That sounds like an awesome idea actually. While historical tie-ins might not fit what I'm going for with this campaign- it really is an amazing idea. I'd be down to play in or host that kind of RP sometime as well! 

Anyway, the technology of this world will change based on the choices of the players. Should a mage character go on murderous rampages and harm civilians- the world will become far more aggressive towards mages and will actively work to counter magic (though some of this tech already exists). Additionally, high elven society is actually rather technologically advanced (certainly the closest to the industrial era). Meanwhile the human countries on the continent of Penult are not nearly as technologically advanced as countries in Carthus. So there are certainly variations (and the players can work to further innovation...or crush it).