Elentari on 5/10/2006 at 09:13
Ok, did a quick search, didn't find anything satisfactory to this.
In my constant. . .um. . .examining. . .of a story I enjoy, I became curious as to who the Baron of the City is. We have heard him referred to, even heard a war mentioned. But we receive no details on either.
Who is this Baron? How long has he been absent from the City? Why on earth has he left it so long? Who is attending it in his place or did he just up and leave ?(in which case, someone REALLY needs to replace him. . .I mean, honestly!) When do they expect him back? Who is he at war with? Where is he getting the men to fight this war? There are too many guards and servants and Hammers to suggest he took an army from this City. Is his absence why the city seems so. . .well, bleak and oppressed? Was he a good ruler or is he rather vain and self-serving?
Ok, so I know there's no way the games hold all this detail. . .and probably no one expected anyone to pick that far, so I realize anything said is probably just conjecture. . .but random ideas are fun. And might spark ideas for fan missions (no don't look at me, I have no idea how to dromed. Though I might learn one of these days when I have time.) or works of art or something. And might let me move on to other picky points to explore.
So. . .any ideas?
Bronze Griffin on 5/10/2006 at 10:27
I once asked a similar question about him: (
http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81330) http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81330
I love the idea of the Baron being so mysterious. Always refered to but no real descriptions, no portraits (or are there?) We may never know. :)
242 on 5/10/2006 at 11:02
There is a quote in TDS which reads:
"Choose your immortality wisely, whether it be the treasure you amass, or the family who succeed you. - Advice to a Patriarch, Baron Bresling"
It's unclear if Bresling is the Baron, a Baron, or one of the late Barons. But the fact that he advices to a Patriarch (of a church?) probably tells something about his influence.
But in any case, it's surely the only Baron's name mentioned in any of the 3 official Thief games.
cradle_curdled on 5/10/2006 at 11:07
Quote Posted by Elentari
Ok, did a quick search, didn't find anything satisfactory to this. In my constant. . .um. . .examining. . .of a story I enjoy, I became curious as to who the Baron of the City is. We have heard him referred to, even heard a war mentioned. But we receive no details on either.
I've always suspected the absence of The Baron is there purely to lend credence to the concept of a "lawless" society, where criminals like Garrett can better ply their trade.
Plus, the lower classes and people on the margins of society, like Garrett, would not know much about the workings of upper nobility. All they would hear about people like The Baron would be murmurings in the pub. For Garrett, the history of The Baron would likely be of no interest at all, unless G was looking to empty out his estate. ;)
Quote:
Who is attending it in his place or did he just up and leave ?(in which case, someone REALLY needs to replace him. . .I mean, honestly!)
That depends on what kind of government the world of Thief is based on, but it does look as though there is some measure of de-centralised power, with the Lords controlling certain districts. Maybe this has always been the setup, or it may be a new development brought about by The Baron's excursion.
Either way, there is historical precedent, here. The rulers of the middle ages frequently went on long campaigns overseas.
We'll never know how The Baron came into, or exercised his power. But if it's just a title (like the Queen's, in my neck of the woods) he could pack up and leave one day and it really wouldn't make much difference.
Quote:
Where is he getting the men to fight this war? There are too many guards and servants and Hammers to suggest he took an army from this City.
Not necessarily. The Baron would have his own army, I think. There are always going to be a "home guard" of City Watchmen; the older/injured men, those unsuitable for war [ - BENNY!]. And the Hammerites, being a religious order, may have some moral or diplomatic objection to the campaign The Baron is involved in.
Quote:
Is his absence why the city seems so. . .well, bleak and oppressed? Was he a good ruler or is he rather vain and self-serving?
My opinion: He's a good ruler if you yourself are one of the nobility. But if you're just one of the peasants in the street, you're likely taking all manner of sh*t from his underlings, the Lords.
R Soul on 5/10/2006 at 22:25
Quote Posted by cradle_curdled
those unsuitable for war
That idea does make it easier to believe that the guards in Thief really are the best
available.
dlw6 on 6/10/2006 at 07:29
The guards you see in Thief may not be the best available, but thanks to Garrett, they're the best the nobles can afford. Constantine's guards were tough and agressive because he could afford to hire such men.
Of course, this theory only goes so far. Gervasius' mansion is huge but his guards included "how come we gotta pull guard duty outside again?"
Don
nicked on 6/10/2006 at 07:36
but that was probably just punishment for the only 2 crap guards still on his staff! :laff:
june gloom on 6/10/2006 at 16:33
Quote Posted by dlw6
Constantine's guards were tough and agressive because he could afford to hire such men.
tell me about it. and, in a place like that, you'd be on edge too if you had to work there. makes me glad they only really patrolled the most "normal" parts of the mansion.
anybody wonder what happened to them after the place went nuts when garrett returned with the eye?
R Soul on 6/10/2006 at 17:28
Take a close look at the ratmen.
june gloom on 6/10/2006 at 21:08
... okay, that creeps me out.
