Map Thread XIII
- Thread starter Pragmatic Progressive
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To celebrate my return I've made a map, which was always my favorite part of the site. The start premise is quite a bit ASB (literally actually as there's a strong bat motif), inspired by the games Fallen London (Echo Bazaar) and Sunless Sea. However, the map focuses on what surface politics have been up to in the time since London was taken underground. The lore is kind of fuzzy, I'm not well versed on it, and I took many liberties anyway. Anywho, without further ado, the map explanation.
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The British Empire has fallen! Literally. In 1857 a mysterious swarm of bats engulfed London, transporting the greatest, most important city on Earth one mile below ground, to a vast cavern where the known laws of physics do not apply. The landscape below twists without reason and death is not permanent. Great theological revelations are to be had as well. For those still above, the vast vast majority of humanity, the most important part of the event is that the mighty British Empire is now decapitated in one fell swoop. Though contact would eventually be established after hidden subterranean rivers near Naples are discovered that connect Fallen London to the rest of the world, those below who have been changed by the process and cannot survive long in sunlight (or reflected moonlight). This boded both chaos and opportunity for the other nations of the surface.
The year is now 1890. Only the recent, sparsely populated settlements of Australia and New Zealand remain loyal to Queen Victoria, who while alive is "trapped" below. Worse still, there is a never ending barrage of rumors that she had some hand in the event that transported London, some dark ritual in exchange for Albert's health, which does nothing to help her reputation. For practical reasons her reputation is Victoria's only real asset now. England, Scotland, and Wales are still united by a strict "caretaker" bureaucracy, but the first years after the event caused much damage beyond what the decapitation did. Ireland rebelled, and with the concurrent Restructuring Wars in Europe and India, the remnant Empire could do little when the fast rising French Second Empire backed the rebels. Militarily, by 1890 only enough budget and force is left to hold onto Singapore and a small cordon North. Canada remains part of the "commonwealth" too, but while the devolution was started for practical reasons, native Canadians were quickly able to seize control of the process and declare a republic, though one on friendly terms and with alliances and trade intact. Quebec is a continuing point of trouble, though. South Africa pulled something similar, but on less amicable terms. The Dutch and British settlers immediately recognized a need to unite when normal supply lines were disrupted. With the Dutch firmly in the French camp in Europe though, opposing the remnant British, the newly formed South Africa Republic felt itself better off neutral, officially. In practice, over time, they have drawn closer to the French block.
The post event world, while chaotic, did develop along logical lines of flowing power. Napoleon III of France in particular saw a chance to climb back up to the top of the food chain over old rivals. Some of his machinations, such as the unification of Italy, had already been in progress, but with a reduced British presence he saw no reason not to take the restructuring of Europe a few steps further. Also, with Britain in disarray, it was only wise that some of their overseas holdings welcome in a different caretaker. Of course, Britain was not the only voice holding France back, merely the loudest. The Prussians did not take too kindly to France's reassurance. Between 1857 and 1870 no less than four wars took place between the two, involving other powers such as Denmark, Austria, Italy, and smaller countries. The end result was a stalemate that both sides unspokenly agreed was simply a waste of resources. The situation stabilized after 1870, but not before Prussia had united the minor German powers into a German Empire, minus Austria. The new empire is a vocal advocate for Britain, and while some of that voice may stem from genuine care, there are also the undeniable motives that supporting Britain opposes France, and that Germany has managed to establish itself as a more "acceptable" caretaker of other British colonies. Peaceful transition of African holdings allowed a sizable sum to prop up the home government as well as maintain British rights of ports and passage.
The world outside Europe is less settled. France, and to a lesser extent Germany, raced desperately to maintain European colonial holdings. The remaining powers can't be everywhere at once, however. Africa is mainly locked down, due to a combination of rapid technological advance from things discovered in the underground sea and the fact that most transfers of power there were peaceful. The Amsterdam Conference of 1884 set out spheres of influence, though issues do remain and European dominance is not complete. Morocco is a thorn in the side of France, and Germany would prefer it stay that way. At the same time, German control of the Niger region is facing increasing opposition. The large portion of Africa under Ottoman control is also increasingly unstable. The Ottomans were not invited to the conference but their rule over their areas was more or less recognized. Following crumbling control in Europe, though, the stability of fresh Ottoman expansion South is now in serious question.
In Asia, London's vanishing could not have come at a more opportune moment. India was able to successfully throw off European control, at least partially. France made India priority number one, when not bogged down against Germany. Imposing a new control structure is no easy task, especially when expansionist France was stretched thin already. Once the wars in Europe settled down France could devote more effort to the region. French control of the South and East is tenuous at best, but in 1877 they were at least able to gain a cease fire with the Mughal Empire. The following year set forth a somewhat more permanent solution, but both sides know the question is not settled. Moving on, China was able to throw off British influence, but given the state of the British Empire that isn't saying much. With ongoing internal troubles of their own, to put it mildly, the minor Chinese resurgence was quickly countered by Russia and other European powers. Stretched thin, most had to resort to disrupting China from within rather than direct, overt action. While China of 1890 can be said to still have the same basic governmental form of 1857, the Qing did not survive those years. Civil unrest is endemic, and most experts estimate it will be at least two decades before the new dynasty can get domestic affairs in order, assuming Europe continues to take a hands off approach.
Last but not least, the Western Hemisphere has seen some action, but overall has been mostly quiet. The American Civil War came an went without major issue. The South collapsed quite spectacularly in mid 1864 leading to a surrender a week before election day. One major factor attributed the catastrophic collapse to low morale. With the events of the world as they were, America was very much "left to its own devices" and the battle seemed hopeless after the first few major losses for the South. Post war the US has had tensions flare with France, though only to the level of a long list of complaints that Americans like to grumble about. France has been active in Central America, both with the maintenance of the Second Mexican Empire and with the creation of a canal in Nicaragua. It has been a low priority area for France, though, which allowed the US to buy some choice British possessions in the Atlantic and Caribbean out from under their nose. Elsewhere, both Brazil and Argentina have been emboldened by the lack of European and American attention. The border changes every few years, and that conflict shows no signs of ending anytime soon for more than brief pauses.
---------------
The British Empire has fallen! Literally. In 1857 a mysterious swarm of bats engulfed London, transporting the greatest, most important city on Earth one mile below ground, to a vast cavern where the known laws of physics do not apply. The landscape below twists without reason and death is not permanent. Great theological revelations are to be had as well. For those still above, the vast vast majority of humanity, the most important part of the event is that the mighty British Empire is now decapitated in one fell swoop. Though contact would eventually be established after hidden subterranean rivers near Naples are discovered that connect Fallen London to the rest of the world, those below who have been changed by the process and cannot survive long in sunlight (or reflected moonlight). This boded both chaos and opportunity for the other nations of the surface.
The year is now 1890. Only the recent, sparsely populated settlements of Australia and New Zealand remain loyal to Queen Victoria, who while alive is "trapped" below. Worse still, there is a never ending barrage of rumors that she had some hand in the event that transported London, some dark ritual in exchange for Albert's health, which does nothing to help her reputation. For practical reasons her reputation is Victoria's only real asset now. England, Scotland, and Wales are still united by a strict "caretaker" bureaucracy, but the first years after the event caused much damage beyond what the decapitation did. Ireland rebelled, and with the concurrent Restructuring Wars in Europe and India, the remnant Empire could do little when the fast rising French Second Empire backed the rebels. Militarily, by 1890 only enough budget and force is left to hold onto Singapore and a small cordon North. Canada remains part of the "commonwealth" too, but while the devolution was started for practical reasons, native Canadians were quickly able to seize control of the process and declare a republic, though one on friendly terms and with alliances and trade intact. Quebec is a continuing point of trouble, though. South Africa pulled something similar, but on less amicable terms. The Dutch and British settlers immediately recognized a need to unite when normal supply lines were disrupted. With the Dutch firmly in the French camp in Europe though, opposing the remnant British, the newly formed South Africa Republic felt itself better off neutral, officially. In practice, over time, they have drawn closer to the French block.
The post event world, while chaotic, did develop along logical lines of flowing power. Napoleon III of France in particular saw a chance to climb back up to the top of the food chain over old rivals. Some of his machinations, such as the unification of Italy, had already been in progress, but with a reduced British presence he saw no reason not to take the restructuring of Europe a few steps further. Also, with Britain in disarray, it was only wise that some of their overseas holdings welcome in a different caretaker. Of course, Britain was not the only voice holding France back, merely the loudest. The Prussians did not take too kindly to France's reassurance. Between 1857 and 1870 no less than four wars took place between the two, involving other powers such as Denmark, Austria, Italy, and smaller countries. The end result was a stalemate that both sides unspokenly agreed was simply a waste of resources. The situation stabilized after 1870, but not before Prussia had united the minor German powers into a German Empire, minus Austria. The new empire is a vocal advocate for Britain, and while some of that voice may stem from genuine care, there are also the undeniable motives that supporting Britain opposes France, and that Germany has managed to establish itself as a more "acceptable" caretaker of other British colonies. Peaceful transition of African holdings allowed a sizable sum to prop up the home government as well as maintain British rights of ports and passage.
The world outside Europe is less settled. France, and to a lesser extent Germany, raced desperately to maintain European colonial holdings. The remaining powers can't be everywhere at once, however. Africa is mainly locked down, due to a combination of rapid technological advance from things discovered in the underground sea and the fact that most transfers of power there were peaceful. The Amsterdam Conference of 1884 set out spheres of influence, though issues do remain and European dominance is not complete. Morocco is a thorn in the side of France, and Germany would prefer it stay that way. At the same time, German control of the Niger region is facing increasing opposition. The large portion of Africa under Ottoman control is also increasingly unstable. The Ottomans were not invited to the conference but their rule over their areas was more or less recognized. Following crumbling control in Europe, though, the stability of fresh Ottoman expansion South is now in serious question.
In Asia, London's vanishing could not have come at a more opportune moment. India was able to successfully throw off European control, at least partially. France made India priority number one, when not bogged down against Germany. Imposing a new control structure is no easy task, especially when expansionist France was stretched thin already. Once the wars in Europe settled down France could devote more effort to the region. French control of the South and East is tenuous at best, but in 1877 they were at least able to gain a cease fire with the Mughal Empire. The following year set forth a somewhat more permanent solution, but both sides know the question is not settled. Moving on, China was able to throw off British influence, but given the state of the British Empire that isn't saying much. With ongoing internal troubles of their own, to put it mildly, the minor Chinese resurgence was quickly countered by Russia and other European powers. Stretched thin, most had to resort to disrupting China from within rather than direct, overt action. While China of 1890 can be said to still have the same basic governmental form of 1857, the Qing did not survive those years. Civil unrest is endemic, and most experts estimate it will be at least two decades before the new dynasty can get domestic affairs in order, assuming Europe continues to take a hands off approach.
Last but not least, the Western Hemisphere has seen some action, but overall has been mostly quiet. The American Civil War came an went without major issue. The South collapsed quite spectacularly in mid 1864 leading to a surrender a week before election day. One major factor attributed the catastrophic collapse to low morale. With the events of the world as they were, America was very much "left to its own devices" and the battle seemed hopeless after the first few major losses for the South. Post war the US has had tensions flare with France, though only to the level of a long list of complaints that Americans like to grumble about. France has been active in Central America, both with the maintenance of the Second Mexican Empire and with the creation of a canal in Nicaragua. It has been a low priority area for France, though, which allowed the US to buy some choice British possessions in the Atlantic and Caribbean out from under their nose. Elsewhere, both Brazil and Argentina have been emboldened by the lack of European and American attention. The border changes every few years, and that conflict shows no signs of ending anytime soon for more than brief pauses.
Beautiful work! I like the subtle but visible topography shading.
Yeah, I thought about forced relocation, but it seemed somewhat implausible.
Fair enough
Another one of my Maps for My 'An Empire Divided' Timeline. Any ideas how to Improve it? I'm not that good with cartography, despite my love for it.
Upvoteanthology
Donor
I could probably give you a few tips, if it's constructional criticism you're looking for.
Is that the Hunnic Empire I see? Welp, I guess the Romans had their fun.
There are a lot of American metros. They're not too hard to do (they just follow county lines, and wikipedia has a nice map) it's just time consuming.
I'm on a constant quest to be less stupid than yesterday, and to that end: what's an MSA?
I'm on a constant quest to be less stupid than yesterday, and to that end: what's an MSA?
I believe in this context he's referring to a metropolitan statistical area.
I believe they're based on commuting areas as opposed to actual conurbations - like most other statistically-defined metro areas in other countries - which makes them rather on the large side. OTOH, defining them by urban area (the actually built-up land) inevitably leaves out some area that's separated from the rest of it by a quarter-mile of forest, and lumps in some other area that does have a narrowly-settled roadside linking it to the main town, so that's also unhelpful. There really is no good way to define a city other than vague bellyfeel.
Here's a more detailed map of California's areas:
" “The United States Office of Management and Budget defines metropolitan
and micropolitan statistical areas, which are referred to collectively as “core
based statistical areas” (CBSAs). The general concept of a metropolitan or
micropolitan statistical area is that of a core area containing a substantial
population nucleus, together with adjacent communities having a high degre
of economic and social integration with that core. Metropolitan statistical
areas contain at least one urbanized area of 50,000 or more population.
Micropolitan statistical areas contain at least one urban cluster of at least
10,000 and less than 50,000 population. CBSAs are composed of entire
counties. There are 374 metropolitan statistical areas, of which 11 are
subdivided into 29 metropolitan divisions, and 579 micropolitan statistical
areas in the United States and Puerto Rico, as of November 2008.”
http://www.apeconmyth.com/author/the-geography-club/page/2/
" “The United States Office of Management and Budget defines metropolitan
and micropolitan statistical areas, which are referred to collectively as “core
based statistical areas” (CBSAs). The general concept of a metropolitan or
micropolitan statistical area is that of a core area containing a substantial
population nucleus, together with adjacent communities having a high degre
of economic and social integration with that core. Metropolitan statistical
areas contain at least one urbanized area of 50,000 or more population.
Micropolitan statistical areas contain at least one urban cluster of at least
10,000 and less than 50,000 population. CBSAs are composed of entire
counties. There are 374 metropolitan statistical areas, of which 11 are
subdivided into 29 metropolitan divisions, and 579 micropolitan statistical
areas in the United States and Puerto Rico, as of November 2008.”
http://www.apeconmyth.com/author/the-geography-club/page/2/
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