Almanac – The Quadrivium
May 30th, 2013In this week’s Almanac entry, we return to the Enlightened Studies to discuss the Quadrivium, which are the next four revelations of Giavere after the Trivium. Fun fact — the Trivium and Quadrivium are drawn directly from the structure of courses at medieval universities. Because the Quadrivium was more advanced, anything minor and easy was learned in the Trivium, making it… trivial.
Etymology is fun.
As an amateur GM, I second Katie’s idea for a treatise on world building and setting design! I would love to have a closer look at the method that went into building the setting for “Snow by Night”!
The basic idea for the setting of Snow by Night is it’s an alternative history to our world. So I started going through history and flipping switches. What if the Albigensian Crusade was a failure and southern France remained independent? What if the Netherlands fought England to a stalemate in the Anglo-English Wars so New York remained New Amsterdam?
Now that I’m thinking about it, a treatise would make a great addition to the Volume 2 compilation. I need some bonus goodies in there to reward those who buy it. Until then, I recommend Robin Dempsey of LeyLines video blog on World Building that she did for the Webcomic Alliance.
Quintrivium would be interesting. So would something about medicine. And I would love to see a proper map. But what I would *really* like to see would be a treatise on world building – what things make for a realistic setting and how you develop them. Obviously, that’s not Almanac material, but since you were foolish enough to ask, I thought I’d throw the idea out there. :P
The maps are … a work in process. I have drafts of maps for Aradie, Everique, and Japethe. I haven’t been completely satisfied with them so I keep redrawing them. I’m a lot closer with the map of Sherbourg, but there’s so much detail. All those little buildings need to be labelled…. So the maps are coming. I beg your patience while I get them as good as I can.
Geek that I am, I actually enjoy these non-comic webpages. I never thought much about the French colonies in North America, or things like guild systems or medieval courses of study. Your world building has given me a lot of food for thought, and is much appreciated.
I’m glad you like them. I cut my teeth writing D&D setting material for Wizards so I just can’t help but world build. Any requests for next week? Should I continue with the Quintrivium or pick another topic?