VV makeover (and a number of other questions)


Posted by Glenn Kempf on 10:08 5/23/02

In reply to: VV makeover (and a number of other questions) posted by Jay Shorten on 21:25 5/21/02

Actually, I would think you could definitely find people to help with the history. If I had far more time and a greater command of the language(s) and religions, I'd be tempted to try it (I'm particularly interested in Benécia and Dracnáe), but I'd be scared stiff of getting something "wrong"! :-) At any rate, if you're interested in "outsourcing" in the future, you can let us know.

With regard to the question of "minor" states: not every kingdom actually has to be a "glorious empire"; they just need some heroes and grand myths of their own, and the storytellers can do the rest. Even defeats and underdog status can be turned into a triumph. (Benecia is again an example; you spoke in the Historical Atlas of their "grand conquests" that nobody else on the Plain knows anything about...)

Ad onleláan,
Glenn


Mark responds:

Heh... it's true that there's more leeway in myths. Eventually I hope to describe some of the Axunashin myths, so you can compare Cuzeian, Cadhinorian, and Axunashin accounts of the ktuvok-iliu wars.

One myth cycle I'm interested in on Earth is the Roland/Orlando stories, which started with Charlemagne's defeat at Roncesvalles and grew into a huge epic story. Charlemagne is depicted as the ruler of virtually all of Europe.

Hmm, Glenn, wouldn't you like to work on Deshtai or Obenzaya, which descend from nomadic realms? :)

Errors can always be corrected; what's harder is to get the feeling of slight alienness I'm after. It's not easy to get away from the standard European fantasy stereotypes-- which themselves are generalizations from a very narrow range of time and space. That's another reason why I think the best reading for an aspiring world creator is not fantasy but history. (I'm reading a history of the Punic Wars right now, which is shedding light on the rise of the Cadhinorains...)


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