It is said that the gods ordered the world such that every living being has its own place and role to fulfil in order to maintain the order of things. From the tigers in the jungle to the fish in the river.
And so to the men and women of the world must know and fulfil their role whether they be a warrior or a fisher.
However I sometimes wonder if the order of things is really so set and immutable. After all there are many stories told of ancient cities and kingdoms that fell from glory.
Were there kings and queens not in their proper place? Who now can even remember their names? And can not a lowly soldier gain renown on the battlefield and have bestowed upon him land and titles?
I am a merchant and trader like my father and mother, like their parents before. And so in turn shall I teach my children to sail, explore and seek opportunity. My family has grown in prosperity as each generation built upon the the successes of the past. Who is to say where that can lead to? What is their proper place in the world?
- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal
The following 24 Bronze Age Backgrounds are from Gundobad's Brazen Backgrounds: Character Backgrounds For Bronze Age Settings, which offers quite a bit more detail for each of these. They are posted here with the author's permission. I highly recommend it. Further below you'll find some of my own with short descriptions.
The one background that is probably not relevant for Sundaland is Charioteer since there are no horses in this setting. But it might give you ideas for other military backgrounds.
Charioteer
Foot Soldier
Brigand / Brigand Hunter
Street Tough
Executioner
Pirate / Raider
Royal Official
Scribal Scholar
Physician
Speaker at the Gate
Priestess / Priest
Cultist
Boater
Sailor
Metalsmith
Skilled Laborer
Manual Laborer
Caravaneer
Wildlander
Barbarian
Poisoner / Taster
Tomb Robber / Burglar
Wastrel
Performer
From my point of view these backgrounds should not necessarily be thought of as jobs, professions or occupations even though I sometimes use those words to describe them. The setting of Sundaland is modelled on Bronze to Classical Age societies which were often highly stratified with formal social casts.
Most people were born into a social position which they stayed in their whole lives unless opportunities arose through social upheaval such as wars, famines or revolutions.
Some of these backgrounds may apply to a single person depending on the culture. A society might be led by Priest Kings and Queens who are religious, political and military leaders. They could be said to have a combination of backgrounds: Noble, Priest, Astronomer and Soldier.
The general population are concerned with providing for their own subsistence through farming, gardening, hunting and fishing. If they produce a surplus they may trade it or be compelled to pay tribute or tax to local leaders.
If they live within the boundaries of a kingdom or city state they may be expected to or forced to work as a labourer, craftsperson or soldier when needed. They may do this unwillingly or they might see it as part of their duty to their society in a dangerous world where people are naturally drawn to band together for protection.
As towns and cities grow, division of labour and specialisation will emerge to the point where some of these backgrounds will indeed become professions, either employed by the elites or (in more developed societies) operating as part of a caste, guild or family business.
As I wrote before, multiple backgrounds might apply to one person and usually it is something they are born into or appointed to. It's not usually the case that someone has a choice in what they want to be when they grow up. If you're born into a merchant family that's usually what you'll become.
I imagine the world of Sundaland being one where social upheaval occurred relatively often. In the same way that all the Mesopotamian and Mayan city-states and kingdoms competed and succeeded each other over the centuries. So there is scope to rise in status and power if that's what you want in your game.
There are obviously going to be backgrounds or situations that lend themselves more towards social mobility and adventures than others, but even the lowliest person can rise in the hierarchy under the right circumstances. For example, starting as a farmer that's conscripted into an army. You prove yourself on the battle field and then become an elite professional warrior. From there you might join an envoy or trading mission to a foreign power and show yourself as worthy of promotion into the bureaucratic or political class, or be given exclusive rights to a trade route of your own and become a wealthy merchant. Other character types might find themselves involved in political or intrigue based scenarios.
Here are some of my own character background ideas:
Architect / Mason: Skilled in the design, planning and building of large structures. May have astrological, astronomical or religious knowledge to guide their designs.
Assassin: Individuals hired to kill opponents without anyone being able to trace back to the one that hired or instructed them.
Astronomer / Astrologer: Observes and tracks the motions of the stars and planets. They are often part scientist, part religious leader. Can keep extensive calendars to predict solstices and eclipses, guide agricultural work or religious ceremonies and festivals.
Burglar / Thief: In larger towns and cities were anonymity increases and social bonds are weaker some are forced steal to survive.
City Guard: Some cities are wealthy enough to afford professional law enforcement. There may be some overlap with a professional army or it might be a separate entity.
Courtesan: The kings and queens have their favourite companions that are not meant to provide heirs.
Elephant Handler: Experts in capturing, taming and riding elephants.
Farmer / Gardener: Most people will have a background in producing food for themselves with any surplus traded or paid towards tax or tribute.
Fletcher / Bowyer: Able to create bows and arrows or other projectile weapons.
Gladiator: Many ancient societies had forms of public competition for entertainment or religious purposes. It could take the form of captured enemies forced to fight each other or animals (Wikipedia: Gladiator), or volunteers for ritualised ball games with deadly consequences for the losers such as the Mayan Ballgame: Wikipedia: Maya Ballgame. Of course Gladiator is the Roman term so come up with a different name.
Mercenary: Perhaps an army from a now destroyed state or a wandering tribe of warriors willing to fight on behalf of others in return for the spoils.
Merchant: Entrepreneurs that know what and where to trade. Many are state officials but there are also independently run family businesses. Like warriors and soldiers have the ability to increase their status through their own efforts if the culture of their society allows it.
Noble / Political Elite: Rulers born in to power and privilege. Their ancestors managed to manoeuvre themselves into leadership positions through might or guile. They're concerned with keeping their position at the top of the pile and passing it on to their heirs. Trained from a young age in martial and political skills.
Potter: Pottery is one of the first types of products civilisations will create for their own use as well as for trade.
Slave: Captured enemies, people that could not pay back a debt or those who were born in to a slave caste. Slaves are used for hard labour in industry, construction, agriculture, gardening and resource extraction such as mining, or put to work in private residencies, military buildings and temples. In some societies slaves may be given their freedom after meeting certain criteria (years of service for example). Other options are escaping or revolting.
Textile Worker / Tanner: Everything to do with turning raw materials in to a form that can be used to create clothing, sandals, shoes, armour or other accessories.
No comments:
Post a Comment