A Character's origin also determines the relative technology level that character would be familiar/comfortable with. Unlike Social Status, this does count a bit in play, and we do charge Plot Points to go up or down from the present level. That cost is equal to the actual Tech Level [TL] which are numbered from 0 - the modern age.
The Technology Level is a rough guide. Some societies were more advanced than others in a specific area, even if their overall societies were equivalent.
So ... spoilers! Below is the rough timetable of ages of history, and their approximate Technology Level.
For more information about Fantastical History and its ages, we refer you to the Setting Bible.