Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

For all of the Talk that doesn't fit elsewhere.

Moderators: caedmon, Greg

User avatar
Greg
Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
Posts: 4496
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
Location: Eriador; Central Indiana

Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Greg »

I've been musing on a thought a bit this week, and thought I'd share the question with you all, and my own thoughts on what the answer might be.


How would we come across, dressed and equipped as we are, if we were to enter a Historical European location/town/etc. in-period?



Obviously, there would be some cultural differences. They wouldn't know what to think of a Silver rayed-star holding my cloak open, and my deerhide jerkin and back quiver might make their head spin a little bit...but the overall impression, issues in authenticity aside?

For a weather-beaten Ranger, my persona (in truly historical period) would probably be considered quite wealthy. A Yeoman/free-man/land owner at minimum, I suspect would be the automatic assumption. I'm not quite sure anyone in-period went around lightly armored or without any, yet carrying both blades and bow...and I may be way off on this.

What exactly would be the reaction of those who saw us? I would suspect that the lowest classes would immediately and automatically defer to myself as higher-ranking than them purely on the basis of my having the audacity to carry (or possess) such a wealth of equipment. We have discussed before the specialization of a Ranger's gear, such as shelter tarps and other presumably expensive items that in history might not have been so readily available (or likelihood of being carried/owned at all.). The sheer number of Buckles on a typical Ranger persona would likely stagger the imagination of poorer types.

I guess I just wonder if we shouldn't compare our personae to where they should[would?] fit within the strata of historical social classes, and see if we are comprehensively matching the Middle-earth equivalent of that.


Knowing that the Numenorean line originally hails from Royalty/Nobility, a Ranger certainly has the potential to be well-supplied with both clothing and arms. Still Aragorn has a very bedraggled appearance from the moment we meet him, and he even speaks of the months or years it would take for someone such as the Hobbits to 'catch up' to him in odor or appearance. Still, the Bree-folk are both wary and curious of the wandering Rangers, and I wonder if some of this wariness and caution stems from the hidden wealth they seem to possess: they don't seem to have jobs, they turn up randomly yet always (assumedly) are capable of paying, and they appear to be armed at all times, despite their otherwise roughish appearance.

Thoughts? Do you see a place where your persona should fit...and do you think you're on the right track? What details/variables am I missing here?
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
User avatar
Ghostsoldier
Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
Posts: 215
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 1:28 am
Location: NE Florida

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Ghostsoldier »

That's an interesting question, and as a new guy building his first Ranger persona, it's one I've been pondering, too: Should I equip myself in the regalia (or trappings) of royalty (even if a vestige of past association), or should I represent the 'common' Ranger, who doesn't sport such 'flashy' accoutrements, and is just there to do a job without obvious external fanfare?

Much like the background of WW2 reenacting that I come from, not everyone in the field could portray a sergeant, lieutenant or a general; some of us had to be the Regular Joes, or we would never have fought any tactical battles.

I also wouldn't want to be perceived as a roving thief or cutpurse brigand... I'd like the balance of appearing to be a believable Ranger to those I might encounter.

Rob
Last edited by Ghostsoldier on Wed Dec 05, 2018 12:34 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Nothing's forgotten."
User avatar
Greg
Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
Posts: 4496
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
Location: Eriador; Central Indiana

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Greg »

Udwin has written extensively on pursuing a 'common persona' (much like you said that not everyone can be a sergeant, etc.) Very good concept to follow.
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
User avatar
Elleth
êphal ki-*raznahê
Posts: 2932
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2010 5:26 am
Location: in the Angle; New England

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Elleth »

Interesting question!


Generally when thinking about this kind of thing, I try to imagine what it would be like in a more familiar context?

Let's say we're sitting in a modern American burger joint - but to make it fair, let's say we're pretty far out, since population density changes a *lot* in human behavior.
So let's say our watering hole is out in the middle of the Montana plains or something.

In walk a party of strangers we haven't seen before.

They're wearing fairly mundane clothes - though the sharp-eyed would probably notice they've comparatively little wear.
They're carrying expensive mountaineering gear, festooned with strange logos from niche companies.
Most notably, they've got assault rifles over their shoulders and pistols at their waists.


I think we'd be some combination of uneasy, suspicious, and extremely curious.
(But much less suspicious if we knew there were outlaws out in the plains, and driving to Wyoming meant you might or might not come back)

I expect in short order those strangers would be talking with the sheriff.
Not necessarily arrested or forcibly disarmed: but there'd definately be a conversation happening.


By anology then, I expect a MERFer would be similarly received in a previous century. (for simplicity's sake, let's assume there's no language barrier)
An armed party would be more harshly received in comparatively settled and sedate lands, perhaps with a bit more leniancy in a more chaotic or empty place or time.


Physically, I think having grown up with adequate nutrition and modern dental care could potentially mark a modern person as from a noble class, which might give a bit more leeway in interactions - not something I'd count on though.
Persona: Aerlinneth, Dúnedain of Amon Lendel c. TA 3010.
User avatar
Elleth
êphal ki-*raznahê
Posts: 2932
Joined: Wed Nov 03, 2010 5:26 am
Location: in the Angle; New England

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Elleth »

That said, I think "stranger MERFers dropping into a medieval village" isn't quite a perfect analogue, since the Dunedain are *known* to the Breefolk. Not trusted certainly - but they've presumably been passing through the the Breelands since time out of memory and presumably haven't killed anyone. Their coin spends well.

So I think while wariness is everpresent, there's not the "run get the sheriff" response a bunch of armed unknowns stepping into the inn would cause.

Likewise it seems the Breelanders are comparatively well off materially: they have glass windows even! Thus I don't know as the *absolute* level of material wealth seen in a typical MERF kit would seem outlandish, but the comparative investment would stand out.
Persona: Aerlinneth, Dúnedain of Amon Lendel c. TA 3010.
Straelbora
Haeropada
Posts: 937
Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:00 pm
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Straelbora »

I think one of the biggest problems for a Ranger in, say, historical Europe prior to the Renaissance, would be connections.

In medieval Europe, society was seen as a continuation of a chain of beings, from God down through various classes of angels, then in parallel, the chain from King on down or Pope on down. Everyone except the very pinnacle of the political or religious pyramid was a vassal of some sort. This system categorized each person with a public ranking as recognizeable to others as military rank is now when looking at a uniform.

Pretty much the only people outside of a vassalage relationship were outlaws. "Outlaw" was actually a designated legal status. A person outside of the law was 'out in the cold,' and couldn't request the aide of the court system or of the rudimentary policing system. An outlaw could be robbed or killed without legal consequence to the person who robbed or killed the outlaw.

I suspect a Dunedain Ranger would be seen and treated like an outlaw.
Vápnum sínum skala maðr velli á
feti ganga framar því at óvist er at vita
nær verðr á vegum úti geirs um þörf guma
Hávamál
User avatar
Greg
Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
Posts: 4496
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
Location: Eriador; Central Indiana

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Greg »

Interesting thoughts...but was an outlaw's money good anywhere? I feel like some but not all qualities of outlaws are applicable.
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
Straelbora
Haeropada
Posts: 937
Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:00 pm
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Straelbora »

Greg wrote:Interesting thoughts...but was an outlaw's money good anywhere? I feel like some but not all qualities of outlaws are applicable.
I'm reaching back to my Crimnal Law course in law school over 25 years ago, but I believe that a self-sufficient outlaw, or band of outlaws, were kind of like biker gangs in the movies- they had to watch their own backs, were often subject to being stabbed in the back (likely literally) by a fellow outlaw, and if their had more 'firepower' than the local constabulary, could move about with impunity.

Of course, most people weren't as tough as outlaw band members. It was a form of ostracizing a person, the 'stick' for those who refused to take part in the King's justice. In earlier iterations, especially under Anglo-Saxon law, where extended families had to pay for the transgressions of individual members, and those who testified on behalf of the accused could be penalized if it were later found out that the accused had committed the alleged crime, there was little incentive for friends or family to aid an outlaw.
Vápnum sínum skala maðr velli á
feti ganga framar því at óvist er at vita
nær verðr á vegum úti geirs um þörf guma
Hávamál
User avatar
Greg
Urush bithî 'nKi ya-nam bawâb
Posts: 4496
Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 8:50 pm
Location: Eriador; Central Indiana

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Greg »

Elleth wrote:That said, I think "stranger MERFers dropping into a medieval village" isn't quite a perfect analogue, since the Dunedain are *known* to the Breefolk. Not trusted certainly - but they've presumably been passing through the the Breelands since time out of memory and presumably haven't killed anyone. Their coin spends well.

So I think while wariness is everpresent, there's not the "run get the sheriff" response a bunch of armed unknowns stepping into the inn would cause.

Likewise it seems the Breelanders are comparatively well off materially: they have glass windows even! Thus I don't know as the *absolute* level of material wealth seen in a typical MERF kit would seem outlandish, but the comparative investment would stand out.
I like this description of the social dynamic between the two. I'm nothing your mention of the "comparative investment". In more detail, this sounds to me like "What has this wanderer prioritized that I haven't?" That may be one of the biggest lines drawn between a local and the Ranger type...where the money is spent.
Now the sword shall come from under the cloak.
User avatar
caedmon
Balku'npâ
Posts: 962
Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:30 am
Location: Palmer Alaska

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by caedmon »

Elleth wrote:That said, I think "stranger MERFers dropping into a medieval village" isn't quite a perfect analogue,


Why do I only see MERF herder when I read this?
-Jack Horner

----------------------------
Impression: Cædmon Reedmace | bronze founder living in Archet, Breeland. c. 3017
User avatar
Ghostsoldier
Silent Watcher over the Peaceful Lands
Posts: 215
Joined: Mon Aug 13, 2018 1:28 am
Location: NE Florida

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Ghostsoldier »

caedmon wrote:
Elleth wrote:That said, I think "stranger MERFers dropping into a medieval village" isn't quite a perfect analogue,


Why do I only see MERF herder when I read this?
As in "Scruffy-looking Merf Herders"? :D

Rob
"Nothing's forgotten."
User avatar
Peter Remling
Athel Dunedain
Posts: 3735
Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:20 am

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Peter Remling »

Just responding to the original question: If we had a believable reason for carrying what we had , we'd probably be okay. Carrying all that gear might illicit questions but saying I'm returning from a Crusade and heading to my home. I could name any large city or small town 150 miles away and with my different accent I'd be believed.

People like uncomplicated answers, so make your lies simple. :P
User avatar
Odigan
Vendor
Posts: 332
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2008 6:42 pm
Location: Southern WI
Contact:

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Odigan »

A few things spring to mind when I read this. The first is how we tend to arbitrarily assign particular looks to times and places, which are essentially caricatures. For example, if you conjure up a mental image of someone from the 1950s, or 60s, or 70s, I'm sure you what you're thinking would be identifiable to the rest of us as someone from those decades. But to someone of that time, it would likely come off as a mockery. Were you envisioning 1958, 1964, or 1972? What time of year was it? What part of the world? City or country? There are a myriad of little details that even this recently in our past are forgotten to us, but were extremely important - consciously and subconsciously - to those living at the time. How do you part your hair? How many buttons on your jacket? How is your handkerchief folded (you don't have a handkerchief?!?).

Still, all this would tell someone is that you're just out of touch with fashion, something of a counter-culture deadbeat, or maybe just drunk. We shouldn't forget that like the major cities of the world today, much of the Medieval and Renaissance world was used to seeing travellers from parts known and unknown, and their mode of dress and adornment was wildly more varied than that of ours today. Just look at the National dress of many countries and you can see how much some of the traditional costume differed across borders, or even within nations. The cantons of Switzerland for example. Though many of these are now based on 18th/19th C. trends, it gives some insight to the variety that existed, and how someone who looked identifiable, but not quite right, was simply "not from around here."

With regards to status, again, I think we tend to forget how much crap we have around us today that simply didn't exist in the past. Most people of any station had much of the same "stuff," it simply varied in quality and level of embellishment. Some of this was also subtle to our eyes, not just in terms of materials but of their finish, or method of manufacture. Something like a wood or machine screw used instead of a peg or binding would signal great wealth. This might be somewhere where we could run afoul, as there were often sumptuary laws which restricted certain fabrics and colours by class.

Anyway, just some musings. Like so many things, I think the answer here really just is, "it depends."
Straelbora
Haeropada
Posts: 937
Joined: Mon Feb 11, 2013 7:00 pm
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Straelbora »

Odigan wrote:A few things spring to mind when I read this. The first is how we tend to arbitrarily assign particular looks to times and places, which are essentially caricatures. For example, if you conjure up a mental image of someone from the 1950s, or 60s, or 70s, I'm sure you what you're thinking would be identifiable to the rest of us as someone from those decades. But to someone of that time, it would likely come off as a mockery. Were you envisioning 1958, 1964, or 1972? What time of year was it? What part of the world? City or country? There are a myriad of little details that even this recently in our past are forgotten to us, but were extremely important - consciously and subconsciously - to those living at the time. How do you part your hair? How many buttons on your jacket? How is your handkerchief folded (you don't have a handkerchief?!?).

Still, all this would tell someone is that you're just out of touch with fashion, something of a counter-culture deadbeat, or maybe just drunk. We shouldn't forget that like the major cities of the world today, much of the Medieval and Renaissance world was used to seeing travellers from parts known and unknown, and their mode of dress and adornment was wildly more varied than that of ours today. Just look at the National dress of many countries and you can see how much some of the traditional costume differed across borders, or even within nations. The cantons of Switzerland for example. Though many of these are now based on 18th/19th C. trends, it gives some insight to the variety that existed, and how someone who looked identifiable, but not quite right, was simply "not from around here."

With regards to status, again, I think we tend to forget how much crap we have around us today that simply didn't exist in the past. Most people of any station had much of the same "stuff," it simply varied in quality and level of embellishment. Some of this was also subtle to our eyes, not just in terms of materials but of their finish, or method of manufacture. Something like a wood or machine screw used instead of a peg or binding would signal great wealth. This might be somewhere where we could run afoul, as there were often sumptuary laws which restricted certain fabrics and colours by class.

Anyway, just some musings. Like so many things, I think the answer here really just is, "it depends."
Case in point, lost on many viewers post-mid-20th century: the Three Stooges dressed in outmoded or very unstylish clothing. I think most of us miss that when we watch their movies. Kind of like Pee Wee Herman's suit is completely out of touch for his time and place.
Vápnum sínum skala maðr velli á
feti ganga framar því at óvist er at vita
nær verðr á vegum úti geirs um þörf guma
Hávamál
User avatar
Iodo
Thangailhir
Posts: 2112
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2017 5:58 pm
Location: North west england UK
Contact:

Re: Food For Discussion: What Would We Look Like?

Post by Iodo »

Odigan wrote:A few things spring to mind when I read this. The first is how we tend to arbitrarily assign particular looks to times and places, which are essentially caricatures. For example, if you conjure up a mental image of someone from the 1950s, or 60s, or 70s, I'm sure you what you're thinking would be identifiable to the rest of us as someone from those decades. But to someone of that time, it would likely come off as a mockery. Were you envisioning 1958, 1964, or 1972? What time of year was it? What part of the world? City or country? There are a myriad of little details that even this recently in our past are forgotten to us, but were extremely important - consciously and subconsciously - to those living at the time. How do you part your hair? How many buttons on your jacket? How is your handkerchief folded (you don't have a handkerchief?!?).

Still, all this would tell someone is that you're just out of touch with fashion, something of a counter-culture deadbeat, or maybe just drunk. We shouldn't forget that like the major cities of the world today, much of the Medieval and Renaissance world was used to seeing travellers from parts known and unknown, and their mode of dress and adornment was wildly more varied than that of ours today. Just look at the National dress of many countries and you can see how much some of the traditional costume differed across borders, or even within nations. The cantons of Switzerland for example. Though many of these are now based on 18th/19th C. trends, it gives some insight to the variety that existed, and how someone who looked identifiable, but not quite right, was simply "not from around here."

With regards to status, again, I think we tend to forget how much crap we have around us today that simply didn't exist in the past. Most people of any station had much of the same "stuff," it simply varied in quality and level of embellishment. Some of this was also subtle to our eyes, not just in terms of materials but of their finish, or method of manufacture. Something like a wood or machine screw used instead of a peg or binding would signal great wealth. This might be somewhere where we could run afoul, as there were often sumptuary laws which restricted certain fabrics and colours by class.

Anyway, just some musings. Like so many things, I think the answer here really just is, "it depends."
You have some very good points, I guess the first thing I realized while reading your post was that before media, the internet and fast communication, common people would have no idea what people who traveled from far away lands would look like, so I suppose that providing the technology/craftsmanship level looked possible to there eyes (so they didn't think it was magic :P ) that quite a lot of oddness would be accepted
Gimli: It's true you don't see many Dwarf-women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for Dwarf-men.
Aragorn: It's the beards.
Post Reply