The Industrial Revolution is the reason RPGs have area-of-effect spells: A PC Gamer Causality Chain™
Spl-ASH damage.
The Industrial Revolution, spanning from the late 18th to the mid-19th century, brought about significant technological advancements such as improvements in the steam engine and the use of coke instead of charcoal in blast furnaces. These changes greatly affected daily life, leading to the widespread adoption of machine tools and the factory system.
In parallel, historical figures like J.R.R. Tolkien were deeply impacted by the rapid industrialization occurring around them, shaping their later works. Tolkien's hometown, once a thriving countryside, bore the scars of industrialization, giving rise to the "Black Country" moniker. This period of intense industrial growth also laid the groundwork for the development of area-of-effect spells in role-playing games (RPGs), as evidenced by Leonard Patt's Rules for Middle Earth, which introduced a fireball spell with area-of-effect mechanics and a saving throw mechanic.
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