On Cycles, Natural and Civilized

 

 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 

                                                                                       --Solomon in Ecclesiastes 1:9 KJV

All this has happened before. All this will happen again.

                                                                                        --Pythia, Battlestar Galactica

Whenever dharma or righteousness is on a decline in this world, and adharma or evil is on the rise, taking over the souls of men, I will descend to the earthly plane, as another of my avatars. For the protection of what is good, and the destruction of what is evil, for the re-establishment of dharma, I will do so in every yuga or era. 

                                                                                        --Bhagavat Gita

  

The main thought that plagues me about our world, nay our universe is how old it is and yet there is this component to it that says to me that this isn't round one. Whether or not you believe in the great cycle, small cycles or this is the first ride. Their seems to me to be an order from all the chaos. A design in the madness if you will. Science holds to many indicators of closed loops.

Preservation of Matter/Energy is a closed loop. Matter is neither created nor destroyed but can be converted to energy and energy to matter. We say that the energy cycle of earth is an open loop with the leaking of heat and light radiation bouncing off the earth and traveling into the cosmos and the sun adding to the heat and light radiation of earth as it emits rays that strike us. This in turn interacts with the tilt of the earth creating the seasons. Further earths rotational speed causes the wind's Coriolis effect which creates trade winds, sea currents and when combined with terrain, latitude/longitude and the aforementioned earth's tilt; finally creates climates. However, the universe contains this energy and if the Big Bang and Big Bounce/Crunch theories are correct the universe will expand until it reaches the point where escaping particles or light and heat slow and inevitably will be pulled back in to a tight gravitational collapse. The whole universe becoming so dense and compact that the ensuing reaction would cause a repeat of the Big Bang. A great cosmological cycle.

Cycle of life is a closed loop. All things that die comeback through being devoured by something else. Insects, plants and fungus devour the dead returning to food for the living which in turn dies feeding the plants. Rain/Evaporation is also closed loop. This is many more examples are related to the Biogeochemical cycle. 

All of these systems seem to be on a wheel of time ever spinning and cycling around. It stands to reason that similar things can and may have happened within the development of society and civilization. Our own civilizations can be traced back to the Indus valley, Mesopotamia, Egypt and China. We know about these civilizations mainly because of the wonderous monuments and constructions they left behind starting roughly five to seven thousand years ago. Some older examples have been found in bones, pottery and tools prior to that. These relics were preserved as much by the climatic areas they were found in and the sheer size and choice of materials. It is very possible that there were other examples of civilizations in the 4 million+ years of human evolution. A cyclical collapse of sorts.

I find it intriguing looking at the rise of metallurgy in the Bronze to Iron age. Three factors seem to apply here. 1) The availability of copper and tin in certain regions 2) the knowledge and use of these materials 3) the spread of trade to other parts of the world Europe and Asia. Over the course of 2000 years the spread of this material reaches great extent but the limited sources of material see us focus in on these areas as being more advanced. We tend to think of these areas as being settled and more advanced civilizations. Is it possible that these areas had goods that would last longer but were no more settled or advanced than other cultures.

In the Americas we think of the Aztecs, Toltecs and Mayans as being more advanced. Even the pueblo building civilizations as being more advanced. However, it is coming to light that there were many pre-Columbian civilizations like the wood and river Ancestral peoples. These peoples are listed as hunter-gatherers by most archeological sources due to little if any surviving material evidence. I don't make a metal fork if a wood fork meets my needs...

Likewise, northern Europe and many parts of Asia and Africa are in similar circumstances. Tombs found in the UK, France and Russia date to the time of, if not before the pyramid of Dojer. Beyond bronze why are we so convinced that these groups remained hunter/gatherers later than the other civilizations of our world.

 Without the preserving effects of the deserts of the middle east and America southwest or the megalithic structures of the Pyramids, tombs and temples left behind would we draw the same conclusions regarding the origin of civilization?

If not then is not possible that as wide spread as humanity was in 4000 BCE, are we absolutely convinced that the bronze age was not a more severe emergence from a Dark Age like what befell in Europe after the collapse of the Roman Empire. Was Stone Age life so much different from Bronze age life. Was writing only invented in the bronze age. Or do we just not have access to any surviving materials from those times?

Earliest bipedal "humans" are thought to emerge 4 million years ago. The oldest stone tools were 3.3 million years ago. The oldest extent structure is 2 million years ago. Surviving hides and tents from 10000 BCE and a structure with a timber supported roof in Czech Republic dating from 23000 BCE. Bely the fact that only settled civilizations began in the bronze age. Knowing where and how these items were found in caves and protected environments lead me to more questions then answers. Science focuses on what can be proven based on facts but a certain amount of speculation is free for us writers and world builders. 

If the last ice age lasted from 50000 BCE to 10000 BCE in northern Europe. Is it not possible that the great glacial scouring of that time would have wiped away much of anything a civilization would have built. And if global warming were to bring about rising seas today where 40% of the earth's population lives. And if there was a return of another ice age how much of our civilization would not be reclaimed by nature and destroyed in the next 40,000 years as our descendants clawed for survival and back to some level of technology to be able to dig into our own past?

Lastly I leave you to ponder Toynbee's theory on Societal Collapse which in its own way is the cyclical nature of civilization. Civilizations go thru several distinct phases based on his review of 28 civilizations throughout history.

• 1) Genesis - ie creation or founding
• 2) Growth - increasing in scope and size
• 3) Time of Troubles - outside pressures
• 4) Universal State - dominant minority tries to hold control by force
• 5) Disintegration - the inevitable collapse and migration/survival of the few

In phase 1 thru 3 the creative minority in authority is able to found, convince and extract cooperation from the masses. These creative minority are able to stave of external outside pressures such as Natural Disasters, Shift in Climate, Famine, Drought, Disease, Foreign Invasions, Economic Depressions, Mass Migrations and Internal Strife. Eventually the creative minority achieves a state of cognitive decline where creativity is stymied or out paced by the problems at hand. The Dominant Minority then turns to force or dogmatic tenets that create an Us vs Them situation. By which the Us tries to retain privilege and the them become envious of said privilege. These tenets like idealization of the past, idealization of the future, removal from the realities of the world (drugs, sex, spiritualism, double speak, isolationism etc.),  give rise to a new "Church" or prophetic cures, ie snake oil sales man with the cure all to the ills of the day. This results in abandoning the reality of the problem and clinging to truancy from life, martyrdom, and losing self-control. There comes a clinging to institutions not for what they provide but for what they formerly represented, could represent or the escape they provide. His critics oft cite that their is too much focus on the divine within his theory, but I think religion and divine are misconstrued here for the ideals or moralities of the Culture in question. In many ancient cultures this would have been religion but in our own modern culture this more likely to be the new religions or Societal Morays we cling to in our day like Politics, Science, Political Correctness, Utopian Fairness, Big Business and Woke-ness. 

Of other interest may be the 50 year upset cycle where the first generation sets the rules, the second generation grumbling accepts the rules, and the third generations overthrows or rewrites the rules. Or the longer secular cycle in which the workforce is fairly equal, an elite minority arises from the masses, the mass workforce sees a lowering of standards of living via internal or external pressures, the elite minority turns to infighting rather than resolving the issues and society eventually collapses as the workforce disperses via migration, revolt or death. Detroit is a perfect example of the latter and the US the former. With risky societal errors in 1820(State vs Fed Rights, Govt of Elites vs Common Man), 1870 (Civil War), 1920 (Prohibition/Wall street Collapse/Great Depression), 1970 (Vietnam/Civil Rights) and 2020 (Covid/Riots/Trump/Biden).  

On Using Minis

With D&D next and OSR tactical combat moves to the rear, but my family has trouble with the concept of Theatre of the Mind. In order to simplify matters I picked up some cheap minis from my FLGS. Ranging from $2 to $10 bucks the Bones line Reaper Minatures are surprisingly detailed and easy to deal with. With only a minimum (15 mins tops) of prep work I was happily painting away. The results though amateurish, my unsteady hands being the cause, have reinvigorated my desire to bust out the paints and minature collection. Searching about the internet this seems to be the best in plastic figs, at least until Hero Forge gets there site up and running.

 

This of course led me to drool at Dwarven Forge and contemplate the hassle involved in Hirst Arts molds. Now I don't mean to run down Hirst. If you have the time and know how this is definitely a great solution for the price. Plenty of folks are selling ready made terrain from these molds as well. Finally, I stumbled across Dungeonstone. The effort involved and price point seems right for me. We will have to do some aggressive negotiation with my accountant but I am looking forward to leaving tiles and dry erase pens behind. Once I receive them I will have to provide some feed back on the site. In the meantime, here are some shots of my unskilled mini painting from last week. Check out Bones with two kick starters the collection is wide and varied.

 

The Party

Lady Dawn Belle Ara of Corrin Hill - A human Noble Fighter on a mission to reclaim her birthright

 

Sergeant Yong Rockseeker - A dwarven mercenary company member who left her order when she found Oghma. She is looking for her missing cousins.

 

Arthrand Knightblade - A human folk hero fighter who grew up in Thundertree. He has heard rumors Venomfang has taken over there and he plans to vanquish the foe and restore the town.

 

Draene Illethe - An Elven acolyte wizard who is plagued by dreams of Oghma's desecrated altar. He has come to restore the altar.

 

Francine Alderleaf - A halfling hunted thief, who fled Phandalin when a price was put on her head. She has returned to settle the score and clear the price on her head. She is related to Qelline and Carpe Alderleaf, local farmers.

The Badies

 

 

An Update on Things

"Hot weather opens the skull of a city, exposing its white brain, and its heart of nerves, which sizzle like the wires inside a lightbulb. And there exudes a sour extra-human smell that makes the very stone seem flesh-alive, webbed and pulsing."

― Truman Capote, Summer Crossing

Things have been quiet around here since the summer started. With the weather in 100+ F (40+ C) it’s tough for me to want to sneak away to the garage to work on things. I much prefer my AC on full bore. I figured it was time to provide an update on what I have been working on since last I shared.

I spent a few months writing up code for a random dungeon generator. The basis for this is the tables from the AD&D DMG Appendix. I then enhanced it with things I have found scattered around the internet and some basic design principles garnered from first person shooters and my own experience. That project is near completion, with my first few dungeons getting drawn up Dyson Logos style. If you are unaware of his work check him out over here. He has a patreon campaign with some nifty bonuses and his map work is top notch.

 

In addition, our family OSR campaign sputtered out. We are rebooting with 5E, I am not too sure how I like the rules yet. Even the Basic free PDF from WotC. I did pick up the Starter Set: Lost Mines of Phandelver. I will share my experiences with the ruleset as the 5-6 week campaign progresses.

Speaking of the Lost Mines, I am just wrapping up a PDF GM Aid I am using for my own campaign. In my read thru of this module it became glaringly obvious that the motivations of the factions involved are extremely thin and cliché. I felt that some of the motivations of NPCs needed enhancements for my own understanding of what was going on. Also the information is so scattered about the thing I felt I needed to group specific data together for ease of use. I really focused in on the Who? What? When? And Why? of the various factions and NPCs. Whenever I found them lacking I added more detail. The other bit that got my dander up was the typical WotC style where the NPCs and Villains are frozen in time waiting for the PCs to blunder into them. This isn’t my preferred method. I like for the PCs actions and decisions to count, and for the villains to alter their own plans based on the PCs actions. I therefore created or enhanced some components of the adventure to help with this. Lastly, I didn’t want my PCs to not have options. Ie slay everything and take the treasure should not be the only method. This module has some good places for alternate solutions, but I rounded out the main antagonists so that they could be manipulated for information, bargained with, misled, and questioned without resorting to the threat of violence. This gives my players more options. I also ensured that if the players do kill every NPC and monster the adventure doesn’t stall, as written some interrogation is a must have.

Here are a few examples of the work I have done. My additions are in italics.

 

Below BE SPOILERS!!!!

 

Factions - The Antagonists

 

Black Spiders

The Black Spiders owe their escape to their leader, a drow by the name of Nezznar. They are extremely loyal to Nezznar and most will do anything asked of them. Currently he intends to gain power and return to the Underdark to have his revenge.

Goals:

· Gather power from any source possible

· Eliminate anyone that stands in their way

· Keep the local powers off balance

· Exploit the weak

· Never be enslaved again

Members:

Black Spider – aka Nezznar

Sex/Race: Male Drow

Description: Black leather armor, under dark robes, a wooden staff with a carved obsidian spider on top.

Associates:

Lts: Vyerith, Vhalak

Subordinates: Mosk, Grol, Klarg, Targor Bloodsword

Cragmaw Goblins

Allies: Glasstaff & Redbrands

Enemies: Rockseeker Clan, Undead of Wave Echo Cave

Languages: Common, Elven, Goblin (Elvish and Undercommon)

Social Skills: +3 CHA(diplomacy) (None)

Facts: Nezznar is a 4^th level wizard. He has a natural curiosity and a substantial memory. Even though he intends to kill the PCs he will engage in false promises to achieve his aims. He is fully intending to eliminate his allies once they are no longer useful, and the PCs would be no exception.

Nezznar is aware of all his Allies schemes.

History: Nezznar was born into the matriarchal Drow society. He trained at the wizard’s academy in Menzoberranzan. Seeing the fruitlessness of his future, Nezznar corrupted his watchers and slunk away in the night. Knowing the dangers of the Underdark well, he chose to free a handful of Drow slaves to protect him. The bugbear and hobgoblins currently serving him are those same slaves. Upon reaching the surface Nezznar overheard that the Rockseeker clan had found the entrance to Wave Echo Cavern, a fount of magical power. He dispatched Vyerith and Vhalak to follow them. When Nezznar met Glasstaff he immediately saw him as a kindred spirit. He took the mage on as his apprentice and an alliance was formed. Needing a human face to transact with the world above, Glasstaff was the perfect pawn. His creation of the Redbrands further gave Nezznar a means to raid the town and keeps its officials from looking into the disappearance of the Rockseekers. The former hobgoblin and bugbear slaves proved invaluable in raiding caravans and pressing the local goblin tribe into service. The funds and manpower from these exploits were utilized to start clearing the debris and undead from Wave Echo Cave.

RP Quote: "It seems I must deal with you myself, a pity it must end this way." "If only there were some way that we could benefit each other, I wouldn’t have to eliminate you myself. Mores the pity."

Vyerith

Sex/Race: Female Drow (Doppleganger)

Description: Appears as a female drow in dark robes, long white hair

Associates:

Master: Black Spider

Allies: Vhalak

Languages:

Social Skills:

Facts: Nezznar sent the two dopplegangers to track the Rockseeker Clan

Vyerith is encountered in King Grol’s quarters haggling with him over the price of Gundren and the map

If she escapes she will return to Wave Echo Cave

Vyerith is aware of all the Black Spiders schemes and can lead PCs to Wave Echo Cave or Cragmaw Castle

History: The two dopplegangers were assigned by the Drow Matron of his house to keep tabs on Nezznar. He succeeded in corrupting their loyalty thru manipulation of their secrets. They were vital in his escape from Menzoberranzan. They are his chief lieutenants now and fully loyal to the Spider.

	Roll two dice (red-hostile, green benign)			If either comes up 17-20 then roll on table below, if both come up 17-20 then Red is attacking Green etc
	Day Roll	Night Roll
	1 to 2	1 to 3	Stirges (1d8+2)	Blood Suckers, Drawn to Campfires
	--	4	Ghouls (1d4+1)	Nocturnal, hunger for flesh
	3 to 4	--	Ogre (1)	Looking for a kill
	5 to 6	5	Goblins (1d6+3)	Know location of Cragmaw Castle, carrying 1d10 cp each
	7 to 8	6	Hobgoblins (1d4+2)	Know location of Cragmaw Castle, carrying sketch of 1 PC, 25 gp for head symbol of a Black Spider If before King Grol would hear of Lair destruction, Redbrands looking for Thief PC
	9 to 10	7 to 8	Orcs (1d4+2)	Raiding party from Wyvern Tor
	11	9 to 10	Wolves (1d4+2)
	12	11 to 12	Owlbear (1)	Hunting prey following PC scent
	Day Roll	Night Roll
	1	1	Prospectors/Miners	Traveling to or from Mine depending on time of day
	2	--	Farmers, local	Traveling to or from Farm
	3	2	Orchard Workers	Traveling to or from Orchard
	4	3	Travelers	On the road to somewhere else (Neverwinter etc)
	5	4 to 5	Dragon Sighting I	See Dragon high up circling, may mistake for bird
	6	6	Dragon Sighting II	See dragon picking up food. If with Hostile encounter. Dragon picks up monster to carry off to eat