Resources & Inspirations

While I wish I could say that the contents of Fate of Empire is a wholly original work of fiction, that would be a bald lie. of course there are many inspirations from many media which have left their mark on this work, and the deserve the recognition for having done so. For any omissions from this list I apologize.

Books

• Dreadnought (1991, Robert K. Massie) An engaging read from the twilight of the Victorian era through to the First World War, featuring the change from sail to steam-powered warships.
• The Flashman Papers (1969-2005, George MacDonald Fraser) The life and times of the most infamous cad and poltroon of a more civilized age, documented in a dozen novels by a master storyteller.
• Inside the Victorian Home (2004, Judith Flanders) An examination of the day to day in the lives of our Victorian ancestors, with more than a few eye-opening facts. This will not be the only time you will find this author in this list.
• The Invention of Murder (2011, Judith Flanders) The rise of the newspaper, lurid reporting and the first metropolitan police force combine to create a time of murder as entertainment. A fun read.
• Iron Kingdom: The Rise and Fall of Prussia 1600-1947 (2006, Christopher Clark) A dense, detailed look at one of the most dynamic (and catalytic) states in Europe, reaching its zenith under Chancellor Prince Bismarck.
• The Prisoner of Zenda (1894, Anthony Hope Hawkins) One of the greatest novels of its kind ever written, this book forms the basis for Royal Flash (one of the Flashman Papers, below), Castle Falkenstein (also below) and several movies by the same name.
• Rupert of Hentzau (1898, Anthony Hope Hawkins) The sequel to and equal of The Prisoner of Zenda, this book also marks the return of one of the most colorful villains in the genre. A must-read, if you can find it.
• The Tournament of Shadows (1999, Karl E. Meyer and Shareen Blair Brysac) A fascinating exploration of the intrigues and unimaginable hardships and triumphs in India and the Near East by the British and Russians.
• The Victorian City: Everyday Life in Dickens’ London (2012, Judith Flanders) Charles Dickens was, among other things, a meticulous student of his native London. This book takes us down its cobbled streets (as well as macadamed, paved, rutted or muddy) and illuminates the sights, sounds and bustles of an age long gone. And I did warn you about the author.

Cinema

• The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939) The classic Basil Rathbone as Holmes and Nigel Bruce as the somewhat bumbling Watson as they hunt Moriarty (George Zucco).
• The Great Race (1965) A comedy might seem to be an odd choice, but this Blake Edwards film spoofs The Prisoner of Zenda, has steampunk contraptions (you should see the Hannibal 8) and the villainous Professor Fate (Jack Lemmon) and his sidekick Max (Peter Falk). Great film!
• Murder by Decree (1979) Christopher Plummer and James Mason as Holmes and Watson hunt Jack the Ripper. Turns out to be a cover-up!
• Prisoner of Zenda (1952) A case of distant ancestry opens the door for politicsl and romantic intrigue, swashbuckling and honor. Stewart Granger is okay in the lead, but villain Rupert of Hentzau (James Mason) steals the show.
• Royal Flash! (1975) Malcom McDowell as the cowardly Sir Harry Flashman and Alan Bates as the urbanely evil Rudi von Starnberg in a comic tetelling of the classic Prisoner of Zenda as reimagined by the master storyteller George Macdonald Fraser. If that's not enough to intrigue you, how about Oliver Reed as Otto von Bismarck?
• Sherlock Holmes (2007) An eccentric, somewhat intoxicated Holmes as portrayed by Robert Downey Jr, with a long-suffering Watson by Jude Law. Entertaining, some excellent scenery.
• Time After Time (1979) Malcolm McDowell as H.G. Wells, chasing Jack the Ripper through time.
• The Young Victoria (2009) Emily Blunt as the young Queen to Rupert Friend’s brilliant Prince Albert.

Television

• Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (PBS, 1984-5) Jeremy Brett takes the lead as a colder, more cerebral Holmes. The series continued with The Return of Sherlock Holmes in the 1986-7 season. Great music.
• Blackadder’s Christmas Carol (1988, BBC) Rowan Atkinson’s brilliant turn as the kindly owner of a moustache shoppe.
• The Nevers (2021 - , HBO) Weird Victorian fantasy series with an excellent cast and great sets.
• Victoria (2016-2019, PBS) Jenna Coleman’s outstanding performance as the young Queen.

Tabletop Games

• Blades in the Dark (2017, John Harper) A dramatic departure from the games above, this one is set in a sort of post-apocalyptic Victorian city haunted by ghosts, in which the characters are members of a criminal gang. The game is based around making scores, building a reputation and avoiding awful consequences. One of the best of the lot.
• Castle Falkenstein (1994, R. Talsorian Games) A brilliant mix of fantasy novel and role playing game, Castle Falkenstein is in an alternate world where elves and dwarves mix with Steamtech, magic, secret societies, spies, romantic intrigue, mad scientists and much more. A classic.
• The Ministry Initiative (2014, Galileo Games Inc) A game built on the Fate Core engine — the basis for the Alternate Earth game — the Ministry Initiative is set in a world of agents of the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. It is an excellent take on the steampunk genre, and is based on novels which I really need to read.
• Victoriana 2nd Edition (2007, Cubicle 7 Entertainment) A worthy successor to Castle Falkenstein, it is like the latter with all the shine rubbed off. It is a much grittier, grimier and class-conscious version of the genre, with greater detail and depth. I recommend it as reading material, but Falkenstein is the better game.

Computer Games

• Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magic Obscura (2001 Troika Games) A single-player RPG set in a fantasy world in which the player must choose how to use the balance between the opposing forces of magic or steam-powered technology. A classic, albeit one showing its age.
• City of Steam: Arkadia (2011-2017 Mechanist Games) The only MMO on this list, CoS was a fun, colorful game of high fantasy coupled with crazy Steamtech. It was not at all uncommon to see gun-toting orcs with a flying machine battling it out with sword-wielding elves on steam-powered motorbikes.
• Dishonored (2012 Arkane Studios) The best game of its kind, and the inspiration for Blades in the Dark (above), Dishonored is a single-player game which takes place in a gritty fantasy city. After being framed for a grisly crime, the protagonist must break out of prison... but that is just the beginning. A rich story, brilliantly executed.
• The Order: 1886 (2015, Ready at Dawn) The only console game on this list, The Order is another single-player RPG in which the protagonist escapes from captivity before playing the bulk of the game as a flashback. The main characters are agents of the Round Table, fighting werewolves, vampires and other creatures through the streets of London. Fun game, but little replay value.

Contents

House Rules & Guidelines

• Aspect Ideas

Issues
Faces & Places
Skills
Stunts
Extras
Magic in Fate of Empire

• Hedge Magic
• Sorcery
• Hermetic Magic

Steampunk Technology
Mechanical Bits & Bobs

Disclaimer

These are the sources that provided me with inspiration. As the dates may imply, some of these books and movies may contain sexist, racist or homophobic content. Needless to say, these are a function of the culture in which they were created. There is no process by which they could be upgraded for modern audiences. They are cited here for their role in inspiring this game, not for the offensive content. Explore at your own risk.