I Got to Write an Episode of The Twilight Histories

As I'm sure you know, I've been a huge fan of the Twilight Histories podcast for a long time now.  There really is nothing else like it, and I'm constantly amazing at the brave new worlds Jordan and the gang dream up.  I had, from time to time, fantasized about getting to write an episode or two of my own.  I fantasized, but I never considered it a serious possibility.  Then one day I saw a pig fly by, and then it began to rain malted milk balls.  And by all of I that, I mean, of course, that Jordan opened it the podcast to guest authors.

This was the chance I'd been waiting for.  And yet, I wasn't sure if could measure up to the standards of The Twilight Histories.  So, I tried to pitch a couple short stories I'd been shopping around.  However, a little encouragement from Jordan, I instead set out to write my very own Twilight Histories episode.  It would be set in a dieselpunk Aztec Empire.  I'd always had this image in my mind of an Aztec city, with dieselpunk style technology, at war against an equally dieselpunk Japan armed with robot samurai.  I'd also had little bits and pieces of ideas set in this Aztec inspired world. 

My task now was to string these mental movie clips into a cohesive narrative.  I removed any elements that were explicitly fantastical or supernatural, which wasn't too hard.  Hey, I still got to keep the robots and mechanical marvels.  Anyway, I got the first draft finished and...well, in hindsight, it was pretty terrible.  I laugh at it now, but when I read the feedback Jordan gave, I was half-afraid he was going to seriously reconsider our deal.  Still, I pressed on and went to work on the second draft.  I effectively had to start from scratch, but I think we can all agree that the end result was worth it. 

There were some delays in the production, but I never complained, and I was never ungrateful for all that Jordan was doing for me.  Then it finally happened.  Part 1 of "True Aztec" premiered and I finally got to here something I'd written given life in audio.  As a big fan of podcasts and audiobooks, it has been my goal to hear my fiction read and produced in audio form.  Preferably on my favorite fiction podcasts.  There was a bit of a wait, but then Part 2 arrived, and it wasn't long before Part 3 and Part 4 arrived.

 I managed tosell a story to The Centropic Oracle while Part 1 was in production.  As my story, called "Spelling Test", moved into production, Centropic Oracle would ask if I had any other publications I ought to list.  This meant I'd occasionally have to ask Jordan how production was going, and I always felt really bad about doing so.  He was already doing so much, I didn't want to sound ungrateful or unappreciative. 

"True Aztec" has, by all accounts, been warmly received by the listeners.  It always received lots of likes on the Twilight Histories' Facebook page, and lots of retweets and likes on Twitter.  I heard from listeners who couldn't wait for the next installments, and I had an especially lovely conversation from an adoring fan over on DeviantArt.  More than just that, my fellow Twilight Histories writers Josh Hutchins and Kevin Valbonesi gave "True Aztec" high marks, with Kevin even mentioning that he could wait for Part 4 after hearing Part 3.  That, perhaps more than anything, was a sign that I'd done a great job crafting the episode.  Of course, Jordan did help tidy it up a bit, and make it a bit more polished. 

Of course, the episode wouldn't exist without the excellent team of voice actors behind it.  "True Aztec" is the first Twilight Histories episode to feature a different narrator in each episode, and the first to feature female narrators.  "True Aztec" set all sorts of milestones for The Twilight Histories.  The narrators are, in order of appearance: Jason Wallace, Charlie Albers, Grainne Noel, and Daniel Cryer.  I also got snazzy episode art.  I don't know if it was Kevin or Jordan who made it, but either way, I love it.    

Originally, I wrote the story in third-person due to a miscommunication with Jordan.  He asked me to write like Josh Hutchin's episode "Dead Emperor" which is in first-person, but the email said third-person.  I figured he meant first-person, but wasn't sure if it was the other way round in Commonwealth English.  So, I named the protagonist Apollo Rhodes, with his Aztec name being Toltecatl.  There wasn't any real reason why I picked Apollo; I thought of the poet Apollonius of Rhodes, and thus we get a name.  As for Totecatl...well, seemed as good a name as any.  The episode was edited into a standard second-person narration, which is what I always wanted from the start, so I'm very pleased with it.  That said, you will occasionally see certain little hints and slips of the original script poke through in the finished episodes. 

Now that we've got the technical stuff out the way, let's talk a bit more about how I came up with the story for "True Aztec."  I've always loved the history of Pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, and of the Native Americans in general.  It has always irked me that the Aztecs tend to get reduced to bloodthirsty stock villains.  True, they practiced human sacrifice and other thing modern society finds objectionable, but they were much more than that.  They were one of the only societies with mandatory education for both men and women.  Those sacrificed got to live like kings in the year leading up to the sacrifice.  Let's also not forget how those sacrificed were believed to receive the best possible afterlife.  Heck, the Mesoamericans believed their sacrifices were necessary to keep the universe running.  Not saying there were never politically or military reasons behind it; but I am saying that it's more nuanced that most people give them credit for.

The point is, the Aztecs way too often get an undeserved bad reputation.  I wanted to make a story where the Aztecs got to be the heroes for a change.  The Aztec Empire was founded as an alliance between three tribes.  That's why it is often known as the Triple Alliance.  I basically took that idea of one nation made of many people, and expanded it into something akin to the melting pot thing we have in America and Canada.  Jingjing, Balam, Tupac, and the citizens of Shin Nihon might not be ethnically Mexica, but they are Aztecs in all the ways that count.  That's what Necalli never understood.  The Aztec Empire, in the world of "True Aztec", is not an ethnicity, it is an ideal.  So yes, all of the characters in "True Aztec" are Aztec regardless of their ethnicity or heritage.

So why is it that things diverge with the Tang Dynasty?  Well, from what I've researched, I determined that the An Lushan Rebellion was the point where China really began to decline in power.  I knew I wanted China to be allies with the Aztecs, and so I needed to keep them strong and outward looking.  It always wanted have East Asia and the Native Americans be the dominate economic, technological and cultural powers.  As such, I had to ensure that those pesky Europeans didn't screw-up my plans.  Originally, I intended Europe to get hit with an even worse Black Death, but the final script just has the, being a backwater because East Asia and the Aztec outclass the, technologically and economically.  I concede that having the Aztec and Inca being such powerhouses was rather unrealistic, but it was what I wanted for the story.  Plus, dieselpunk is inherently unrealistic.  I even acknowledge as much within the story.

I've always wondered what it would have been like had the Aztecs, Maya, and Inca hadn't been conquered by the Europeans.  What works of art and philosophy would they have created?  How would their societies have developed? 

So what about Japan?  Like I said, that was always a part of the original idea. I've noticed that, in a lot of the ideas for stories I have, I tend to use Imperial Japan, of some equivalent there of, as villains.  I'm not sure why this is.  I've always thought that the general public doesn't know enough about the war crimes of Imperial Japan.  Most of the stuff I had Minako say about here life in Hokkaido was based on things the Japanese did to the Ainu during World War II.  So, how did Japan become a major power in-story?  Well, originally they were allies and trading partners with the Chinese and Aztec.  So that's a how they got the tech that the Chinese and Aztec had.  They had done a bit of empires building, but the Chinese always tried to keep them in check.  However, things soured after the Caliphate War.  The Japanese felt they got snubbed and screwed over in the post-war negotiations, and turned against their former allies.  Out of universe, they became a major power because that's what I wanted for the story.

Also, I'm fully aware that the Aztec Empire was founded in the 15th Century, not the 10th.  That was the result of a miscommunication.  I never specified what year the Chinese made contact with the Aztecs, or what year the story was set in.  Thought I intended it to probably be a bit later than the 14th Century.  As such, Jordan had to figure the date based on the clues I left in the backstory, and I don't hold it against him.  Like I said, lack of communication and specification on my part.  Admittedly, it was kind of cool to think that the stories was happening in what was the Middle Ages in our world.  Well, this is alternate history, we can just say the Aztecs got founded earlier than in our world due to the butterfly effect and call it a day. 

A lot of the things I put into "True Aztec" are very much inspired by events from our world.  For example, the Pruners were inspired by the Society of the Righteous and Harmonious Fist, better known as the Boxers of China's Boxer Rebellion.  The Pruners want to revive human sacrifice and flower wars, but they are a fringe group, and don't represent the majority of the Aztecs.  I'd also like to emphasize that I've wanted to tell the story that became "True Aztec" for many years.  Those attempting to find commentary on modern politics will be shot.  Well, the scene where Nacalli tries to convince the crowd that Tupac poisoned the kids with vaccines was meant to be a swipe at those idiots who claim that vaccines lead to autism.  That's the only instance, however.  If you find anything else like that in "True Aztec" you're just seeing what you want to see. 

If there is a moral to "True Aztec" it can probably be summaries by what Emperor Montezuma says at the end.  Be good to you fellow humans, and appreciate the many strange and wonderful cultures and peoples that make up our world.  Obviously, this comes with the caveat that if a culture encourages oppression and suffering, such as Necalli and his goons, it's best left to the ash heap of history. 

"True Aztec" is a complete story, but I left little seeds that could possibly be expanded upon.  In hindsight, that was perhaps a tad cocky on my part.  I figured it would be a little something in case I ever got to write for Twilight Histories again; perhaps as a bonus episode.  The episode would follow Tupac's life in Cusco during the war between the Inca and the Japanese.  Well, as would be revealed, the Japanese didn't directly invade, they got one their allies to do that.  However, they did send troops on the pretense that they were protecting Japanese citizens within the Inca Empire.  Obviously, it would end with Tupac's wife and daughter getting killed, and him moving to Tenochtitlan.  We'd also get to see what Kaisa was like before she lost her leg.  All of this would be told within a frame story of the unnamed protagonist and his friends adjusting to life in post-invasion Tenochtitlan several months after the events of "True Aztec."  Obviously, there would be humorous moments where he explained how things went in our world, and them reacting with skepticism.

Perhaps someday I will write another Twilight Histories episode, but not any time too soon.  I don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth, or be ungrateful, or give Jordan Harbour a brain aneurysm.  Still, I do have a couple ideas kicking around should that day ever come. 

And what become of those more fantastical elements I had to remove from the story?  Oh, I saved them, and I'm in the process of adapting them into a comic book series that will be called The Calliope Brigade. Nice already got an artist, and we're in the very, very early stages of production.  I hope I will so be able to share the first issue with all of you.  I'm sure that, somewhere along the line, I'll be able to work in winks, nods, and references to The Twilight Histories. 

Things have really been looking up for The Twilight Histories lately.  It's been listed as one of Apple's Must Listen podcasts of 2019, is it one of the top 100 podcasts in Canada, and I got to be part of it.  The episodes continue both to live up to my expectations and to keep exceeding them.    

Well, I think that should be everything.  Go forth and enjoy my Twilight Histories episode "True Aztec" if you haven't done so already.  "True Aztec" Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.  It has been a long time coming, and I'm glad to finally have the chance to share it with all of you guys at last.  

The Kaiser's Assassin: A Twilight Histories Map

I've got another classic map for you.  It's another Twilight Histories map based on the episode The Kaiser's Assassin.  So without furthur ado, let's get on with it.

Germany won World War I, or the Imperial War as it is known in this world. The war lasted from 1914-1915 just as many had hoped it would in our world. After the war Germany allowed the conquered nations to keep their own autonomous governments. In practice, however, these were mostly puppet governments with the real power residing with the Kaiser. Berlin and London are the financial and cultural hearts of the world. The many scientists, artists, musicians and architects who would have died in World War I have transformed German cities. Berlin has numerous Neo-Gothic and Romantic skyscrapers that are taller than those in New York.

All of Russia west of the Urals came under German occupation, but everything east remained nominally independent. The Czar still rules the puppet government of German occupied Russia. Free Russia, or the Republic of Siberia as some call it, briefly dabbled in communism, but a few failed crops later and the revolutionary government was replaced by a democracy.

The German Empire's runaway success took everyone by surprise, but especially the United States. Many Americans had hoped their nation would establish colonies to compete with the other Imperial powers. Germany's post-war success motivated the desire the spread a little bit of America throughout the world. Eventually, war was declared on Mexico, albeit on some very suspect reasons. The United States also invaded several nations in the Caribbean and Central America, but in those cases claimed they did so out of a desire to protect those nations from Britain and Germany.

The Austria-Hungary has successfully become more federated and is now known as the United States of Austria and Hungry. Austria-Hungry bought Italy's former colonies from Germany following the war. The colonies were supposed to be a stepping stone towards a greater overseas empire, but managing colonies turned out to be more difficult than Austria-Hungry had originally considered.

The Ottomans have also reformed themselves and have spent the last couple decades reversing their sick man status. The empire has embraced its multicultural nature thanks to the calls for reform and is far more diverse than in our world. As a result the empire protects the rights of all minorities within its borders.

China has once again become an empire under the Zhang Dynasty following a coup against the republican government by opportunistic politicians. The resorted Chinese Empire has also spent the last few decades reversing its decline and has quickly become something of a regional power.

Japan is also a rising power. Following the war Germany sold them Indochina and several islands of Indonesia. They have further expanded their empire by invading Thailand. Japan has recently been inching closer to war with the United States over disputed claims to Borneo and the Philippines. Foreign policy experts concur America could reasonably form an alliance with China, while Japan might be able to convince Germany or Britain to come to their aid. Either a cold war is forming or else this may become another flash point for a future war.

Although Britain stayed out of the Imperial War, several French resistance/terrorist groups were funded by members of the British government hoping to regain the economic benefits of an independent France. Ironically, when the Kaiser was killed at the Imperial Musical Gala it was by members of his own government eager for a war with Britain. The two nations went to war, but fortunately it didn't last any longer than the Imperial War had. There were still loses and those killed in the Anglo-Germanic War included JRR Tolkien, CS Lewis and Ernest Hemingway.

Culturally, the world is somewhat more conservative than our world. Without the horrors of the First World War the Romantic era never really ended in Europe. Jazz is very popular in America, but has only recently found an audience across the Atlantic. Jews are still viewed rather unfavorably and face discrimination, but nowhere near what they would have under the Nazis.

Speaking of which, Hitler is currently working at a coat hanger factory after having flunked out of art school. Meanwhile, Joseph Jugashvili is a priest of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

Roma Islamica: A Twilight Histories Map

At long last a classic map has made it's way to the blog.  This was the first map I ever map that was inspired by The Twilight Histories.  This one was based on the episode Roma Islamica.  I got a lot of help from the episode's companion book.  And the rest, as they say, is alternate history.  Well, let's get on with it, shall we?

The Byzantine Empire fell in the 8th century rather than the 15th century. Without a powerful Christian buffer state to oppose it, Islam quickly spread throughout Eastern Europe. Constantinople became both the capital of the Umayyads and a major pilgrimage site that rivaled even Mecca and Medina.

The Abbasids, feeling the Umayyads had grown too decadent and forgetful of the teachings of Islam (and angered over how much money Mecca and Medina were losing to Constantinople) would go on to overthrow the Umayyads as they did in our world.

The Frankish emperor Charlemagne converted to Islam, both due to having several Muslim tutors in his youth and seeing that Islam would most likely become the next major religion. Charlemagne went on to declare Jihad against the Umayyads and anyone he perceived to be an enemy of Islam. After helping establish Abbasid power in the Middle East he went on to conquer the Italian Peninsula.

The Abbasids, realizing they'd inadvertently created a monster, had Charlemagne poisoned. The noble families of Rome, lacking a clear leader, established something similar to the senate of their ancestors. This led to the establishment of an Islamic Roman Empire stretching from the Pillars of Hercules to the River Ganges. Several Romans unwilling to convert to Islam, including the Pope, and several Umayyads, fled to Ireland. The Umayyads converted to Christianity and became the new ruling class of the island nation.

The Mongol Empire managed to last considerably longer than in our world due to the greater emphasis on central government. Although Tengrism is still the dominate religion, Buddhism is winning more coverts by the day. Missionaries from Ireland have ensured that Christians are also a small but growing presence in the empire.

The Mongols were able to successfully conquer Japan. Several Japanese fled prior to the invasion in hopes of establish a new Japanese homeland free of Mongol rule. They arrived in Mexico and quickly conquered several native peoples and establish a new empire combining Japanese and native culture and traditions.

Northern Europe (the parts not under Roman rule) is still pagan. The no alcohol aspect of Islam is somewhat hard to sell. This has prompted many Imans within the empire to reinterpret the rule that "no Muslim shall drink alcohol" to be "no Muslim shall drink alcohol to excess" to encourage the conversion of those territories. This has created considerable controversy within the empire.

Russia was established by Viking princes as in our world, and has served as a (somewhat redundant) buffer state between the Romans and Mongols after many years of passing back and forth between the two empires.

Britain has been balkanized (the in-universe term is "anglicized") between Rome, Ireland, Scotland and the Danish. The Midlands is more of less neutral territory and is the site of much cultural blending. Scotland is a mixture of Christians and pagans due to the work of Irish missionaries.

Several nations have experienced Industrial Revolutions including Rome, the Mongols, Mali and India. Srivijaya and Ireland are currently in the process of industrializing. Mali has remained strong and continues to expand. Though Rome initially wanted to conquer Mali they are now more than happy to have a fellow Islamic empire as an ally.

Srivijaya has become a major power in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean. Their empire has expanded and their trading fleets are found in ports in all corners of the world. The fact that they are primarily Hindu and Buddhist has caused some issues when trading with Rome and has lead to their alliance with Hindu India. They are also the primary trading partner (besides Japan-in-exile) with the Inca Empire.

Several powers are beginning to colonize the New World. The Vikings are expanding there colonies along the northeast coast of what would be North America. The Irish established a colony just in case Rome ever conquers them and to spread Christianity to the natives. They originally intended to settle around Massachusetts, but after discovering the Vikings were already there moved to Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay. Rome has also established a colony at the mouth of the Mississippi with its capital at New Alexandria (roughly where New Orleans in OTL). 

Napoleon in Afghanistan: A Twilight Histories Map

My latest map based on the Twilight Histories episode Napoleon in Afghanistan.  It's set in the mid-19th century where among other things...



Napoleon was far more successful than he was in our world.  One of his biggest successes was his victory against the Russians.  Napoleon chased Czar Alexander and his forces across Central Asia for quite some time.  Eventually, the French army faced off against the forces of Britain and Russia in the Khyber Pass of Afghanistan.  It was a tough and gurgling battle, but ultimately the French prevails and dealt a crippling blow to the British by capturing India.  Unfortunately, Napoleon didn't get to enjoy his success for long as he contracted cancer and was dead by his mid-sixties.  Still, despite his early death, Napoleon managed to create a French Empire stretching from Portugal to Indochina.

While Napoleon was busy building his empire the United States was going through considerable turmoil.  The Embargo Act was never repealed and New England seceded from the Union.  Soon the United States found itself in a war against New England and Britain.  All went well at first, but then Thomas Jefferson was assassinated.  James Madison severely mishandled the war and caused New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania to join New England.  By the end of the war New England was recognized as a sovereign nation and the area that would have been the states of Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin Indiana and Ohio had become part of British North America.

Napoleon never wasted troops in Haiti and was able to retain Louisiana.  In recent times Louisiana has been granted a higher degree of personal autonomy, akin to the British Dominion system, as a bit of a trial run of giving other regions of the French Empire more autonomy.  Louisiana has a highly cosmopolitan culture with its citizens comes from across the French Empire.  New Orleans is very much the finical and cultural heart of Louisiana, and occupies a position not too dissimilar to New York during our world's 19th century.  There is a movement within western Louisiana to breakaway and become its own separate dominion.  Time will tell what becomes of this.

Following Russia's defeat by Napoleon many Russians, including the royal family, fled to Russia's possessions in North America.  Novorossiya has expanded to include much of the Pacific Northwest, and has opened its doors to many immigrants.  One of the most notable group of immigrants has been Mormons.  The Church of Jesus Christ and Latter-Day Saints originated in New England, but its members soon moved to Louisiana under the guidance of church founder Joseph Smith.  The Mormons sought to establish a nation of their own in sparsely populated upper Louisiana.  Unfortunately, it wasn't long before they found themselves in conflict with the French military in what would become known as the Deseret War.  Brigham Young, following Smith's death in the war, led the remaining Mormon's to southern Novorossiya.  The Russians allowed the Mormons to settle, but made it very clear they were not attempt anything like in Louisiana.  Novorossiya is culturally divided between a Russian Orthodox north and an Anglo Mormon south.

Latin America experienced several revolutions thanks to Napoleon.  Simon Bolivar received support from Napoleon and achieved his dream of a unified Republic of Gran Columbia.  Mexico is an empire that is ruled by a relative of Napoleon; on paper it's independent, but in practice it's very much a French puppet state.  The Portuguese royal family, as in our world, relocated to Brazil; Rio de Janeiro is the heart of the Brazilian Empire.  Argentina and Uruguay have fallen the British, eager for new lands following their losses to the French.  Chile has managed to maintain its independence thanks to its mountainous terrain.

Much of the Middle East is either under French control or French influence.  Oman has managed to maintain its independence by doing everything it can to suck up to the French.  Thanks to this tactic Oman has been able to begin establishing colonies in East Africa and is becoming something of a regional power.  There was a rebellion and uprising by Wahhabi Muslims against French influence in the region, but it we quickly suppressed.  Following the fall of the Ottoman Empire an Islamic Holy State was established around the region containing Mecca and Medina.  The French leave the Holy State mostly to its own devices, figuring that it's more trouble than it's worth.

The rapid expat ions of the French Empire gave China the motion it needed to being a modernization campaign.  The empire's cultural regulations were relaxed and non-Manchurians were allowed to practice their cultures more freely, which has led to an increase in the number of hanfu being made and purchased.  Industrialization programs are underway and China has even been able to negotiate for the purchase of several Philippine islands from France.  Meanwhile, Japan has opened itself up to the outside world and is also in the middle of its own industrialization.  The Japanese government has been reformed under a Meiji style restoration.  Korea is doing its best to prosper in the shade of its neighbors and is looking to start its own industrialization program.  Hawaii has managed to maintain its independence and is in the process of reforming its society along French lines.

The 19th century is without doubt a very French Century.  The French Empire reigns supreme and without challenge.  The British Empire has been thoroughly humbled and never quite became the great power that it did in our world.  For the most part the world has been relatively peaceful following Napoleon's wars of conquest.  Slavery has been phased out of most nation with the exception of the rump United States and Brazil, though the Brazilians are creating plans to do so.  Because of the size of the French Empire it is possible that Africa won't be colonized quite to the same extent as in our world.  Still, despite its success the French Empire is beginning to show strains and groan under its own weight.  It's possible that more regions will be granted greater autonomy like Louisiana.  Time will tell what will become of the world that Napoleon made. 

Cleopatra Caesar: A Twilight Histories Map

A new map of mine based on The Twilight Histories episode Cleopatra Caesar. Among other things in this world:


Julius Caesar was not assassinated. Caesar went on to establish an empire stretching from the British Isles to India, and in time he would be known as Caesar the Great. Caesar married Cleopatra and they had a son named Ptolemy; Caesar lived to a ripe old age and died a very happy man. However, the good times were not to last. A group of senators, lead by Marcus Brutus, assassinated Ptolemy and all of the senators from the eastern provinces. Not long after this a slave rebellion broke out, lead by a slave named Draco the Greek, and soon Brutus was assassinated.

Cleopatra was able to escape to Alexandria along with a group of loyal servants. With Rome occupied with the salve rebellions, Cleopatra set out to reform Egyptian society along Roman lines. Eventually, Rome was able to quell the salve uprisings, but also enacted reforms to prevent future uprisings and paved the way towards greater rights for slaves. Rome, somewhat begrudgingly, granted Egypt its independence due to the overtaxing of the empire's troops and money on the slave uprisings. Before long Egypt began to expand south in search of gold and other resources. Rome had begun work on a canal connecting the Mediterranean and Red seas, but it would be Egypt that would finish the canal.

China never experienced the An Shi Rebellion and remained the primary power in Eastern Asia. Rome has maintained trade relations with China since the days of Caesar, and Egypt has also established trade relations with China. China was the first nation to experience an industrial revolution, but other nations, such as Rome and Egypt, were soon to follow. Despite China's dominance Japan managed to establish itself as a regional power, and has carved out a small empire of its own.

Roman expeditions across the Atlantic lead to the discovery of the New World, or Terra Nova as it was soon known. Before long several nations were scrambling to establish colonies on new continents. The Mande Empire established a series of colonies in Brazil, but it wasn't long before Rome took control of the colonies. Meanwhile, Egypt and Japan competed with each other for control of Australia. Australia had first been discovered by Srivijayan fishing boats, but it had gone largely ignored until this golden age of exploration.

Egypt and Japan also competed with each other in South America. Eventually, it was decided that Japan would have Australia while Egypt would take the southern half of the Incan Empire. Despite the loss of nearly half their empire the Inca managed to maintain their sovereignty.

Rome's colony in Brazil was a unique blend of Roman, Mande, Egyptian, Japanese and native culture. This unique heritage lead the colony, known as Tupia, to develop as sense of identity as something other than a province of Rome. After a few centuries Tupia declared its independence from Rome. Around the same time the Roman province of Mexica, also very much the product of unique ethnic blending, declared its independence as well. After a lengthy war both colonies were granted their independence. Rome's primary North American colony, Occidenta, remain loyal to the empire despite the Tupia and Mexica uprisings.

Mexica established a constitutional monarchy much like Rome and many other nations, but Tupia defended itself as a republic like in the early days of Rome. The Mayans had been able to resist colonization for the most part, and the Mexica quickly formed a defensive alliance with them. Meanwhile, Tupia established good relations with the Incan Empire.

Traditional polytheistic religions are still very much alive and well, but there have been several popular cults over the years such as Mithras, Isis, the three daughters of Allah, but by far the most popular have been Buddhism and Christianity. However, it should be noted that Christianity has had significant Hindu and Buddhist influences to the point of looking almost unrecognizable. For example, Jesus is believed to be an avatar of Vishnu and his teaching emphasized breaking free of the cycle of reincarnation. Due to Christianity and Buddhism emphasizing compassion for all living things vegetarianism is more widespread than in our world.

Despite not having large empires, several nations have become economic and trading tigers in recent years. Such nations include Siam, Mande, Kongo, Lunda and Srivijaya. Japan has also been doing quite well, and is currently in negotiations to possibly purchase some of China's possessions.

Things in general have been looking up for this world. Over the years Rome, Egypt and Mexica have become republics. Rome, Egypt, Tupia and China have all launched missions to orbit; Rome has event sent missions to the Moon. Even nations that are monarchies generally have some from of representative government. Old tensions are dying down and a spirit of international cooperation is spreading throughout the world.  

Hannibal One: Twilight Histories Maps

I've got new maps for my readers based on the Twilight Histories episode Hannibal One.  I've got two maps, one of Earth and one of Mars.  So, among other things in this world:

Carthage, under the leadership of the general Hannibal, won the Punic Wars and thoroughly obliterated Rome.  Carthage would go on the expand and create and empire spanning all the continents of the world.  Several great cities, libraries and centers of learning were established throughout the Carthaginian Empire.  The canal was established in Egypt to allow for easier trade with the east.  

Gwanggaeto the Great managed to survive longer than he did in our world.  Eventually, Gwanggaeto was able to take advantage of political turmoil in China to cease the Mandate of Heaven and establish a massive Korean Empire.  The Korean Empire would go on to become Carthage's primary rival for world domination.  

As Carthage and Korea began to expand their empires they frequently got involved in boarder skirmishes, and territories often passed back and forth between the two empires.  In particular, this occurred in India on more than a few occasions.  However, the frequent invasions did wonders for Indian unity as now Indians throughout the subcontinent had a clear goal: keep Carthage and Korea out.  In time India established its own empire that, while not as vast as Carthage or Korea, could still give the empires a run for their money.  

With Carthage occupied elsewhere, the Lithuanians were able to able to expand throughout Eastern Europe and establish and small empire of their own.  Lithuania fell increasingly within Carthage's sphere of influence as the years went on, but ultimately remained independent.  The two empires remain on good terms with each other, and their citizens have been known to get into friendly rivalries over whether Baal or Perkunus would win in a fight.  

Carthage and Korea discovered new lands, such as Australia and the Americas, as they continued to expand.  However, they weren't alone in their exploration.  The Norse also sent expeditions to North America and established settlements; all the while forging alliances with multiple tribes of natives.  Eventually, the Norse settlements and tribal alliances grew into the nation of Skraland.  The Norse we able to establish good terms with Carthage and Korea, but still had to frequently deal with both empires nibbling around the edges of Skraland.  

The Mayans formed an alliance to resist colonization as Carthage expanded into Central America.  Like India before them, this unity allowed for the establishment of a Mayan Empire.  India has also historically been a supporter of the Mayans against Carthage and Korea.  The natives of the Great Plains also faced the prospect of colonization, but they managed to avoid this mostly due to Carthage and Korea being occupied elsewhere.  Unlike the Maya, however, they failed to adapt to the reality of the new socio-political landscape.  As a result, combined with their lack of natural resources, the Confederation of the Plains has the highest poverty and unemployment rate of any nation on Earth.  

The Incan Empire managed to survive by playing Carthage and Korea off of each other.  They've allied with India and the Maya.  The Inca have managed to take quite a bite out of South America, the bits Carthage didn't claim anyway.  Meanwhile, the Creek Confederation decided the best survival strategy was an alliance with Carthage.  They're well within the Carthaginian sphere of influence, but remain independent, if somewhat in name only.  

The Zulu were able to establish an empire in Southern Africa at a time when Carthage was dealing with the effects of accidental hyperinflation resulting from their gold and silver mines in the New World.  With Carthage's relentless expiation temporarily paused, the Zulu were able to use their vast mineral wealth to fund their new nations and their diplomas courted good relations with other nations.  The Kingdom of Lunda also experienced a period of growth and expansion around this time.    

Carthage, Korea and India produced several inventions and advances in technology over the centuries.  Before long all three nations experienced industrial revolutions, and it wasn't long before several other nations industrialized as well.  Within a matter of decades air travel was achieved, and before long the first manned missions to space were launched.  Carthage was the first to launch a human into space, but Korea was first to land on the Moon.  

Korea's victory in the Moon Race prompted Carthage to achieve their next goal.  They vowed not only to send a manned mission to Mars, but a one-way mission of colonization.  Carthage achieved this goal with its mission Hannibal One; launched on the 1000th anniversary of Hannibal's sacking of Rome.  The success of the Hannibal One mission prompted Korea to speed the production of their own Mars mission known as Gwanggaeto One. 

 Both missions suffered numerous set backs.  The crew of Hannibal One experienced bouts of religious fanaticism to the point of performing multiple human sacrifices.  Meanwhile, the crew of Gwanggaeto One suffered multiple technological failures and were forced to throw one of their one out of the airlock after the life support systems received critical damage.  Despite the hardships, both missions were ultimately successful in no small part due to international cooperation.  The crew of Hannibal One provided critical  replacement equipment, while the crew of Gwanggaeto One provided human companionship in the harsh and isolated environment.  

Over the years several more missions were sent to Mars; including ones funded by third party nations.  Numerous discoveries were made, but perhaps the biggest the the discovery of native Martian microbial life.  This provided a major moral quandary due to the discovery occurring in the middle of terraforming negotiations.  Ultimately, it was decided that terraforming would be delayed, but only by fifty years.  Currently, terraforming efforts have raised temperatures and atmospheric pressure to Earth levels.  

The immense distances between Earth and Mars have created challenges for the administration of the colonies.  Recently, a Carthaginian colony declared its independence with little resistance.  Other off-world colonies have also begun to consider self-governance, and this has prompted a revaluation of the administration of the colonies.  In any event, the Martian colonies have always been friendlier with each other than their mother countries ever were with one another.  

Having said that, there's still been quite a bit of increased international cooperation recently.  Old tensions are dying down and the world in general is becoming a more peaceful place.  Attendance at the temples of the gods is slipping, and secularism is on the rise, but there is still religion.  Missions have been sent to the other worlds of the Solar System, and there is now talk of a possible mission to Proxima Centauri.  Geneticists have been able to revive long dead Ice Age animals, but it's still a matter of debate whether Neanderthals should be revived.  Recently, advances have been made in the field of AI technology to the point that a scientist is currently on trial for the attempted murder (read: deletion) of an AI.  

It's a crazy and different world, but they're working out the kinks.  Hey, they made it this far and the future is looking pretty bright for everyone.  

Cato's War: A Twilight Histories Map

Well, I promised you that I'd post one of my Twilight Histories maps and here it is.  With these maps I take what is said in the show and expand on it to try to flesh out the worlds and their histories.  This maps was based on the episode Cato's War and is set in 1962:

The South won the American Civil War. There were numerous factor that caused this. Among them included the deaths of Union generals Grant and Sherman early into the war, and the survival of Confederate generals Albert Sydney Johnson and Stonewall Jackson. The Confederates saw victory at the battles of Shiloh, Antietam and Gettysburg. These victories allowed the Confederacy to receive support from Britain and France. Eventually, the fighting came all the way to Washington DC. While standing on a rampart and observing a battle, Abraham Lincoln was shot by a stray bullet and died of his injures a few hours latter. Andrew Johnson was also injured, but not quite as badly; he died of his injuries a few months later. Johnson's successor proved to be less than competent at handling the war effort and was defeated in a landslide in election of 1864.

By 1865 the Union's will to continue the war had dried up, and the Confederacy officially received its independence. As part of the peace treaty Kentucky and Indian Territory were ceded to the Confederacy. The Confederate sympathizers within Kentucky had tightened their grip on the state government early on. Though Kentucky saw more battle than in our world, it also served as a buffer for the rest of the Confederacy. Though the Confederacy promised Native Americans a place in the new government, even granting them their own state of Sequoyah, they would violate these treaties increasingly over the years. Native Americans were frequently forced off of their land to make way for white settlers.

The early years of independence would come to define the Confederacy. The Confederacy was far from united, and many of its citizens had been opposed to the War of Succession. Rebellions are uprisings were frequent, but most were quickly put down, and this served to strengthen the power of the federal government. As the years went on, however, the Confederate government had to take increasingly authoritarian measures to maintain order. Eventually, the Confederacy devolved into little more than a tin pot dictatorship. Industrialization occurred, but at a snails pace and the Confederacy remained primarily an agrarian nation. An anti-slavery movements were quickly put down, and after considerable debate, it was decided that Native Americans counted as blacks and thus could be enslaved.

In the United States, the Republicans continued to unsuccessfully field candidates against the Democrats. Over the next few decades the Democrats ran almost completely unopposed. However, that changed when Theodore Roosevelt and a group of splinter Republicans formed the Bull Moose Party. Around the same time the Labor Movement, along with more left leaning Republicans, formed the Labor Party. In contrast to the Democrats right-wing nature the Bull Moose Party took a centrist stance, while the Labor Party stood as the primary left-wing party. The formation of the Bull Moose and Labour parties officially signaled the end of the Republican Party.

The United States lead an expiation to open Japan to the world. Over the years the two nations grew very close to each other. During the Spanish-American War the Japanese provided support for the United States. After the war Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guam were ceded to the United States; while the Philippines was ceded to Japan. Eventually, Cuba and Puerto Rico were admitted as states. The United States had previously accepted the Dominican Republic's request to become a territory; it too became a state in time.

In China, the Taiping Rebellion was more successful. More emphasis was placed on civil administration, and foreign aid was received in exchange for favorable trade agreements following the rebellion. Hong Xiuquan was killed early into the rebellion, but his charismatic brand of Christianity would live on. Shi Dakai took over command of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom and instigated reforms. One such reform was that Hong Xiuquan's interpretation of Christianity would be the nation's official religion, but other religions would not be penalized. Over the years the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom grew to encompass most of southern China.

The Ottoman Empire won the Russo-Turkish War. The empire had been undergoing reforms before the war, but victory over the Russians gave the reformers the extra boost they need to make real changes. In the issuing years the empire was reformed into a parliamentary monarchy, non-Turks were granted increasing rights and the army and navy remained at their peak. The Sultanate of Aceh appealed to the Ottomans for help fighting the Dutch. The Ottoman's defeated the Dutch and established Aceh as a protectorate, but in time would incorporate Aceh and Sumatra as a whole into the empire.

In Thailand, King Mongkut managed to survive his malaria long enough to name Prince Chulalongkorn heir to the throne. Chulalongkorn promised reforms such as the abolition of slavery and free elementary education for all citizens. Though an anti-reform faction soon arose it was quickly put down thanks to Chulalongkorn's strong political base. Upon ascending the throne Chulalongkorn began expanding the canal systems and ordered the construction of shipping fleets for increasing international trade. A general industrialization program was instituted, numerous schools and hospitals were established, and the military was reformed to be comprised of volunteers rather than the defendants of prisoners of war. Thailand also reaffirmed their good relations with nations such as the United Kingdom and the United States.

The Mexican Revolution ended in a victory for the Revolutionaries. This was partially thanks to support from the United States and the German Empire. Mexico, with the help of their American and German allies, was able to reform and mend most of its internal issues. Eventually, Mexico was raised to what we would call first world status. Mexico and the United States helped to unite the nations Central America into the United Proveniences of Central America. A canal was constructed in Nicaragua both to compliment and compete with the Panama Canal.

Over the years the United States grew close to the German Empire, and remained bitter at Britain and France for their support of the Confederacy. When the First World War broke out in 1914 the United States, along with Italy and Japan, joined the Central Powers. The Confederacy remained neutral during the war. The United States invaded Canada on the grounds that the British might use it as an invasion route (despite the fact that the British had never attempted anything like that before). Ultimately the war end with a Central Powers victory in 1917. Following the war the Ententes were stripped of large sections of their colonial empires and forced to pay crushing reparations.

Following the war the United States passed a bill granting universal Civil Rights to all of its citizens. Meanwhile, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was unable to solve its internal issues and collapsed in the early 1920s. The former empire was split between Germany and Italy. Among nations that were granted independence as a result of the war included Ireland (which included the Ulster provinces) and India (which was never partitioned). India is a federation of semiautonomous provinces, which has helped ease religious and ethnic tensions.

Russia had originally fought for the Ententes, but later pulled out due to their revolution. What few members of the Royal Family that managed to survive the revolution were able to find refuge in Ethiopia. Upon Lenin's death in 1924 a speech was read naming his successor as Premier of the Soviet Union. However, Leon Trotsky made a series of creative "edits" so that the speech denounced Stalin and named himself as successor. Unfortunately, Trotsky soon wound up alienating most of his would-be supporters and was soon assassinated. Some of the effects of this meant that the Great Purge never occurred and Jews received somewhat better treatment.

The Spanish Civil War ended in a victory for the Republicans. Following infighting among groups such as the Marxist, Anarchists and Communists it was decided that the Spanish Republic would be a social democracy. Since its founding the Spanish Republic has always been somewhat close to the Soviet Union, but has maintained good relations with the other major powers as well.

The war reparations France was forced to pay lead to runaway hyperinflation and economic collapse. Millions of French citizens were homeless and starving in the streets. France wanted revenge against the Central Powers, and they wanted it soon. The United Kingdom's reparations weren't quite as severe as those of France, but they too had grown bitter towards the Central Powers. While the British found solace in the assurances of the British Fascist Party, lead by Oswald Mosley, the French found hope in the form of Gaston Delacroix. Delacroix had written a nationally best selling memoir entitled The Dream Within: Those Who Seek Tomorrow. In his memoir Delacroix blamed France's fall from glory on the influences of foreigners, but especially the Romani. By 1938 Action Francaise had come to power and Delacroix now ruled as King of France.

By 1940 the world was in engulfed in a Second World War. Within a matter of months France controlled the Iberian Peninsula, the Low Countries, Italy, the Balkans and Greece. An anti-Delacroix coalition, lead by Charles de Gaulle, established a government-in-exile centered in Algeria named France-outré-mer. The exiles correctly guessed that Delacroix would focus more on conquering Europe and getting revenge on the Central Powers. The war raged on, but the Central Powers continued to push back the British and French. By 1946 victory was finally in sight thanks to a new invention created by a coalition of German and American scientists: the atomic bomb. The French and British formally surrendered following the atomic bombings of Orleans, Lyon and Southampton.

During the war hundreds of thousands of Romani had been shipped to Madagascar as part of Delacroix's anti-Romani policies. Unfortunately, many American and German submarines targeted several ships bound for Madagascar; not knowing the true purpose of the ships. As the war drew on it became increasingly costly to ship the Romani to Madagascar. As a result the Romani, along with several Irish Travelers, were shipped to a series of mass extermination camps. In total over 2,000,000 Romani died either in the camps, en route to Madagascar or due to poor conditions after arriving. However, over 300,000 Romani successfully made it to Madagascar.

After the war Madagascar was turned into a Romani homeland and received millions of immigrants. This was somewhat controversial as there had also been a movement to establish Madagascar as a Jewish homeland since before the war. It was decided that the island was more than big enough for both peoples, and at worst could be divided into two separate nations. The Romani and Jews have so far managed to coexist relatively peacefully, but the treatment of the native Malagasy, and their calls for great representation in the government of Madagascar, remains a pressing issue.

Japan stayed out of the European Theater and focused on securing its holdings in Asia and the Pacific. Following the First World War, Japan had taken Malaysia from the British and Indochina from the French; by the Second World War they had expanded their holdings to include Manchuria (renamed Manchukuo) as well as most of Indonesia. Japan attempted to extend its rule into China and the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, but ultimately this proved to be more trouble than it was worth. After the war it was decided the Japanese would keep Manchukuo, the Taiping would remain independent and a communist People's Republic of China serve as a buffer state between the two. Japan, along with the Soviet Union, acquired atomic bombs after the war thanks to the work of its scientists and spies.

The leaders of France-outré-mer had long since decided that they liked their new position of power reorganized themselves into the Republic of Algeria. Many international experts have noted, in light of the increasing tensions between the Algerian government and its native inhabitants, worry that the Algerian government may be heading in a similar direction to the Delacroix Regime and South Africa. Elsewhere, decolonization have been going slow, but also much more smoothly than in our world. Infrastructure is being established and the natives of the colonies are being educated in how to manage their nations when they achieve independence. Germany's colonies have been doing especially well in this regard. In a few years elections will be held to decide if the colonies will go independent, stay as they are or if the empire should be reformed into a federation.

The Soviet Union has been on everyone's minds lately. The Soviets first attempted to flex their international muscles when they intervened in the Greek Civil War, which resulted in a communist victory. The Soviets began to grow worried being surrounded by three nuclear armed nations. Things only got worse when the United States and Germany offered to help start nuclear weapons programs in the Italian and Ottoman Empires. In response, the Soviet Union attempted to send a shipment of atomic bombs to the Confederacy; and event later referred to as the Confederate Missile Crisis. For a few tense days it seemed that a Third World War would be imminent. However, the United States and Germany agreed to halt their efforts with the Italians and Ottoman's if the Soviets recalled the missiles from the Confederacy. Fortunately both sides held up their end of the agreement.

A space race has been established between the major nations of the world. Germany lead the way with the launch of the first artificial satellite in 1950, shortly followed by the first manned mission to orbit. The ultimate prize was a mission to the Moon by 1961. It was a close call but the Germans made it first, followed by the United States and Japan. The next major destination is a mission to Mars by either the 1970s or 1980s. Recently, work has begun on an international space station as well as establishing permanent bases on the Moon.

By the present day, the Confederacy has become an international pariah; it's only ally, and primary supplier of slaves, is South Africa. To overall state can generally be described as a cross between North Korea and South Africa under Apartheid. Seven out of ever ten citizens are slaves, technology is severely behind that of most other nations and there's a staggering wealth gap. Confederate slavery got so bad over the years that by the 20th century almost completely discredited all previous notions of racism. To many nations the Confederacy is evil incarnate.

However, things are about to change. In a textile mill in Stonewall, Louisiana lives a factory slave named Cato. To his friends he's easy going and makes the best of his horrible lot in life. He has a wife and children despite this being illegal for factory slaves. Cato may seem unassuming, but he's about to lead a rebellion that will bring the entire Confederacy to its knees.

The Twilight Histories Podcast

So we begin with the first official blog post.  There's a lot of topics that could be covered in this post, but I think I start with one that, if you've followed my work in the past, you're probably familiar with.  In this post we're going to talk about one of my favorite podcasts: The Twilight Histories with Jordan Harbour.  

It feel at this point that I should point out that this podcast has nothing to do with a certain book series by Stephenie Meyer.  The title is intended to be an allusion to Rod Serling's classic series The Twilight Zone.  Trust me, there are no sparkly vampires, and if vampires ever do appear in the show I assure you they will be proper ones.  Now that we have that out of the way, let's talk about the podcast.  

This is both a time travel and alternate history podcast in the style of old time radio adventure serials where you, yes you the listener, go on an adventure.  The first few episodes, collected as bonus material in the members only section of the website, tell their stories in a detached narrative focusing more on the history of their timeline rather than on stories and characters.  Starting with the episodes Roma Islamica and Ice Age Misery, however, things changed.  Jordan really found his voice, and the stories became much more character driven and personal.  Bonus tracks to the mains shows, continuing the stories of the world's presented, have recently become available on the show's website.  A series of shorter blitz shows, focusing on first-hand accounts of historical events, have also recently been produced.   

There's not enough words to describe how much I love this podcast.  The engaging stories, the creative new worlds, fresh takes on familiar places, the music and sound effects.  It all just works so well!  Ah, but maybe I have other reasons?  Perhaps I have a bit of a personal connection?  Well, you not to terribly off the mark.  

Last year I'd been trying to find my voice/style in alternate history map making.  I had posted a few joke maps, as well as some more serious maps, on Alternatehistory.com's maps and graphics section.  I knew what my next map would be: based on my favorite episode of the Twilight Histories, Roma Islamica, and set 500 years in the future of the timeline.  I made the map, consulted the companion book for details, used my imagination and posted it to Alternatehistory.com.  The reaction...to say it was almost universally negative would perhaps be a major understatement.  

I was under a nearly nonstop attack from all sides.  The other members of the maps board seemed to be under the impression that I'd just massacred 1000 handicapped orphans by hail of gunfire; or that's how there comments seemed anyway.  Thankfully, a few kind hearted members actually stood up for me and called for an end to the torment.  I know it was just a stupid message board, and a bunch of stupid (mostly) Brits, Scots, Aussies and Kiwis (the Americans, by contrast, were much nicer and more laid back) but the damage had been done.  

I began to doubt my ability as a map maker and I was at the end of my rope.  Then I thought, what if I were to post to the Twilight Histories Facebook Page?  I figured I didn't have much left to lose, and if Jordan didn't like it I figured it would be a fitting final nail in the coffin for my map making career.  So I posted the map and...he absolutely loved it!  I really loved it!  

Not only did Jordan repost it on the main page, but it got honorable mention on a Map Monday in Alternate History Weekly Update.  Before long I made maps of other episodes, and then they got an article all to themselves on the Update (two in fact).  I got to meet someone I admired, a celebrity if only to me, and I couldn't think of a happier ending to the story.  

Oh, but the story doesn't end there.  I'm a fairly regular contributor over at Alternate History Weekly Update; and ever since my recent column,The Audio File, skyrocketed in popularity it seems that I'll be writing about audio magazines offering free alternate history, historical fantasy, time travel and all the various punks for the foreseeable future.  That might seem like a problem with regards to the maps and flags I make, but then I started this blog.  I also want to make it clear I'm not being forced to write about audio magazines, it's just how I feel that, for the moment, I can best contribute to the Update.  

So, I shall be posting my future maps for the Twilight Histories to this blog, as well as my own original maps and maps I have produced in the past.  I can't wait to post these maps, I might even post one tonight, and I hope you can't wait either.  Here's too good times, good maps, and good stories all around.  

And to Jordan Harbour and Matt Mitrovich, although I've probably told you both many times and many ways, thank you both for everything you've done for me and all the opportunities you've granted me.  I only know how to pay you back with even more maps and articles, and I can only hope it's enough.