Comparing Eberron nations to those on Earth [Archive] - Wizards Community

Comparing Eberron nations to those on Earth [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Newbisan
02-04-06, 04:43 PM I've recently started a campaign in Eberron, and am in the process of reading all the books. However, I know this is something my PC's won't care to do (and I guess shouldn't, other than the Player's Guide).

I'm trying to come up with the best way to describe the priniple nations of Eberron in terms of Earth nations, in regard to flavor. I'm not looking for a perfect fit, or any particular time, just a kind of "feeling" so my PC's can easily understand the atmosphere of the different nations.

This is what I've come up with so far. Feel free to correct me as I'm not done reading the books, but these are the "feelings" I have about the nations at the moment. If you can suugest a better fit, please do so!

Breland: The easiest one, it is much like America in its early days, but instead of George Washington being President, he is King (but still a well-loved warrior), who works with a Congress in a semi-Democratic way.

Aundair: Comparable to Britian, maybe France as far as wine country goes. A verdant country that has taken its hits (lost 2/3 of the country in the war)but still stands strong.

Eldeen Reaches: Like Ireland/Scotland, having claimed independence from Britian (Aundair) but still much animosity between the two. Druidic/Celtic connections as well.

Cyre: Like Japan after WWII, but w/o the U.S. bombing the country; noone knows who destroyed it. Instead of just major cities being obliterated, the entire island was destroyed, leaving "arcane radiation" behind.

Thrane: Comparable to Britian during the Crusades, where religion is prevelant to the point of persecution. The real power lies in the Clergy.

Karnnath: Not sure of this, perhaps comparable in "essence" to Germany during WWII. By that I mean they have a strong military might, but other countries are mortified of the things they have done during the war (digging up dead for their army). So basically, they are powerful but are shunned by others for their crimes. Doesn't quite fit but nothing else comes to mind.

The other countries, such as Zilargo, I haven't read enough about yet to get an impression. Again, this is not supposed to be a perfect fit in any way, just a way to give my PC's a frame of mind when thinking of the countrries (trust me, they need it :P )

Please add/modify as you feel it applies!
Rechan
02-04-06, 04:53 PM I'd say Aundair is more French given its swashbuckling/fencing, and espianoge, and so on. However, the Aundarian rulership is like Britain - lots of spying and the like.

Thrane, to me, is more Italy, but instead of the Pope being a religious leader, he's the frickin' king.

Karnath is more like a combination of Germany around WWII and Russia/Romania. Your parallel to Germany is exactly what I would bring up, but the feel of the country itself is very Gothic, Romanian (think Dracula backdrop), along with the weather/culture of Russia.

Zilargo is kind've like the Swiss - they're neutral, they're builders of great things (Elemental binding), but unlike the Swiss, they are machivellian manipulators.

Lhazaar Principalities - the Caribbean. Pirate-ridden, wild, exotic.

Q'barra - New Orleans, 19th century meets the Amazon.

Talenta Planes - Africa.

Draguun - Mongolia from the Ghengis Khan days - warring tribes, dangerous warriors, etc.

Valenar - Middle East. The Valenar just strike me as very muslim-inspired.
Logos7
02-04-06, 04:57 PM Breland = anglo-america (britian had it's own issues with king and parliment taht i think much more closeifly mirror breland rather than just america

Thrane Is somewhat more analagous to Italy if you wanted the european references or perhaps strongly roman catholic areas of france

Aundair i see as france, Get's thrumped and often seems to surender, likes cheese and wine, I see a revolution coming there frenchies in particular the alphonse loraine region maybe (it's what comes to mind and in mind of the World wars makes sense somewhat)

Karrnath i would have to see as germany the strong army tradition and navy i think makes a good fit, and the relation between Breland and Karrnath seems like a good fit/comparison ( I could see a bunch of Breish swearing off Karranthi titles during the last war etc etc)

Cyre i come to see more as Russia/Asia Minor/Asia in General, Problably a bit to do with the survivor syndrom that the asians have, less like japan however, i don't see an overattachment to tradition being a strong point in a magical society

I see Zilargo as Canada, Close ties and location with Breland (Once was Breland Province) but much different, Funny People, Often very nice but generally overshadowed by others (In terms of Artifice , Output , Magic Etc)

Valenear strikes me as either New French or New English just in terms of the seperation/colonization bit, Perhaps New Dutch and Aernal as Denmark? or what ever that little colonizer was, ( Colozized the congo i beleiev)

Mror Holds strike me as another Asia reference, Further Afield and Mountainous Rather Like India and such,

That Leaves Lhazair being the home to pirates and various coastal comparisions( alsthought less asian i feel)

Droam and the other one strike me as more russian that perhaps cyre ( or should i say Eurpean russian as apposed to Asian Russian, Im sure its just hte big men in boots = monsters thing but still)

Demon wastes = none really unless perhaps the area around Pitsburg/indianpolis/rust belt

left a few out but those are the ones on top of my head
Lurkalot
02-04-06, 06:29 PM I don't think all of them have an easy parrallel and I don't think those that do fit wonderfully well. I'd seriously suggest you avoid giving stereotypes for the nations as it will only limit the players curiosity and flexibility later. Once you say Breland - America or Aundair France, then you've cut things out. Breland, after all, has a rich aristocracy and the dragonmarked houses present a very different influence on the country. Unlike France post WWII, Aundair is aggressive, power-hungry and it didn't require anyone to liberate it.

That said, if you really want some comparisons I'd offer the following.

Darguun = Roman Empire. It's a roman empire that has had a shock, and it's a roman empire that is contemporary with other nations in terms of development, but this is one of the closest ones I can think of.

Sarlona = the USA. Homogenous, pacified, with a citizenry that are ruled by an elite that they don't overanalyse, yet are fed and happy. The nation has grand international intentions that the citizens on the whole either are not aware of or percieve as benevolent.

Droaam = Afghanistan. A wild, lawless place dominated by petty warlords, but moving away from it and as it becomes united under a powerful triumvirate.

Karrnath = Russia. Proud, Impressive for still standing as a nation, dangerous for what it might become capabable of. In the grip of a powerful leader, but one that the people are loyal to because he brings them self-respect. Still, one with dangerous growing elements within it (Blood of Vol) that are gathering power.

Hmmm... that's as far as I can go. I don't think the Eberron nations do align very well with the real world. Seriously, scrap the comparisons for the players and try to give a description of the place without external references. The comparisons will only limit player understanding in the long run.
Macrovore
02-04-06, 07:33 PM [QUOTE=Rechan]
Thrane, to me, is more Italy, but instead of the Pope being a religious leader, he's the frickin' king.

Zilargo is kind've like the Swiss - they're neutral, they're builders of great things (Elemental binding), but unlike the Swiss, they are machivellian manipulators.
QUOTE]

Thrane is like Crusade-era europe (england, france, or spain)

Zilargo is more like 1930's mobster Italy (look at the flavor text in RoE) there's even a district in Sharn nicknamed "Little Zil"

the Mror holds is more like Switzerland (they're mountainous bankers. you figure it out.
Twiggly the Gnome
02-04-06, 08:01 PM Seriously, scrap the comparisons for the players and try to give a description of the place without external references. The comparisons will only limit player understanding in the long run.

I think this is the best way to go. Khorvaire may have some real world inspirations, but it's not an allogory. Is Flamekeep similar to Rome? Sure, but it's also similar to Jerusalem, Mecca and Delphi. To much parallelism leads to the Khorvaire = Europe mentality, and the idea that some other part of Eberron has to be "Asialand" in order to use the "oriental" classes.
SirPudding
02-04-06, 08:12 PM It was made apparent early on that there are no parrallel cultures in eberron to earth. However, since it is almost impossible to create a culture from scratch feel free to borrow from whatever culture seems relavent, just don't steal everything wholesale.
I've had valenar as a kind of mix of the Middle East, Mongolia and the Sioux nation. The later two for their tradition of horsemanship and former for the general desert feel.
You can go crazy, put a little egyptian in the Aereni, give the Emerald Claw some kaiser helmets or have shifters wear kilts (I do).

LONG LIVE THE MEN IN KILTS!
Edymnion
02-04-06, 08:32 PM Yup, the nations were intentionally designed to NOT have direct parallels to real world countries. Certain aspects will be familiar to differant real world countries, but as a whole, they don't work.

Karnnath has the climate and attitude of Russia, and the military mindset of Germany, for example.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Newbisan 02-04-06, 04:43 PM	I've recently started a campaign in Eberron, and am in the process of reading all the books. However, I know this is something my PC's won't care to do (and I guess shouldn't, other than the Player's Guide). I'm trying to come up with the best way to describe the priniple nations of Eberron in terms of Earth nations, in regard to flavor. I'm not looking for a perfect fit, or any particular time, just a kind of "feeling" so my PC's can easily understand the atmosphere of the different nations. This is what I've come up with so far. Feel free to correct me as I'm not done reading the books, but these are the "feelings" I have about the nations at the moment. If you can suugest a better fit, please do so! Breland: The easiest one, it is much like America in its early days, but instead of George Washington being President, he is King (but still a well-loved warrior), who works with a Congress in a semi-Democratic way. Aundair: Comparable to Britian, maybe France as far as wine country goes. A verdant country that has taken its hits (lost 2/3 of the country in the war)but still stands strong. Eldeen Reaches: Like Ireland/Scotland, having claimed independence from Britian (Aundair) but still much animosity between the two. Druidic/Celtic connections as well. Cyre: Like Japan after WWII, but w/o the U.S. bombing the country; noone knows who destroyed it. Instead of just major cities being obliterated, the entire island was destroyed, leaving "arcane radiation" behind. Thrane: Comparable to Britian during the Crusades, where religion is prevelant to the point of persecution. The real power lies in the Clergy. Karnnath: Not sure of this, perhaps comparable in "essence" to Germany during WWII. By that I mean they have a strong military might, but other countries are mortified of the things they have done during the war (digging up dead for their army). So basically, they are powerful but are shunned by others for their crimes. Doesn't quite fit but nothing else comes to mind. The other countries, such as Zilargo, I haven't read enough about yet to get an impression. Again, this is not supposed to be a perfect fit in any way, just a way to give my PC's a frame of mind when thinking of the countrries (trust me, they need it :P ) Please add/modify as you feel it applies!
Rechan 02-04-06, 04:53 PM	I'd say Aundair is more French given its swashbuckling/fencing, and espianoge, and so on. However, the Aundarian rulership is like Britain - lots of spying and the like. Thrane, to me, is more Italy, but instead of the Pope being a religious leader, he's the frickin' king. Karnath is more like a combination of Germany around WWII and Russia/Romania. Your parallel to Germany is exactly what I would bring up, but the feel of the country itself is very Gothic, Romanian (think Dracula backdrop), along with the weather/culture of Russia. Zilargo is kind've like the Swiss - they're neutral, they're builders of great things (Elemental binding), but unlike the Swiss, they are machivellian manipulators. Lhazaar Principalities - the Caribbean. Pirate-ridden, wild, exotic. Q'barra - New Orleans, 19th century meets the Amazon. Talenta Planes - Africa. Draguun - Mongolia from the Ghengis Khan days - warring tribes, dangerous warriors, etc. Valenar - Middle East. The Valenar just strike me as very muslim-inspired.
Logos7 02-04-06, 04:57 PM	Breland = anglo-america (britian had it's own issues with king and parliment taht i think much more closeifly mirror breland rather than just america Thrane Is somewhat more analagous to Italy if you wanted the european references or perhaps strongly roman catholic areas of france Aundair i see as france, Get's thrumped and often seems to surender, likes cheese and wine, I see a revolution coming there frenchies in particular the alphonse loraine region maybe (it's what comes to mind and in mind of the World wars makes sense somewhat) Karrnath i would have to see as germany the strong army tradition and navy i think makes a good fit, and the relation between Breland and Karrnath seems like a good fit/comparison ( I could see a bunch of Breish swearing off Karranthi titles during the last war etc etc) Cyre i come to see more as Russia/Asia Minor/Asia in General, Problably a bit to do with the survivor syndrom that the asians have, less like japan however, i don't see an overattachment to tradition being a strong point in a magical society I see Zilargo as Canada, Close ties and location with Breland (Once was Breland Province) but much different, Funny People, Often very nice but generally overshadowed by others (In terms of Artifice , Output , Magic Etc) Valenear strikes me as either New French or New English just in terms of the seperation/colonization bit, Perhaps New Dutch and Aernal as Denmark? or what ever that little colonizer was, ( Colozized the congo i beleiev) Mror Holds strike me as another Asia reference, Further Afield and Mountainous Rather Like India and such, That Leaves Lhazair being the home to pirates and various coastal comparisions( alsthought less asian i feel) Droam and the other one strike me as more russian that perhaps cyre ( or should i say Eurpean russian as apposed to Asian Russian, Im sure its just hte big men in boots = monsters thing but still) Demon wastes = none really unless perhaps the area around Pitsburg/indianpolis/rust belt left a few out but those are the ones on top of my head
Lurkalot 02-04-06, 06:29 PM	I don't think all of them have an easy parrallel and I don't think those that do fit wonderfully well. I'd seriously suggest you avoid giving stereotypes for the nations as it will only limit the players curiosity and flexibility later. Once you say Breland - America or Aundair France, then you've cut things out. Breland, after all, has a rich aristocracy and the dragonmarked houses present a very different influence on the country. Unlike France post WWII, Aundair is aggressive, power-hungry and it didn't require anyone to liberate it. That said, if you really want some comparisons I'd offer the following. Darguun = Roman Empire. It's a roman empire that has had a shock, and it's a roman empire that is contemporary with other nations in terms of development, but this is one of the closest ones I can think of. Sarlona = the USA. Homogenous, pacified, with a citizenry that are ruled by an elite that they don't overanalyse, yet are fed and happy. The nation has grand international intentions that the citizens on the whole either are not aware of or percieve as benevolent. Droaam = Afghanistan. A wild, lawless place dominated by petty warlords, but moving away from it and as it becomes united under a powerful triumvirate. Karrnath = Russia. Proud, Impressive for still standing as a nation, dangerous for what it might become capabable of. In the grip of a powerful leader, but one that the people are loyal to because he brings them self-respect. Still, one with dangerous growing elements within it (Blood of Vol) that are gathering power. Hmmm... that's as far as I can go. I don't think the Eberron nations do align very well with the real world. Seriously, scrap the comparisons for the players and try to give a description of the place without external references. The comparisons will only limit player understanding in the long run.
Macrovore 02-04-06, 07:33 PM	[QUOTE=Rechan] Thrane, to me, is more Italy, but instead of the Pope being a religious leader, he's the frickin' king. Zilargo is kind've like the Swiss - they're neutral, they're builders of great things (Elemental binding), but unlike the Swiss, they are machivellian manipulators. QUOTE] Thrane is like Crusade-era europe (england, france, or spain) Zilargo is more like 1930's mobster Italy (look at the flavor text in RoE) there's even a district in Sharn nicknamed "Little Zil" the Mror holds is more like Switzerland (they're mountainous bankers. you figure it out.
Twiggly the Gnome 02-04-06, 08:01 PM	Seriously, scrap the comparisons for the players and try to give a description of the place without external references. The comparisons will only limit player understanding in the long run. I think this is the best way to go. Khorvaire may have some real world inspirations, but it's not an allogory. Is Flamekeep similar to Rome? Sure, but it's also similar to Jerusalem, Mecca and Delphi. To much parallelism leads to the Khorvaire = Europe mentality, and the idea that some other part of Eberron has to be "Asialand" in order to use the "oriental" classes.
SirPudding 02-04-06, 08:12 PM	It was made apparent early on that there are no parrallel cultures in eberron to earth. However, since it is almost impossible to create a culture from scratch feel free to borrow from whatever culture seems relavent, just don't steal everything wholesale. I've had valenar as a kind of mix of the Middle East, Mongolia and the Sioux nation. The later two for their tradition of horsemanship and former for the general desert feel. You can go crazy, put a little egyptian in the Aereni, give the Emerald Claw some kaiser helmets or have shifters wear kilts (I do). LONG LIVE THE MEN IN KILTS!
Edymnion 02-04-06, 08:32 PM	Yup, the nations were intentionally designed to NOT have direct parallels to real world countries. Certain aspects will be familiar to differant real world countries, but as a whole, they don't work. Karnnath has the climate and attitude of Russia, and the military mindset of Germany, for example.