We Are Such Stuff...: Questions of Chronology · 5:05am Apr 9th, 2018
So, I have set my character on a quest, and will head him toward the city.
I have been considering some details: I have settled on an approximate date of 350 AE for the start of this story. This raises the question of the general level of technology in the Northeast U.S. at the time. The farm described is pretty much pre-Industrial Revolution, or at least the beginning of it. As an outlying rural area, that seems appropriate: but what of the city?
At this time, Alexandria is the primary hub of civilization. By now, its influence is certainly spreading: but how much, and how fast?
I imagine there would be established trade routes for commerce; and the flow of information, plus the occasional skilled Refugee, would help. But perhaps a certain conservatism, either social or religious - this is the "Land of Steady Habits", after all - might slow the adoption of new ideas. There may also be a shortage of experienced individuals to implement technological improvements.
"Mule London", therefore, may be a mixture of eras, where magic fills in some of the gaps left by the loss of technology.
We shall see. 7@=e
Most ponies in North America would have heard of Alexandria, some few may have trained there. Mule London, in my opinion, would be like the era of Fort Griswold's construction. While there may be advanced knowledge, few will be able to USE said knowledge.
Looking forward to upcoming chapters, Lucius. There could be a thriving metals industry there (after all, you have a lot there at EB).
Whenever I write this setting during that era, I use old-west levels of technology. Pre civil war, but not that much before. Lots of it retrofitted from pre-event stuff, maintained or salvaged. Or rather, I use that as an upper bound. Plenty of places probably have it worse.
Thanks to you both! I'm toying with the idea of a telegraph line to other urban centers, such as New Haven or Hartford, and possibly a link to New York: but that remains to be seen.
With a higher percentage of Refugees, they might have some with technical experience: but they would have to work with what resources are available. Fossil fuels, then, would be unlikely: but some enterprising ponies could be using waste to generate methane for gas lighting, etc.
I'll take that into consideration for the following chapters. 7@=e
In my opinion, Mule London will be part of a telegraph line network starting at Boston and going through Providence and New Haven to NYC (or around it). Hartford may have a line, but going through New Haven instead.
I'm sure there will be some magic there, maybe even one or two ponies educated at Alexandria.