What culture is Nova Vaasa based on?

Discussing all things Ravenloft
User avatar
ewancummins
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 28523
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:35 pm

Re: What culture is Nova Vaasa based on?

Post by ewancummins »

Mistmaster wrote:Well, to me, Lamordia has always been akin to Switzerland.
Geneva, then?
But with a much larger and saltier lake.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
User avatar
Dion of the Fraternity
Lurker Maximus
Lurker Maximus
Posts: 1091
Joined: Fri Nov 28, 2003 4:20 am
Location: Baguio City, Philippines
Contact:

Re: What culture is Nova Vaasa based on?

Post by Dion of the Fraternity »

Nova Vaasa is the Dutch culture if they controlled the Central Asian steppes.
User avatar
ewancummins
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 28523
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:35 pm

Re: What culture is Nova Vaasa based on?

Post by ewancummins »

Dion of the Fraternity wrote:Nova Vaasa is the Dutch culture if they controlled the Central Asian steppes.
Or Goths on the Pontic Steppe.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
current sketch
Conspirator
Conspirator
Posts: 5
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2017 1:26 pm
Gender: Male

Re: What culture is Nova Vaasa based on?

Post by current sketch »

Mistmaster wrote:Well, to me, Lamordia has always been akin to Switzerland.
That's certainly more in keeping with the Frankenstein novel.

I like using Scandinavia because it messes with expectations and I get to use cool pictures of 17th/18th century Stockholm as handouts.

Everybody their own take on details of Ravenloft - that's what makes this such a good community!
User avatar
GreenWood
Agent of the Fraternity
Agent of the Fraternity
Posts: 96
Joined: Thu May 28, 2015 10:01 pm
Gender: Male
Location: Alabama

Re: What culture is Nova Vaasa based on?

Post by GreenWood »

I have always envisioned Kartakass as Switzerland. I do like that everyone has their own view of the domains.
I, the Lord of the Midnight Green, now give rise to my final dream.
User avatar
High Priest Mikhal
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 1619
Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2007 5:48 pm
Gender: Male
Location: It's dark and I hear laughing.

Re: What culture is Nova Vaasa based on?

Post by High Priest Mikhal »

Gonzoron of the FoS wrote:The language is Norwegian/Danish.
Really? It always struck me as having elements of Polish, which would make sense if we consider the Cossack-influenced culture.
"Money is the root of all evil...I think I need more money."
User avatar
ewancummins
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 28523
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:35 pm

Re: What culture is Nova Vaasa based on?

Post by ewancummins »

The House of Vasa, by way of the placename Vaasa (now in Finland) might be the inspiration for the name Nova Vaasa.

Or it might come from FR's Vaasa, which I guess might also be taken from Finnish geography. Somebody could query Ed Greenwood on that one.


Finland was, of course, a Swedish possession at one time.


Poland was once ruled by a Swedish monarch. Same royal house.


The elective monarchy in Nova Vaasa also seems somewhat Polish (though it could just as easily reflect the HRE, the early history of several European realms, etc.)
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
User avatar
ewancummins
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 28523
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:35 pm

Re: What culture is Nova Vaasa based on?

Post by ewancummins »

Correction/clarification-- I looked it up.

I had it right about a ruler of Poland being Swedish, but it turns out he was elected king of Poland first and afterward succeeded to the Swedish throne. Hijinks ensued.
Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
User avatar
ewancummins
Evil Genius
Evil Genius
Posts: 28523
Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2005 1:35 pm

Re: What culture is Nova Vaasa based on?

Post by ewancummins »

Delight is to him- a far, far upward, and inward delight- who against the proud gods and commodores of this earth, ever stands forth his own inexorable self.

-from Moby Dick (Hermann Melville)
Post Reply