What is the Harmonium?
One thing that readers may become confused upon is the nature of the 'Harmonium' in Ortho society. The Harmonium is actually three seperate yet related things that share the same name in the setting. The Ortho Empire fosters this uniformity of name as they have attempted to give an impression of a monolithic power bloc within the ranks of their government. The truth is somewhat different.
The 'first' Harmonium is the Knights of Harmony proper. The Knights of Harmony were originally an elite band of adventurers that gradually recruited a whole army around them. As they conquered and annexed, the group didn't split into seperate orders. Instead, they granted membership to priests, bureaucrats, nobles, and civilian officials that shared their idealogical goals. It became a type of award to become a member of the Harmonium, even when the members numbered in the millions.
The current Knights of Harmony is something like a political party, except that they're the only allowed idealogy to pursue organized activities. Also, membership requires one to have proven oneself in some manner. Government service, military service, or an outstanding Academic record is required to become a part of this Harmonium.
The 'second' Harmonium is the Ortho Armed Forces. Membership in the first Harmonium is almost invariably granted to all individuals that serve a complete tour of duty without any write- ups or formal reprimands. Thus, almost all members of the Ortho Armed Forces from the rank of Sergeant and above are a member of the Harmonium. Included in their ranks are Ortho analogues for what today we know as firemen, policemen, and other civil servants that the Harmonium feels free to reward for dedicated service.
Thus, many people on Ortho refer to the Harmonium and Ortho Armed Forces as synonomous. They're not really wrong.
The 'third' Harmonium is the Planar Harmonium. The Harmonium of Planescape is a branch of the Ortho military that has limited authority to grant membership in the Knights of Harmony while conducting their own military missions with a surprising degree of independence. Many loathe how unsupervised the Planar Harmonium is and a few would be appalled to find that some members join with no intention of swearing allegiance to the Ortho Empire. However, the bizarre nature of the Planes and lawless nature of Sigil requires an unusual degree of flexibility that the people back on Ortho don't need to know about.
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White Wolf does these and I think it'd be very good to add some of our own to this place. Here's what I've come up with so far.
Recommended Source Material
Anime
Full Metal Alchemist is a lengthy series that has a applicable premise. Ignoring the idea of the military hiring a 14 year old, its a story about a good man working for a system that is a barely disguised military dictatorship. A great deal can be gleaned about decent individuals working for a corrupt system.
Books
1984 The Hellish world of George Orwell's Oceania is distinctly removed from the picturesque communities of Ortho. However, many of the tools and techniques of the Harmonium are disquietingly similar. It would not take that much to transform one into the other.
Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein is an unbashedly Pro-Military and Pro-Government book that forwards the idea of selective citizenship. A great deal of the Harmonium's government is partially inspired by the real world examples that went into this story's background. For a portrayal of heroic Harmonium soldiers then this would be a good place to start. The movie is entirely different and far less applicable.
V for Vendetta by Alan Moore and David Lloyd is a work that strongly encapsulates the conflict of Ortho. The comic holds Anarchy on one hand as a redeeming force versus the suffering imposed by removing Order. Arguably, the movie adaptation is more applicable since the comic holds to a strongly secular and dying country while Ortho's Harmonium is extremely religious and strong.
Movies
Hero starring Jet Li is a work with an extremely controversial message. Effectively, the idea that one must submit to authority for the greater good of the world even when that authority is corrupt. In addition to the martial arts spectacle, the work is a beautiful masterpiece of set design. It also helps illustrate some of the Harmonium's non-Western based cultures.
The Star Wars Trilogy is something you've probably watched before. It's applicability to the Harmonium is best illustrated in viewing things from the Empire's point of view. A strong accent on authority, power, and aweing one's enemies is mixed with the subtle undercurrent that the biggest hammer available may not always be the best solution to Rebellion.
Television Series
Yes Minister! is a British comedy series that perfectly encapsulates the absurdities of bureaucracy and the self-serving nature thereof. Much of the Harmonium's problems aren't necessarilly the work of malevolence so much as a system that seems deliberately designed to prevent all changes from occuring. Player characters may find the well-intentioned Byzantine politics of Ortho's departments more frustrating than a Red Dragon.
You know that the acronym of Orthorian Armed forces is ‘OAF’ right? The burrowdogs must love that...
Good point about the fire brigade btw – I’ll have to add that.
Just some samples of what was in my head too:
Firefly/Serenity is a science fiction TV series that features a small crew of rebels and independents struggling to survive on the edge of a world-spanning empire; an almost perfect example of what the life of ‘Freefolk adventures’ is like. The generally low level of technology seen means that most of its ideas can easily be adapted, especially for a Spelljammer campaign. The film Serenity (based on the series) includes several characters motivated to do evil deeds for the greater good of society, and the consequences of those action. Their desperate mantra of “we’re building a better world” could almost be a catchphrase for the Harmonium’s own morally-suspect actions.
The Mission Impossible espionage TV series covers exactly the kind of odd adventures that high-level Harmonium Exigency Squads are often called to deal with.
Rome is a HBO series dealing with the daily life of citizens and soldiers of the Roman Empire. Its gritty look at ancient life and customs is probably best suited to the more LN/LE metropolises of the Pax Harmonium, but it also shows how sophisticated urban life can be back in supposedly ‘primitive’ times. Also showcases the politics between noble families and the conflict of province versus central government.
The various Sharpe films, TV series, and books deal with a 19Th century military officer’s career and the rise and fall of his fortunes. Although the Harmonium armies are much more professional and egalitarian than this one... most of the time.
Spooks (‘MI5’ in the America) is a British drama series portraying a hard-nosed and realistic world of spies and espionage, where compromise and dirty tricks are often essential to preserve the freedom of the people. There are many great examples of grey areas for espionage adventures here.
The A Team TV series deals with a band of good-hearted mercenaries on the run from the law. Good inspiration for Freefolk adventurers.
The Lies of Locke Lamora is a fantasy novel by Scott Lynch, featuring rogues, burglars, mercenary wizards, and con-men.... pretty much perfectly my idea of what the Thief Lords were like.