Eric Fennessey asked Glynn James:

The majority of the worlds described in the DotD series all seem to have approximately the same level of technology as early 21st century Earth; cars, shops, recognisably modern but not futuristic buildings is this deliberate? I.e. We haven't seen worlds that are in the equivalent of our distant past or distant future. Is this related to the fact that English is a 'common tongue'

Glynn James Yes, absolutely. The thought being that at some point in time, all of these worlds were occupied by the same race (humans), though not necessarily deliberately. Some are more advanced than others, but most ended with the same fate. Take the defence grid described in The Last To Fall. Our modern world doesn't have that tech, or the shredder technology, the super batteries. These were picked up by the Resistance on more advanced, but equally trashed worlds.

The way I see it - if you were Nua'lath, and wanted masses of souls, you'd seek the worlds with a high population. usually they would be worlds where the predominant sentient race was more advanced, but at different stages of development.
Though, there are examples of worlds not heavily populated or advanced. The barren world where the Maw race was discovered is one, but then that is a race that, although highly intelligent, never found the need to hold something in it's paws. They are advanced spiritually, and have little need for physical things.

flag