Formations of Empire

[ArdenKurt]

Maybe I'm misreading Cities of the Sun, but it reads to me like they sent every able-bodied person into the fight, and that those who were left when the able-bodied didn't come back had to flee looting of the now mostly-empty cities (presumably by the Basarji?). Those who survived regrouped at the capital Masetium which was then taken over by the Serpent. That would leave little to no fading into or conquest by the Basarji. Is there other source material that says something different from that? (There likely is, so I'm curious so I can try to find a copy).

[Jaleela]

What two sources to you find in conflict?

Probably what I should have said is that there are disconnects and descrepencies in other PS, not necessarily dealing with the Masetians.

I blended two thoughts. Sorry.

[AndrewTall]

I added some fluff to show that its one interpretation not fact, I should possibly put an observation banner on it or strip out all the commentary but hope that the 'scholars say' is sufficient

If I've gone OTT let me know. The excuses for the invasion are not necessarily a medieval approach (although not unknown, the crusdaers rarely said 'for land and loot!) and conquering the barbarians would quite possibly have been one rallying call to action...

[Jaleela]

I have a PC that's playing a real Masetian bent on taking the Serpent out and rebuilding the Masetian Empire (hey ya gotta have goals). So I've been digging through a lot of the Masetian history in the supplements which is why it caught my eye.

I like to have reasons for why things happen as well. So no worries.

[kgauck]

Given the generally Arab feel of the Khinasi, I imagined the Masetians as Egyptians.

[Jaleela]

We modeled them after the Etruscans with a smattering of Greek and Roman.

[Jaleela]

Given the generally Arab feel of the Khinasi, I imagined the Masetians as Egyptians.

Which Dynasty?

[kgauck]

Which Dynasty?

I didn't model them that closely. It was more the sense of their antiquity as a civilization, their long history as a solar people with anxieties over the land of the dead and the journey through it. Special roles for learning and the learned class. I never had the opportunity, but had I the need to show an ancient Masetians scholar I would have selected the image of an Egyptian scribe. The importance and some specific importances of the priestly class. Strong work in geometry.

My own pet theory is that Diesmaar was a bronze age battle, so the Masetians probabaly went to war looking like Ramses II's army at Kadesh.

[AndrewTall]

I like the bronze age idea - it justifies a lower tech in 'current day' Cerilia than the books suggest, and lower tech reduces high level imbalances (lower AC means even high level PC's can be hit without a critical).

It also reduces the issue of ancient magic items - you can't make a longsword with bronze/copper and so anyone who wants that 'vorpal blade of Omach the unborn' has to sacrifice some reach and damage...

[Dcolby]

Given the generally Arab feel of the Khinasi, I imagined the Masetians as Egyptians.

Given the numerous references to the Masetians being great mariners I have always erred on the Phoenician or Greek culture.

Taking into account the arid nature of the clime perhaps Phoenician is the way I would turn. This would also account for their low numbers if they were a dispersed people of merchants. After loosing their great fleet fighting the shadow they had no way to maintain contact with their dispersed colonies that simply got absorbed/conquered or enslaved ala the Serpent.