Industrialization came quickly and brutally as technology overtook societal development.
Most of the world is still stuck in a medieval state of mind, with belief in divine hierarchy.
Gender roles are rigid and misogynist, despite the existence of female rulers in Faithspire and the White crowns. Women are not present in politics. No generated soldiers will be women.
Violence is accepted, mercy is rarely seen as a virtue, the poor are seen as expendable.