And yeah, I've been to Delaware a few times so I know the score. The Don of Atlantic City is supposed to be a descendent of this guy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicodemo_Scarfo
Medieval America Mark III
- Thread starter Flashman
- Start date
The mention of gunpowder reminds me Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen which had a feudal North America. Where while gunpowder existed it was controlled by a religious order who used their monopoly on it control the various feudal kings and princes. There was actually something similar in the heretic novel where the priesthood were the ones responsible for the production of rifles with production being highly restricted and any deviance from designs being deemed heretical.
I've written this as a way to bridge the gap between my vision of Novio Giorsi and Flashman's idea of them as part of the rump USA and Non Denom but still mafia run.
The Chastening of Novio Giorsi
Since the Regression, Novio Giorsi had been effectively independent. The mafioso Dons and their loose organization of city states had enough muscle and wealth and DC was weak enough that they could do as they pleased. But the power of the vestigial US waxed and waned, and until Don Scarfo's raids on Delaware and the Scardino crew's sacking of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Washington had been alright with ignoring them. The DuPonts were close vassals of the President and Congress in Washington, not far at all, and the rump US consistently held power over Delaware, Maryland, and some of northern Virginia, while its influence over New York, Long Island, New England etc. often was tenuous and distant. The Governors of Pennsylvania and Delaware went to demand better protection of the President and his court.
Non Denominational minister clerks and FBI inquisitors pored over ancient legal scrolls in the Library of Congress and found the cassus beli they needed. The RICO Act, or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Since Washington still claimed authority over all states, they could say New Jersey/Novio Giorsi's state government was a racketeer organization, which, by all old pre-Regression definitions, it was. So, knights and footsoldiers from the vestigial United States, Pennsylvania and Delaware were amassed into an army and American ships usually used for trade and official transport to New England or Long Island were loaded with them and the armed column marched through Pennsylvania to Trenton and crossed the Delaware, while the ships sailed to Atlantic City to land forces to demand the submission of Don Scarfo, then after a battle upon the docks where men of both sides were slain, Don Scarfo was killed with an arrow to the neck. Then the ships and soldiers met near Hoboken, with auxiliaries from resentful Jackson Whites they met marching along old Route 46. They demanded the Commission appoint a proper governor, acknowledge the suzerainty of the President and Washington, and make the Non Denominational Church official, rather than the Catholic Church. The Dons met for an omerta council in secret with their consiglieres. After some hours passed, they reluctantly agreed to these terms, except one, the Don of Caldwell, who denounced the others as "rats for the Feds".
The mafioso still held power in New Jersey, The governor was selected by the Commission and daily life changed little, but the Non Denom church gained more power and the culture became less Italianized and more like the rest of feudal America as years passed.
The Chastening of Novio Giorsi
Since the Regression, Novio Giorsi had been effectively independent. The mafioso Dons and their loose organization of city states had enough muscle and wealth and DC was weak enough that they could do as they pleased. But the power of the vestigial US waxed and waned, and until Don Scarfo's raids on Delaware and the Scardino crew's sacking of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Washington had been alright with ignoring them. The DuPonts were close vassals of the President and Congress in Washington, not far at all, and the rump US consistently held power over Delaware, Maryland, and some of northern Virginia, while its influence over New York, Long Island, New England etc. often was tenuous and distant. The Governors of Pennsylvania and Delaware went to demand better protection of the President and his court.
Non Denominational minister clerks and FBI inquisitors pored over ancient legal scrolls in the Library of Congress and found the cassus beli they needed. The RICO Act, or Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Since Washington still claimed authority over all states, they could say New Jersey/Novio Giorsi's state government was a racketeer organization, which, by all old pre-Regression definitions, it was. So, knights and footsoldiers from the vestigial United States, Pennsylvania and Delaware were amassed into an army and American ships usually used for trade and official transport to New England or Long Island were loaded with them and the armed column marched through Pennsylvania to Trenton and crossed the Delaware, while the ships sailed to Atlantic City to land forces to demand the submission of Don Scarfo, then after a battle upon the docks where men of both sides were slain, Don Scarfo was killed with an arrow to the neck. Then the ships and soldiers met near Hoboken, with auxiliaries from resentful Jackson Whites they met marching along old Route 46. They demanded the Commission appoint a proper governor, acknowledge the suzerainty of the President and Washington, and make the Non Denominational Church official, rather than the Catholic Church. The Dons met for an omerta council in secret with their consiglieres. After some hours passed, they reluctantly agreed to these terms, except one, the Don of Caldwell, who denounced the others as "rats for the Feds".
The mafioso still held power in New Jersey, The governor was selected by the Commission and daily life changed little, but the Non Denom church gained more power and the culture became less Italianized and more like the rest of feudal America as years passed.
Hey flashman when are you going to update the threadsmarksAdmiralty of Baranoff
When the tribes and chiefdoms of Laska coalesced together during the mini ice age of the 2300s, it was under the rule of three warlords: the Governor of Juneau, the Mayor of Anchorage, and the Admiral of Baranoff. The Governor was to be the first among equals and spiritual mediator, the Mayor to be the master of all land-based combat, but it was the Admiral of Sitka Island that was to be master over the grand fleet as it struck all the way down to the warring states of California.
- System of Government: Maritime Aristocracy
- Head of State: Admiral, selected from the descendants of the Steinman family by the Great Captains
- Population: 30,000
- Religion: Laskan Orthodoxy
- Totemic Symbol: Pacific Octopus
Over time the tradition of the great raids has subsided, leaving the old political arrangement queer and outdated. Isolated Juneau grows increasingly irrelevant, overshadowed by Ankrage and her new President. The upstart Ketchikan has finally broken the lie of the "Three Rulers, One State" system, quickly rising to heights of power with their alien religion. The lie is no less exposed in the Admiralty - no longer grandiose in well-tailored uniforms, the Admiral and his Grand Captains are a rag-tag mix of fishmongers and pirates.
The Admiralty's lands cling to the outer edges of the Alzander Archipelago. From here, they control a few vital straits and passage ways from which they exact tribute and booty. Meanwhile, trawling fleets brave the dark and stormy waters of the northern pacific to bring in rich hauls. Most famously, the men of Baranoff are accomplished whalers. Today, it is by far the weakest of the four main powers of Laska. It does have by far the best understanding of ship building, and they are the only sailors that are able to reliably brave the outer passage of the dark sea.
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Hey can someone please make a game mod for this timeline in say crusader kings or some other paradox games
literally this but less pop culture references and less serious for a Map game
I made this map for South America I hope you like it!
Colour Legend
-Pinkish Purple =Inca empire
-Bright Green = Brazilian Empire
-Light Blue = Y Wladfa
-Brown = Bolivian confederation
-light Brown = Paraguay
-Dark green = Chile
-Orange = Mapuche kingdom
-Cyan = Islamic Kingdom of Guyana
-Yellow = Kingdom of Bolivar
Wildlife of Medieval North America
While it has been most noticeable in its anthropogenic effects, the Regression has had implications beyond the human sphere. The end of the industrial age allowed photosynthesizers to absorb the CO2 humans had pumped into the atmosphere, plastic waste was no longer being dumped into the ocean, and, most relevant to this post, has allowed the natural world to reclaim lost ground and restabilize. Nature is resilient, and has survived through things far worse than the collapse of industrial civilization. That isn’t to say the lands beyond human control are perfect images of a pre-human world; the mark of extinction is hard to ignore, and introduced and invasive species have made themselves known in places they really don’t belong. Still, a semblance of wildness has returned to the world. Obviously, covering every ecosystem and species in any detail would be near impossible; even covering most of North America alone is a daunting undertaking. This will focus, mostly, on a few notable species and trends.
Perhaps the most straightforward are the native species that benefited from the Regression. The best example of this is the wolf. Once expirated from most of the continental United States, they’ve left the wildernesses of Canada and the Rockies and reclaimed much of their former range. Their return has had a stabilizing influence in regions they were hunted out of; namely, serving as useful controlling agents on deer and coyote populations. Human opinions of wolves vary wildly from region to region; while New Agers and Eco-Buddhists revere or at least respect them, much of the Feudal Core considers them pests, and the Republic of California often puts bounties on wolf heads. Still, they’re highly adaptable and can be found as far south as Sinaloa. Similar stories can be seen in moose, pronghorns, both black and brown bears, cougars, jaguars, and bison (though the latter has not recovered pre-European numbers due to competition with cattle).
While not as common as the last category, there are some native species that actually declined with the Regression. As briefly mentioned earlier, deer numbers are lower than they were during the industrial age for two reasons. For one, their prefered habitat, the forest edge, was abundant with the cutting of most of the east coast’s forests. For another, the expiration of most of their predators meant that the only things controlling their numbers was human activity, namely cars and hunting. With forests partially rebound and the return of wolves, bears, and cougars, deer numbers are back under manageable numbers. Another decline can be seen in urban wildlife; while be no means struggling, the racoon population has seen a decline since the collapse of industrial megacities. Before the Europeans arrived, they are believed to have been mostly restricted to riverside forests, and only spread beyond that in the 20th century. That being said, they’ve found their niche as nighttime thieves of unprotected goods from San Francisco to New York.
It is with non-native species that things become distinct from Pre-Columbian North America. Humans brought over countless species over the centuries. In the 21st century, there were at least 192 species of non-arthropod animals introduced to the Everglades alone. To talk about them all would be an exercise in futility. Besides, most of the introductees either died off in North America or are simply not of note to anyone who isn’t searching it out. Instead, we will focus on a few species that are both noticable and/or relevant to the people they interact with.
Undoubtedly the most iconic species introduced to the New World is, ironically, not so foreign to the continents. Horses evolved in North America and went extinct there relatively recently, so it isn’t that surprising that when the Spanish allowed some of their steeds to escape, they spread like wildfire across the Great Plains. The role of horses in the new medieval age cannot be understated. They form the backbone of communication, warfare, and general living practically everywhere they are used. As for wild horses, mustangs can be found just about anywhere with enough grass, and hold a romantic role among the Cowboys. While not as iconic, camels (namely dromedary or one-humped camels) share a similar evolutionary history and replace horses in the dry regions of the Mojave and Deseret. The latter is often associated with the animal by foreigners, for missionaries often come to unconverted villages on them.
While menageries are rare in the new medieval age and reserved only for Governors and Presidents, exotic animals were kept not just in public places but in private collections and even as pets. While most of these exotic species never gained a foothold even if they escaped, a few managed to pull through as true foreigners. By some estimations, there are more tigers in private hands in the United States than in the wild. It seems rational that a few would escape, and being adaptable predators with little competition, make a home in a new land. Today, American tigers can be found from the Anderson Territory to the State of Florida, being a demon to some and a symbol of power to others.
While North America has plenty of history of big cats, the same cannot be said of our final species of interest. There is a misconception that marsupials are inferior to placental mammals, that they always give way to their evolutionary superiors. A clear and obvious counter argument can be seen in macropods, the group that includes kangaroos and wallabies. Not only have grey kangaroos seen a population increase after European colonization, but feral colonies of red-necked wallabies have established themselves in the far lands of Europe. Therefore, it isn’t that absurd that a population exists in the American south. While absurd to an industrial age observer, a New Mexican wouldn’t bat an eye at the sight of a hopping marsupial in the desert.
This is, of course, a very non-comprehensive look at the wildlife of North America in the new medieval age. There are many species not acknowledged here. However, I hope this can give a rough idea of what to expect when you venture past the bounds of civilization.
While it has been most noticeable in its anthropogenic effects, the Regression has had implications beyond the human sphere. The end of the industrial age allowed photosynthesizers to absorb the CO2 humans had pumped into the atmosphere, plastic waste was no longer being dumped into the ocean, and, most relevant to this post, has allowed the natural world to reclaim lost ground and restabilize. Nature is resilient, and has survived through things far worse than the collapse of industrial civilization. That isn’t to say the lands beyond human control are perfect images of a pre-human world; the mark of extinction is hard to ignore, and introduced and invasive species have made themselves known in places they really don’t belong. Still, a semblance of wildness has returned to the world. Obviously, covering every ecosystem and species in any detail would be near impossible; even covering most of North America alone is a daunting undertaking. This will focus, mostly, on a few notable species and trends.
Perhaps the most straightforward are the native species that benefited from the Regression. The best example of this is the wolf. Once expirated from most of the continental United States, they’ve left the wildernesses of Canada and the Rockies and reclaimed much of their former range. Their return has had a stabilizing influence in regions they were hunted out of; namely, serving as useful controlling agents on deer and coyote populations. Human opinions of wolves vary wildly from region to region; while New Agers and Eco-Buddhists revere or at least respect them, much of the Feudal Core considers them pests, and the Republic of California often puts bounties on wolf heads. Still, they’re highly adaptable and can be found as far south as Sinaloa. Similar stories can be seen in moose, pronghorns, both black and brown bears, cougars, jaguars, and bison (though the latter has not recovered pre-European numbers due to competition with cattle).
While not as common as the last category, there are some native species that actually declined with the Regression. As briefly mentioned earlier, deer numbers are lower than they were during the industrial age for two reasons. For one, their prefered habitat, the forest edge, was abundant with the cutting of most of the east coast’s forests. For another, the expiration of most of their predators meant that the only things controlling their numbers was human activity, namely cars and hunting. With forests partially rebound and the return of wolves, bears, and cougars, deer numbers are back under manageable numbers. Another decline can be seen in urban wildlife; while be no means struggling, the racoon population has seen a decline since the collapse of industrial megacities. Before the Europeans arrived, they are believed to have been mostly restricted to riverside forests, and only spread beyond that in the 20th century. That being said, they’ve found their niche as nighttime thieves of unprotected goods from San Francisco to New York.
It is with non-native species that things become distinct from Pre-Columbian North America. Humans brought over countless species over the centuries. In the 21st century, there were at least 192 species of non-arthropod animals introduced to the Everglades alone. To talk about them all would be an exercise in futility. Besides, most of the introductees either died off in North America or are simply not of note to anyone who isn’t searching it out. Instead, we will focus on a few species that are both noticable and/or relevant to the people they interact with.
Undoubtedly the most iconic species introduced to the New World is, ironically, not so foreign to the continents. Horses evolved in North America and went extinct there relatively recently, so it isn’t that surprising that when the Spanish allowed some of their steeds to escape, they spread like wildfire across the Great Plains. The role of horses in the new medieval age cannot be understated. They form the backbone of communication, warfare, and general living practically everywhere they are used. As for wild horses, mustangs can be found just about anywhere with enough grass, and hold a romantic role among the Cowboys. While not as iconic, camels (namely dromedary or one-humped camels) share a similar evolutionary history and replace horses in the dry regions of the Mojave and Deseret. The latter is often associated with the animal by foreigners, for missionaries often come to unconverted villages on them.
While menageries are rare in the new medieval age and reserved only for Governors and Presidents, exotic animals were kept not just in public places but in private collections and even as pets. While most of these exotic species never gained a foothold even if they escaped, a few managed to pull through as true foreigners. By some estimations, there are more tigers in private hands in the United States than in the wild. It seems rational that a few would escape, and being adaptable predators with little competition, make a home in a new land. Today, American tigers can be found from the Anderson Territory to the State of Florida, being a demon to some and a symbol of power to others.
While North America has plenty of history of big cats, the same cannot be said of our final species of interest. There is a misconception that marsupials are inferior to placental mammals, that they always give way to their evolutionary superiors. A clear and obvious counter argument can be seen in macropods, the group that includes kangaroos and wallabies. Not only have grey kangaroos seen a population increase after European colonization, but feral colonies of red-necked wallabies have established themselves in the far lands of Europe. Therefore, it isn’t that absurd that a population exists in the American south. While absurd to an industrial age observer, a New Mexican wouldn’t bat an eye at the sight of a hopping marsupial in the desert.
This is, of course, a very non-comprehensive look at the wildlife of North America in the new medieval age. There are many species not acknowledged here. However, I hope this can give a rough idea of what to expect when you venture past the bounds of civilization.
First of all, this was my first post on the forum. Second, I realize that this project is about the human experience of the new medieval age, but I felt like the natural world could get some attention. I might take a closer look at either a particular species (like maybe the tigers) or maybe on a specific region or environment (the Cascades, cities, etc.).
Big Cats of North America
Felidae is arguably one of the most successful families in the New Medieval age. The humble house cat alone can be found on every continent except Antarctica, being equal parts companion, pest control, and ecological disaster (though the latter not as much as the industrial age, as both the native species and the cats adapt to one another). Besides them, other small cats are doing fine; in North America, bobcats, ocelots, and jaguarundis are hunting small game in lands they were once pushed out by humans. The most imposing of the felids, however, are the big cats.
First, we must define a "big cat". The most exclusive definition restricts big cats to species in the genus Panthera, or cats that can roar. The second definition, and the one we will be using here, is simply, well, a big cat - a cat that is big. While nebulous in definition, the scholars of the new age, ignorant in Linnaean taxonomy, categorize four species in North America as big cats, of which only two are native to the continent.
The first is the puma. The species has the widest natural range of any species in the New World, owing to their adaptability in environment and prey. They interact to some degree with every culture south of Laska, which, naturally, leads to a lot of names. Even in the industrial age, the creature had dozens of names, over 40 in English alone. Broadly speaking, ‘mountain lion’ is used by Californians, Cascadians, and Desereti, while ‘puma’ or ‘cougar’ is used by the Feudal Core and Dixie. In terms of behavior, they differ little from Pre-Columbian individuals outside of the Deep South. There, they come into competition with the introduced tiger. If a hunter in the region wishes to hunt a mountain lion, they must do so at night, for the creature fears the striped cat. To hunt one is seen as a noble act; not only are you ridding the world of (in their eyes) a pest, but also a harbinger of misfortune. According to local superstition, if a pregnant woman hears the shrieking wail of a mountain lion (which sounds eerily similar to a woman being brutally murdered), there is a higher chance of either death or stillbirth during delivery. Therefore, pregnant women flock to urban centers while carrying their child. The Non-Denominational Church has set up so-called “Birth Homes” for these women, where the priesthood cares for them until they are ready for the journey back home.
The other native big cat is the ferocious jaguar. Once hunted out of the former United States, they have now reclaimed their former range, which included parts of the Southwest. This puts them into contact with tigers. Fights between the big cats are rarer in the wild than one might expect; both parties know that, even if they win, they could be seriously injured, and would rather give up one meal than (potentially) their life. They avoid fights by going after different prey; the tiger goes after bigger, more terrestrial prey, while the jaguar (already quite at home in the water) usually stays near the river’s edge. Of course, in unnatural settings, like the fighting pits of Mississippi, the tiger usually comes out on top due to their superior size.
The third big cat, and indeed the biggest cat in the world, is the tiger. Descended from both zoo and private stock, they’ve managed to claim the Deep South for their own. One might wonder why other exotic cats, like lions or leopards, never made it into the modern day. The most likely explanation is that it comes down to sheer luck, a bigger influence in a species success than one might think. Curiously, tigers have actually had a positive impact on alligator numbers; they are one of the few predators powerful enough to consistently go after feral boar, who often dig up the reptile’s eggs. Ironically, despite being a foreign species, tigers have allowed species endangered by invasive species to rebound somewhat, increasing biodiversity.
The final big cat, smallest in both size and range, is the cheetah. Restricted to the deserts nestled in the Rockies, they make a living hunting pronghorns (which evolved in response to an unrelated American cheetah) and introduced wallabies. With few bigger predators to harass them, they’ve managed to make a home here, hampered as they are by low genetic diversity. The Presidents and nobility of Deseret use tame cheetahs as hunting companions, able to run down every other creature on the planet.
Ranges of the big cats. Pink is cougar, green is jaguar, orange is tiger, and yellow is cheetah.
Felidae is arguably one of the most successful families in the New Medieval age. The humble house cat alone can be found on every continent except Antarctica, being equal parts companion, pest control, and ecological disaster (though the latter not as much as the industrial age, as both the native species and the cats adapt to one another). Besides them, other small cats are doing fine; in North America, bobcats, ocelots, and jaguarundis are hunting small game in lands they were once pushed out by humans. The most imposing of the felids, however, are the big cats.
First, we must define a "big cat". The most exclusive definition restricts big cats to species in the genus Panthera, or cats that can roar. The second definition, and the one we will be using here, is simply, well, a big cat - a cat that is big. While nebulous in definition, the scholars of the new age, ignorant in Linnaean taxonomy, categorize four species in North America as big cats, of which only two are native to the continent.
Ranges of the big cats. Pink is cougar, green is jaguar, orange is tiger, and yellow is cheetah.
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I'm into it! Tigers are awesome and seeing big cats in general survive into medieval America is a really interesting influence on the various successor states.
Thanks! I feel like I'm not experienced enough to really explore the effects the species have on the people around them, so I think that can be something you can explore if you want. Might do a few more looks at wildlife, though inspiration is a fickle thing.
In case I lose inspiration, here are some introduced species I think could be interesting to explore, as well as where they're from.
Already Established:
Mammals:
- Coypu/Nutria (Gulf Coast)
- Rhesus macaque (Silver Springs and Morgan Island)
- Common squirrel monkey (Florida)
- Nilgai (Texas)
- Gemsbok (Tularosa Basin)
Birds:
- Indian peafowl (Florida)
- Monk parakeet (Cities across America)
- Common myna (Florida)
Reptiles:
- Nile monitor (Florida)
- Burmese python (Florida)
- Jackson's chameleon (Florida)
- Green iguana (Florida)
- Argentine giant tegu (Florida)
Fish:
- Snakehead (Mississippi)
- Grass carp (All over)
- Sea lamprey (Great Lakes)
Other:
- Gypsy moth (Northeast)
- Africanized honey bee (Southern US)
- Invasive fire ants (Southern US)
- Kudzu (All over)
EDIT: Added some potential introductees and where I think they could establish themselves.
Potential:
Mammals:
- Chimpanzee (Florida/Mexico)
- Harbor seal (Great Lakes)
- Water buffalo (Luisianna)
- Red kangaroo (Mojave)
Birds:
- Humboldt penguin (Northeast coast, maybe Great Lakes)
- Common ostrich (Southwestern US)
Reptiles:
- King cobra (Southern US/Northern Mexico)
- Black mamba (Southern US/Northern Mexico)
Already Established:
Mammals:
- Coypu/Nutria (Gulf Coast)
- Rhesus macaque (Silver Springs and Morgan Island)
- Common squirrel monkey (Florida)
- Nilgai (Texas)
- Gemsbok (Tularosa Basin)
Birds:
- Indian peafowl (Florida)
- Monk parakeet (Cities across America)
- Common myna (Florida)
Reptiles:
- Nile monitor (Florida)
- Burmese python (Florida)
- Jackson's chameleon (Florida)
- Green iguana (Florida)
- Argentine giant tegu (Florida)
Fish:
- Snakehead (Mississippi)
- Grass carp (All over)
- Sea lamprey (Great Lakes)
Other:
- Gypsy moth (Northeast)
- Africanized honey bee (Southern US)
- Invasive fire ants (Southern US)
- Kudzu (All over)
EDIT: Added some potential introductees and where I think they could establish themselves.
Potential:
Mammals:
- Chimpanzee (Florida/Mexico)
- Harbor seal (Great Lakes)
- Water buffalo (Luisianna)
- Red kangaroo (Mojave)
Birds:
- Humboldt penguin (Northeast coast, maybe Great Lakes)
- Common ostrich (Southwestern US)
Reptiles:
- King cobra (Southern US/Northern Mexico)
- Black mamba (Southern US/Northern Mexico)
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I can see tigers as a sign of royalty in Louisiana because of LSU, also can we make this canon please?
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Unnatural Natural Kingdom: A Look at the Modern Everglades
Legends tell of a lost kingdom deep in the swamps of Florida. Some say it was ruled by a council of princesses, fitting for the sissy men of Florida. Others say that it was ruled by a cabal of animal men, ruled by a horrific, man-sized rat. Whatever the case, it was said to be a place of wonder and magic, an endless carnival in the depths of the bog. It’s greatest legacy, however, could be found in its menagerie. They say that every creature under the sun was put on display, from the humble iguana to the mighty elephant to the vicious Skunkman. As the Regression carried on, the mighty kingdom fell into disrepair, allowing them to escape. While many would find the heat and humidity too much to bear, a few would find Florida to be ideal.
Florida and the Everglades would become a land of nature - but not a natural one. With animals from nearly every continent establishing themselves in the swamps, it can be argued that it is as man-made an environment as Cincinnati or Augusta. And it is far from a peaceful place; with so many species and so few niches, the Everglades is a war zone between the animals. Some have already fallen into local extinction; they say great cats with the manes of horses once prowled the swamps, as did a great striped horse. After nearly a thousand years, however, a semblance of order has established itself.
We shall begin our look from the top down. Above the canopy, we can see a few birds too large to freely fly between the trees. Herons travel between fishing spots, while vultures (both turkey and Rüppels) scour the beaches for any carcasses that have washed ashore. Migratory birds often pass through the Everglades, finding it a stop full of food.
Within the canopy, things get more crowded. The branches serve as a home for countless colorful birds, the most resplendent of all being the scarlet macaw. Indeed, there are many kinds of parrots, including grey parrots, lorikeets, and the screeching cockatoos. While some fall victim to the pet trade that endangered their ancestors, they manage to live in relative peace. Joining them are families of tamarins, skittish and fearful of any animal larger than them. A young green iguana might spend portions of its life up here, away from the predators below. The largest canopy dweller, and one of the most famous denizens of the Everglade, is the peaceful orangutan. While other introduced primates have ranges beyond southern Florida, the wise orange men are a rarity here, living solitary lives without the protection of other members of their species. While they have rebounded in their native ranges, their fate in North America is yet to be determined.
As we venture down into the midstory, competition and predation increases. Squirrels, squirrel monkeys, and other small mammals live in fear of one of the fiercest predators in the swamps: the chimpanzee. Being more human than the orangutans above, they are much more violent, and often hunt smaller animals. Using coordination bested only by humans and cetaceans, the apes encircle and rip apart their prey. This aggressiveness is not limited to other species; wars between troops, while not as deadly or large in scale, the ferocity of their battles are equal to or even exceed humans. That being said, they are much, much more than killing machines. Indeed, they are capable of using tools in ingenious ways, and have different cultures (while nowhere near as complex as humans, it is noticeable in how they make their tools and how they interact with their environment). One tribe in particular leaves stones in the roots of oak trees for no apparent reason, a behavior observed in the industrial age in distant Africa; whether this is simply an odd behavior or the signs of something more profound is unknown.
On the forest floor resides the vast majority of the large animals of this wilderness. Puma, black bears, and tigers hunt deer, boar, and smaller mammals like racoons, opossums, coatimundi, and armadillo. Peacocks display their resplendent feathers for peahens, their beauty making them a prize for menageries further north. It is here that the mysterious okapi supposedly resides. Nile monitors and Burmese pythons lie in wait for unwary mammals to come their way. In higher and drier regions (or at least as high and dry as you can get in Florida), true giants roam. Gangly giraffes browse among the treetops, their serpentine necks giving them view of the open woodlands they inhabit. Below them, Indian rhinos graze on grass and low foliage, armed and armored against any would-be attacker. The king (or rather queen) of the “dry” lands, however, is the elephant. The most common in North America is the Asian elephant, though a few African herds exist. Outside of Florida, elephants have a very patchy range, forming in a few pockets due mostly to the lack of density of the animals in any one region before the Regression, though persecution and the desire for ivory has been a factor. The relative density of elephants in Florida, combined with the lack of dense human habitation, has allowed the magnificent animals to thrive. Incredibly empathetic, females will often form mixed species herds of African and Asian elephants, and will readily adopt any orphans they find. They are even known to look after lost or injured humans; while fairly rare, it happens enough for them to be assigned an almost divine role by both residents of southern Florida and even in the settled regions of the state.
Finally, we reach the waters below. One might imagine the alligator, the ancient reptilian beast, to be the king here. In fact, that title is held by an animal feared by any who have lived near them for an extended period of time: the hippopotamus. Thick hide, large tusks, and large size means nothing short of an industrial age firearm can bring them down - and they are fully aware that they have nothing to fear. They have begun to spread out of the Everglades, into the core lands of Dixie, and a few have even trundled their way to nearby Caribbean islands, sure to drive terror into the hearts of men. On a more positive note, manatees have rebounded since the Regression, living peaceful lives with not a propeller to strike them down.
Florida and the Everglades would become a land of nature - but not a natural one. With animals from nearly every continent establishing themselves in the swamps, it can be argued that it is as man-made an environment as Cincinnati or Augusta. And it is far from a peaceful place; with so many species and so few niches, the Everglades is a war zone between the animals. Some have already fallen into local extinction; they say great cats with the manes of horses once prowled the swamps, as did a great striped horse. After nearly a thousand years, however, a semblance of order has established itself.
We shall begin our look from the top down. Above the canopy, we can see a few birds too large to freely fly between the trees. Herons travel between fishing spots, while vultures (both turkey and Rüppels) scour the beaches for any carcasses that have washed ashore. Migratory birds often pass through the Everglades, finding it a stop full of food.
Within the canopy, things get more crowded. The branches serve as a home for countless colorful birds, the most resplendent of all being the scarlet macaw. Indeed, there are many kinds of parrots, including grey parrots, lorikeets, and the screeching cockatoos. While some fall victim to the pet trade that endangered their ancestors, they manage to live in relative peace. Joining them are families of tamarins, skittish and fearful of any animal larger than them. A young green iguana might spend portions of its life up here, away from the predators below. The largest canopy dweller, and one of the most famous denizens of the Everglade, is the peaceful orangutan. While other introduced primates have ranges beyond southern Florida, the wise orange men are a rarity here, living solitary lives without the protection of other members of their species. While they have rebounded in their native ranges, their fate in North America is yet to be determined.
As we venture down into the midstory, competition and predation increases. Squirrels, squirrel monkeys, and other small mammals live in fear of one of the fiercest predators in the swamps: the chimpanzee. Being more human than the orangutans above, they are much more violent, and often hunt smaller animals. Using coordination bested only by humans and cetaceans, the apes encircle and rip apart their prey. This aggressiveness is not limited to other species; wars between troops, while not as deadly or large in scale, the ferocity of their battles are equal to or even exceed humans. That being said, they are much, much more than killing machines. Indeed, they are capable of using tools in ingenious ways, and have different cultures (while nowhere near as complex as humans, it is noticeable in how they make their tools and how they interact with their environment). One tribe in particular leaves stones in the roots of oak trees for no apparent reason, a behavior observed in the industrial age in distant Africa; whether this is simply an odd behavior or the signs of something more profound is unknown.
On the forest floor resides the vast majority of the large animals of this wilderness. Puma, black bears, and tigers hunt deer, boar, and smaller mammals like racoons, opossums, coatimundi, and armadillo. Peacocks display their resplendent feathers for peahens, their beauty making them a prize for menageries further north. It is here that the mysterious okapi supposedly resides. Nile monitors and Burmese pythons lie in wait for unwary mammals to come their way. In higher and drier regions (or at least as high and dry as you can get in Florida), true giants roam. Gangly giraffes browse among the treetops, their serpentine necks giving them view of the open woodlands they inhabit. Below them, Indian rhinos graze on grass and low foliage, armed and armored against any would-be attacker. The king (or rather queen) of the “dry” lands, however, is the elephant. The most common in North America is the Asian elephant, though a few African herds exist. Outside of Florida, elephants have a very patchy range, forming in a few pockets due mostly to the lack of density of the animals in any one region before the Regression, though persecution and the desire for ivory has been a factor. The relative density of elephants in Florida, combined with the lack of dense human habitation, has allowed the magnificent animals to thrive. Incredibly empathetic, females will often form mixed species herds of African and Asian elephants, and will readily adopt any orphans they find. They are even known to look after lost or injured humans; while fairly rare, it happens enough for them to be assigned an almost divine role by both residents of southern Florida and even in the settled regions of the state.
Finally, we reach the waters below. One might imagine the alligator, the ancient reptilian beast, to be the king here. In fact, that title is held by an animal feared by any who have lived near them for an extended period of time: the hippopotamus. Thick hide, large tusks, and large size means nothing short of an industrial age firearm can bring them down - and they are fully aware that they have nothing to fear. They have begun to spread out of the Everglades, into the core lands of Dixie, and a few have even trundled their way to nearby Caribbean islands, sure to drive terror into the hearts of men. On a more positive note, manatees have rebounded since the Regression, living peaceful lives with not a propeller to strike them down.
Some good stuff here, though it contradicts some stuff that's already been established. Delaware is supposed to be an actually Federally administered territory likeMaryland by the present day of the setting, rather than a vassal. Further, all of its state symbols have been replaced by the symbols of the Sainted Patriots, as was the case in Virginia by the present day of the setting.
Similarly the fundamentals of this are OK, I just don't like how it assigns the downfall of Jersey to a relatively brief and singular period. My vision is pretty heavily reliant on it being a long drawn out process, with the Jersey Wars taking place over centuries. The Giorsians were essentially the barbarians of the northeastern seaboard, expanding out to massive sizes, over time contracting as they were beat back and assimilated, and then the fight was taken to their homeland until they were finally "civilized" when America became strong enough to actively focus on it, leaving a restive but converted populace.
Lol, I felt so defeated when I found out about ATE. Here I was thinking we were soooooo original.
I actually think our own threads have predated ATE as a concept, lest we panic. Certainly Matthew White's canon does.