oozatden on 8/1/2006 at 00:35
Time wise the first two games appear set in the Dark Ages (around 13th-15th centuries) but with less emphasis on serfdom. I reckon it is a typical medieval region with a ruling figure at the top of the social pyramid but the day to day running of the social colour is dictated by the powerful groups which, although supposedly being subservient to the leading figure in fact run the region by their own whims and beliefs. Any European region of those times was run on exactly the same lines.
Divisor on 8/1/2006 at 11:59
I wonder who owns the Necromancy Tower. I'd rent it from time to time if I lived there.
Chimpy Chompy on 8/1/2006 at 20:15
Playing Thieves' Guild today, I noticed a reference to a Monarchy. But I've never heard of kings anywhere else. It's on a stone carving, so could maybe date from older times.
Solabusca on 8/1/2006 at 20:46
Quote Posted by oozatden
Time wise the first two games appear set in the Dark Ages (around 13th-15th centuries) but with less emphasis on serfdom. I reckon it is a typical medieval region with a ruling figure at the top of the social pyramid but the day to day running of the social colour is dictated by the powerful groups which, although supposedly being subservient to the leading figure in fact run the region by their own whims and beliefs. Any European region of those times was run on exactly the same lines.
The thing to remember about medieval cities - they bred freedom. A serf that lived in a city for a year became a free man. There are no serfs in the City. They live outside of it, feeding it...
.j.
Holywhippet on 9/1/2006 at 22:53
I've always felt that the Thief games have as little background as possible with everything else being left to the imagination. I would guess that the Baron rules the city with the lesser nobility reporting to him. The Hammerites, being a religion and kind of autonomous. Even nobility tend not to cross the church and since the Hammerites aren't bothering them they aren't worried about what they do. The nobility all have their own personal chapels because they don't want to risk their immortal soul by offending the Builder. This gives the Hammerites a certain amount of leverage over them. When the Mechanists come along a lot of the nobility switch to them since they can still be, in theory, in the Builder's good books but get all this useful new technology.
The city watch would be under the command of the Baron. Keep in mind though, the Baron and presumably a lot of the other nobility are busy fighting a war outside the city. As a result they aren't paying much attention to city matters.
kamyk on 10/1/2006 at 03:23
Hmm, so something like the typical medieval government when the church was just coming into or going out of power maybe? Obviously not when the roman catholic church was at the height of it's power, or the Hammers would be the Thief equivalent of the inquistion (which they are obviously not - at least not in the OMs anyway).
I am more than curious about such details as the ones listed above. Things like the baron being off in battle. I think I must have missed several in game references. Or is that extrapolation? Could someone point me at the proper in-game references perhaps, if there are any?
Very in-depth looking site there. I will have to dig around in that when I have more time available... Is there a downloadable friendly version?
northeast on 10/1/2006 at 10:28
There's more, but I'll just post this conversation. Do a search of these forums, there's a lot of info like this.
Conversation in Ambush:
"What's the latest on the war, Raleigh?"
"[sighs] Lord Anders hasn't received a report in some time. The last he heard it was not going well. I fear the Baron will return with a battlefield coming right up behind him."
"I think you worry too much. This city is like a fortress. With the Mechanists here to help us defend the city, we needn't fret about it."
"[chuckles] I think you put TOO much faith in the Mechanists! After all, they are only a splinter group of the Hammerites...HARDLY a military force! They seem concerned only with aiding nobles with their fancy inventions. Their tin soldiers wouldn't last long against a real army."
"Well...until I see a battle going on outside MY window, I shan't worry about it."
Holywhippet on 16/1/2006 at 04:37
Just a thought on that conversation snippet - even if the city is like a fortress, given it's size they could put them under siege. Provided they block the harbour they'd be able to block all food going into the city. Even the Mechanists couldn't really help them much as their supplies that they need to build robots would be blocked as well. On top of that, due to the pollution they are causing, it wouldn't be possible to grow food much food within the city.
