The second part of the conversation Simon Roy, Memo Kosemen, and I had about the idea that eventually became “The Lords of the Earth” (now available from Alternate History Magazine). Having discussed the worldbuilding of the story, now we’re on to characterization.
Also:
Caribbean syncretic religions
Agent of Byzantium by Harry Turtledove
Extreme cultural relativism
All the kids are into steampunk these days
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld