers, and other technological creations. Alien to these city dwellers would be things such as undead, dragons, ogres, giants, and other monsters. Outside of the cities, however, the citizenry are much more aware of monsters, and would understand if one spoke of ghouls, vampires, and skeletons. They would see Clanks and Jaegers as truly alien. Equally alien would be magic and technology, although to a lesser degree. Most of Europe is claimed by some sovereign, and most of these are sparks or mages. As such, depending on where one lives, magic or technology would be the prevalent order. It depends on where one calls home whether you accept magic as the norm or technology.
The primary currency in Europe, and for the most part the rest of the world, is the British Pound. It is used by nations the world over, from the wastes of Alaska to the jungles of Peru. One pound sterling breaks down to 10 shillings, and 1 shilling makes 10 pennies. An average worker in an industrial European nation can expect to make about 30-50 pounds sterling in a month. This is generally enough to allow for a very tight subsistence existence. Most of the population of Europe are workers of industry in one form or another. Either they manufacture goods to be sold in other nations or farm to produce food. It is in many ways a typical capitalist economy. The biggest issue is that the British economy is the back bone of the rest of the world. Not withstanding America, which has finally managed to become self sufficient, the Mexica Empire, which loathes outsiders, and eastern Asia, which remains isolated, every nation or state relies upon the goods that Britain provides them in trading. Fluctuations in the British economy can have far reaching and disastrous effect because so many people rely upon their goods.
The British economy is still very strong, and its imperial sentiments still allow it to reap untold rewards at the expense of other sovereign peoples. With the discipline of anthropology becoming something less of a novelty and a legitimate science, some attempts are made by British anthropologists to understand the cultures that the Empire is conquering, but it is a marginal attempt at best. As it stands, the British control Canada, a few island holdings in the Caribbean, All of South Africa to the Congo, North Africa from Morocco to Egypt (including Egypt), the Arabian peninsula, India, Australia, New Zealand, Mars, and portions of Venus. Additionally, the British pay substantial war reparations to the United States, and have a great deal of clout with the "colonies".
The game currently takes place in Germany. As such, I think some time should be taken to explain Germany. The current political climate of Germany is a volatile one. Originally united under an emperor (Karl Franz the 2nd), his death in 1802 left the nation fragmented. Having no heirs, the only existing noble class were the Barons that made up the Council of Ten that owned the lands of the empire. However, each of them were determined to gain control of the throne, and as such set out to claim it. At first it was debate, but as time wore on, civil war broke out as each one tried to claim the throne via brute force. This has left, as of 1847, a sort of lukewarm conflict that sees no end in sight. The borders of each barony are strictly drawn, and border conflicts occur daily. Still, major military operations have been virtually non-existent for the better part of 15 years, with one notable exception. The Erl, who claim the Black Forest as their homeland, have long been a thorn in the side of Baroness Astrid Von Haagen and Baron Nikolas De Roelf. This is primarily because if it weren't for the Erl, both of these nobles would have substantially increased land holdings and access those lands resources. In 1832 Pope Gregory XVI issued his now famous Il proscioglimento di profano (proclamation of evil) emboldening Catholics to rid the world of evil as a path to heavenly salvation. The Erl, whose religious tradition is alien and who have a long standing penchant for razing human villages and taking the children, became almost immediate targets. Using the proclamation, the De Roelfs and the Von Haagens gained papal support and began purging the Black Forest of the Erl in hopes that it would grant them a edge over the other baronies. Whether the De Roelfs and the Von Haagens will come into conflict is yet to be seen. Recently the baronial powers signed the Transportation Accord, a treaty of sorts that outlawed the attacking or seizing of any non-military related materials moving to or from any of the baronial territories. Many citizens within Germany see this as a sign that the conflict between the baronial powers is coming to an end.
Munich, the capital of the Von Haagen Barony has a population of 325,000 people, with a population of 92% humans, 5% Orcs/Half-Orcs, 2% Halfling, and 1% Other. Its primary export is refined goods, as Munich is considered by most to be the manufacturing center of Germany. Ironically, Astrid Von Haagen is not a spark, nor is her husband, and both seem to have an interest in technology only as far as what it will bring their purses. Because of this, and because of incentives offer by the Von Haagens, Munich boasts a large spark population with numerous laboratories and factories around the city. A rail way from Nuremburg provides the city with raw materials from northern Germany, and a rail from the south brings goods from Italy via the Alps. Additionally the newly constructed Nilmsheim Air Center brings in air ships and sky ships nearly daily from all over the world as well as Mars, Venus, and the Moon. Munich also has a large number of farms outside of the city to provide its inhabitants with food. What isn't grown is shipped. Munich has one university and a technical university.
The current European population sits at about 500,000,000 people, or roughly 20% of the worlds population. Of this, roughly 89% of the population is Human, 7% is Halfling, 2% is Erl, 1% is Dwarven, and 1% is other races including Orc, Half-Orcs, and Half-Ogres. However, this statistic is only reflective of races that are commonly considered civilized. There are uncounted Ogre, Giants, Goblins, and other "sentient" beings in Europe. The main religion in Europe is Catholicism, with small pockets of Lutheranism in Germany and Anglicanism in Great Britain. Obviously this also discounts the religions of the Erl, Dwarves, and other races. Curiously, many of these races have adopted human religious traditions, especially Orcs, Half-Orcs, Goblins and Half-Ogres. Many of these races have at one time or are currently enslaved depending on the nation. As such, Christianity offers a measure of solace. In Great Britain especially, a strong animist tradition has sprung up in many of the more rural areas. Among Halflings, who call the British Isles their birthplace, this animist tradition is especially strong.
Typically, most Europeans are very tolerant of other "Races". One of the side effects of existing in a world where creatures such as Ogres and Orcs exist is that among humans, less emphasis is placed upon ethnic diversity because humans truly are one race. This has a curious effect of spilling over to other races such as Dwarves and Halflings, creating a more accepting tolerance of them as well. This isn't always the case however. One of the primary divergent aspects of this is seen in slavery. Unlike our "real" history, Africans were never imported as slaves. Instead Orcs, and to a lesser extent Goblins, carried that distinction. Among Europeans, slavery was outlawed long ago, and an attitude of equality is very much ingrained in the ideals of most European nations and states. However, examining the norms would show that many Orcs and goblins still have the distinction of being the poorest of the poor. Incidents of racism exist, as do incidents of sexism, but racism at least in Europe is not as common place as it might be other places.
Your typical European citizen knows very little about the superstitions that exist in the steamppunk world. As a whole, most of them live in and around large cities. This is somewhat divergent from real history, but in the face of intelligent and combative entities such as dragons and trolls, most intelligent people congregate to areas that are safe. As such, cities in the steampunk world tend to be substantially larger, and the distance between them more barren. Farms certainly exist, and so to do small hamlets or villages, but these are generally protected by some powerful spark or mage. The average commoner in a large city lives their life without ever really seeing anything too out of the ordinary. Most have a passing familiar with Orcs, Goblins, Erl, and other demi-human races. They will probably see a few of them in their lives. But just as common in a large city are Clanks, Jaegers, and other technological creations. Alien to these city dwellers would be things such as undead, dragons, ogres, giants, and other monsters. Outside of the cities, however, the citizenry are much more aware of monsters, and would understand if one spoke of ghouls, vampires, and skeletons. They would see Clanks and Jaegers as truly alien. Equally alien would be magic and technology, although to a lesser degree. Most of Europe is claimed by some sovereign, and most of these are sparks or mages. As such, depending on where one lives, magic or technology would be the prevalent order. It depends on where one calls home whether you accept magic as the norm or technology.
The primary currency in Europe, and for the most part the rest of the world, is the British Pound. It is used by nations the world over, from the wastes of Alaska to the jungles of Peru. One pound sterling breaks down to 10 shillings, and 1 shilling makes 10 pennies. An average worker in an industrial European nation can expect to make about 30-50 pounds sterling in a month. This is generally enough to allow for a very tight subsistence existence. Most of the population of Europe are workers of industry in one form or another. Either they manufacture goods to be sold in other nations or farm to produce food. It is in many ways a typical capitalist economy. The biggest issue is that the British economy is the back bone of the rest of the world. Not withstanding America, which has finally managed to become self sufficient, the Mexica Empire, which loathes outsiders, and eastern Asia, which remains isolated, every nation or state relies upon the goods that Britain provides them in trading. Fluctuations in the British economy can have far reaching and disastrous effect because so many people rely upon their goods.
The British economy is still very strong, and its imperial sentiments still allow it to reap untold rewards at the expense of other sovereign peoples. With the discipline of anthropology becoming something less of a novelty and a legitimate science, some attempts are made by British anthropologists to understand the cultures that the Empire is conquering, but it is a marginal attempt at best. As it stands, the British control Canada, a few island holdings in the Caribbean, All of South Africa to the Congo, North Africa from Morocco to Egypt (including Egypt), the Arabian peninsula, India, Australia, New Zealand, Mars, and portions of Venus. Additionally, the British pay substantial war reparations to the United States, and have a great deal of clout with the "colonies".
The game currently takes place in Germany. As such, I think some time should be taken to explain Germany. The current political climate of Germany is a volatile one. Originally united under an emperor (Karl Franz the 2nd), his death in 1802 left the nation fragmented. Having no heirs, the only existing noble class were the Barons that made up the Council of Ten that owned the lands of the empire. However, each of them were determined to gain control of the throne, and as such set out to claim it. At first it was debate, but as time wore on, civil war broke out as each one tried to claim the throne via brute force. This has left, as of 1847, a sort of lukewarm conflict that sees no end in sight. The borders of each barony are strictly drawn, and border conflicts occur daily. Still, major military operations have been virtually non-existent for the better part of 15 years, with one notable exception. The Erl, who claim the Black Forest as their homeland, have long been a thorn in the side of Baroness Astrid Von Haagen and Baron Nikolas De Roelf. This is primarily because if it weren't for the Erl, both of these nobles would have substantially increased land holdings and access those lands resources. In 1832 Pope Gregory XVI issued his now famous Il proscioglimento di profano (proclamation of evil) emboldening Catholics to rid the world of evil as a path to heavenly salvation. The Erl, whose religious tradition is alien and who have a long standing penchant for razing human villages and taking the children, became almost immediate targets. Using the proclamation, the De Roelfs and the Von Haagens gained papal support and began purging the Black Forest of the Erl in hopes that it would grant them a edge over the other baronies. Whether the De Roelfs and the Von Haagens will come into conflict is yet to be seen. Recently the baronial powers signed the Transportation Accord, a treaty of sorts that outlawed the attacking or seizing of any non-military related materials moving to or from any of the baronial territories. Many citizens within Germany see this as a sign that the conflict between the baronial powers is coming to an end.
Munich, the capital of the Von Haagen Barony has a population of 325,000 people, with a population of 92% humans, 5% Orcs/Half-Orcs, 2% Halfling, and 1% Other. Its primary export is refined goods, as Munich is considered by most to be the manufacturing center of Germany. Ironically, Astrid Von Haagen is not a spark, nor is her husband, and both seem to have an interest in technology only as far as what it will bring their purses. Because of this, and because of incentives offer by the Von Haagens, Munich boasts a large spark population with numerous laboratories and factories around the city. A rail way from Nuremburg provides the city with raw materials from northern Germany, and a rail from the south brings goods from Italy via the Alps. Additionally the newly constructed Nilmsheim Air Center brings in air ships and sky ships nearly daily from all over the world as well as Mars, Venus, and the Moon. Munich also has a large number of farms outside of the city to provide its inhabitants with food. What isn't grown is shipped. Munich has one university and a technical university.
posted by Aleris at 11:26 AM
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