While looking up the phrase "Pyrrhic Victory" I noticed that there was an interesting little-known change point involved in that phrase.
King
Pyrrhus of
Epirus was the general who had the
Pyrrhic Victory.
Pyrrhus was trying to conquer Rome in 280BC. He routed Roman troops but lost so many of his troops that he had to leave Italy without securing any benefit from his victories. Thus "Pyrrhic Victory" a worthless "victory" that weakens the victor.
However, in this Q6 world, Pyrrhus won substantial victories that gave him a foothold in Italy. Over time Pyrrhus seriously weakened Rome. His successors lost that foothold, but Rome was seriously weakened and stagnated. Neither Gaul nor Carthage was crushed, the ancient Mediterranian was far more pluralistic.
The local year on this world corresponds to 300AD. Christianity is one of several different faiths including ancient forms of paganism. Greek is the common tongue of trade and literature. Technology has advanced further than on Homeline at the same period, this world is solidly TL3. The Gaulish Celts have the
Moldboard Plough and several other agricultural innovations. Southern Britain and Eastern Ireland have followed Gaul in having relegated kings to mainly military and ceremonial roles.
North Africa under Cartage is massively prosperous and several of the features of the "
Arab Agricultural Revolution" are present. Egypt has reopened the ancient Pharaonic canal between the Nile and the Red Sea. Philosophers from India are the latest rage throughout the lands of the middle sea.
This is a normal mana TL3 fantasy world with a radically different culture and style. This is a world for sly rogues like
Fafhrd and Gray Mouser.
If you don't like magic, this is still a good world for rogues and grifters.