Why You Should Use The Number 72 In Your Game

There are two pyramids at the centre of the city, one each for the Sun and Rain gods. Located on the North and South sides of the central plaza the red stones of the pyramids crawl with priests and pilgrims that climb up and down the 36 steps of each staircase while reciting prayers and mantras. A broad walkway passes between the pyramids from East to West and there are 72 archways through which, once per year, the rising sun is precisely aligned.

- An Account of Sundaland by Alom Takal 

Something you might have noticed when reading about the myths and religions of ancient civilisations is their use of very specific numbers. For example Osiris wasn't just enclosed in a coffin by several disciples of Seth, there were specifically 72 of them. And in the Viking myths it is said that during Ragnorak 800 heroes will march out of the 540 doors of Valhalla for the final battle. Are these just random numbers or are they significant in some way?

In 1969 Giorgio de Santillana wrote the book Hamlet's Mill in which he posits that an ancient culture discovered the precession of the equinoxes, how the sun rises and sets against a changing background of star constellations in a cycle that lasts 25,776 years (2148 years per zodiac constellation). This is basically what astrologers are talking about when they say that we've recently left the age of Pices and have moved into the age of Aquarius. This ancient culture encoded important numbers into stories, myths and religions in order to ensure the transmission of this astronomical knowledge through the ages.

Decades later this hypothesis has taken on a new meaning in light of the research done by authors like Graham Hancock (Magicians of the Gods) concerning a possible lost civilisation that was destroyed at the end of the last Ice Age, the survivors of which spread out across the globe to pass on their advanced knowledge.

The number 72 is deemed particularly important because if you divide 25,920 years of the Axial Precession by 360 degrees you get 72. (In actual fact 1 degrees takes 71.6 years but that's not a number ancient people wold have been able to convey in a story). All of this of course presupposes that the concept of 12 distinct star constellations and dividing a circle in 360 degrees were invented by the ancient civilisation.

These are some of the main numbers to work from. The numbers on the left are calculated using 71.6, those on the right using 72.

• 12 signs of the Zodiac
• 360 degrees
• 30 degrees per Zodiac Sign / Constellation
• 71.6 / 72 years per degree
• 2,148 / 2,160 years per Zodiac Sign / Constellation
• 25,776 / 25,920 for a complete precession.

You can play around with these numbers with simple multiplications and divisions as I did in the opening vignette. So each pyramid staircase has 36 steps (2 x 36 = 72). Another example would be describing an army in an ancient myth that consisted of 21,4800 soldiers.

Anyway, this is just a fun way for me to add in some flavour to the setting that alludes to the lost civilisation theme.

The below video lays out the hypothesis in a little more depth (length: 18:24 minutes).

More resources:

Wikipedia: 72 in Religion
Wikipedia: Axial Precession
Wikipedia: Equinox
Wikipedia: March Equinox

Sundaland Workbook: What does your Sundaland Look Like?

Inspired by the World Workbook from the free RPG IronSworn I've written up a framework with questions to help you set the scene for your version of Sundaland.

Choose one of the three options from each section or use them as a springboard for your own variations. Flesh out the details as much as you see fit or play to discover the details as you go along. Go to the Content Overview for the resources I've created to add details to this framework.

Gods and Religion

People worship many different gods. Most religions are polytheistic but even the monotheists don’t deny the existence of other gods, just that theirs favours them in particular or is the most powerful above all others. (See also: Elder Beings: Truth of the Star Gods)

1. The gods are culturally important but they don’t really exist. Does belief in gods benefit people? Or is religion used to manipulate them? How is that done and to what end?

2. The gods exist but their direct impact on the world is limited. They work through mysterious ways. Communication with them is difficult to achieve and the results are often ambiguous and open to interpretation. Who is able to communicate with the gods and how do they do it? What are their messages and intentions for mortals?

3. The gods are real and their impact on the material world is evident in everyday life. Direct communication with them is possible. However they are capricious, volatile and ultimately unfathomable. How are the gods affecting the world and to what end? Is there anything mortals can do to affect their actions or are we at their whim?

Adventure Idea: The lands have not been yielding as before and the people fear the gods have abandoned their leaders. The people grow restless and some are openly questioning the ability of the elites to rule. What is the reason for poor yields and what can be done about it? Can the people be convinced that the gods still favour the rulers?

Magic

1. Magic is something people believe in but doesn’t really exist. Each culture has its own practices revolving around rituals, talismans, magical locations and beings but ultimately none of these have any real world impact. Why do people believe in magic and how does this affect their lives positively or negatively? Are there any widespread or local beliefs about the nature of magic, how it works and who can wield it?

2. Magic is something that a select few have access to under the right circumstances or with the right knowledge and resources. Even then the results are not consistent or definitely identifiable as magic. Perhaps it is dangerous and maybe it corrupts those who indulge in its practice. What are the necessary conditions for magic to happen? What do the results look like? How does it affect the practitioner and the world?

3. Magic is real and reliable. It is a form of technology that affects every level of society. Who can practice magic? What does practicing magic look like? What are the implications for the world and its people?

Adventure Idea: A totem has gone missing from the temple and the priests are certain that calamity will befall the city if it is not found soon. What has happened to it and can it recovered before it's too late?

Human Species

Homo Sapiens Sapiens are not the first Homo species to arrive in Sundaland. Other species like the Homo Denisova and Homo Floresiensis inhabited the land before we arrived.

1. We are in the minority compared to other species but we are growing in number and have attributes and abilities that may give us the advantage. What gives us the advantage and how will our encroachment onto the territories of other species play out?

2. Our species rarely interacts with other types of humans since they are low in number. We are out competing them in many areas and it seems it won’t be long before we become the dominant type. However we have much to learn from them if we’re willing to. What special knowledge or abilities do other species of humans possess? Are they willing to share those or are they intent on keeping them to themselves? If the latter, what could persuade them to share?

3. The other species of humans are thriving in their own way and there is regular contact between them and ourselves. This contact varies in nature, in some places we coexist peacefully in others there is friction and sometimes outright violence. What influences the nature of the relationship and what might change it? Will we ultimately become the dominant species or is that question far from settled?

Adventure Idea: A group of the "others" has entered our territory but it's unclear what their intentions are. The local people are weary and would rather they move on. What do the newcomers want and can they be convinced to move on?

Technology Level

I imagine that cultures will each be at a different level of technology, with some remaining as hunter-gatherers while others develop in a different direction. There’s also the possibility that cultures lose knowledge and regress in sophistication due to wars or natural disasters. This section described the average technology level for your setting.

I’ve left the question of the domestication of rice as a separate matter for the reader to answer because it has such a big impact on the world. Rice farming is very labour intensive and requires a lot of planning and cooperation which necessarily requires or leads to more complex social structures. The current scientific consensus is that rice wasn’t domesticated until 13,500 - 8000 years ago in China. But you could imagine that rice was domesticated in Sundaland and then spread around the region after the floods. 

1. Bronze Age

People have learned to cast bronze tools and weapons using copper and tin. Sources of food are early forms of horticulture (gardening) and agriculture (farming) supplemented by fishing, hunting and gathering. Some plants and animals are in the early stages of domestication. Examples of technologies include the plow, soap, oil lamps, rope and the wheel. 

Writing has been invented but very few people are literate. Astronomical knowledge may be quite advanced with some cultures building monuments that reflect knowledge of precession, equinoxes and various planetary alignments. 

Boats consist of various types of canoes and catamarans powered by oars or using sails such as the Crab Claw Sail. Commerce is facilitated through barter and various non-coin currencies. Coin currencies may be in use by some cultures but it’s not widespread or standardised. Most people live in wooden buildings but temples, forts and palaces are built with stone.

2. Iron Age

Iron becomes the dominant metal for tools and weapons and new inventions improve productivity such as the potters wheel which makes it easier to create symmetrical pottery. More species of plants and animals have become domesticated and coin currency has become more popular. Literacy is still limited to a small portion of the population. Larger states evolve with more complex social structures.

3. Classical Age 

The technology level reaches that of the Roman, Han and Gupta empires at their height. Science, architecture and art flourish due to the stability brought by centralised states with developed economies, large functional bureaucracies and full time professional armies. Perhaps the level of technology even develops to famed Atlantean levels?

Adventure Idea: A nearby culture has advanced knowledge of the stars and their motions. This knowledge could be useful for your people so you've been tasked with acquiring their secrets by any means necessary.

Status and Hierarchy

Civilisation allows for the division of labour and role specialisation which can lead to the formation of class and caste structures, often hierarchical in nature. Each class or caste ranks in rights, power, wealth and status but there doesn't necessarily have to be a correlation between each of these. Some classes or castes might have a lot of status but no wealth or vice versa.

1. Your home culture is highly stratified with little social mobility between classes or castes. The benefit is overall stability at the cost of dynamism and innovation. What does the social structure look like and what underpins it? Is it possible for people to move between classes or castes? Under which conditions?

2. Your home culture is stratified but there is opportunity to move between classes and castes, either through community sanctioned opportunities or due to external circumstances (war, natural disasters, depopulation etc.) What are the circumstances or conditions under which mobility can happen? What are the benefits for the culture and what are the downsides? What could incentivise people to push for a change in their personal, family or group's circumstances and what are the potential costs, risks, opportunities and rewards?

3. Your culture has a loose social structure with a lot of opportunity for social mobility which is either inbuilt or due to external circumstances (war, natural disasters, depopulation etc.). This is a dynamic social environment with both positive and negative consequences. The risks are are great but so are the opportunities. Why is the society of your culture not as stratified as others? Has it always been this way or did this situation come about recently? What are the challenges and opportunities?

Adventure Idea: Your extended family has been accused of shirking its duties and is in danger of losing respect amongst your fellow citizens. What is the accusation, who is making it and what can be done to restore the families' honour?

Population

1. The overall population is small. The land is sparsely populated. There are a couple of city states but most people live in small communities or as hunter gatherers. The land is wild and dangerous to humans. What are the dangers that people face in the wild? What is limiting the expansion of civilisation? How can new communities establish themselves?

2. There are numerous towns and city-states. The world is still a dangerous place but well prepared groups can explore far from civilisation. What are the incentives for venturing out into the wild?

3. People have thrived and multiplied in Sundaland. There are now integrated states, kingdoms and perhaps even empires. Is the current population sustainable? What is the effect on the environment? What could alter the current stable situation for the worse?

Adventure Idea: It is time for your people to expand their domain so you've been sent out as part of an expedition to identify a site for a new settlement. Can you find somewhere your people can prosper and grow?

Resources

1. Resources are abundant and all cultures have everything they need to survive and thrive. Is there something non-material that people lack? What could cause a conflict between cultures if all their needs are met? 

2. Some resources are scarce. Each culture has the basics of what they need but there are a couple of key things they need to acquire from outside sources. Sometimes those resources can be acquired through trade or exploration other times through raiding or conquest. Which resources are in need by particular cultures? Are they in need of food staples, luxury goods or strategically important materials such as tin and copper? What happens when a resource restrictions happens? How are conflicts over resources resolved? 

3. Resources are scarce. Everything from food to strategic resources is hard to acquire and this drives conflict and aggressive exploration. What form does the conflict take? Is there a solution to the scarcity?

Adventure Idea: There are rumours that a new tin deposit has been discovered in hills several days away. It is necessary for the production of bronze and could give your city the advantage over rivals. You've been sent with a scouting party to find out if the rumours are true and secure the site for your people.

Trade

1. Trade between cultures is minimal as they are mostly self-sufficient in their needs. When it does happen it is mostly symbolic as part of ambassadorial missions. As a result, cultures are isolated from each other with minimal contact. What is the reason for this? What are the results of this relative isolation? What could bring about a change?

2. Cultures are mostly self sufficient in terms of their basic necessities but some important resources are actively traded. What resources are being traded and what does this do for the balance of power between different cultures?

3. Economies are interlinked and reliant on each other in a complex web of trade. Cultures have become specialised in what they produce. Everything from food to luxury resources are traded back and forth. A broken link in the chain could cause a cascading collapse of heavily interdependent economies. Which resources are most important to keeping the system going? Are there particular resources that are becoming scarce or about to be restricted in some way? What will the outcome of that be?

Adventure Idea: You are part of a trade envoy to another city state. The goods you transport are highly valuable and rivals are afraid the gift will upset the balance of power in the region. What is your envoy carrying and what are the implications if the mission succeeds?

War

1. The land is relatively peaceful. The cultures of Sundaland prefer trade over war. How do conflicts manifest themselves? How are they resolved? What could change this state of affairs? What will be the consequences?

2. The land experiences intermittent or ritual warfare. If there is a cold war of sorts then there are small skirmishes and conflicts erupting all the time. Things are in a precarious balance between the various factions that each strive for an advantage. How do the factions try to secure an advantage? Are they willing to risk an escalation? What are the potential rewards for the victors? What could change the balance of power between the factions?

3. The land is experiencing a constant and total war. Cultures revolve around battle and warfare and few can even remember how or why it all began. All people know is that they can never stop and must win at all costs. What are the consequences of this war for each culture? Do any of the factions have a chance for total victory? What are the winning conditions? Are other outcomes possible? Are there other ways to win besides the obvious ones?

Adventure Idea: Warriors from a rival city state have been spotted in our territory. You've been sent out to investigate the situation. Is this a planned incursion, have strayed into our territory by mistake or were they driven here for some reason?

Ice-Age Megafauna

1. There are stories of large animals and monsters that used to stalk the land in bygone ages but most people believe these to be just myths. What happened to the megafauna? Are there any left? Where do they live and what danger do they pose to people if any? What would the outcome be if anyone proves these animals to still exist?

2. Occasionally explorers and travellers encounter large animals and monsters far from civilisation. Is there any value in hunting or capturing these animals? What are the rewards? Do they threaten civilisation in any way? Are they likely to multiply in numbers or die out?

3. There are numerous large animals and monsters still alive and their existence inhibits the spread of civilisation. Can anything be done to curtail their numbers? How will that be done?

Adventure Idea: The animals of a local village have all been killed overnight and the villagers fear they will be next. They plead to the leaders of your city to find the culprit and end the danger that besieges them.

Floods

1. The tides are regular and predictable allowing settlements to exist safely along the rivers and coasts. Is there competition for the available living space? Are there any constraints on available resources? Are there any outside forces that seek to take advantage of this stability?

2. There have been floods resulting in the destruction of some towns and cities. Refugees have been forced inland causing tensions with other people. Will the floods continue? What will the displaced people do? How will they be received by those living inland? What are the knock-on effects?

3. Flooding is continuous and widespread, sometimes the water encroaches steadily, sometimes it arrives in tsunamis. People are fleeing for their lives and pushed into conflict with others living further inland. Resources are scarce and everyone faces a battle for survival. How are cultures coping? Does cooperation happen? What kind of conflicts arise because of this? What is the plan for survival? Is there hope for the future of civilisation?

Adventure Idea: A group of sea gypsies has moved into the area. They are putting a strain on the local resources but insist they have no where else to go. Can you find a solution to their predicament before the locals take things into their own hands?

Elder Beings and Species

Elder beings originate from beyond space and time, older even than the gods and perhaps more powerful. Elder species are intelligent non-humans that developed culture and technology before any kind of human set foot in Sundaland. (See also: Elder Beings: Truth of the Star Gods)

1. Elder beings and species are just stories to scare children. There’s no evidence that they ever existed. How do they fit into the cosmology or religion of the people?

2. Elder beings and species were banished from this world or mostly killed off in ancient times. They seek entrance or ascendance. For elder beings: How do they manifest in our world? How do they communicate their will and with whom? What is their ultimate goal? For elder species: What are they? Where do they live? What do they want? How will they go about getting that?

3. Elder beings exist in our world and are in constant struggle with the gods. How does this struggle manifest itself? Is it something people can intervene in or are we helpless spectators? Elder species still exist and seek to return to dominance. How are they going about it? Will this bring them into conflict with humans? Is the relationship friendly or antagonistic? What could change this set of circumstances?

Adventure Idea: A previously dormant volcano has started emitting smoke again. The priests believe that dark forces are working to open up the gates to the netherworld. Is someone or something responsible, and if so, how can they be stopped?

Setting Influences: The Maya

This setting is mostly inspired by Bronze Age cultures (or the equivalent thereof) such as the various Mesopotamian cultures like the Sumerians as well as the Minoan, Mycenaean and Hittites. Also the Harappan civilisation and of course Ancient Egypt. One of the biggest inspirations is the Maya. They weren't strictly speaking a Bronze Age civilisation but I believe their technology is close enough to the others that I can include them as an influence.

For me it's fascinating to read about these city-states that would rise and fall in rapid succession and their history encapsulates the type setting that I want to create, a dynamic setting ripe for adventure. Here are some quotes from the Wikipedia entry about the Maya that illustrate this.

"Unlike the Aztecs and the Inca, the Maya political system never integrated the entire Maya cultural area into a single state or empire. Rather, throughout its history, the Maya area contained a varying mix of political complexity that included both states and chiefdoms. These polities fluctuated greatly in their relationships with each other and were engaged in a complex web of rivalries, periods of dominance or submission, vassalage, and alliances. At times, different polities achieved regional dominance, such as Calakmul, Caracol, Mayapan, and Tikal. The first reliably evidenced polities formed in the Maya lowlands in the 9th century BC.^[113] During the Late Preclassic, the Maya political system coalesced into a theopolitical form, where elite ideology justified the ruler's authority, and was reinforced by public display, ritual, and religion.^[114] The divine king was the centre of political power, exercising ultimate control over the administrative, economic, judicial, and military functions of the polity. The divine authority invested within the ruler was such that the king was able to mobilize both the aristocracy and commoners in executing huge infrastructure projects, apparently with no police force or standing army.^[115] Some polities engaged in a strategy of increasing administration, and filling administrative posts with loyal supporters rather than blood relatives.^[116] Within a polity, mid-ranking population centres would have played a key role in managing resources and internal conflict.^[117]

The Maya political landscape was highly complex and Maya elites engaged in political intrigue to gain economic and social advantage over neighbours.^[118] In the Late Classic, some cities established a long period of dominance over other large cities, such as the dominance of Caracol over Naranjo for half a century. In other cases, loose alliance networks were formed around a dominant city.^[119] Border settlements, usually located about halfway between neighbouring capitals, often switched allegiance over the course of their history, and at times acted independently.^[120] Dominant capitals exacted tribute in the form of luxury items from subjugated population centres.^[121] Political power was reinforced by military power, and the capture and humiliation of enemy warriors played an important part in elite culture. An overriding sense of pride and honour among the warrior aristocracy could lead to extended feuds and vendettas, which caused political instability and the fragmentation of polities".^[122]

"By the Late Classic, when populations had grown enormously and hundreds of cities were connected in a complex web of political hierarchies, the wealthy segment of society multiplied.^[124] A middle class may have developed that included artisans, low ranking priests and officials, merchants, and soldiers. Commoners included farmers, servants, labourers, and slaves.^[125] According to indigenous histories, land was held communally by noble houses or clans. Such clans held that the land was the property of the clan ancestors, and such ties between the land and the ancestors were reinforced by the burial of the dead within residential compounds".

"Maya political administration, based around the royal court, was not bureaucratic in nature. Government was hierarchical, and official posts were sponsored by higher-ranking members of the aristocracy; officials tended to be promoted to higher levels of office during the course of their lives. Officials are referred to as being "owned" by their sponsor, and this relationship continued even after the death of the sponsor.^[129] The Maya royal court was a vibrant and dynamic political institution".^[130]

"Different factions may have existed in the royal court. The kʼuhul ahaw and his household would have formed the central power-base, but other important groups were the priesthood, the warrior aristocracy, and other aristocratic courtiers. Where ruling councils existed, as at Chichen Itza and Copán, these may have formed an additional faction. Rivalry between different factions would have led to dynamic political institutions as compromises and disagreements were played out. In such a setting, public performance was vital. Such performances included ritual dances, presentation of war captives, offerings of tribute, human sacrifice, and religious ritual".^[144]

"The range of commoners was broad; it consisted of everyone not of noble birth, and therefore included everyone from the poorest farmers to wealthy craftsmen and commoners appointed to bureaucratic positions.^[146] Commoners engaged in essential production activities, including that of products destined for use by the elite, such as cotton and cacao, as well as subsistence crops for their own use, and utilitarian items such as ceramics and stone tools.^[147] Commoners took part in warfare, and could advance socially by proving themselves as outstanding warriors.^[148] Commoners paid taxes to the elite in the form of staple goods such as maize flour and game.^[121] It is likely that hard-working commoners who displayed exceptional skills and initiative could become influential members of Maya society".^[149]

I encourage you to read the full entry on Maya culture as well as other Bronze Age civilisations and cultures to find inspiration. Visit the contents page for a full list of historical inspirations: Sundaland RPG Setting: Contents Overview