Useful Art / Technology Level

 

The term "Useful Art", or "Useful Arts, is used under each nations description and is concerned with the skills and methods of making practical objects such as manufacturing and/or the craftsmanship skill involved. This term is also used to reference the "Technology Levels" of a nation and is often used in place of the wording useful arts.

Within the world of Arkuth and throughout this website this rating of technology will be split into five categories of a nations development level. Even though some countries are next to each other or have the same religion etc, doesn't mean they will have the same technological advancements as the next nation. This is due to strict traditions, customs, harsh political boundaries/regulations or even from being constrained by other more powerful nations. The useful arts of a nation can also be impeded by lack of language compatibility, low resources and a host of other detrimental reasons. However, keep in mind that wars can change these levels seemingly over a few short months of one nation conquering another. The DM is left open to decide when and where a technology level advances or declines in level.

One of the largest contributors to a useful art is magic in an AD&D campaign. Some nations invite arcane magic with open arms, while others shun or outright ban it from their societies. Those that horde resources and promote magic are usually the one's that rise to the top, well at least when it comes to skilled craftsmen and superior constructions. The table presented below is a rough outline of these levels and can be used as a quick reminder for DM's and players alike. Most of the chart below is accurate to earth, however several fantasy aspects, items and/or inventions were added to help define their existence in our game. The "high ages" in particular are purely a fictional time period in Arkuth.