genres:historical
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====== Historical ====== | ====== Historical ====== | ||
- | Historical games are set during real historical periods, though may be based on fictional or fantastical events. Those which diverge greatly from history are best described as fantasy, though mythical might better describe a setting such as Ars Magica</em> | + | Historical games are set during real historical periods, though may be based on fictional or fantastical events. Those which diverge greatly from history are best described as fantasy, though mythical might better describe a setting such as //Ars Magica// where a close eye is kept on historical reality (despite the existence of magic). |
However, historical settings provide a wide range of backdrops for all types of genres. The original Cthulhu stories would today be regarded as historical - mostly 1920s America. | However, historical settings provide a wide range of backdrops for all types of genres. The original Cthulhu stories would today be regarded as historical - mostly 1920s America. | ||
- | The Baroque Cycle</em> | + | //The Baroque Cycle// or the //Hornblower// series are also historical, the former with a touch of fantasy. |
The type of technology and skills available to characters in a historical period are defined by the setting' | The type of technology and skills available to characters in a historical period are defined by the setting' | ||
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The Stone Age can be difficult to built an RPG around. Skills would be limited to survival, hunting and crafting with not much else. Shamans may have some ' | The Stone Age can be difficult to built an RPG around. Skills would be limited to survival, hunting and crafting with not much else. Shamans may have some ' | ||
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In terms of years, this is the largest period covered, spanning at least hundreds of thousands of years. It ranges from the first stone tools used by cavemen through simple hunter-gatherer societies living in grass huts to the beginnings of agriculture. | In terms of years, this is the largest period covered, spanning at least hundreds of thousands of years. It ranges from the first stone tools used by cavemen through simple hunter-gatherer societies living in grass huts to the beginnings of agriculture. | ||
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Though there is a (relative) wide range of technologies available during this period, it is rarely gamed except in time travelling or SF campaigns where PCs crash on some primitive world. As such, everything is rolled into a single TL. | Though there is a (relative) wide range of technologies available during this period, it is rarely gamed except in time travelling or SF campaigns where PCs crash on some primitive world. As such, everything is rolled into a single TL. | ||
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The main feature of this period is that it pre-dates the manufacturing of metal working. Agriculture may exist, though it is on a small scale and not particularly common, restricting the size of settlements. | The main feature of this period is that it pre-dates the manufacturing of metal working. Agriculture may exist, though it is on a small scale and not particularly common, restricting the size of settlements. | ||
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==== The Bronze Age (TL1) ==== | ==== The Bronze Age (TL1) ==== | ||
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Covers the period from about 3000 BC to around 700 BC in Europe (or earlier in the Far East), and stories set in such a period will be set in the earliest cities. The Bronze Age sees the rise of agriculture, | Covers the period from about 3000 BC to around 700 BC in Europe (or earlier in the Far East), and stories set in such a period will be set in the earliest cities. The Bronze Age sees the rise of agriculture, | ||
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Unlike the Stone Age, there are plenty of story opportunities for characters, from politics to war and adventure. | Unlike the Stone Age, there are plenty of story opportunities for characters, from politics to war and adventure. | ||
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Technological skills will not be available, and knowledge of the world will be shaped by superstition. There are plenty of cults to add flavour to such campaigns. | Technological skills will not be available, and knowledge of the world will be shaped by superstition. There are plenty of cults to add flavour to such campaigns. | ||
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As with everything, reality has a habit of confusing things and some cultures should possibly be considered TL 1 even though they lack metal working. Many South American cultures had complex city states, mathematics and even rudimentary technology without discovering metal working. | As with everything, reality has a habit of confusing things and some cultures should possibly be considered TL 1 even though they lack metal working. Many South American cultures had complex city states, mathematics and even rudimentary technology without discovering metal working. | ||
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===== Age of Empires ===== | ===== Age of Empires ===== | ||
==== The Iron Age (TL 2) ==== | ==== The Iron Age (TL 2) ==== | ||
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The Iron Age sees the rise of the Roman Empire, Egypt and the Far East. Changes from the Bronze Age are incremental as far as stories go, with better communications over larger distances, and bigger buildings and cities allowing for more complex city based campaigns. | The Iron Age sees the rise of the Roman Empire, Egypt and the Far East. Changes from the Bronze Age are incremental as far as stories go, with better communications over larger distances, and bigger buildings and cities allowing for more complex city based campaigns. | ||
- | + | Historically, | |
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- | Historically, | + | |
==== The Medieval Period (TL 3) ==== | ==== The Medieval Period (TL 3) ==== | ||
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Probably the most common period for fantasy campaigns, it is mostly dominated by the rise of monotheistic religion and the domestication of the old tribal groups in Europe. Travel is still limited, and weapons and armour are getting better, but don't differ greatly since earlier periods until late in the Medieval. | Probably the most common period for fantasy campaigns, it is mostly dominated by the rise of monotheistic religion and the domestication of the old tribal groups in Europe. Travel is still limited, and weapons and armour are getting better, but don't differ greatly since earlier periods until late in the Medieval. | ||
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It does of course see the rise of the Knight, at least in Europe, and the ideals of chivalry. | It does of course see the rise of the Knight, at least in Europe, and the ideals of chivalry. | ||
+ | The later Roman Empire can also be considered TL 3, bordering on TL 4. It had great cities, organised armies and a complex trade and social system. In terms of society, culture and organisation, | ||
+ | ===== Dawn of Science ===== | ||
==== The Renaissance (TL 4) ==== | ==== The Renaissance (TL 4) ==== | ||
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From about 1450 onwards in Europe, the Renaissance saw the birth of science and modern technology. The advent of gunpowder weapons, art, culture and trade all combined to form a political environment not seen before. | From about 1450 onwards in Europe, the Renaissance saw the birth of science and modern technology. The advent of gunpowder weapons, art, culture and trade all combined to form a political environment not seen before. | ||
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Money, not breeding, was beginning to be seen as an important symbol of status, and new horizons were being opened up in the New World and Far East. By making characters merchants, or part of a merchant' | Money, not breeding, was beginning to be seen as an important symbol of status, and new horizons were being opened up in the New World and Far East. By making characters merchants, or part of a merchant' | ||
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Skill sets are similar to the medieval period, with Natural Philosophy still being used instead of Science to understand the world. Cities are growing big enough, and complex enough, to easy set whole campaigns in a single one, and are suitable for Thieves World or Farfard and the Grey Mouser type stories. | Skill sets are similar to the medieval period, with Natural Philosophy still being used instead of Science to understand the world. Cities are growing big enough, and complex enough, to easy set whole campaigns in a single one, and are suitable for Thieves World or Farfard and the Grey Mouser type stories. | ||
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- | ===== Dawn of Science ===== | ||
==== The Enlightenment (TL 5) ==== | ==== The Enlightenment (TL 5) ==== | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
If the Renaissance was the birth of Science, so the Enlightenment is its coming of age. Yags treats periods prior to TL 5 (assumed to be early 18th century) differently to those that come later. Before TL 5, knowledge about the workings of the world is treated with the Natural Philosophy skill. From TL 5 onwards, Science becomes available and provides access to Physics, Biology and Chemistry as separate skills. | If the Renaissance was the birth of Science, so the Enlightenment is its coming of age. Yags treats periods prior to TL 5 (assumed to be early 18th century) differently to those that come later. Before TL 5, knowledge about the workings of the world is treated with the Natural Philosophy skill. From TL 5 onwards, Science becomes available and provides access to Physics, Biology and Chemistry as separate skills. | ||
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Exploration, | Exploration, | ||
- | + | ===== The Rise of the Machines | |
- | ===== Contemporary | + | |
==== The Mechanical Age (TL 6) ==== | ==== The Mechanical Age (TL 6) ==== | ||
+ | {{: | ||
From the late 19th century to the end of World War II, the Mechanical Age covers the rise of the machine and industrialisation on a global scale. Science is here to stay | From the late 19th century to the end of World War II, the Mechanical Age covers the rise of the machine and industrialisation on a global scale. Science is here to stay | ||
(we hope), cheap air and sea travel become a reality for adventure in distant lands, and there' | (we hope), cheap air and sea travel become a reality for adventure in distant lands, and there' | ||
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Except for the type of equipment available, there' | Except for the type of equipment available, there' | ||
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==== The Nuclear Age (TL 7) ==== | ==== The Nuclear Age (TL 7) ==== | ||
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From the 1940s to the 1980s whole new areas of science began to open up. Human space travel became possible, though this was based on the rocket technology of TL 6. Micro computers were a big change from the old vacuum tube designs, and began to affect every day life. | From the 1940s to the 1980s whole new areas of science began to open up. Human space travel became possible, though this was based on the rocket technology of TL 6. Micro computers were a big change from the old vacuum tube designs, and began to affect every day life. | ||
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The understanding of genetics and DNA paved the way for new technologies in biology and medicine, and the explosive ownership of TV and cars, as well as cheap plane travel, greatly reduced the apparent size of the world. | The understanding of genetics and DNA paved the way for new technologies in biology and medicine, and the explosive ownership of TV and cars, as well as cheap plane travel, greatly reduced the apparent size of the world. | ||
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The politics of this period is interesting, | The politics of this period is interesting, | ||
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==== The Modern Day (TL 8) ==== | ==== The Modern Day (TL 8) ==== | ||
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If TL 6 was about bigger, faster, cheaper compared to previous periods, then TL 8 was all about smaller, faster and more disposable. Just as computers moved from being the province of large universities to being household items, so telephones moved from household items to personal devices carried by everyone. | If TL 6 was about bigger, faster, cheaper compared to previous periods, then TL 8 was all about smaller, faster and more disposable. Just as computers moved from being the province of large universities to being household items, so telephones moved from household items to personal devices carried by everyone. | ||
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TL 8 covers the period from around 1980 to around 2020. Of course, this is based on a European/ | TL 8 covers the period from around 1980 to around 2020. Of course, this is based on a European/ | ||
genres/historical.1339839286.txt.gz · Last modified: 2015/02/04 22:40 (external edit)