Guilds of Historica New Member Guide

[gedren_y]

Oh, of course. Has that bridge been built yet? I can't remember seeing it, though I wasn't around in book 1.

Ska did a huge tabletop gaming battle in Queenscross, and part of it was on the bridge. Two Nestlands Clans heroes died on that bridge.

Edited June 12, 2016 by gedren_y

[halixon]

I think he was referring to Queenscross.

That i was

[Sorrelon]

I've been wondering about the technology in Historica lately. Obviously, I don't expect modern or sci-fi stuff in a fantasy setting, but seeing there are dwarves and possibly other tech oriented races, I think the peak of technology is hardly bows and arrows. Are there siege machines like catapults, ballistae and battering rams, is the crafting techniques advanced enough to establish rails for (non-motorized) vagons in mines or fancy glass smithing to make magnifying glasses or telescopes (I do remember a greenhouse in an Avalonian build), did dwarves or an alchemist discover black powder (nothing advanced enough to make modern guns, I mean primitive black powder, like the one invented by Saruman in Lord of the Rings, which can only be filled in a barrel and used as a landmine/explosive)? What is the extent of the technology?

By the way, totally unrelated to my first question, what is the hat and hairpiece combination used for the archer lady in the guilds logo? I don't remember seeing it anywhere. The closest it looks like is the hat and hairpiece combination of Red Harrington from The Lone Ranger theme, but it doesn't look like it is the same.

I mean this one:

Edited June 23, 2016 by Sorrelon

[Rogue Angel]

Yes to siege and advanced weaponry short of gunpowder. Dwarven mine rail would not be odd. Steam Engines would be an uncommon and unreliable tech, that would likely be a gnomish or Dwarven invention. Gunpowder exists in a highly volatile form, similar to the LotR use.

[Exetrius]

I've been wondering about the technology in Historica lately. Obviously, I don't expect modern or sci-fi stuff in a fantasy setting, but seeing there are dwarves and possibly other tech oriented races, I think the peak of technology is hardly bows and arrows. Are there siege machines like catapults, ballistae and battering rams, is the crafting techniques advanced enough to establish rails for (non-motorized) vagons in mines or fancy glass smithing to make magnifying glasses or telescopes (I do remember a greenhouse in an Avalonian build), did dwarves or an alchemist discover black powder (like Saruman did in Lord of the Rings)? What is the extent of the technology?

By the way, totally unrelated to my first question, what is the hat and hairpiece combination used for the archer lady in the guilds logo? I don't remember seeing it anywhere. The closest it looks like is the hat and hairpiece combination of Red Harrington from The Lone Ranger theme, but it doesn't look like it is the same.

I mean this one:

Catapults, battering rams, telescopes, Dwarven iron forges, magic instruments, water wheels, wind mills; all of these can be found at least somewhere in Historica. Not sure about gunpowder, but magic can have the same impact. Rails should be fine in Mitguardian setting, I think.

The combo is either custom, photoshopped, or that forestmen hat piece and two brown thorn/seaweed pieces upside down.

[gedren_y]

Gunpowder, as others have posted, is unstable. This is probably owing to the proper stable chemical components not existing in Historica.

Black oil does exist, but the chemical separation processing won't work. Weapons based on this tend to explode. It is possible that the chicle plant does exist, so some rubber and primitive plastics could be made, but those would be labor intensive and expensive.

The Nestlands Clans have developed distillation technology for clean water, alcohol, herbal remedies, and potions. The ground water in the Nestlands is so mineral rich that it is poisonous to humans, and most (though not all) other peoples.

[Sorrelon]

Yes to siege and advanced weaponry short of gunpowder. Dwarven mine rail would not be odd. Steam Engines would be an uncommon and unreliable tech, that would likely be a gnomish or Dwarven invention. Gunpowder exists in a highly volatile form, similar to the LotR use.

Catapults, battering rams, telescopes, Dwarven iron forges, magic instruments, water wheels, wind mills; all of these can be found at least somewhere in Historica. Not sure about gunpowder, but magic can have the same impact. Rails should be fine in Mitguardian setting, I think.

Gunpowder, as others have posted, is unstable. This is probably owing to the proper stable chemical components not existing in Historica.

Black oil does exist, but the chemical separation processing won't work. Weapons based on this tend to explode. It is possible that the chicle plant does exist, so some rubber and primitive plastics could be made, but those would be labor intensive and expensive.

The Nestlands Clans have developed distillation technology for clean water, alcohol, herbal remedies, and potions. The ground water in the Nestlands is so mineral rich that it is poisonous to humans, and most (though not all) other peoples.

Thanks a lot for your answers. I was planning to use a few of them for my future builds and I'm glad they exist in the setting.

The combo is either custom, photoshopped, or that forestmen hat piece and two brown thorn/seaweed pieces upside down.

I see. I guess having seawed pieces upside down in that angle is physically a bit hard, as parts of them would've been visible in the back. But photoshop or custom parts makes sense. Thanks.

Lastly, I forgot to ask this in my earlier question, but what about compasses? Do they also exist or do sailors navigate their vessels based on their knowledge and experience?

[Rogue Angel]

Some innovators have created directional aides, but they are not widely used.

[TitusV]

I think most of the sailors navigate using stars etc

[Sorrelon]

Some innovators have created directional aides, but they are not widely used.

That sounds interesting. I see that they aren't common, but still, I'd love to at least know about that. Is there a build on that or is it just named in the lore?

I think most of the sailors navigate using stars etc

Thanks for the answer, I'll be sure to remember that.

[Isundir]

Yes to siege and advanced weaponry short of gunpowder. Dwarven mine rail would not be odd. Steam Engines would be an uncommon and unreliable tech, that would likely be a gnomish or Dwarven invention. Gunpowder exists in a highly volatile form, similar to the LotR use.

It's good to know I can one day fulfill my goal of creating a Clockwork Golem then.

[Sorrelon]

It's good to know I can one day fulfill my goal of creating a Clockwork Golem then.

Well, I'm sure that I saw a character with his/her hammer golem from Nocturnus. Not sure if it was a clockwork golem or magical one though.

[BrickCurve]

Well, I'm sure that I saw a character with his/her hammer golem from Nocturnus. Not sure if it was a clockwork golem or magical one though.

Whether clockwork or not, it would need magic to actually work.

[Rogue Angel]

That sounds interesting. I see that they aren't common, but still, I'd love to at least know about that. Is there a build on that or is it just named in the lore?

Don't try to get too bogged down into specifics for things like gunpowder and compasses.

The weaponry and technology restrictions are in place for 2 reasons:

1. To keep Historica in the medieval era in terms of weaponry and general technology. In other areas such as culture and architecture, Historica is more advanced, but it is set in the era of castles, swords and bow and arrows, so advanced weaponry and technology would disrupt this.

2. To provide more freedom in writing your own lore for your lands and your builds. We don't want power struggles or contests to be the strongest or best at things. Historica is specifically set up so that anyone can build or write their stories without having to account for all the lore of the other members. While it isn't an issue to build off someone else's stories (which has been done frequently), the current status of the main Challenge storyline is the only thing that people may want to consider incorporating into their stories, and you don't have to do that if you don't want. The one thing that should be avoided is saying, XXX is the best Magician in Historica, or a certain army is the strongest in a certain guild. There is always someone better, stronger, smarter or more advanced than you. This also helps keep you from having to comb the threads to see if anyone else has already claimed they are the best at something, or established a certain technique for gun powder use, etc... because it doesn't matter.

[Sorrelon]

Don't try to get too bogged down into specifics for things like gunpowder and compasses.

The weaponry and technology restrictions are in place for 2 reasons:

1. To keep Historica in the medieval era in terms of weaponry and general technology. In other areas such as culture and architecture, Historica is more advanced, but it is set in the era of castles, swords and bow and arrows, so advanced weaponry and technology would disrupt this.

2. To provide more freedom in writing your own lore for your lands and your builds. We don't want power struggles or contests to be the strongest or best at things. Historica is specifically set up so that anyone can build or write their stories without having to account for all the lore of the other members. While it isn't an issue to build off someone else's stories (which has been done frequently), the current status of the main Challenge storyline is the only thing that people may want to consider incorporating into their stories, and you don't have to do that if you don't want. The one thing that should be avoided is saying, XXX is the best Magician in Historica, or a certain army is the strongest in a certain guild. There is always someone better, stronger, smarter or more advanced than you. This also helps keep you from having to comb the threads to see if anyone else has already claimed they are the best at something, or established a certain technique for gun powder use, etc... because it doesn't matter.

Weapon and technology restrictions makes sense for a medieval fantasy setting, I asked just to be sure about how advanced are they. Haven't thought about your second point before, but you are right. Besides having people look through every single build; having things like the best wizard, fastest horse or strongest army might push other people for the kind of the competition which usually ends up sour for both sides.

Anyway, thanks for the explanation!

[Isundir]

Whether clockwork or not, it would need magic to actually work.

Of course. I've always been fascinated by Fantasy machinery though like the Animunculi, which if I remember correctly are powered by Soul Gems, which is magical I suppose. And as far as weaponry goes they just use crossbows and blades so should be fine.

[Jacob Nion]

Nocturnus: swamps + colourfull trees, and vermin (rats)

Prepare for that vermin to return and kick Avalonian butts.

Lord Osric used a bombard once to break through the walls of Eastgate.

But it was rather primitive and needed a lot of magic like a fire mage to enlight it. And the rats built a flame thrower to defeat the Algus.

[TitusV]

Prepare for that vermin to return and kick Avalonian butts.

Lord Osric used a bombard once to break through the walls of Eastgate.

But it was rather primitive and needed a lot of magic like a fire mage to enlight it. And the rats built a flame thrower to defeat the Algus.

I'd like to see that vermin try

But wait untill we finished of that Black Spire, would you?

[halixon]

Really cool to see a bunch of new people around! If only we could get everyone back, GoH would be more lively than ever!

[TitusV]

Really cool to see a bunch of new people around! If only we could get everyone back, GoH would be more lively than ever!

Indeed! How's work going on the poster?

[halixon]

How's work going on the poster?

Are you asking me?

[soccerkid6]

Indeed! How's work going on the poster?

It's coming along

[TitusV]

Are you asking me?

The Community in General, and SK6 in specific. Thanks SK!

[halixon]

The Community in General, and SK6 in specific. Thanks SK!

Ah ;)

[BrickCurve]

Heres a thought: Maybe there could be a book II tag when the book comes to an end- something like the GoH emblem would be really great!

It's coming along

Glad to here it!