Alright, I should say this one is partially inspired from Eternity's Reach, the previous foray into Dieselpunk. As a result, it shares some characters (mostly cause i hate thinking up new names), as well as previously seen real characters. The plot has changed, alot of the setting has as well. You could call it a rewrite, but since it isn't the same story, I don't think so.
In any case, here is a plot element you might like. Let me know what you think.
++ United Empire of America
Established following the American Revolution when George Washington took up the mantle of Emperor of the United States. The Empire is a sole autocratic society, founded around the power of the Emperor, a non-divine being, who was chosen to lead the country after the British Defeat.
The Emperor/Empress
The Emperor was originally appointed by popular acclaim by the Continental Congress. The steps for succession to the throne are simple. There are numerous great and noble houses throughout the Empire. To become a noble house, one only needs be recognized as one by majority consent of the other houses, or by Imperial Declaration from the Emperor. As such, less than fifteen have been raised since the Empire's founding in 1776 and even less than that from people who were associated with the Founders. The one who holds the title of Emperor designates an heir-apparent to the throne to ascend to the position following the death of the current autocrat. The heir-apparent becomes high-seat for their own house following the autocrat's death and an election held in the congress by the other high seats of the appropriate noble families ensues. The heir-apparent rules until the voting reaches a majority for one candidate. If the process takes longer than one year for a consensus to be met, the heir-apparent is elevated to the position of autocrat. Only high seats may be appointed to the position of Autocrat.
Once in place, the autocrat has full power over the country. They are generally assisted by other ranking nobles in the Congress, as well as the House of the Senate, a committee of appointed ministers and scholars to different government positions. Most positions are done by appointment via the Emperor, and any Emperor can remove one. Most of the Houses have rich histories in different studies and today are considered to have Hegemonies over their own appropriate fields. They generally seek alliances with other appropriate houses.
Houses (Major)
House Washington (Founding, war house)
House Jefferson(Founding, in disfavor currently, policy makers)
House Adams (Founding, reduced role, policy makers)
House Roosevelt (established 1900, dominant House, war house)
House Lincoln (Established 1860, very powerful, war house/policy makers)
Houses (Lesser)
House Hamilton (Founding, in control of Imperial Bank)
House Morris (Founding, policy making specialists)
House Madison (Founding, policy making specialists)
House Franklin (Founding, for a time the only Scientific House. Controls Nation's Universities, Libraries)
House Jay - (Founding, policy makers)
House Henry (Founding, House in control of the Sons of Liberty)
House Monroe (Founding, War House)
House von Steuban (Established 1790, Powerful house of war. Tacticians)
House Knox (Established 1790, war and finance house)
House Lafayette (Established 1790, war house)
House Marion (Established 1790, war house, specifically assassination and guerrilla warfare)
House Tesla (Established 1891 following victory in the War of the Currents. House Edison subsequently dissolved and incorporated into House Telsa. Science specialists in fields of advanced research)
House Jackson (Established 1815 following Battle of New Orleans, house of war)
House Rockefeller (Established 1885. Richest House excluding Emperors. Powerful economic and industrial forces)
House Du Pont (Established 1885, manufacturing juggernaut.)
House Alliances
Military
House Washington
House Roosevelt
House Knox
House Von Steuban
House Jackson
House Lafayette
House Marion
Politics
House Jefferson
House Lincoln
House Adams
House Morris
House Madison
House Jay
House Henry
House Monroe
Economics
House Du Pont
House Rockefeller
House Hamilton
Science
House Franklin
House Tesla
Line of Emperors
Emperor George I (George Washington)1781-1799 (death) - House Washington
Emperor John I (John Adams)1801-1826 (death) -House Adams
Emperor John II (John Quincy Adams)1826-1848 (death) - House Adams
Emperor George II (George Randolf)1848-1861 (dethroned and executed for precipitating a civil war)- House Jefferson
Emperor Abraham I (Abraham Lincoln) (assassinated (presumed by allies of House Jefferson)) 1861-1869 - House Lincoln
Emperor Robert I (Robert Todd Lincoln) (1869-1901) (abdicated, still alive) - House Lincoln
Emperor Theodore I (Theodore Roosevelt) (1901-current)(YOU CAN'T KILL THE BULL MOOSE) - House Roosevelt
Conquered Territories
Canada (Gained following War of 1812)
States
Quebec
Prince Edward Island
Ontario
Nova Scotia
Newfoundland
Rupertsland
British Columbia
Mexico (Gained after Mexican War)
Yucatan
Baja Peninsula (includes parts of California)
Sonora (includes parts of Texas and Arizona)
Central America (Gained after Mexican War and subsequent conquering of Central America)
Guatemala
El Salvatore
Nicaragua
Costa Rica
Honduras
Panama
Belize
Los Altos
