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Astromancer · 02-28-2019, 02:34 PM

Bussiness as Usual During Alterations

I've done variants of this idea before, but this is an interesting twist. The basic idea is that a large influential nation (when I do it a pick the USA) disappears from the Earth and reappears on a distant planet. In this variant, the disappearance is taking place slowly over thirty years. Everyone on Earth is aware that the disappearance is happening and a certain number of other countries will have the option of going with the USA ( this knowledge is granted by paranormal means, basically everybody just knows). Once the USA and any nation that goes with them is gone their landmass will disappear and be replaced with shallow (450 to 800 ft) banks with rich fishing.

The main strangeness for the PCs would be the shifting power relationships and status. If it was known tomorrow that the USA was going to slowly fade from planet Earth and reappear on a very mineral rich garden world, A) chaos would rule in the financial markets, B) there would be chaos in foreign affairs worldwide, and C) large numbers of people would be determined to either go with the USA or get their nation or ethnic group chosen to be taken along.

If we assume the process starts in the year 2020, Russia and China would be playing for world dominance. China, because they have the strongest hand, would play a long slow game. Russia would look for advantage to shrike. Iran would be in a complex mess. Sure Saudi Arabia would be weakened and the need to be submissive to Russia would fade, which would mean greatly increased regional power. But, without the USA to balance Russia, Iran would have to fear Russia's traditional desire to rule Iran and absorb Iran into the Russian state.

Further messing up of international relationships would come from various nations lobbying to go with the USA. If a nation might disappear in your region it will alter power relationships both between and within nations. Example: If the Kurds disappear, leaving a large bay connecting Syria, Iraq, and Iran to the Black Sea, then the whole Middle East's power relationships change. Starting with the Sunni/Shia power balance.

MORE LATER...

02-28-2019, 02:34 PM	#948
Astromancer Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Virginia	Re: New Sci Fi Setting Seeds Bussiness as Usual During Alterations I've done variants of this idea before, but this is an interesting twist. The basic idea is that a large influential nation (when I do it a pick the USA) disappears from the Earth and reappears on a distant planet. In this variant, the disappearance is taking place slowly over thirty years. Everyone on Earth is aware that the disappearance is happening and a certain number of other countries will have the option of going with the USA ( this knowledge is granted by paranormal means, basically everybody just knows). Once the USA and any nation that goes with them is gone their landmass will disappear and be replaced with shallow (450 to 800 ft) banks with rich fishing. The main strangeness for the PCs would be the shifting power relationships and status. If it was known tomorrow that the USA was going to slowly fade from planet Earth and reappear on a very mineral rich garden world, A) chaos would rule in the financial markets, B) there would be chaos in foreign affairs worldwide, and C) large numbers of people would be determined to either go with the USA or get their nation or ethnic group chosen to be taken along. If we assume the process starts in the year 2020, Russia and China would be playing for world dominance. China, because they have the strongest hand, would play a long slow game. Russia would look for advantage to shrike. Iran would be in a complex mess. Sure Saudi Arabia would be weakened and the need to be submissive to Russia would fade, which would mean greatly increased regional power. But, without the USA to balance Russia, Iran would have to fear Russia's traditional desire to rule Iran and absorb Iran into the Russian state. Further messing up of international relationships would come from various nations lobbying to go with the USA. If a nation might disappear in your region it will alter power relationships both between and within nations. Example: If the Kurds disappear, leaving a large bay connecting Syria, Iraq, and Iran to the Black Sea, then the whole Middle East's power relationships change. Starting with the Sunni/Shia power balance. MORE LATER... __________________ Per Ardua Per Astra! Ancora Imparo Last edited by Astromancer; 03-02-2019 at 02:27 PM.