Discussion of a broken masquerade in the 1850s and the effect on the American Civil War.
WI: A Broken Masquerade before the U.S. Civil War?
- Thread starter Mazeka
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Broken Masquerade Pre-1861
Mazeka
You must be joking
- Location
- United States
The masquerade broke in the year 1850, and the magical community has been revealed to the world. Supernatural individuals exist, though comprising a mere 0.1% of the global population.
Beings include the following:
Fast-forward to 1861, and the American Civil War has just begun. The call for volunteers has attracted a number of supernaturally-capable individuals.
How would they operate in this war, on the frontlines and on the home front? How would the public view them? Would there be singular units of supernatural individuals, or would they be dispersed amongst the various armies as specialists?
* Fireballs for instance are easy, but will be draining if used continuously. Golems however can only be summoned once at a time, and never last more than a day.
(In this scenario, the witch hunts brought about the Malleus Maleficarum were bullshit, though a small number of actual magical individuals were unfortunately killed. None however were executed during the Massachusetts trials however.)
Beings include the following:
- Vampires - Blood-drinkers. Functionally ageless. Fast. Strong. Resilient. Agile. Can create ghouls. Vulnerable to holy objects of any religion. Allergic to silver, cold iron, and large bodies of running water. More powerful at night. Must be staked and decapitated to kill.
- Werewolves- two types, though other were-creatures have been known to exist.
- Lycanthropes - Magical humans. Organized into clans. Can transform at will into wolves. Retain mind, memories, and personality when transformed, though cannot speak. Minor regeneration. Can be killed by normal weapons.
- Loup-Garous - Cursed humans. Transform during full-moon nights. Strong. Vicious. Fast. Uncontrollably feral when transformed. Minor regeneration. Can pass infection to other humans. Must be killed with silver weapons.
- Mages/Wizards and Witches- Humans capable of magic. Slightly longer lifespans than human. Members follow a variety of religions. Magics wielded are either scientific or spiritual. Include runic, alchemical, kabbalic, illusionism, etc. Organized into lodges. Require long period of time of practice and research to become classified as official mage. Amount of mana for magical acts vary from simple to exhaustive.*
- Indigenous mages - Insular and secretive. Abilities largely unknown to major lodges.
- ESPer - exists in theory, but unknown to all.
Fast-forward to 1861, and the American Civil War has just begun. The call for volunteers has attracted a number of supernaturally-capable individuals.
How would they operate in this war, on the frontlines and on the home front? How would the public view them? Would there be singular units of supernatural individuals, or would they be dispersed amongst the various armies as specialists?
* Fireballs for instance are easy, but will be draining if used continuously. Golems however can only be summoned once at a time, and never last more than a day.
(In this scenario, the witch hunts brought about the Malleus Maleficarum were bullshit, though a small number of actual magical individuals were unfortunately killed. None however were executed during the Massachusetts trials however.)
Cloak&Dagger
Definitely Insane
How does magic interact with slavery? How does the Confederacy prevent the one magical slave on every large plantation from slaughtering the overseers and launching a rebellion? Why didn't any magical help John Brown? Or is John Brown's body risen from the grave to free slaves?
What qere indigenous mages doing when Cortez and Pizzaro invaded? Were they alseep? (I always wonder this in any magic Earth setting)
What qere indigenous mages doing when Cortez and Pizzaro invaded? Were they alseep? (I always wonder this in any magic Earth setting)
Mazeka
You must be joking
- Location
- United States
There are a handful of magic-capable slaves and ex-slaves. Those who aren't killed before they successfully cultivate and master it led some minor revolts and escape attempts, with varying success.
No magical lodge has accepted non-white members, so many have to start from scratch with their own lodge. Organizations such as the Underground Railroad covertly hosted a number of such individuals.
No magical creatures or individuals assisted John Brown. Even those who were sympathetic thought him insane.
The plagues were devastating to the indigenous mages as well as the mundane locals. Those who survived inflicted additional casualties on the colonists, but either died themselves, hid away, or prefer more subtle forms of resistance.
- Location
- Brazil
- Pronouns
- He
is this the WoD mascarade or is it a "generic supernatural mascarade"? because the scenario changes heavily
most of the supernatural of WoD ... will have different reactions to the confederacy
most of the supernatural of WoD ... will have different reactions to the confederacy
Mazeka
You must be joking
- Location
- United States
Generic masquerade (though I would like to hear how WoD groups would react).
- Location
- Brazil
- Pronouns
- He
going by the Wod factions
The Vampires are most likely going to join the Confederacy, both because it's far easier to be a Vamp when you can own slaves ( and if people don't care what you are doing to that slave) and because the Higher-up old vamps have fond memories of the first and second city. with the exception of the Anarchs which will join up With the Union and the Sabbat which will basically use the chaos to try to make a vampire state
so we might see mass "ghoul" conversions on both armies, making the ordinary soldiers into semi-supersoldiers, making the war far bloodier. ( and a fascinating post-war society, with the ghoul blood being spread into the community and making the population super) ( the Laibon (African vamps) and the Kuei-jin (Asian) are up in the air, I could see them support every faction or neither)
The Garou and the others Fera's (werewolf and others were's)
basically wildcards, I could see every faction trying to seduce them to their side and many of them deciding to wait out the war in peaceful isolation (till they get disturbed ).
the Wyrms i could also see doing their own agenda and manipulating the war for it , so a lot of battlefields are probably going to be close to a Cairn
Mummies
I don't think they would care all that much, but because of their past i could see them soft supporting the confederacy
The Hunters
100% supporting the union, their anti-vamp knowledge will be invaluable to the north
the church
also, 100% supporting the north, which with the breaking of the mascarade they will get an invaluable boost to their powers ( True faith op)
the Mormons are probably also getting their precious deserat being made into a US State if they agree to help the war effort ( so post-war they might get a popularity boost no matter who wins )
Fae and changelings
The Lost are also supporting the North while the Fae themselves stay on the sidewalk getting slaves for themselves
The Fallen
Divided between the Faustian that want to enslave humanity (which might see them joining the south or try solo) or the reconcilers who would join the north to try to redeem themselves and join back with heaven
most of the others will basically be up to a personal decision
Mages and the Technocracy
the Technocrats are putting their weight with the north, which with their hyperscience makes the northern army a particularly powerful thing ( and their power will skyrocket because if you need to believe in sciences or magic, most people will believe in science)
The mages should join the North, but working with the Technocracy will probably give them a mighty sour taste in their mouths .... so I could see some joining the south on principle
the Vampire strategy is probably the same even in the generic "Mascarade" , most vamps are probably lean super hard into the confederacy by shear comfort that owning slaves would be for one
The Vampires are most likely going to join the Confederacy, both because it's far easier to be a Vamp when you can own slaves ( and if people don't care what you are doing to that slave) and because the Higher-up old vamps have fond memories of the first and second city. with the exception of the Anarchs which will join up With the Union and the Sabbat which will basically use the chaos to try to make a vampire state
so we might see mass "ghoul" conversions on both armies, making the ordinary soldiers into semi-supersoldiers, making the war far bloodier. ( and a fascinating post-war society, with the ghoul blood being spread into the community and making the population super) ( the Laibon (African vamps) and the Kuei-jin (Asian) are up in the air, I could see them support every faction or neither)
The Garou and the others Fera's (werewolf and others were's)
basically wildcards, I could see every faction trying to seduce them to their side and many of them deciding to wait out the war in peaceful isolation (till they get disturbed ).
the Wyrms i could also see doing their own agenda and manipulating the war for it , so a lot of battlefields are probably going to be close to a Cairn
Mummies
I don't think they would care all that much, but because of their past i could see them soft supporting the confederacy
The Hunters
100% supporting the union, their anti-vamp knowledge will be invaluable to the north
the church
also, 100% supporting the north, which with the breaking of the mascarade they will get an invaluable boost to their powers ( True faith op)
the Mormons are probably also getting their precious deserat being made into a US State if they agree to help the war effort ( so post-war they might get a popularity boost no matter who wins )
Fae and changelings
The Lost are also supporting the North while the Fae themselves stay on the sidewalk getting slaves for themselves
The Fallen
Divided between the Faustian that want to enslave humanity (which might see them joining the south or try solo) or the reconcilers who would join the north to try to redeem themselves and join back with heaven
most of the others will basically be up to a personal decision
Mages and the Technocracy
the Technocrats are putting their weight with the north, which with their hyperscience makes the northern army a particularly powerful thing ( and their power will skyrocket because if you need to believe in sciences or magic, most people will believe in science)
The mages should join the North, but working with the Technocracy will probably give them a mighty sour taste in their mouths .... so I could see some joining the south on principle
the Vampire strategy is probably the same even in the generic "Mascarade" , most vamps are probably lean super hard into the confederacy by shear comfort that owning slaves would be for one
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Mazeka
You must be joking
- Location
- United States
The other question is how would they be organized among the opposing armies. Would there be a single unit of supernatural individuals? Would they be dispersed among the state volunteer regiments?
I can foresee vampiric cavalry and mounted infantry, werewolf night raiders and scouts, and mage advisors at the division level, possibly even brigade.
(Mummies, Fae, changelings, and the Fallen are exempt.)
I can foresee vampiric cavalry and mounted infantry, werewolf night raiders and scouts, and mage advisors at the division level, possibly even brigade.
(Mummies, Fae, changelings, and the Fallen are exempt.)
- Location
- Brazil
- Pronouns
- He
(Phone posting , sorry)
If we are using WoD as base for the supernatural world (but without those factions) that question gets particularly tricky for the vampires.
Their roles in armies will basically depend what bloodline they are from and what generation they are from
Most bloodlines get some special power , be that the Lasombra control of darkness , gangrels shapeshifting ,Giovanni necromancers, Mallavians Madness divination ,Tzimisce flesh shapers , and a lot of other clans.
So basically each side will probably have different "doctrines" on what to use a vampire beyond allowing them to ghoul people because they probably have different clans fighting for them ( and what generation of vampire they are also matters , the closer to Cain the vamp is the more powerful he is , but thankfully the plot devices level vamps either don't care or are locked up somewhere to really do something)
WoD werewolf's are also a bit different, as they are more tanky , because to really damage them you need either fire or silver ( fire is also Very powerful against vampires , which have a primal fear against fire)
So till each side get a good supply of silver or develop a way to make incendiary munitions…. It's a bit hard to fight against them beyond calling for Technocracy hypertech or asking the mages for support.
WoD mages are also a lot more useful then normal , as by WoD magic rules magic works by belief, because now that the mascarade is broken …. Mages are particularly powerful, but they probably are also present in either side ( because the north would get the technocracy 100% and a lot of people would fight them on principle).
The technocracy super magical sciences would be the North big answer to the south huge quantity of vampires , there's some exceptions of course, Ventrues are probably too infiltrated in each government to really pick a side , the Giovanni are probably going with the north because of the influx of Italians etc
So yeah , the war really gets interesting once the "mortals" can field basic incendiary weapons , like white phosphorus rounds or pestering the mages and technocracy for runes or flamethrowers
If we are using WoD as base for the supernatural world (but without those factions) that question gets particularly tricky for the vampires.
Their roles in armies will basically depend what bloodline they are from and what generation they are from
Most bloodlines get some special power , be that the Lasombra control of darkness , gangrels shapeshifting ,Giovanni necromancers, Mallavians Madness divination ,Tzimisce flesh shapers , and a lot of other clans.
So basically each side will probably have different "doctrines" on what to use a vampire beyond allowing them to ghoul people because they probably have different clans fighting for them ( and what generation of vampire they are also matters , the closer to Cain the vamp is the more powerful he is , but thankfully the plot devices level vamps either don't care or are locked up somewhere to really do something)
WoD werewolf's are also a bit different, as they are more tanky , because to really damage them you need either fire or silver ( fire is also Very powerful against vampires , which have a primal fear against fire)
So till each side get a good supply of silver or develop a way to make incendiary munitions…. It's a bit hard to fight against them beyond calling for Technocracy hypertech or asking the mages for support.
WoD mages are also a lot more useful then normal , as by WoD magic rules magic works by belief, because now that the mascarade is broken …. Mages are particularly powerful, but they probably are also present in either side ( because the north would get the technocracy 100% and a lot of people would fight them on principle).
The technocracy super magical sciences would be the North big answer to the south huge quantity of vampires , there's some exceptions of course, Ventrues are probably too infiltrated in each government to really pick a side , the Giovanni are probably going with the north because of the influx of Italians etc
So yeah , the war really gets interesting once the "mortals" can field basic incendiary weapons , like white phosphorus rounds or pestering the mages and technocracy for runes or flamethrowers
Simply put the question is either A with an astounding 1 in 1000 being a supernatural and assuming that that is more like 0 in 1000 current slaves being a supernatural (because they wouldn't still be a slave in such a case either having escaped or been killed) then the south still is looking at a hard path to victory unless the vampires get involved.
Unlike all the others, vampires take, on average myth, 3 days to make and so can breed exponentially compared to all other supernatural factions. If they have ghouls it's even worse. So basically entire armies of ghouls, with full units of vampires. Everybody else running around with holy symbols.
IF the vampires can agree to support the south then it wins, handily until the North calls for help from well... the world and the world declares a war on vampires, with the south just so happening to be collateral damage. I mean, given they would then be explicitly a nation fighting for slavery and vampirism, well it's not going to be hard to raise people up to oppose that even in that time period.
OR if the vampires don't agree to uniformly support the south, then it is basically just vampire officers and ghoul minions at war back and forth, with the north again ending up the eventual victor due to larger pools of manpower and mechanization and therefore material and magic at their disposal. So if there is no real distinction between a magical northerner and southerner the north still ends up winning. If all the vampires support the south, it is winning HARD until the rest of the world joins in a crusade to eliminate them and the south making vampires a race to be hunted, (even more than I expect they might already be) forever more.
18.5 million northerners
5.5 million southerners
3.5 million slaves
in the territories
2.5 million generic
.5 million slaves
Unlike all the others, vampires take, on average myth, 3 days to make and so can breed exponentially compared to all other supernatural factions. If they have ghouls it's even worse. So basically entire armies of ghouls, with full units of vampires. Everybody else running around with holy symbols.
IF the vampires can agree to support the south then it wins, handily until the North calls for help from well... the world and the world declares a war on vampires, with the south just so happening to be collateral damage. I mean, given they would then be explicitly a nation fighting for slavery and vampirism, well it's not going to be hard to raise people up to oppose that even in that time period.
OR if the vampires don't agree to uniformly support the south, then it is basically just vampire officers and ghoul minions at war back and forth, with the north again ending up the eventual victor due to larger pools of manpower and mechanization and therefore material and magic at their disposal. So if there is no real distinction between a magical northerner and southerner the north still ends up winning. If all the vampires support the south, it is winning HARD until the rest of the world joins in a crusade to eliminate them and the south making vampires a race to be hunted, (even more than I expect they might already be) forever more.
18.5 million northerners
5.5 million southerners
3.5 million slaves
in the territories
2.5 million generic
.5 million slaves
Pretty much what I was going to say. The idea is very Deadlands. However, the Deadlands south was propped up by magic ghost rock mad science.
The way things go depend on if magic requires training or is inherent and something you could learn without a guide. In D&D terms: Wizard vs. Sorcerer respectively.
If magic people just automatically have magic and even 1% of enslaved people have it: the South is fucked from the inside.
If it requires training, well most educational institutions are in the Northeast and the greater population: The South is fucked as soon as they rebel.
If we're going with World of Darkness and Werewolves are northerners and Vampires are in the south, no reason to hide means no reason to go full crinos and terrify the mortals into fleeing by their presence alone as they fillet leeches: the South is fucked.
If werewolves and vamps are evenly split (not that werewolves would willingly side with leeches), the north still has technological and numerical advantages on their side: The South is fucked.
Changlings (dreaming or lost) would most likely not get involved because of their own court disputes, leaving the whole thing to everyone else: The South is fucked.
Bring in changing breeds and...
You get what I'm saying here. That's not even getting into the more obscure varieties of WoD books. Prometheans would trash both armies.
Unless a whole bunch of dragons work for the South, the North wins. Might be a bit bloody, might be a bit longer, but attrition would bleed the South dry. There is no logical scenario, without all magicals inexplicably siding with the South, that has the South winning.
What would be a more interesting story would be World of Darkness meets West Wing: a highly political story of vampire politicians, changling lawyers, werewolf generals all maneuvering through 1850s-60s DC shoulder to shoulder with mortal politicians.
- Location
- the Literature Club
I think the one way you would get all the vampires on the South side is if there's some sort of Head Vampire who's a hardcore Confederate and all the other vampires have to do what he says.
Because fundamentally, vampires are not pack hunters. The more vampires there are around, the worse it is for each vampire, so every vampire is incentivized to either leave any place that already has vampires, or find a way to kill some of them off so there's fewer vampires competing for the same number of human necks.
Because fundamentally, vampires are not pack hunters. The more vampires there are around, the worse it is for each vampire, so every vampire is incentivized to either leave any place that already has vampires, or find a way to kill some of them off so there's fewer vampires competing for the same number of human necks.