Re: The number of devotees in a clan

From: Graham Robinson <graham_at_albionsoft.com>
Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2002 09:21:41 +0000

>But surely this is how economic specialisation always
>works. You relieve me of day-to-day stead work so that
>I can concentrate on what I am really good at being an
>'expert farmer'. My role involves devotion to Barntar,
>which gives me useful magic to oversome difficult
>problems and increase our yields. Overall productivity
>rises as a result of my magic, but to get that magic
>you have to support me while I forge close links with
>my god.

'Economic specialisation'? We're talking about the clan's main source of wealth!

My point is that devotees of farming/hunting/fishing cults are NOT economic specialists, they are part of the core production of the clan. There is a big difference between a warrior or priest who generates nothing for other people and a farmer who does. There is a limit on the number of unproductive members any society can support. 1.5% seems too low to me, since you based this on church only, ignoring the vast numbers of nobles, warriors, etc. who were also supported. 5% in total seems likely. Farmers are different as they contribute to the support levels - double this does not seem impossible (in a wealthy clan) and an equal number seems likely.

Cheers,
Graham

-- 
Graham Robinson
graham_at_albionsoft.com

Albion Software Engineering Ltd.


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