Tougher'n a Ten Cent Steak
Following its victory in the "War of Northern Aggression," the Confederacy entered into a prolonged period of growth and development. Bolstered by the Union reparations, and strong ties to European powers. For several decades, the Confederates experienced a period of industrial revolution that transformed it from a primarily rural nation into one of the most advanced nations worldwide. A steady stream of airships carry goods and soldiers from the enormous cities of Atlanta and New Orleans, and ports along the gulf teem with ironclads. Savannah in particular benefited from Confederate development, becoming an American cultural center as highly regarded as Paris and London in the international community.
Unfortunately for the South, in the latter years of the 19th century European opinion has begun to turn against it. Its staunch refusal to reverse its stance on slavery, and a strongly militaristic outlook, has lost the Confederacy some of its strongest overseas allies. The Wiemar Republic and England in particular have moved away from the South politically, choosing to ally with the Union instead. Of all the Confederate's former allies, France alone remains an unwavering supporter of the Confederacy. Presidents Boulanger and Forrest meet frequently, seeing in each other a kind of kindred spirit.
The Good
Hm. I'm going to be honest here. The Confederates are one of my two major "Bad Guy" nations, so I'm not going to stress the good about them. There are a few bright spots, though. Satirist Samuel Clemens in Mississippi works against the Confederate government, by both publishing seditious pamphlets under the pseudonym "Mark Twain," and by financially supporting rebellious groups of escaped slaves led by the pious John Jasper. "Twain" is a perpetual thorn in the side of the Confederacy, particularly due to the actions of his young terrorist wards. To the west, a mysterious man dressed in the uniform of a Texas ranger rides as a vigilante. This "Lone Ranger" has become something of a horror-story for Confederates in the region, particularly those who abuse the native population.
The Bad
For what little good there is in the Confederacy, there is plenty more bad. Bloodthirsty military commanders stand poised at the border, ready to fall upon the Union at the first chance they can get. President Forrest's political party gains new members with each passing year, and nearly half of the nation's money is dedicated to growing its already massive military. This leads many to believe that the Confederates are preparing for a strong expansionist bid, with the North the most likely target.
Unlike the halted effort of its northern neighbor, the South has an aggressive homestead movement. The New Mexico and Arizona territories are home to pioneers, and prospectors hoping to replicate California's success mining the southwest. This westward expansion frequently brings the Confederates into conflict with the natives of the Pueblo Nation, typically resulting in battles with teams of southern cavalry.
The Weird
The South is home to some of the most concentrated supernatural weirdness of all North America. In the intractable lands of the bayou, monstrous creatures both great and small threaten insignificant communities, while psychics and voodoo priests terrify those in the nearby cities.
Of particular note, the vengeful spirit of a murdered slave visits those arrogant enough to summon him. To date, there have been none able to survive the visits of this hook-handed "Candyman." Meanwhile, a mother/daughter team of fortune tellers drift around the eastern edge of the Confederacy, predicting doom and great suffering for the nation.
Working alongside Mark Twain, the elderly Harriet Tubman toils to bring slaves to the relative freedom of the north. Known by her nom de guerre Moses, Tubman is the best Pike (trafficker of slaves) in all the Confederacy. Having suffered a massive head trauma in her youth, Moses now possesses powers of precognition that allow her to circumnavigate the patrols that stand between her wards and freedom.
Tubman's constant ally, Mark Twain, has in recent years become something of an oddity himself. Twain possesses a piece of parchment -- impossibly large if ever fully unfurled -- which contains a replication of the real world, albeit in two dimensions. Like a satirical deity, Twain observes the movements of the creatures on his "Flatland," hoping to glean insight into the three dimensional world.
Unfortunately for the South, in the latter years of the 19th century European opinion has begun to turn against it. Its staunch refusal to reverse its stance on slavery, and a strongly militaristic outlook, has lost the Confederacy some of its strongest overseas allies. The Wiemar Republic and England in particular have moved away from the South politically, choosing to ally with the Union instead. Of all the Confederate's former allies, France alone remains an unwavering supporter of the Confederacy. Presidents Boulanger and Forrest meet frequently, seeing in each other a kind of kindred spirit.
The Good
Hm. I'm going to be honest here. The Confederates are one of my two major "Bad Guy" nations, so I'm not going to stress the good about them. There are a few bright spots, though. Satirist Samuel Clemens in Mississippi works against the Confederate government, by both publishing seditious pamphlets under the pseudonym "Mark Twain," and by financially supporting rebellious groups of escaped slaves led by the pious John Jasper. "Twain" is a perpetual thorn in the side of the Confederacy, particularly due to the actions of his young terrorist wards. To the west, a mysterious man dressed in the uniform of a Texas ranger rides as a vigilante. This "Lone Ranger" has become something of a horror-story for Confederates in the region, particularly those who abuse the native population.
The Bad
For what little good there is in the Confederacy, there is plenty more bad. Bloodthirsty military commanders stand poised at the border, ready to fall upon the Union at the first chance they can get. President Forrest's political party gains new members with each passing year, and nearly half of the nation's money is dedicated to growing its already massive military. This leads many to believe that the Confederates are preparing for a strong expansionist bid, with the North the most likely target.
Unlike the halted effort of its northern neighbor, the South has an aggressive homestead movement. The New Mexico and Arizona territories are home to pioneers, and prospectors hoping to replicate California's success mining the southwest. This westward expansion frequently brings the Confederates into conflict with the natives of the Pueblo Nation, typically resulting in battles with teams of southern cavalry.
The Weird
The South is home to some of the most concentrated supernatural weirdness of all North America. In the intractable lands of the bayou, monstrous creatures both great and small threaten insignificant communities, while psychics and voodoo priests terrify those in the nearby cities.
Of particular note, the vengeful spirit of a murdered slave visits those arrogant enough to summon him. To date, there have been none able to survive the visits of this hook-handed "Candyman." Meanwhile, a mother/daughter team of fortune tellers drift around the eastern edge of the Confederacy, predicting doom and great suffering for the nation.
Working alongside Mark Twain, the elderly Harriet Tubman toils to bring slaves to the relative freedom of the north. Known by her nom de guerre Moses, Tubman is the best Pike (trafficker of slaves) in all the Confederacy. Having suffered a massive head trauma in her youth, Moses now possesses powers of precognition that allow her to circumnavigate the patrols that stand between her wards and freedom.
Tubman's constant ally, Mark Twain, has in recent years become something of an oddity himself. Twain possesses a piece of parchment -- impossibly large if ever fully unfurled -- which contains a replication of the real world, albeit in two dimensions. Like a satirical deity, Twain observes the movements of the creatures on his "Flatland," hoping to glean insight into the three dimensional world.
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