The Incan Empire Alternity (Alternate History)

A World Apart: Traversing an Alternate Incan Empire
(Byline: Sally Swift, pen-ultimate draft)

An uncharted sky stretched out above me, its canvas pierced by constellations unfamiliar to our earthly gazes. Bright patterns of stars shaped like serpents, jaguars, and condors hinted at tales that had inspired countless generations beneath this firmament. Nestled in the embrace of valleys and mountains, stood an Incan Empire, diminished, but still very much alive in the year 1895.

Cusco, a jewel in the heart of this ageless empire, unfurled before me. A hubbbububub...hubbub of daily life throve...thrived on its stone-paved streets, bustling with people whose words filled the air in Quechua. The city's pulse was underscored by the Temple of the Sun, Quokanch... Qorikancha. Its walls, sheathed in beaten gold, mirrored the sun’s radiance.

Beneath this temple’s halo, the heartbeat of Incan life unfolded. The marketplace, a palette of earthen tones and vivid hues, buzzed with energy. Traders, clad in multicoloured tunics, exchanged sacks of maize,  quinoa, and the aromatic purple corn drink, chicha. Laughter and the clinking of coins punctuated their discourse.

However, the tranquillity of this world wasn't without its own undercurrents. Unease hung in the air, whispers of nobility grappling for power slithered through the city. Veiled threats echoed in hushed conversations, a simmering pot of ambition threatening to tip the delicate equilibrium of this timeless society.

From beyond the city's borders, tales of a tribe from the east, known for their horseback prowess and appetite for new lands, spread like wildfire. The drums of their horses’ hooves reverberated in the distance.

Nevertheless, through all these trials, the Incas displayed resilience. Their society, guided by principles of reciprocity and respect for the natural world, faced these challenges with a sense of shared responsibility. It was a delicate dance of balance and harmony that I had the privilege to witness, offering a peek into a complex tapestry of life in a world different from our own.

As I returned to the fulcrum of the Chrono-Zone, I carried with me an echo of a world apart — a remnant Incan Empire in the year 1895. It was a tableau of unity, reverence, and adversity; a testament to the complexities that define our shared human experience.

In our pursuit of the extraordinary, we may sometimes stumble upon reflections of our own humanity and threrin find the courage to view our world anew. Through this glimpse into an understudy Cusco, I was granted a glimpse into the loom of history, its tangled threads of 'maybes' and 'might-have-beens'.

Scenario: Cusco's Shadows: A Game of Sun and Serpents

Setting

Our tale is set in the vibrant city of Cusco in an alternate 1895, where the Incan Empire endures. Players are inhabitants of the city, dealing with daily life and political intrigue. The atmosphere is a mix of the familiar and the uncanny, with the fantastical painted with a brush of realism.

Objective

Players need to prevent an impending coup that threatens the delicate balance of power in the city, while dealing with the threat of an incoming tribe from the east, notorious for their horseback prowess and territorial ambitions.

Characters

Players can choose from a variety of roles, such as a savvy marketplace trader, a whispering noble, an adept priest, a city guard, or even an emissary from the eastern tribe, providing them with different perspectives and approaches to navigate the plot.

Adventure Outline

1. Rumblings of Change: The players, engaged in their usual routines, encounter the first signs of trouble. Traders notice unusual transactions, nobles hear whispers of alliances, and priests observe odd omens.

2. Hidden Ties: As the undercurrents of trouble increase, they are approached by a mysterious figure who reveals that a noble is planning to seize power using the eastern tribe as their muscle. The figure entrusts them with this knowledge because of their unique positions in the society.

3. The Gathering Storm: Players need to gather evidence of the conspiracy and recruit allies. This involves a mix of social encounters (persuading, threatening, bribing), exploration (searching for hidden documents, eavesdropping on conversations), and possibly combat (against the noble's henchmen or competing factions).

4. A Dance of Deception: The players must find a way to present their evidence to the current ruler without arousing the suspicion of the conspirators, possibly at a grand public event like a Sun Festival, where everyone is present.

5. The Serpent Strikes: As the truth is revealed, chaos ensues. The eastern tribe attacks prematurely, forcing the players and their allies to defend the city while trying to apprehend the conspiring noble. The final encounter should be a multi-tiered combat and skill challenge that tests the players' abilities to their limits.

6. Dawn's New Light: The resolution depends on the players' actions. Perhaps they manage to maintain the balance and unity of the city, becoming the heroes of Cusco. Or perhaps the city falls into new hands, setting up potential sequels.

This scenario is designed to cater to a range of player preferences, providing opportunities for combat, intrigue, diplomacy, and exploration. The unique setting and complex societal dynamics of the alternate Incan Empire should also offer an engaging backdrop for role-playing and world-building. Remember, the game master should always be flexible and ready to adapt the narrative to the players' actions and decisions.