1872, the World runs on steam and magic…
Mad scientists, astonishing airships, and clockwork geared men share Victorian London with preternatural creatures like vampires and werewolves, and the ever so ordinary humans.
Dare to enter this world of endless possibilities and incredible adventures. Dare to enter the City of Steam and Shadows!
30 years ago…
England, 1842
Queen Victoria rules with a firm hand over the biggest Empire of the world. The Victorian Era was a period of industrial, scientific, and cultural change within the British empire, but mostly, it was a period of deep social changes that would affect the destiny of the world.
Some of these changes are:
Steam Age Alchemy
While steam-powered technology has empowered most countries around the world, it is in England where steam-power has reached its peak, because it is in England where Steam has met Alchemy at its best.
A bastion of modern science and ageless tradition, England was the home of the best alchemists in the world. With the rise of steam-powered technologies, these masters of science and esoterism put their minds into improving current technologies with arcane knowledge.
Alchemy could do what science alone could not. Strain the borders of humanity itself. Maybe some would call it magic.
It is thus that the gap between science and magic narrowed and even blurred, making the impossible, attainable.
Mechs
One of the first achievements of new Steam Alchemists was the enhancing of human beings.
Mechs are humans who were upgraded for some motive: sometimes there were medical solutions, sometimes to seek more strength or power, but most times -especially among the low classes- to become better paid workers.
Whatever the reason, there’s prejudice against Mechs, and many people see them as second class citizens.
Vampires
When young Queen Victoria married her cousin, Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, she didn’t know that she was welcoming a vampire into her house.
Prince Albert was a Voll Blood, infected with the V disease -a virus that gave great benefits to the infected: near immortality, increased strength, senses and reflexes, and very few drawbacks: a light sensibility to sunlight, allergy to garlic… and a craving for human blood.
The difference between a Vampire and a Voll Blood, is that they are always in control of their need for blood. If this craving is not fulfilled, or just too strong, though, they may turn into a vampire-a mindless bloodsucking creature that has to be put down, else it will create havoc and kill hundreds in its frenzy.
Not baffled by the news, and deeply in love with her husband, Queen Victoria ruled a set of firm laws to protect her people:
- The making of new Voll Bloods was completely forbidden, unless in very special circumstances: only the existing Voll Blood’s offspring, or occasionally men of good bloodlines and standing, were infected when they came to age and passed the Blood Trials.
- The ‘accidental’ making of a vampire was sternly punished and the new vampire was given a choice: either join her Majesty’s Red Guard, or die.
- The making of female Voll Bloods is not forbidden, but discouraged.
- A vassal system was established: a signed contract that bound a vampire and a human to exchange protection and financial security for blood.
- Taxes could be paid either in coin or blood.
- No unwilling blood-taking was allowed.
Lycans
The English population had just come into terms with vampires, when they discovered that lycanthropes existed too.
The leaders of the English Lycan clans -encouraged by the Queen’s open-minded dealing of Vampires- pleaded their case to Victoria, hopeful to receive the same positive treatment.
They were not mistaken, especially when she learnt about the fact that Lycans were born, not made, and in complete control of their shifting.
Lycans are being with two ‘souls’, as they share their body with the spirit of the wolf, and can call upon it to turn into a human and wolf hybrid at will.
That this control could sometimes slip and a Lycan lose power over its wolf, hence infecting humans, is a secret zealously guarded, because infected humans will turn into full time mindless werewolves.
The infected human is put to death immediately, as is the Lycan who let his or her control slip.
Actual times
England, 1872
Eleven years ago, Queen Victoria’s beloved husband was the first Voll Blood to die in Britain, and the queen was devastated.
Victoria plunged into deep mourning and avoided public appearances. As a result of her seclusion, of her laws regarding supernaturals -especially voll bloods- started to lose some strength.
A proud and powerful aristocracy, the Voll Bloods sought ways to bend laws to their convenience: ruling increases in the blood taxes and leniency on unwilling blood-taking penalties, among others.
As a result, there is unrest among the human, mech and lycan population, and rumors abound.
Some say that Victoria’s eldest son, Prince Edward, wants the crown before time, others, more alarmists, that the aristocratic Voll Blood houses are planning to overthrow the throne.
Nobody knows what future will bring…
- Disclaimer: This game’s universe is lightly based on three of my favorite Steampunk book series: Darkest London, by Kristen Callihan, Steampunk London, by Bec McMaster, and Iron Seas, by Meljean Brook.
Hosted and narrated by:
Ana Laura (Allyana)
Completed 02/28/18.
Scenes played: 12
License: Community License
18+
