Okay, let's build a Shadowrun universe where the Awakening happened way too early, leading to a proto-cyberpunk/atompunk, 1920s-infused magical landscape:
Universe Name: Jazz Age Shadows
Universe Profile: The year is 1919. The Great War has ended, and the world is on the cusp of the Roaring Twenties. But history takes a sharp turn when magic returns not in the late 20th century, but now. The Awakening unfolds amidst the flapper dresses, jazz clubs, and the rise of industrial might. Instead of mega-corporations, powerful families, burgeoning unions, and shadowy occult societies vie for control of the magical landscape. Technology is still developing, but fueled by early magical discoveries, it takes a distinctly atompunk and proto-cyberpunk bent, resembling the stark futurism of Metropolis combined with the eerie fantasy of R.U.R.
Universe Timeline:
1919: The Awakening begins. Mana levels rise dramatically. Animals mutate, giving rise to early metaplanes and nascent magical creatures. People start manifesting magical abilities.
1920s: The "Jazz Age" is redefined. Speakeasies become hubs for magical deals and arcane rituals. The Prohibition is further complicated by the illicit trade of magical artifacts and ingredients. Organized crime incorporates magical muscle and spellcasting into their operations. Rapid technological advancements lead to art deco-inspired automatons, early cybernetics powered by mana batteries, and experimental energy weapons. "Mana Motors" replace gasoline engines in some areas.
1930s: The Great Depression hits hard, but with a magical twist. Soup kitchens offer magical healing alongside food. Desperate families turn to magical scams and shadowy deals to survive. The Dust Bowl is exacerbated by erratic weather magic. Powerful families solidify their control over magical resources and early magical technologies.
1940s: World War II sees mages and magical creatures on both sides of the conflict. Secret magical weapons programs are launched. Early cybernetics are used to create super-soldiers. The atom bomb is developed, but so are magical countermeasures and defenses.
Post-War: The world is divided into magical spheres of influence. The Cold War takes on an arcane dimension. Technological advancements continue, fueled by magical energy and leading to a unique blend of atompunk aesthetics and emerging cyberpunk technologies.
Present Day (Approx. 2023 Equivalent): The world is a sprawling urban landscape of art deco skyscrapers and underground speakeasies, where gangsters wield enchanted tommy guns, flappers cast spells between dances, and automatons patrol the streets. Powerful families control vast magical empires, vying for dominance with the assistance of their shadowrunners.
Universe Lore:
The Great Houses: Instead of megacorporations, powerful families (think the Rothschilds, Rockefellers, and Vanderbilts, but with added magical prowess) dominate the world's economy and political landscape. They control magical resources, technologies, and information.
The Roaring Shadows: Shadowrunners operate in the underworld, taking on dangerous jobs for various clients – gangsters, revolutionaries, or rival Great Houses.
Mana-Fueled Technology: Technology runs on mana batteries or utilizes arcane principles, leading to bizarre and beautiful inventions that blend art deco design with cutting-edge science. Think Tesla coils powering entire city blocks, or steam-powered automatons with embedded spell matrices.
The Awakened Gangsters: Organized crime syndicates are heavily involved in the magical underworld, using spellcasting to bolster their operations and intimidate their rivals.
The Magical Underground: Speakeasies are not just places to drink and dance, but also hubs for magical rituals, spellcasting services, and illicit deals.
The Spirit World Speaks: The barriers between the physical world and the spirit world are thin, leading to frequent encounters with spirits and elementals. Seances are a popular form of communication and divination.
Universe Tagline: "Jazz. Magic. Bullets. Welcome to the Roaring Shadows."
Universe Theme/Genre/Motif: Proto-cyberpunk/Atompunk fantasy Noir, 1920s Pop Culture with a magical twist, with elements of Fritz Lang's Metropolis, R.U.R., and classic Shadowrun.
Additional Notes:
This setting could be heavily influenced by 1920s fashion, music, and art.
The tone could range from grim and gritty noir to whimsical and fantastical.
The lack of advanced technology compared to the original Shadowrun would necessitate creative solutions using magic and early technology.
The morality of the characters would be heavily influenced by the era, leading to different perspectives on social issues and ethics.
Consequence of the Butterfly Effect that Lead to This Timeline Different Than Original Timeline:
Accelerated Technological Development (Weirdly): The need to understand and harness magic leads to rapid advancements in physics, engineering, and chemistry. However, the technological trajectory diverges significantly from our own, resulting in a unique blend of art deco aesthetics and atompunk functionality.
Redefinition of Social Norms: The Awakening disrupts traditional social hierarchies and values. Magical abilities become a new form of social currency, leading to both opportunities and discrimination. Women and minorities may find themselves in positions of power previously unattainable.
Shifting Geopolitical Landscape: The world map is redrawn as nations struggle to control magical resources and technologies. New alliances are formed, and old rivalries intensify. The League of Nations becomes a battlefield for magical influence.
Magical Prohibition: The rise of magical crime leads to calls for regulation and control. Some countries attempt to ban magic altogether, creating a thriving black market and fueling the growth of shadowrunners.
New Religions and Cults: The Awakening sparks a surge in religious fervor and the emergence of new cults centered around magical power and ancient spirits.
The Spirit World Awakens: The early Awakening causes the spirit world to become more active and volatile. Spirits exert a greater influence on the physical world, leading to both blessings and curses.
Longer Lifespans: Magical healing and elixirs leads to longer lifespans for individuals who can access it, further concentrating wealth and power in the hands of the elite.
This Jazz Age Shadows universe offers a rich and unique setting for Shadowrun adventures, blending the familiar elements of magic and corporate intrigue with the style and atmosphere of the Roaring Twenties.
