Undying Glory: Themiclesia in the South Sea
Undying Glory: Themiclesia in the South Sea is a war-themed, fictional video game published by Camden Games in 2018, set around Themiclesia's naval and terrestrial wars in Meridia and the Meridian Ocean, between about 800 and 1200. It is the fourth instalment in the Undying Glory series, following Raiders.
Historical basis
While the game does not claim to replicate any historical battles, its script-writers have stated to interviewers that historical resources were consulted and "taken quite seriously", to fulfill Camden's desire to dramatize "pivotal events in history authentically and enjoyably". Two published books were taken as foundational texts to establish the game's plotline and mechanics.
Stories of the South Sea
Stories of the South Sea, is a 20,000-line ballad about the encounters of the Themiclesian Marines in Meridia. The ballad was edited from a larger anthology of poetry thought to be jointly composed by these soldiers as an on-board pastime. The book was published in 1871 by the Navy Ministry, under Secretary of State Gwang Nin, as part of a more general effort to rationalize and compile the Navy's history. Aside from the ballad itself, over 500 engraved plates provided colour illustrations for the poetry. Camden's writers commented that they
were initially very surprised that when a military publishes about itself, it does not speak about warfare. This book, covering more than six centuries of their activities, tell not more than four battles mentioned. In retrospect, we find this very understandable. The poets constantly experienced warfare in Themiclesia's quest to dominate the Meridian coast, and they do not need to be reminded of their plight in their own work.
Customs of the Fleets
Customs of the Fleets is a journal written by a Naval Tribune about the Themiclesian Navy when it was first established as an institution in the 9th century. The precise date of completion is unknown but cannot be later than about 820. The journal includes 495 accounts, which describes such diverse matters as naval tactics, training, provisioning, and superstitions and related ceremonies. Naval Tribunes were officers sent by court to enforce laws in the fleet, empowered to investigate misbehaviour and punish perpetrators. Customs of the Fleets is regarded by historians as a primary source about the early navy. The journal gives particular focus on the very many superstitions and taboos that the fleets' crews held, e.g.
- It is forbidden to name ships after perishable things or things which sink in water
- It is forbidden to die or kill onboard, "for the ship will certainly be haunted and cursed"; this meant that the nearly-dead were usually thrown overboard to avoid it
- It is forbidden to urinate into the sea standing on the open deck
- It is forbidden to set sail from port on even-numbered days
- It is forbidden to flatulate upwind on the open deck, when the ship is moving
- It is forbidden to wear the colour blue or mahogany onboard
- It is forbidden to carry weapons with the tip or blade facing the bow, or to use any part of the ship as a practice target