Creating a Region
Creating a Region
This setting is similar to the Mediterranean, North African,
and Near East during the Bronze age. Several (9) fertile areas
have given rise city states that, in each area share a common
culture and technological heritage but differ in various aspects
of religion, political structure etc. These city states have a
population of around 5,000 people. While this may not seem like
a large number this is sufficient for the creation of many unique
cultural institutions and practices not commonly found in
hunter-gather or tribal groups on a large scale. These include;
craft specialization, long distance trade, elites (political,
religious, military and economic) or social stratification, state
controlled religion, monumental architecture, endemic warfare and
much more. All regions should be considered to be human
(if you would like to change that for your own personal
campaign that’s fine).
There are nine regions or cultural areas as identified on the map. These regions are named (if you create a region insert the name):
1. Sarmania
2. Caulis
3. Ilkara
5. Thelonis
6. Aertepia
7. Molenor
8.
General notes on basic subsistence practices:
These societies are all based on agriculture, without this the city state would be impossible. Some type of large scale cultivation of food crops allows others to become specialists in other crafts. Most of these city states (with the notable exception of city states located on islands) rely upon one thing, a constant supply of water provided by irrigation. This irrigation may come in two main forms, the yearly flooding of the river, or miles of irrigation canals. In this setting the basic crops grown are wheat (emmer or einkorn) and barley. Other crops / food sources are available to flesh out each region. Gourds are also a common crop in all regions and used as containers.
Domesticated Plant Species:
Pick 6 of the following for your region (they may overlap with crops from other regions)
Vetch (Sarmania)
Onion (Caulis, Molenor, Thelonis)
Rye (Thelonis)
Tangerine (Aertepia)
Peas (Molenor)
Chickpeas (Jhera Valley, Sarmania, Caulis)
Pistachios (Aertepia)
Cherry (Aertepia)
Hazel nuts (Zhosur)
Eggplant (Ilkara, Caulis)
Grapes (Aertepia, Ilkara)
Almonds (Ilkara, Sarmania, Thelonis)
Ensete (Jhera Valley)
Dates (Jhera Valley, Aertepia, Molenor, Zhosur)
Beets (Ilkara)
Figs (Jhera Valley, Aertepia)
Apples (Thelonis, Zhosur)
Citron (Sarmania)
Millet (Molenor)
Carrots (Zhosur)
Olives (Ilkara, Caulis)
Cotton (Jhera Valley)
Sorghum (Molenor)
Lemon (Ilkara, Thelonis)
Lentils (Jhera Valley, Caulis)
Radish (Thelonis)
Pomegranates (Sarmania, Caulis)
Quinces
Lime (Molenor, Zhosur)
Mung beans (Sarmania)
Turnips (Zhosur)
Spices
Each region also has three herbs or spices that it trades with other regions
Currently their is not list of these so you may have to do some research on this. The types of spices may overlap with those of other regions.
1. Sarmania (Bay Leaves, Celery Seed, Marjoram)
2. Caulis (Pepper, Anise, Cumin)
3. Ilkara (Lavender, Cloves, Saffron)
4.
5. Thelonis (Ginger, Coriander, Garlic)
6. Aertepia (Chamomile and peppermint)
7.
8.
9. The Jhera Valley
Domesticated Animal Species
Domesticated animals play an important part in the agricultural and transportation practices of each region. The ox and horse are used in all areas as draft animals for plowing, pulling carts and chariots, and as pack animals. Horses tend to be on the small size and are not suitable for riding (the saddle and stirrup have not been invented). In addition to the ox and the horse, sheep, goats and dogs are common domesticated animals. Each region also has one other domesticated animal (or insect) that is unique to that region. .
Choose one of the following and place the name of the region next to it in parenthesis:
Bee (Ilkara)
Donkey (Sarmania)
Camel (Jhera)
Pig (Molenor)
Chicken (Aertepia)
Duck (Zhosur)
Rabbit
Cat
Guinea fowl (Thelonis)
Turkey (Caulis)
The shared heritage of each region also includes technology. Each city state has roughly the same level of technology. They may approach things a little differently and may vary in style but the building materials are universal. Architecturally speaking all make use of baked clay bricks and stone for building materials (though poorer people often use wood or reeds) in the building of houses, temples and palaces. Metal tools are made of Bronze which is a combination of copper and tin. Each city has access to these materials for tool and weapon making. All known armor and weapon types are known in each region and city state but it is up to the creator to determine which are commonly used in the region.
Each region also has its geography which needs to be named. The rivers, lakes, seas and mountains all need names.
