New Reality Seeds

[Astromancer]

Try this one...

This Q6 parallel is being influenced by a gang of swagmen that is under the sway of a powerful Cabalist cell. The long term goal is a major reworking of the governments of East Asia to make acquisition of East Asian mystic lore vastly easier. A dramatically reworked USA is the planned tool.

The first major step in the plan is a massive reduction of racism in late 19th century America. That will require that Reconstruction be far more successful. The Swagmen have already killed John Wilkes Booth. This last has gotten both Homeline and Centrum intrigued. Neither faction is aware of the Cabal's presence. Both sides assume that the other one has a plan.

The Cabal is also manipulating events in Mexico. They want to force a US invasion of Mexico to drive the French out and are planning to force a Union of Mexico and the USA. Thus, the Swagmen, who don't know they're working for the Cabal, are helping the French in Mexico (to keep them there fighting Benito Jurez) and harming the Confederates in the USA (to free Lincoln to aid Jurez).

At present the Swagmen are trying to make sure that Jubal Early(who they just poisoned) isn't replaced with a more competent officer. As Early was a major promoter and creator of the Lost Cause Mythology his odd sudden death has attracted attention from both Homeline and Centrum agents.

Basically, cloak and dagger espionage in the CSA. The Cabal will try to stay hidden but they will attempt to kill those who get to close.

Note: As the Cabal wants a quicker end to the CSA having a nasty Homeline vs Centrum struggle with plenty collateral damage would suit them.

[Emerald Cat]

Originally Posted by Astromancer

The Cabal is also manipulating events in Mexico. They want to force a US invasion of Mexico to drive the French out and are planning to force a Union of Mexico and the USA. Thus, the Swagmen, who don't know they're working for the Cabal, are helping the French in Mexico (to keep them there fighting Benito Jurez) and harming the Confederates in the USA (to free Lincoln to aid Jurez).

I wonder how Canada and the British Empire would react to the USA conquering Mexico. On the one hand, the USA would be taking away colonial possessions from Britain's historical enemy - France - in the Americas. On the other hand, this could cause paranoia that the USA would try to seize Canada.

[Apollonian]

Originally Posted by Emerald Cat

I wonder how Canada and the British Empire would react to the USA conquering Mexico. On the one hand, the USA would be taking away colonial possessions from Britain's historical enemy - France - in the Americas. On the other hand, this could cause paranoia that the USA would try to seize Canada.

It sounds like exactly the sort of effort that gets the USA bogged down in guerilla warfare, like the Philippine occupation after the Spanish American War. And at this point, the Mexican-American War is only eighteen years ago or so in this timeline. While the Mexicans accepted American aid against the French, actual union with the USA seems unlikely to be welcomed. And the Cabal must know this, so there are probably plots within plots... and/or heaping helpings of hubris, because Cabal.

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by Apollonian

It sounds like exactly the sort of effort that gets the USA bogged down in guerilla warfare, like the Philippine occupation after the Spanish American War. And at this point, the Mexican-American War is only eighteen years ago or so in this timeline. While the Mexicans accepted American aid against the French, actual union with the USA seems unlikely to be welcomed. And the Cabal must know this, so there are probably plots within plots... and/or heaping helpings of hubris, because Cabal.

Perhaps the Cabal would be content with a very close alliance rather than Mexico joining the US as the ~37th state; I'd imagine the former would be easier to pull off, particularly if the Union Army does an exceptional job in ousting the French. Provided they have pleasant enough alliance, it could eventually result in Mexico joining the US, but I'd expect that to take a few decades at least.

[Kymage]

What is the date of the Timeline currently? Is the Civil War over or still being waged?

[awesomenessofme1]

I'm not too familiar with the Cabal, but are they the sort of organization to frequently make plans that will only pay off in half a century or more? Seems a bit excessive.

[Apollonian]

Originally Posted by awesomenessofme1

I'm not too familiar with the Cabal, but are they the sort of organization to frequently make plans that will only pay off in half a century or more? Seems a bit excessive.

Yeah, they are. Lots of long-lived/immortal beings in there, weaving plots that pay off generations later.

[Luke Bunyip]

Originally Posted by awesomenessofme1

I'm not too familiar with the Cabal, but are they the sort of organization to frequently make plans that will only pay off in half a century or more? Seems a bit excessive.

But... have you ever considered revelling in the glorious intricacy which is your own web of plots, whilst being serenaded by the purrs of a long haired feline?

Excess is just a flourish.





Bwahahahahaha

[Astromancer]

Originally Posted by Emerald Cat

I wonder how Canada and the British Empire would react to the USA conquering Mexico. On the one hand, the USA would be taking away colonial possessions from Britain's historical enemy - France - in the Americas. On the other hand, this could cause paranoia that the USA would try to seize Canada.

Since the plan is to force the USA and Mexico to join forces to defend their sovereignty, getting Britain to declare war on both nations might work.

[Astromancer]

Originally Posted by Apollonian

It sounds like exactly the sort of effort that gets the USA bogged down in guerilla warfare, like the Philippine occupation after the Spanish American War. And at this point, the Mexican-American War is only eighteen years ago or so in this timeline. While the Mexicans accepted American aid against the French, actual union with the USA seems unlikely to be welcomed. And the Cabal must know this, so there are probably plots within plots... and/or heaping helpings of hubris, because Cabal.

In the aftermath of the Mexican-American War most of Mexico north of Guadalajara wanted to be taken by the USA. Washington would be a pain true, but Mexico City was provably worse. The French were invited in by Mexico's elites to permanently crush progressive revolts in Northern Mexico.