Factions

Poul Anderson, The Winter Of The World, V.

In Arvennath, the ruling Wise and Lords held down the mercantile Guilds who therefore employed the criminal Brotherhoods. However, the Barommian-Rahidian conquerors control the Wise and the Lords, attack crime and encourage the merchants. Therefore, the Brotherhoods seek alternative allies among the Northfolk and Seafolk. Meanwhile, the Barommian-Rahidian Captain General tries to persuade the Wise (Temples, Orders and Council) to break from the displaced, embittered secular Lords and instead to join forces, within the Empire, with the newly prosperous and empowered Guilds. Thus, Poul Anderson presents no less than seven interacting groups or factions at a time of change.

Is it worth our while to contemplate an exotic world or period only to find there the familiar power politics of church, state and trade? Yes. Anderson describes and rationalizes that changed world, celebrates humanity within it and also shows us something more as we understand when we read further.