Quoted from "Anderson's Flandry Series," Poul Anderson Appreciation Blog, 28 March 2012.
"...a complicated colonial society. Seven centuries earlier, scientists
wanting to study the unusual natives of the planet Dido which is
unsuitable for human habitation colonized another planet in the same
system, Aeneas, where they established a University that attracts human
and non-human students from other systems. Survival in the sparse Aenean
environment required cultivation of large land areas with both native
and imported plants and animals. Horses and green six-legged stathas
were imported as transport animals. During the Troubles, “Landfolk”
relationships became semi-feudal and the University incorporated
military training into its curriculum. Near the main University campus
is a statue of Brian McCormac who cast out nonhuman invaders.
"Later immigrants seeking a refuge or a new start are excluded from
the tri-cameral legislature by a property qualification for the
franchise but form subcultures: tinerans, Riverfolk, Orcans and
highlanders. Orcans guard ruins left by space-travelling “Ancients.” “Lucks,” small pets kept in Tinerans’ caravans, are telepathic parasites
left by the Ancients. Most Townfolk, belonging to ancient guilds,
identify with scientists and squires. However, industrialization in the
urban area known as the Web has produced manufacturers, merchants and
managers whose interests are closer to those of the Empire which
forcibly annexed Aeneas after the Troubles and re-occupied it after Hugh
McCormac’s rebellion. Chunderban Desai, High Commissioner of the
Virgilian System, consults Thane of the University and Jowett of the Web
about McCormac’s Landfolk nephew who will inherit tri-cameral
Speakership but meanwhile attacks Imperial troops, then hides among
tinerans before traveling with Riverfolk to meet the new Orcan prophet.
"I summarize Aenean society in order to convey the richness of detail in Anderson’s fictitious planets."
No comments:
Post a Comment