It seems you have no tags attached to pages. To attach a tag simply click on the tags button at the bottom of any page.
MishaFox 1174886806|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
I have an idea for a story that involves a noble family in the Pyralian Kingdoms. I know nothing about the place. What is that place like exactly? What would the people be like. How would they react to someone like Misha contacting them?
MatthiasRat 1175070938|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
That depends, the Pyralian Kingdoms are a big place!! I have tried to portray Eastern Pyralis like Germany, and Western Pyralis more like France, to one extent or another.
RavenB 1175140148|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
The most important thing to remember about the Pyralians is that Pyralis itself = Rome. This is basically the Roman Empire after the Empire has crumbled; small states bound together by chains of fealty, a common religion, and the system of feudalism, but constantly squabbling amongst themselves over the scraps of the Empire. They can band together against an outside threat, but never for long.
I posted a whole bunch of stuff about Sathmore and Pyralis on the old MK mailing list; I'll try to dig it up and put it in the Wiki when I have the chance.
The region directly around Pyralis is definitely the equivalent of Italy, though. I can see the Western parts of the Confederation as France and Spain, but I don't think a German flavor makes much sense for the East. There's already a strong Germanic element in Sonngefilde; I don't think we need any more regions of our globe reflecting that particular culture.
MatthiasRat 1175282637|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
The City of Breckaris has a German flavor. It sits in perhaps the middle of the country. If it upsets you that much to have some German influence there (considering that Sonngefilde has more Polish in it than German, I'm not sure where the German is coming from), consider it more like the border between France and Germany.
Either way, there are a lot of different European flavours there.
RavenB 1175367262|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Hey, here's an idea: What if Breckaris was where the Cenetli settled when they were driven out of the Midlands by the lutin/giant invasions during disintegration of the Suielman Empire? That would explain why the character of the place is so different from the Mediterranean-style cultures that make up the rest of the Pyralian Kingdoms. It makes sense that, even if the Pyralians felt a duty to give homes to these refugees, they wouldn't want them near the center of political power. Giving them Breckaris would help to funnel them all to one location near the western border, where they could serve as a buffer between the Pyralians and the Sathmorans (whose loyalty to the Emperor posed a threat to their plans to overthrow him).
As for Sonngefilde, I've been operating under the assumption that they were broadly Germanic in character because of place names like the "Darkundlicht Mountains." The Slavic cultures seemed to be more represented by the Flatlanders, based on the names you've given to their characters and geography. Of course, given that Sonngefilde is a whole fricking continent about the size of South America, I'm sure there's room in there for every Eastern European culture, and then some. :)
MatthiasRat 1175374580|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Regarding Sonngefilde, yes, there is a Germanic influence. The language of the continent follows German grammar structure (which is why they speak such an odd form of Galendish). The area in the extreme northeast of Sonngefilde is Stuthgansk, and this was based more on Poland. It is home of the Order of Driheli too. I mix a lot of the cultures together, yes, but I do try to have a naming theme in mind.
As far as Breckaris, I got the impression that the Cenetl were Celtic, which is not remotely German.
Keep in mind that the leader of Breckaris is Duke Friedrich Schanalein, and Bishop Hockmann is the religious leader. The character names I have used are broadly German. Redoing the culture underneath me is rather awkward.
Ironically, I have described the architecture of Breckaris as Mediterranean. So I don't know how distinct the culture really is.
RavenB 1175390501|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
As far as Breckaris, I got the impression that the Cenetl were Celtic, which is not remotely German.
The Cenetli resemble the Celts in some ways, but not universally. Only the Sathmorans resemble the modern-day Celts of the British Isles; the Midlander Cenetli of old would have been more like the Gauls and other barbarian tribes of northern Europe in the days of the Roman Empire. I don't think it's at all inappropriate to think that some sub-groups of Cenetli could be more Germanic while others were more Gallic. That actually fits with the nature of Lambemma, which was always modeled on Gothic word-roots.
I don't find it unreasonable for Breckaris to be an outpost of Germanic-style culture, probably brought about by the migrations of people-groups that happened during the Empire's disintegration. But the Suielman Empire as a whole has always been modeled on the Roman Empire, with Sathmore's Celtic-style people taking the place of Byzantium's Greek culture as the fragment of the Empire that survived. Most of the Pyralian Kingdoms, then, should reflect the Mediterranean world that the Suielmans were based off of. Making a small district that is an exception to the rule is okay, but it would be a mistake to then conclude that the character of the Pyralian Confederation is broadly Germanic. The fact that you describe the people as Germanic but the architecture as Mediterranean would seem to fit with the idea that these are people who were grafted in to an existing society, rather than a culture that had grown up with Breckaris as its native soil.
MatthiasRat 1175394678|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Okay, sounds fine by me. I just want to make sure we are on the same page. We do need to beware we do not establish too much, especially when very little has been written about in these locations.
MishaFox 1175401698|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
And please remember - Don't take the comparison with the Celts too closely. It was only intended as a guide and not 100% fact. Lots and lots of room for manuever in there for everyone.
MatthiasRat 1175433129|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
No problem! Room to maneuver is a good thing.
Ryx 1211331058|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
I'm going to the dark side! I'm going to raise an old thread with necromantic spells! Muah hah ha *kof* *haack*
Anyway, would this thread not be more appropriately titled 'Comparative Geologic Cultures of Pyralia'? No one actually elucidated what kingdoms actually may exist in Pyralia.
In general I agree with the overall ideas in the thread, with Sutthaivasse being somewhat Portugese-like but with their naval approach being very Viking due to the types of trees available for construction (tall trees being considered southerly, and fearfully close to the dark influence of Marzac though no one knows exactly where that kingdom truly lies anymore).
Silvassa, though being Sathmoran, I was envisioning as the cultural epicenter for the nascent Renaissaince Period. It is very much like New Orleans; a party mecca, and a place where those ill recieved by their cultural peers retreat to so that they might find acceptance in the cultural melting pot that is Silvassa. It sits astride the two extremes of theology and manages, like Metamor, to mesh them without too terrible much strife.
It is the capital of new music and musical technology, has Lothonas Temples of great power and influence, but also Follower Churches that are openly accepted. Despite being a difficult trip inland from any major body of water it is a mecca for the trade of small, easily transported (and very expensive) items… from magic to technologies to mere ideas that send ripples throughout the world. It is a center of ecenomic strength for both Pyralia and Silvassa and houses many of the most powerful Merchant Guilds, Mage Guilds, and Banks.
Having one of the few major bridges to cross the twin rivers coming south from the mountains it is also a strategic hotpoint. Thus far its armies have been capable of withstanding attacks and some conquerors (Hendil Sutt, sic) simply avoid irking Silvassa.
Overall, Silvassa I've always envisioned as very, very French.
RavenB 1211374855|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Anyway, would this thread not be more appropriately titled 'Comparative Geologic Cultures of Pyralia'? No one actually elucidated what kingdoms actually may exist in Pyralia.
I don't know if anything has been established in mainstream MK on this or not, but in MK2K I have divided the former Confederation into the following provinces (from west to east):
My guess is that the Confederation is broken into many smaller pieces than the four MK2K provinces, but those are the general cultural groupings that I've aimed for.
Having one of the few major bridges to cross the twin rivers coming south from the mountains it is also a strategic hotpoint. Thus far its armies have been capable of withstanding attacks and some conquerors (Hendil Sutt, sic) simply avoid irking Silvassa.
Just a reminder: As part of the Empire, Silvassa doesn't have any armies that are loyal to the city itself. The Emperor has a large garrison there, but he doesn't allow local lords to raise their own private armies.
If Silvassa is the center of a Renaissance, it must be a fairly recent development, because the city has probably taken the brunt of any war ever fought between the Empire and the Pyralian Confederation. Not saying it couldn't happen, since there has been a fairly long stretch of relative peace in recent years, but when fighting breaks out again Silvassa's going to be hit hard. At the very least, Confederation forces will lay seige to the city while they go after softer targets elsewhere.
Overall, Silvassa I've always envisioned as very, very French.
I'm not so sure about that; we already have a French-analogue, Lanton. Also, Silvassa is at the border between a Celtic people with Byzantine-style government (the Sathmorans) and a transplanted Germanic people (the Brekklanders), so I don't see how you'd get anything French-looking out of that mixture of influences. I mean, yes, the modern French are descendants of the Gauls and the Normans, but it took a long period of total intermixing before they got to be what they are now.
It would seem to strain credibility for us to have two different regions of Galendor, separated by hundreds of miles, that just happen to have evolved a French-sounding society. You might have some transplants from Lanton, dating back to the fall of the Empire, but I would think that the overall culture would be fairly Celtic/Imperial, with heavy borrowing from the neighboring regions.
MatthiasRat 1211387007|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
A few points based on my own writing:
1. Tournemire has influence from the Boreaux regions of Kitchlande. All of the names I've used for the Tournemire household, and for the one character I've introduced from Boreaux, are French. The affection and dress as well as appearance of the Marquis du Tournemire has been French (or at least as much as I can intimate).
Also, you point out that Silvassa shouldn't be French because Lanton already is. Lanton is small potatoes compared to the detail written about the Marquis du Tournemire, the history of the Chateau Marzac, etc… Perhaps Lanton at one time had people who came from those regions to settle it. That sort of explanation is far more logical.
2. Ryx and I have been plotting something between Silvassa and Breckaris for years now. In fact, Ryx is even now working on that story, and I've dropped hints of it throughout my stories both past and present. Perhaps you can be of aid in working out some details if you'd care to do so.
Dominus vobiscum
RavenB 1211426654|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Also, you point out that Silvassa shouldn't be French because Lanton already is. Lanton is small potatoes compared to the detail written about the Marquis du Tournemire, the history of the Chateau Marzac, etc… Perhaps Lanton at one time had people who came from those regions to settle it. That sort of explanation is far more logical.
Sure, that works. I just went with Spanish because it was in about the right place on the continent. Perhaps that region contains the whole Portuguese-Spanish-Southern French continuum. Whatever is established about it, though, let's get it onto the wiki so that other writers can see it; that's the whole point for having the wiki in the first place. Keeping specific plot-lines private is fine, but world-building should be done in the open. :)
MatthiasRat 1211493637|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Yeah, someday when I have time, I'll sit down and do that. Right now, I'm too busy writing the stories. ;-)
That and being a homeowner. Yikes!
Dominus vobiscum
Ryx 1211402858|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Silvassa does not have to be French, per se, I am seeing the liberal culteral addmixture of dozens of cultures establishing a free thinking city much like Paris or New Orleans, but the underlying influence does not have to be French exactly.
French in mindset, perhaps.
Just a reminder: As part of the Empire, Silvassa doesn't have any armies that are loyal to the city itself. The Emperor has a large garrison there, but he doesn't allow local lords to raise their own private armies.
Case in point, and where the garrisons come from is of little overall concern. The local Lord of the city supports the Sathmoran garrisons, but the local Royals & Nobles will certainly have their own personal force of arms, but hardly anything that could be considered armies.
Something I would like to point out, however, is that Silvassa has more problems with refugees during any major war than the soldiers of the respective armies dashing themselves against the city walls. Nor does it have an great fear of artillery besiegement.
Why?
Thus, Silvassa has two very effective natural barriers to its east and south, while it is exposed to the north and west. Should a southern attacker manage to secure the city their holding it would be far more difficult against a besieging army with no geologic impedements.
Now, that is not to say that Silvassa has escaped unscathed from wars of the past… it has probably been sacked & razed a time or two.
But wars bring refugees, and refugees bring their many cultures. Inititally these refugees stratify into slums, and over time the slums slowly break down as their cultures are absorbed into the body of the populace. This makes it a melting pot of dozens of cultures and hardly any one specific culture (i.e. french).
Due to having a string of less than iron-fisted Lords, a tolerant balance between the two religeons, as well as magic the city has over time evolved into a city of Arts and Science, Music, War, and Eros.
A complicated dichtomy that has found a profitable balance.
And it could truly be called the City of Lights, it has a powerful Mage Guild presence (if it is not the Headquarters of one or more), and as I have so dutifully established… Light spells are accolyte level magic.
Permanent light spells, however, are considerably more difficult.
I just want to establish that, while it is a trade and military city, Silvassa is a city that knows how to, and will make any excuse to, party.
RavenB 1211426310|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Sounds good to me. :)
