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Old 07-24-2019, 11:39 AM   #4255
Astromancer
 
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: West Virginia
Default Re: New Reality Seeds

On a Steampunk world that like Yrth is somewhat similar to the Earth, but not to much. A colonial governor seeks to bring a notorious nest of bandits under control. The bandits laugh, mountains and deserts block any attempt to control them. But the Governor is shrewd and patient.

The Governor has connections and uses them. Since the Governor comes from a Tech Level 6 society and the conquered kingdoms were barely TL5 the Governor uses tech against the bandits.

First, pulling in aid from cousins with deep pockets, the Governor starts building a railroad. As he connects the little oasis towns they transform. They switch from subsistence farming to market farming. Many of their young men, who otherwise either were hired thugs for a local Sheikh or a bandit chieftain took the train to the cities and looked for work. Thus the Bandits and their supporters lose their main sources of support.

Second, as the newly tax paying towns (Market Farming means the oasis folk are now in the market economy and can be taxed) are entitled to protection. This allows the Governor to build forts near the market towns.

Together these things mean the Bandit Chieftains and the Sheikhs can't collect taxes from the local people. This radically changes the local power structure. The Sheikh of the Bandit Chieftains sees that the train tracks will soon be over the mountains and across the deserts to the market towns south of the great desert. This would mean an end to the few remaining caravans. The Bandits would be over and done for.

Basically, a struggle of tribesmen versus Empire. It's a Steampunk setting so the Tribesmen could have magic or alliances with the Jinni. The Governor could be TL6^.

Remember, every tunnel and bridge alters the economic and political world these people live in. If the PCs are from the common people they might side with the Governor and prosperity. Other powers from the lands near those of the Governor"s people might aid the Bandits and the Sheikhs in order to weaken the empire the Governor serves.
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Last edited by Astromancer; 07-31-2019 at 11:05 AM.
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