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What's the "Perfect" medieval setting?
- Thread starter Danyael
- Start date
The Lost Muse
First Post
Pirates. Lots of Pirates.
Edit: A variety of governmental structures in various nations. Although it seems almost mandatory, I'd prefer to see a medieval society that wasn't formerly part of a massive empire that has just fallen.
Edit: A variety of governmental structures in various nations. Although it seems almost mandatory, I'd prefer to see a medieval society that wasn't formerly part of a massive empire that has just fallen.
Man in the Funny Hat
Hero
The perfect Medieval setting is the Renaissance. 
Nyeshet
First Post
This is a really really hard question to answer.
When is the setting placed? The Early Middle Ages / Late Dark Ages or the High Middle Ages / Proto-rennaissance? Each could truly be considered a Middle Age setting, yet there are vast differences between them. What about the European location used to define the setting? We have everything from still Celtic defined regions in Northern Europe (including, during the early middle ages, a scandinavian region that still worshipped Norse deities) to the Papal States and mercantile City-States of Middle Ages Italy. Then there is the fact that Ireland had its golden age at the start of the Middle Ages, while Islamic Middle East and Northern Africa had its golden age around the middle of the middle ages, and with the rise of the Protorennaissance of the High Middle Ages one could argue that south-central Europe was starting to enter its golden age at the end of the Middle Ages. All of this affects the feel of a Middle Ages setting.
It could be the Early Middle Ages. No kingdoms really exist. The largest 'kingdom' is perhaps half the size of England - if that, and it is composed of semi-autonomous lords on holdings encompassing one to a dozen manors (dependent on whether or not they themselves also have vassals). Churches are small structures, but the times are quite superstitious, so the priest has a notable amount of authority (as the one who can probably bless away a 'curse' or ward against the fae / goblins / etc, deal with witches, and so on). The priest is also the only one who knows the 'mysic' art of reading. Most of the continent is wilderness, and bands and villages of 'barbarians' may exist just beyond the next mountain or across the river.
It could be the middle of the Middle Ages. Kingdoms exist, Papal states exist, mercantile city-states exist, etc. Cathedrals and castles are starting to become a popular fad (although the style of the architechture is quite thick / simple / gothic compared to a couple centuries later when relatively thinner and far more decorated walls will be used). Islamic held Middle East / Northern Africa is in a golden age, and its growing influence is causing some bishops to begin thinking about raising a crusade to deal with this rising threat. Otherwise, this is the traditional view of the middle ages - at least in Western Europe. The lack of barbarians, etc to deal with means that the knights are often engaged in tourneys and jousts to keep them busy and in shape between various feuds / local wars that occur.
It could be the High Middle Ages. The manors and small kingdoms / counties of the Early Middle Ages gave way to the kingdoms and princedoms and duchies of the middle Middle Ages, and those in turn have given way to large kingdoms and small empires in the High Middle Ages - realms the size of France, Germany, Spain, etc. Architechture is far more elaborate, the walls are likely only 10-20 feet thick and much taller (and glass is far more common in use and quite elaborate). In urban areas cathedrals are the preferred style of church design. And urban areas - a rarety of the past age - are becoming increasingly more common. Merchants are also more common, as are merchant trains / caravans between cities and even kingdoms. Wealth is now more a matter of material posessions rather than land holdings. Artisans are more common and more respected than in the prior age. The expansion of the population and the level of knowledge and expertise has resulted in a resurgence of understanding of the world around them and interest in the views of the ancient greeks and romans. However this increase in population will also result in the rapid spread Black Death due to poor sanitation standards in the cities. After a third of the population is wiped out it will take a few decades before the Renaissance re-starts - this time in a lasting manner.
So it really, really depends on when / where during the 'middle ages' you are drawing your inspiriation. I also note that Northeastern Europe had some notable differences during its middle ages from the rest of Europe.
When is the setting placed? The Early Middle Ages / Late Dark Ages or the High Middle Ages / Proto-rennaissance? Each could truly be considered a Middle Age setting, yet there are vast differences between them. What about the European location used to define the setting? We have everything from still Celtic defined regions in Northern Europe (including, during the early middle ages, a scandinavian region that still worshipped Norse deities) to the Papal States and mercantile City-States of Middle Ages Italy. Then there is the fact that Ireland had its golden age at the start of the Middle Ages, while Islamic Middle East and Northern Africa had its golden age around the middle of the middle ages, and with the rise of the Protorennaissance of the High Middle Ages one could argue that south-central Europe was starting to enter its golden age at the end of the Middle Ages. All of this affects the feel of a Middle Ages setting.
It could be the Early Middle Ages. No kingdoms really exist. The largest 'kingdom' is perhaps half the size of England - if that, and it is composed of semi-autonomous lords on holdings encompassing one to a dozen manors (dependent on whether or not they themselves also have vassals). Churches are small structures, but the times are quite superstitious, so the priest has a notable amount of authority (as the one who can probably bless away a 'curse' or ward against the fae / goblins / etc, deal with witches, and so on). The priest is also the only one who knows the 'mysic' art of reading. Most of the continent is wilderness, and bands and villages of 'barbarians' may exist just beyond the next mountain or across the river.
It could be the middle of the Middle Ages. Kingdoms exist, Papal states exist, mercantile city-states exist, etc. Cathedrals and castles are starting to become a popular fad (although the style of the architechture is quite thick / simple / gothic compared to a couple centuries later when relatively thinner and far more decorated walls will be used). Islamic held Middle East / Northern Africa is in a golden age, and its growing influence is causing some bishops to begin thinking about raising a crusade to deal with this rising threat. Otherwise, this is the traditional view of the middle ages - at least in Western Europe. The lack of barbarians, etc to deal with means that the knights are often engaged in tourneys and jousts to keep them busy and in shape between various feuds / local wars that occur.
It could be the High Middle Ages. The manors and small kingdoms / counties of the Early Middle Ages gave way to the kingdoms and princedoms and duchies of the middle Middle Ages, and those in turn have given way to large kingdoms and small empires in the High Middle Ages - realms the size of France, Germany, Spain, etc. Architechture is far more elaborate, the walls are likely only 10-20 feet thick and much taller (and glass is far more common in use and quite elaborate). In urban areas cathedrals are the preferred style of church design. And urban areas - a rarety of the past age - are becoming increasingly more common. Merchants are also more common, as are merchant trains / caravans between cities and even kingdoms. Wealth is now more a matter of material posessions rather than land holdings. Artisans are more common and more respected than in the prior age. The expansion of the population and the level of knowledge and expertise has resulted in a resurgence of understanding of the world around them and interest in the views of the ancient greeks and romans. However this increase in population will also result in the rapid spread Black Death due to poor sanitation standards in the cities. After a third of the population is wiped out it will take a few decades before the Renaissance re-starts - this time in a lasting manner.
So it really, really depends on when / where during the 'middle ages' you are drawing your inspiriation. I also note that Northeastern Europe had some notable differences during its middle ages from the rest of Europe.
Turanil
First Post
Not too large (Europe or US size is enough for the known world), and well detailed. Also, a setting that at first sight isn't filled with too many weird races and magical stuff at every corner. I prefer a world that looks more mundane, maybe looks low-magic, like Harn for example. Only a couple of really extraordinary thing like a Dragonrider Knights Order for example. But then, there must be possibilit to add weird stuf in, by the individual GM.Danyael said:
As for races: I am tired of elves, dwarves, halflings, etc., and moreso by all the other more recent stuff such as half-dragons and psionic races. Now, I would like a world with only humans, as the main race. Then, there would be two or three other secretive races mixed among them, that would be indistinguishable from humns at first sight. Let's say:
1) As in some R. Howard's stories: a few members of a most ancient ophidian race (snake people) who disguise themselves as humans through the use of magic.
2) Humans who have been touched by the supernatural at birth. They have special traits, but also are watched over by supernatural entities, etc.
3) Humans born from members of a cult/cabal/conspiracy who strives to create a different (and of course "better") humanity through alchemy and fantasy genetic engineering.
4) Humans who, at some point in their lives, begin to mutate into something else, such as beastmen or half-dragons, whatever, hafter having been touched by some totem power.
Aramis Simara
Explorer
You may get some inspiration from the Harn setting (www.columbiagames.com). They have some free downloads. Plus a fan site (www.lythia.com) that has a LOT of fan created material.
Last edited:
I hear ya Turanil. Thinking about it. BTW, although I understand your position (Nyeshet) of asking about what medieval "era" should a "perfect campaign" should be based, this is an arbitrary question. Answer the question as honestly as you can: What's the perfect medieval campaign setting?
Whizbang Dustyboots
Gnometown Hero
GreatLemur
Explorer
I am fairly certain that is a contradiction, sir.Man in the Funny Hat said:The perfect Medieval setting is the Renaissance.
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