I don't really have a favorite 'race' (I'd say culture, since the talk is
more about values), but I like to compare the Birthright cultures with the
historical ones. Some of the Birthright nations seem to come right out of
our historical middle-age, and others don't fit too neatly.

So here are my notes on that issue. I hope some of you have an interest in
history, so they'll be able to fill in the blanks and perhaps correct my
perceptions.

The Anuierans, of course, remind us of the Western Europeans. France and
Britain, perhaps? The armors really looks Europeans.No wonder they've been
developed first, most fantasy games have a strong European biais.

The Khinasi are clearly Arab, probably inspired by the peoples from the
Middle East.

The Brecht's names are clearly Germanic in nature: Otto, Adler, Gunther,
Gretchen, etc. The Germans, masters of trade and the seas? Maybe not.The
Dutch, perhaps?

The Rjuven people look like a cross between Viking-age Scandinavians and
their Norman ancestors, after they integrated some Celtic culture (although
druids were never influent in Scandinavian cultures, I think not).

The Vos are an enigma to me. LrdUnholy@aol.com (sorry, I can't figure out
what your name is) says they have a Mongol-like culture, but the names are
clearly Slavic. Anyone know of an historical culture that fits?

The Elves really look like those good old Celtic Elves to me (the Celts
called them Sidhe). I'm surprised to see no mentions of faery mounds in
Birthright products. The names really look Gaelic.

I don't know much about Dwarves and Hobbits (ok, Halflings...). Were they
part of a culture's folklore before Tolkien (The Lords of the Rings and
al.) made them famous?

Robin Cantin


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