AW: [DL] Europe and World War I in 1877

["Markus Finster" <markus.finster@chello.at>]

>
> Historical research is the deciding factor in mapping out an alternate
> Europe for Deadlands. However, one cannot forget there's a decidedly
> supernatural element out there in the world, one feeding off fear and
> mistrust. While these alliances are likely in the historical parameters
> of educated guesswork, they could be turned upside down in Deadlands.
> Remember, in our world, Maximillian was outsted way before 1877.

Sure, but there was already a lot of fear in Europe in the 1870ies - I mean
wars between the leading nations of the continents, economic disaters (like
after the Vienna World Expedition from 1873), the uprising nationalism,
especially in Austria-Hungary, the cruel and medieval rule of the Russian
Czars...
I guess it would be enough to multiply that situation, you don't have to
flip it all over.


> Assassinations, plots and other nefarious workings could underlie a
> Deadlands Europe. Evil hucksters could form an anachist movement,
> dedicated to purging monarchs and ruling under a society of magic, for
> example.

Hmmm... Wasn't Biren around 1800 in Russia? His protrayal makes him look
like a predeccessor of Rasputin (although he makes his appaearance not until
1911. Right now, he would be 6 years old.)

> The dead from the Franco-Prussian war could still stalk haunted
> battlefields. A cult of vampires could haunt the catacombs beneath
> Paris,

Read to many Anne Rice novels lately, did ya? ;-) What about all those nice
little vampires and nosferatu in Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and such
countries?

> and trolls in Germany's Black Forest.
> A manitou-crazed Teutonic
> nobleman, inspired by heroes such as Seigfried, might embark on a
> crusade to conquer Europe.

Hmmm... isn't it a bit early for a Hitler-type of person? Remember that the
last war didn't start until 2081 (or so) - seems the Reckoners have time
after all. No need to rush things.

> The Reckoners will see to it that Europe, like America, undergoes a
> darker transformation, which means a fun and chilling atmosphere.

Well, I always felt that the Big R cared mostly about America - the land is
perfect for them. There are much less isolated villages in Central Europe,
after all.

Markus