The Victorian Setting in Europa
As a warning note, we are working with generalities of western 1800’s era society. These are not intended to be full historical briefs and will not be fully historically accurate, particularly as we apply them to our fantasy setting.
Additionally, these briefs are not intended to be fully comprehensive of every nuance of society. If a question arises, please consult the ST staff on how facets of history and fantasy interact.
Class Structure
In many Victorian era societies, class separation was absolute and difficult to overcome. The noble classes, the ton, were marked by title and, hopefully, wealth (though that was certainly not always the case). The middle merchant class was well entrenched but, regardless of wealth, did not stand on the same social standing as their titled “betters.” Beneath that, the working class was leagues below in social standing and wealth. And finally, the poorest of the poor eked by a life on grit and luck, living largely in suffering. Even here, a class divide was present between the honest worker and those of the lowest casts of prostitution, and other “morally degrading” work. The advent of technology, in some ways, disrupted this system. Newfound methods of invention meant new wealth and a growing middle class that wanted the prestige and title of the nobility but were, consistently, blocked from the same levels of prestige. Ironically, it created a power imbalance wherein the material wealth of the middle class vied for a different sort of power than the political and social weight of the ton. Wealthy merchant class men and women could hope to potentially rise to nobility by providing substantial inheritances to titled families with more empty coffers but it was rare for more than that much social mobility to occur. Marrying or acting beneath one’s station was a scandal at best and an ejection from social function, stigma, and rejection from the workings of the community at worst. While it was acceptable to dream of upward mobility, the reality is that it rarely occurred.Class structure in Eisen
While many of our existing countries follow the above rigid structure, Eisen is known to be more socially progressive. Lip service is still often paid to the structures of class but it’s largely just that - lip service. There is a great deal more mixing across the merchant and upper class though there is still a significant divide between those upper echelons and the lower classes. Despite that divide, scandal (social snubbing, being left out of society events, turned away from society functions, loss of business and social connections, etc) is all that may occur and rigid class structure is really only held to by a handful of members of society. For PCs, this generally means you are free to interact with anyone you wish. In the spirit of “meta to enable RP”, we encourage players to make their characters less rigid toward class structure if you choose a noble background
Women in Society
Women in Victorian society inhabited both a lauded and limited place. They were seen as creatures to protect and be placed on a pedestal, personifications of gentleness, maternal nature, and elegance that no man could ever be. This - of course - largely applied to the ladies of the upper class and not the working class and poor. Class and gender were, in this way, very much linked. Women had no access to inheritance or their own accounts or money. Divorce was incredibly rare and seen as a major social stigma. The home was largely considered the woman’s domain in Victorian times. Even an upper class woman - who had servants aplenty - was expected to manage the household staff and finances, host social events, and invite over guests to show off the house that was a display of her family’s wealth and well-being. Despite this, women had few property rights and financial rights. Upper class women were not expected to work - they had hobbies such as embroidery, playing instruments, or other gentile hobbies. They were considered mistresses of their homes - but not the financials of such. Middle class women were allowed a bit more leeway but were still expected to have “respectable” careers if they worked - shop keeps, dress makers, etc. Poor women were allowed to - and expected to - work. Much like class structure, poor women were considered beneath these other pursuits. Factory work, farm work, and other practical careers were open to them as matters of survival. Regardless of class, women were considered lesser, weaker, and in need of male protection.Women in Society in Eisen
Unlike in Victorian history, women in Eisen, and throughout Europa, have a great deal more freedom than they did historically. While the upper classes still hold strongly to the ideal of women as pure and in need of protection, there are more women who break these strictures. There are more careers and freedoms available to women and they have obtained both voting and property rights. Certain, more “old fashioned,” individuals may view otherwise but Eisen society is more progressive than its historical counterparts in this regard.
Men in Society
The “Ideal” man in Victorian society was strong, honorable, courageous, and stoic. Much of what we modernly consider to be toxic masculinity comes from this time period and shows of emotion were considered to be signs of weakness. Men historically held all property, voting, and even parenting rights if a couple separated. Again, class was a large influence here as well with the nobility not expected to work and to manage their estates - while middle class men could have respectable jobs such as lawyers or business owners. Even lower class work was rarely seen as a stigma for men as it was for women - they were expected to be breadwinners and take care of their families even if it meant other family members were working.Men in Society in Eisen
Men in our game have similar expectations without some of the toxicity. As such, the range of professions open to them is more widely varied than would be “respectable” in historical setting.
Other Gender Roles
While gender roles were strictly defined in Victorian society, it didn’t mean that they weren’t flaunted - even with the social repercussions. Dressing in drag for either gender, living with “a special friend” and various other gender fluidity and LGBTQ issues still existed - it was just more commonly swept under the rug or even illegal.Other Gender Roles in Eisen
Rather obviously for our chronicle, Eisen won’t be idiots. Gender fluidity, various forms of attraction, and gender roles are a great deal more fluid in terms of what a person chooses to present as. With magic spells like polymorph, true polymorph, reincarnate, disguise self, and alter self readily available for everyone, if not always affordable, changing sex and gender (or choosing no gender) is a normal part of Europan culture. Some races, such as Changelings and Elves, even have a third androgynous gender and gender and sexual fluidity as part of their heritage, and words to describe these people (ama’il in Elvish, lit. ‘beautiful gift’ in common) have become a part of society as cultures and people across the continent have mixed. In Eisen, every member of society - rich or poor - celebrates a “coming of age” in which they declare their gender - or declare as non-binary. This is accepted and welcomed as a normal part of society. While women have dominion over the home, men over politics and finance and law, the non-binary members of society’s “realm” is seen as the public spheres of entertainment, inns, guilds, etc. Again, PC’s may stray outside these structures as previously noted.
Parenting and Family Structure
Nobility rarely directly cared, or solely cared, for their own children, employing the use of nannies and staff. Middle class families would often use staff to help in some household matters - sometimes including the raising of children. Poor families had no such option. Children in the Victoria era were often seen as “miniature” adults far earlier than they would be modernly, particularly in poorer families where children’s income from work could help keep a family fed. In upper class families, however, we see some of the first advents of the “protected childhood” and the idea of childhood as a time for learning and play and innocence. The nursery was a “protected” world. Later in the Victorian period, this concept is pushed further down the class chain and we see the first child labor laws and first push for younger children to be in school.Parenting and Family Structure in Eisen
In Eisen it is very similar, with children of the wealthy far more sheltered than those of the poor, however the push for child labor laws started earlier and are well in effect. While you might still see children playing messenger, chimney sweep, etc, there are no sweat shops or the like, as they rightly determined that to be barbaric and have abolished it.
Science and Technology
The Victorian era is known as the industrial revolution for a reason. New inventions revolutionized the creation of common goods - everything from metal processing and farming equipment to cloth. These faster, cheaper alternatives allowed the middle class and commerce to boom and goods that were previously only available to the ultra rich were now far more accessible. Unfortunately, this boom came at the cost, often, of safety. Factories were dangerous and dirty and exploitive, new science and technology was miraculous but also unregulated.Science and Technology in Eisen
Eisen, itself, is also going through its own technological revolution, albeit an Elemental one. Sorcerers, wizards, and the like have harnessed the clean, limitless power of the elementals to run everything from ever-burning lanterns to lightning rails to massive, flying airships. These revolutionary items are expensive, yes, but due to the magical (and educated) nature of their creators, does not have the same exploitation involved in their creation (unless, of course, one presumes the elementals themselves to be exploited, but as they are mere constructs of energy and not living beings, this point is moot). While the process of inventing these miraculous items may be dangerous, once the process has been established, other magic users can be taught to do so safely. Eisen prides itself on being on the forefront of technology and most of its citizens are involved in some way, if not creating items then dreaming them up and submitting them for review.
Social Movements
Partly due to the increase of mechanization, much of western society underwent major upheaval in this time period. Workers were exploited for factory work - but the first labor movements began to protect them. Compulsory basic education begins and education reform becomes a platform. Women push for voting and financial rights. Classicism is still solidly in place but movements fight to give the lower classes representation and rights.Social Movements in Eisen
In Eisen, the movements to protect workers, children, and procure voting and financial rights for women have already been fought and won. All peoples are considered equal, regardless of gender, race, or religion. Classism is paid lip service by modern, progressive nobles, though still in effect for more conservative nobility, as well as in some other countries, such as Avalon. This, however, does not mean Eisen is perfect socially. Mechanical and elemental beings (such as Warforged, Genasi, and Tritons) are still considered to be non-citizens and do not enjoy the same rights as the other races, though they are considered sentient beings with the rights of non-citizens. There is a quiet but growing movement to recognize these people as full citizens of Eisen. Elemental-born creatures are becoming more and more common as more elementals are brought in to serve the Elemental Revolution. They are generally treated as little more than inanimate objects, and another movement has been growing to protect them like other creatures with animal-like intelligence. Monstrous, sentient undead, and aberrant races do exist in Eisen, but like Genasi, are not recognized as citizens. This is markedly different than in the Summerlands, where these races hold power. There is no social movement for these races to be granted citizenship at this time, and many are exiled to the Summerlands if caught breaking the law.
Economy
The Victorian economy in the west was largely based on manufacturing and trade. At least in England, the agrarian economy may have held strong outside of the cities, but much of the focus of the nation’s economy focused on producing, manufacturing, and trade made possible by technological advances in both industry and transportation.Economy in Eisen
This is much the same in Eisen, with the addition of magical items, potions, spell scrolls, and the like being popular trade items. Each country has items it is well known for exporting (see Country pages), with Eisen itself being proud of its Eisen ale.
World Exploration
Just as industry and transformation of transport boosted and changed the economy, so too did it change the viewpoint of many westerners on their world. This was a time of blatant imperialism over other, smaller nations, but also an age of great exploration to exotic locales and undiscovered areas. Archaeological discoveries (and thefts) were culturally relevant and popular. This was largely confined to men exploring the unknown. Collections of renown were opened to the public for viewing, founding the first museums of both art and archaeological items.World Exploration in Eisen
With the advent of lightning rails and airships, in addition to traditional transportation methods such as sailing ships and horses, exploration is extremely popular. The wealthy travel to other nations with open borders, students travel to foreign universities, and adventurers flock to places unexplored or too dangerous for common folk. We avoid the imperialism and theft, instead sticking to places in the world that are considered ‘open’ by their parent nation, or unclaimed by any nation, as well as offering ways to get sponsored, or officially invited, to adventure and explore in other exotic locales. Museums are focused on local art, lore, and historical items, with some items on loan from other places, or found in unclaimed lands.
Entertainment
Entertainment in the Victorian era was an eclectic mix of both modern (by today’s standards) and historical entertainment options that heavily depended upon your access to the newer technology of larger cities. Options for a night on the town included museums, zoos, traditional plays, the opera, dinner theater, circuses, concerts, parlor games, and magic shows. Daytime adventures might include circuses, gardens, sporting events (tennis, cricket, soccer, croquet, cycling), skating, horseback riding, and sailing. Seedier options for entertainment might include arena fights, boxing, and gambling.Entertainment in Eisen
The entertainment options in Europa include all the same things as Victorian times, plus more. Mix in magic for extra thrill, fight monsters in gladiatorial-type battles, or bet for or against adventuring parties going into the forgotten ruins.
Sex and Sexuality
The Victorians have a reputation for being incredibly repressed but that really is a fallacy. While the social norms dictated that sex and sexuality weren’t generally openly discussed - the victorians were as bawdy, sexual, and kinky as any other time in history. This was often saved for closed doors and was certainly morally frowned upon - but it didn’t stop it from occurring or existing. Again, the lower classes had more “freedom” in this regard as class and morality were inextricably linked.Sex and Sexuality in Eisen
Eisenvolk, similarly, tend to keep such things private, with the nobility having greater social restrictions and the lower classes looser restrictions. Displays of affection are kept mostly platonic in public, a hug or holding hands, at times a light kiss. There are no restrictions or censure in regards to race or gender, or number of partners/spouses.
Fashion
By the mid to late 1800’s, for women waistlines had dropped below the empire waist of the early Victorian era. Corsets were in vogue (although tight lacing was still considered a possibly dangerous fad), and for the upper class rich and vibrant colors and silks were preferred. Bustles had moved largely to the rear and were either supported by a basket beneath the skirts or additional cloth or tulle. Makeup was strictly frowned upon - any woman using it would have to be discreet and still appear natural enough that it was “passable” as her natural look. Only sex workers and actors regularly used makeup. Lower class clothing for women and men echoed their upper class counterparts in cut if not in fineness of the cloth. Lower class women still wore corsets and undergarments but generally less restrictively laced or made of less restrictive materials. For men, sadly, the fashion became staid black suits and waistcoats. Top hats and other hats were in vogue as were cravats and the forerunners of ties.Fashion in Eisen
Fashion in Eisen is largely the same with the addition of magical materials and effects for the wealthiest classes - a suit that is always clean, or a jacket that changes colors on demand. Some magical clothes are a bit austentatious and flamboyant even for Eisen tastes - that cloak that always has a gentle breeze billowing behind it, for example. Hats of disguise are usually a fashion faux pas, because they hide just how expensive your clothes really are, and use of magic to enhance your look is treated much like makeup - discreet, subtle uses are largely ignored by the nobility, while obvious magical effects are regularly used on the streets and in plays. Visibly wearing armor in public and on the city streets is heavily frowned upon, unless you’re explicitly traveling to and from your home or inn, and city guards may ask you pointed questions about why you’re armed to the teeth. In Eisen, armor and weapons are absolutely not brought to social functions or carried on your hip in public unless you’re serving as a guard. Simple weapons, like daggers or staves, and light armor that have a more utilitarian purpose are more accepted with the lower class, and it’s not uncommon to see a dagger at a belt.
Medicine
Victorian medicine was risky at best. It was a time of great discovery and a great deal of discovery in terms of dissection, anatomy, and the later Victorian discovery of germ theory. Victorian medicine was a far cry from the “humors” of the middle ages - but equally as dangerous for its lack of knowledge. Blood-letting, quack potions, and crazy medical theories still were incredibly prevalent, warring with the valid discoveries of science and medicine. Medicines were often just as lethal as helpful, full of what we would modernly call addictive drugs and poison. Laudanum, cocaine, and various other chemicals were used as commonplace household medicines, sold “safely” to treat ailments.Medicine in Eisen
With the addition of magical healing abilities, medicine in Europa is a mix of “Victorian” and fantasy. Many churches have healers, especially those who worship Loreali. In the capitol of Novandria, Lady of Mercy Hospital, run by Acolytes of Loreali, treats the sick and injured. However, healing magic is generally reserved for more grievous injury (in modern day, what you would need to go to the hospital for), not just a simple cold. Healing potions, and their ingredients, are very expensive for the lower and middle class, but even in the lowest class homes, it's common to find low quality healing herbs growing in pots, hanging in windows, or planted in hidden gardens. Be careful! Some herbal remedies can still be dangerous if you’re desperate. And then there are, of course, the snake oil salesmen that are willing to prey on the desperate.
Religion
While the church certainly wasn’t as all-powerful as it was in the middle ages, the church in Victorian Society was still powerful. Good citizens went to church regularly and celebrated the appropriate holidays. Despite that, commerce, trade, and a more “worldly” view had become more commonplace and the rise of technology and science had eroded the stranglehold of faith upon society. Still, many social moorings of “goodness” and “purity” are paralleled by religious teachings.Religion in Eisen
In the world of Terranon, the gods are real, and they and their servants have walked among the mortal world. They imbue their clerics and paladins with power. There is no disputing or denying that the gods exist. Religion is an important part of many people’s lives, some dedicating their worship to a single god of their choice, some choosing to pray and make offerings to many of the gods depending on what is needed (a temple of Athesne for knowledge to pass an exam, Rhemnys for crafting an important item, or Loreali for healing an illness), and some do not offer worship to the gods at all. In Eisen, the primary gods are Rhemnys, Kallias, Lucetius, and Loreali, though other gods have minor temples around. There are no banned gods within Eisen. This can, and does, change throughout other countries and nations. Unlike religion in the Victorian area, there is no silly presumption of “purity” or “goodness” based on faith; a person is judged on their own actions, and the god(s) they choose to worship, or no god at all, is of little consequence.
Racial Perceptions
People of color were certainly not unheard of in the west in Victorian times, although they did carry with them some prejudices. Regardless, other races and skin tones were certainly present but not always welcome. Again, class was a large factor here and a poor person of color would have far less leeway than a middle class or upper class one.Racial Perceptions in Eisen
In Terranon, there are a wide range of races, from Elf to Gnome to Orc and everything in between. While, at one point in the past, they had ancestral homes and nations, this is no longer true. The races have intermixed and spread throughout the globe to make their home in every corner of the world. In Eisen in particular, it is just as common to see a human (of any skin tone) as it is to see one of the Beastkin wandering the streets. Nobility has just as wide of a spread of races as commoners do, though there may be a few more Dwarves in Eisen, or Elves in Avalon, due to ancestry. Personal prejudices do exist, but the overall view of races is to live and let live, with nary an eye batted at the various people, or their relationships, in regards to race. As noted above, however, some races are not granted citizenship and, while they are not treated with disdain or contempt, they can be subject to occasional rudeness that other races may not need to endure.
Education and Training
The Victorian era is one of the first in which the concept of compulsory education becomes apparent in any sort of wider sense. Young children were expected to receive at least some schooling - although this was often taken over by the need for income in poor families. For the rich and elite - private tutors were hired for children to prepare them for the life of the rich and wealthy. While a noble child might eventually be sent to university, that was generally reserved for second and third heirs who would not be inheriting estates. The nobility did not have careers - their “jobs” were to be noble, be social, and theoretically to care for those beneath them (either as tenants on country estates or through social work in the city). As such, they rarely received formal education outside of what they would need for politics, philosophy and to be considered a well-educated land owner. The middle class - or later heirs to a noble family - were more apt to receive a university education. This applied strictly to men with the first women’s college in the world, Welsleyann, opening in 1836. Even later in the Victorian era, women’s education was often considered a dangerous “experiment.” For the poor - and lower middle class - tradesmen took apprentices for their arts so it was certainly possible for a skilled lower class person to become a skilled - and thus better paid - worker.Education and Training in Eisen
Education is important to the Eisenvolk, with people from all backgrounds learning to read, write, and do basic arithmetic (though it’s not entirely unheard of for some of the poorest to be illiterate, especially in rural places where farming or mining is more important than schooling for some families). All genders and races are schooled equally with a basic education and are not barred from higher education, should they wish it. In addition to mundane universities for such things as politics, medicine, and law, academies for those wishing to become skilled in the arcane arts, or to become adventurers, have become popular. While inheriting nobles are not usually found in such places, their younger siblings and the middle class are often keen to attend. Scholarships are offered to the poor and many scramble for the opportunity to improve their lot through education. Those who show an inherent spark of magic, are, of course, immediately admitted, regardless of ability to pay or not. There still exists, however, some class distinction in these universities, with the two largest being the Academy for Adventuring Arts, which attracts the poor and middle class, and the Academia Casus, which is attended by the nobility and those of the middle class wealthy enough to afford tuition. For those uninterested in higher learning, there are always tradespeople looking for an apprentice, as well as training for the RYOK, or acolytes of the church.