what do you think they'd research?

[draconis]

I've been reading recently about the Riverbank Laboratories, a 350-acre facility owned by an almost-unbelievable wealthy man who wanted to further human knowledge. He set up facilities and hired people to research all sorts of things -- acoustics/properties of sound waves, genetics (both plant and animal), and cryptography, among MANY other things.

This got me to thinking -- dangerous, I know. ;-)

Picture a medieval fantasy setting, your typical D&D type of thing. What sorts of things (magical or otherwise) might a wealthy patron in this sort of setting want researched?

Some that I can think of:
*more effective components for spells
*interdimensional/planar studies
*better designs for sailing ships (faster, more maneuverable, more stable in storms, etc)
*getting more crop yield from a given plot of land
*better animal husbandry/training practices
*improvements to armor design
*how to make bows/crossbows shoot further/more accurately
*more effective siege engines
*better castle defenses
*better ways to navigate
*better ways to tell time


What else can you think of?

Comments

[em_kellesvig]

Better medicine--magical and standard.
better trade agreements, both local and with other nation-states.
Improved education and sharing of skills with other nation-states.

[ilyena_sylph]

metallurgy always metallurgy!
which ties into agriculture via better implements
stopping water-borne diseases (if they're at a point where they realize water carries disease)

vaguely related: One of my favorite things about Wheel of Time is that Rand, in between his nation-conquering, sets up schools wherever he goes and researchers. He loves knowledge, learning, exploring, and wants people doing it.

[senmut]

Studying dwarven (subterranean) techniques to better create anti-dragon fallback points for other races.

[thewayne]

If you're building better siege weapons and castle defenses, you can also study better castle design, construction techniques, and architecture to improve light, ventilation, waste disposal, mortaring, stone transport. Those potentially bring mining and quarrying techniques. Now you're in to a Lest Darkness Fall scenario.

[draconis]

Excellent suggestions, all -- thank you!

Anyone else? :-)

[rike_tikki_tavi]

For some reason my brain keeps going off into rather obscure/darkish directions like hopping from medicine to they would study anatomy and go from there to augury and how to get more accurate predictions.

All kinds of potions and alchemical studies (mostly because that's the one bit of magic that can be "bottled" and used by non-magical patrons).

Demonology and how to make demons and imps and other magical beings do labor for you, preferably without having to barter away your soul or first-borne child.

Better, more subtle ways to control the lower classes (not very benevolent, I know but then that wasn't part of your specifications).

[draconis]

LOL Benevolent? what's that? ;-)

Thank you, great suggestions!