Evaluating the Science and Technology in Rothford (1)

24th of Eliza, 300 M.K.E (3 days later…)

Howard was found inside Kant's room, firmly sitting on his armchair with a table moved near him. On the left side of the desktop was a stack of books built like a pyramid. On the right side near Howard was a tower of books, 6 stories tall. Once Howard has finished reading a book, he keeps it on the top of the tower, before carrying them away from the table to the library.

He then returns to his room, picks up a book from his book pyramid, and reads through it. Once he is finished, he places the book down, grabs another book, and then starts building another stack of books to read and send back to the library. 

The man had spent the last 3 days reading through scientific books available in the library, partly out of curiosity to look at the strange theories people came up with to explain away the chaos of the world, and partly to understand where society was at a technological level.

Since the level of technology is linked to the scientific breakthroughs and knowledge of a society, Howard figured out this was a way he could properly understand what the world is capable of, without wasting hours of his precious life trying to find a book about a given technology. 

For a royal library filled with thousands of books, it appeared to be lacking any information regarding technology. Maybe he could have found what he needed elsewhere, but he had to improvise since Howard was currently stuck in the palace.

While reading these books, Howard began to notice a strange pattern. Although this society has the knowledge and techniques to invent devices beyond the 1440s, they appear to have technologically stagnated in many fields not involving magic. 

For instance, they had all the information and techniques to make a firearm; not a modern firearm but a black powder smooth-bore musket. Yet, upon looking through Kant's memories, no firearms were to be found anywhere. The only use gunpowder had in this world was for simple fireworks used for festivals and celebrations. 

There were exceptions, of course. Case in point, medicine. The state of medicine in this world was far superior to the old world during the same time period. Using their understanding of human anatomy, magic, and some powerful herbs, they are able to cure ailments and serious injuries.

Despite this, there were many things they still did not know, such as the existence of microorganisms, and thus no magical cures for diseases like smallpox or cholera. They had no idea what the scientific method was, nor did they know anything regarding the wider universe they lived in, and how it worked.

Plus, in cases where magic couldn't be used, they often resorted to old tricks like 'bloodletting' to try and cure a patient. 

In Kant's case, he had undergone extensive bloodletting to "remove the cursed blood from the body to allow magical spells to work on one again." It was a miracle Kant survived for as long as he did. 

With all this information in mind, Howard had one question reverberating inside his head. Why? Why has technology stagnated so much in this society? Why hasn't society used its scientific knowledge to craft new innovative devices that would help propel it forward? 

Howard had a theory for why this may be. He suspected it had something to do with the mages perceiving technology as a threat to business. Take those mages who can write a bunch of pages at once. 

They stand to gain no benefit if their jobs were taken by a printing press, and thus they might have used their connections and power, to squander the use of the printing press, and keep their business. 

The only problem Howard had with his theory is whether the assumption it relies on is true. Are the mages as connected as he thinks they are? If so, then his theory stands. If not, then it might be a different reason. 

Maybe the culture itself is hostile to technological advancement, as it brought great change to the world. 

"Knock. Knock. Knock," the door spoke. It appears someone is outside, wanting permission from him to enter.

"Come in," Howard replied. The door swings open, revealing his personal maid carrying a silver tray in her hands. On the tray was a ceramic cup next to a teapot, filled to the brim with fresh warm water. 

"Your highness, I have brought you your water. Where would you like me to put it?" she asks the prince.

"Keep it on the table next to me. There should be enough space," he answered. The maid nods, and places the cup right next to him, before pouring some water into it. As she filled up the cup, Howard pondered whether to get some information about the mages, to see if his theory was correct.

"Excuse me, but can I ask you a question?" he asked politely. 

"Yes you may, your highness. What is the question? Do you need something from me?" Howard shook his head.

"No, I do not need anything. I have this question that has been bugging me, and I was hoping you would have an answer for it."

"I see. Please, go ahead." 

"How connected are the mages of one field, to other mages in another field?" he finally asked. The maid remained silent for a minute, before asking Kant to elaborate.

"Alright, imagine a group of mages in, say… purifying water. How connected are they to other mages doing different jobs? How much influence do they have on the economy?" he elaborated. The maid remained silent, trying to come up with an answer.

"I am sorry your highness, but I do not think I have the answer to that question," she replied, leaving Howard a little disappointed. In hindsight, he shouldn't have expected this answer from her anyway. How the hell in a world with limited information is she supposed to kno…

"However…" the maid spoke up, sparking Howard's curiosity once again. His head immediately turned to her, his ears fixated on picking up whatever she was about to say. 

"I do know that the guilds frequently work together. They often advise the king on matters dealing with economic issues."

"They come to my father to give him advice?" Howard asks, wanting more details. 

"It is more like his majesty summoning them to the court to provide him their expertise. Since these guilds are made up of people working in that industry, he suspects they know what they are doing," she answers.

"These guilds, are they made up of mostly mages, or is there a mix between mages and normal people?" 

"Depends on the guild, your highness. Some are filled entirely with mages, others with ones who cannot cast magic, and a few who have a mix of both," she replies.

"Hm… I see. May I ask one more question?" The maid nods in approval.

"What is it, your highness?"

"How do you know all this information? Where did you get it from?" 

"My father works in a guild. He told me all about them when I was young," she told him. 

"Ah. I see," he replied. 

Howard wondered how high up his maid's father was in this guild she referenced. Her position at the palace would allow her to communicate and make connections with some powerful figures here. Maybe even help her father secure his position or allow him to get a few promotions.

"Before I leave, your highness, there is something I need to tell you. Your mother and father have requested to meet you in your father's study room," she informed the prince.

"Why is that?" Howard asks. 

"They told me that they wanted to speak with you, privately. When do you think you will be able to come see them?" Howard turns to the pyramid of books on his desk before refocusing back on the maid. 

"I should be free in about 3 hours. I can come anytime they want," Howard replied.

"I understand. I will make sure to inform them." 

"Good. You may leave the room. Keep the teapot here. I might need to drink some more water." The maid does as he instructs, placing the teapot just beside the cup. She then takes off, leaving the room and heading straight to inform the king and queen of the time Howard is able to meet them.