Difference between revisions of "Threnody"

Before the arrival of the Evil, the people of Homeland had discovered gunpowder.{{book ref|sfs}} However, humankind's flight from its influence muchcaused large amounts of technological knowledge isto be left behind. Technological innovation has been rather stifled in the Forests by the Simple Rules, specifically the rule against kindling fire. This has rendered technologies such as firestarters or gunpowder nearly useless in the Forests, although myths of gunpowder's explosive properties remain. It has also restricted the development of any sort of combustion-related technologies, such as steam engines. Any and all fire must be provided by a fire merchant, so once they are kindled, most fires are never allowed to go out. The Threnodites have also developed an alternative light source to fire, due to the difficulties with lighting fires in the Forests.{{book ref|sfs}} They make use of a material called [[glowpaste]], which provides a soft blue light and makes shades glow as well. They have also domesticated several species of animals on the planet, including horses and dogs, which they use in their everyday life.{{book ref|sfs}} They have also domesticated hogs, turkeys, and rabbits, which are raised and carefully slaughtered for food.

In terms of weaponry, bladed weapons are uncommon in the Forests, as using them risks drawing blood.{{book ref|sfs}} This also makes weapons such as war hammers uncommon as large impacts will often cause the victim of it's use to bleed. Most bladed weapons, such as spears, knives, and crossbows, are made of silver and used only to combat shades. When fighting another human, Threnodites tend to make use of weapons that rely on blunt force and are unlikely to draw blood if used appropriately, such as cudgels and garrotes. They also have developed an easy-to-crank crossbow that fires blunt bolts, which do not draw blood but hit hard enough to stun an enemy. In the event that spilling blood is absolutely necessary in the Forests, the desperate make use of burlap sacks that have been sealed with tar. If they can get the sack over someone's head, they can smash their skull in; as long as the blood does not reach the open air, the shades do not enrage. Overall, the Simple Rules make it incredibly difficult to kill another person, so large-scale battles and wars seem nonexistent between the forts or in the Forests.