The World of Clandestyne in 1899
The Peace Conference of 1899 is being held at the Hague (a city in the
Netherlands) at the bequest of Czar Nicholas of Russia, to discuss the
importance of new technological weapons - such as poison gas or
expanding bullets - on the "laws of war". Beginning in May and ending in
July, representatives from every state in Europe, as well as the United
States and Mexico, are meeting to determine what the "laws of war"
should be, and perhaps set up an international court of law. In
addition, most of the delegates have brought other officials with them;
there may be journalists, curious nobles, or others with business in the
Hague present.
On the supernatural front, it is a time of change. The Industrial
Revolution is well and truly underway, with scientific discoveries
revealing old beliefs to be false; scientific Unbelief fights with
occult Mysticism. Some supernatural races, such as the Nightbreed and
Seerkind, are rapidly vanishing from the world. On the other hand,
occultism has become very popular amongst mortals; many have joined
spiritualist circles or societies such as the Masons and the Hermetic
Order of the Rising Day. Recently, rumours have spread about a group
called the Prieure de Sion, who are said to hold secrets that could
topple the Masons, the Vatican, and others...
Great Britain was at its height at this time, and the British Empire is
one on which the sun never sets. The Empire's long-time rivals, Germany
and France, look upon her colonies with envy: though the royal families
of England, Germany, and Russia are related, even cousins may fall out.
At home, interest in the occult has reached a new high. From
"respectable" academic pursuits such as Egyptology, Atlantology, and the
Arcanum Society; to spiritualism, Neo-Druidism, and the Hermetic Order
of the Rising day; ancient mysteries enjoy considerable popularity. The
monarch of Great Britain is Queen Victoria, who has reigned since 1837
and is very popular; the Prime Minister is the Marquis of Salisbury,
leader of the Conservatives.
The German states were recently unified by Bismark, who in fact died
earlier this year. Germany is on the road to progress, with Count von
Zeppelin working on his first airship and Sigmund Freud developing
psychoanalysis. The monarch of Germany is Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Austria-Hungary is suffering from tensions with the Ottoman Empire,
Italy, and the Balkan states (such as Serbia and Latveria). In fact,
Empress Elizabeth of Austria was assassinated by an Italian anarchist in
Geneva last year.
France has entered the Third Republic, leaving the years of Napoleon and
the Bourbon Dynasty behind; unfortunately, President Faure died of a
stroke on February 16th whilst in a tryst with the wife of a painter,
Steinheil. Marie and Pierre Curie have just discovered the first
radioactive element, Radium.
America is growing in prominence. Though still preoccupied with
exploitation of the Wild West, success in the American-Spanish War in
1898 has gained America control of many Pacific islands and a sense of
international responsibility. Most of America is civilised, although
dark cults are rumoured to exist in the South, and the last of the
Indian wars are just recently over. Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper, and Pepsi-Cola
are all commercially available; as is heroin, as a cough suppressant.
This is a single-session game of the Clandestyne Freeform Campaign. You don't need to have played before to enjoy the game. Clandestyne 10.1 is set at the peace conference at the Hague in 1899; if you have a character who might have been able to attend, then you should contact us for more details; otherwase, we will provide a character for you.
Sydcon
10th April, Easter 1998
University of NSW
Please note that this freeform will run sessions 2 only (Friday night).
