Inspirations

 Anachronisms: In an alternate Neo-Victorian world, one finds the uncanny blend of the old with the not-yet-known, teasing the edges of historical reality. Envision a setting where the comforting familiarity of gas lamps and horse-drawn carriages mingles with precursors to modern technology. Perhaps an early form of the fax machine, the pantelegraph, sits in the corner of an austere study, enabling a swift, though not instantaneous, communication over vast distances.

The introduction of such anachronisms lends an uncanny allure to the narrative, imbuing the past with a sense of whimsical futurity. Examples:

• The pantelegraph, predecessor to the fax machine, linking government offices across continents.
• Sir Charles Parsons' early experimental steam turbine, a vision of a more efficient industrial future.
• Alexander Bain's electric clock, the precursor to digital timekeeping, adorning mantelpieces.
• The Bain stereoscope, an early form of 3D viewer, delighting parlour guests with images of distant lands.
• Early experiments with wireless telegraphy, precursors to radio, instigating whispers of invisible communication.

Boheme: The bohemian spirit of the Victorian age was a brilliant and defiant splash of colour against the straight-laced monochrome of mainstream society. Artists, poets, and intellectuals who were part of this counterculture rejected societal norms, embracing instead the liberty of unconventional lifestyles and provocative ideologies. This presented a vibrant contrast to the rigidity of Victorian propriety, adding a layer of complexity and color to the social fabric. Examples:

• The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, with their flamboyant approach to art and life, challenging the prevailing art establishment.
• The Vorticist movement, attempting to redefine art and literature.
• George Sand, the notorious French author, with her unconventional lifestyle and dress.
• Algernon Charles Swinburne, the poet known for his decadent verse and scandalous private life.
• Émile Zola, with his contentious works critiquing French society.

Class Divide: The pervasive divide between the privileged few and the struggling masses presented a stark tableau of contrast during the Victorian era. While the elite basked in the glow of wealth and power, the working class laboured under grim conditions, with scant hope of upward mobility. This glaring inequality birthed tensions and instigated clashes, making the class divide a fruitful source of conflict and drama, a canvas broad and versatile enough to portray a multitude of narratives. Examples:

• The tumultuous relationship between factory owners and their labourers, exemplified in many a strike.
• The complex interactions between servant and master within grand households.
• The philanthropic initiatives of well-intentioned but often oblivious aristocrats.
• The contrast of living conditions in East End slums and West End mansions.
• The desperate but determined attempts of individuals striving for social mobility, such as aspiring entrepreneurs or governesses.

Demi-Monde: The demi-monde, the twilight realm occupied by those who skirted the edges of respectable society, provided ample fodder for gossip and scandal. This half-world was home to a melange of characters - courtesans, artists, and bohemians, each pursuing a life in contrast to the prim-and-proper Victorian norms. Their unconventional lives and intriguing perspectives offer a captivating glimpse into a side of the Victorian era less frequently illuminated. Examples:

• Lillie Langtry, the celebrated actress and society beauty who defied norms.
• The scandalous "Aesthetic" dress reform movement led by unconventional women.
• Charles Baudelaire's notorious, dissolute lifestyle and provocative works.
• The ambiguous allure of the French courtesan or "cocotte".
• Oscar Wilde and his flamboyant rebellion against conventional Victorian morality.

Espionage: The smoke-and-mirror world of espionage presented a thrilling tableau of suspense during the Victorian era. With the rise of international politics and industrial secrets, the age saw an increase in clandestine operations. Spies, secret codes, and covert missions injected an element of high-stakes tension and intrigue, adding a layer of shadowy danger and making it an appealing plot device for Neo-Victorian alternate history narratives. Examples:

• The Great Game, the strategic conflict between British and Russian empires for supremacy in Central Asia.
• Cryptographic advancements, like the Playfair cipher, used in diplomatic and military correspondence.
• Robert Baden-Powell's exploits in espionage during the Second Boer War.
• Mata Hari, the infamous exotic dancer and alleged spy.
• The covert operations of the British Secret Service Bureau, the precursor to modern MI6.

Large-Scale Engineering Projects: The spirit of the Victorian age found its grandest expression in audacious feats of engineering. The landscape was transformed, the horizon redrawn with towering marvels and sprawling networks, all testament to human innovation and ambition. Canals were dug, railways flung across continents, bridges suspended over vast chasms, and buildings erected to dizzying heights. The result: a spectacle of human achievement, changing not only the physical world but also the society inhabiting it. Examples:

• The construction of the Suez Canal, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea.
• Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Great Western Railway, stretching across the breadth of England.
• The building of the London Sewerage System, a remarkable feat of civil engineering.
• The creation of the Crystal Palace, a monument to Victorian innovation and design.
• The Brooklyn Bridge, uniting Manhattan and Brooklyn with a span that was an engineering marvel.

Parlor Games: Within the intimate confines of the Victorian parlour, social interactions were carefully choreographed through a variety of amusements. Parlor games, ranging from the intellectual to the physical, served various roles: they were ice-breakers, avenues for gentle competition, and often, cloaked opportunities for serious discussions. Amid the laughter and teasing, alliances could be formed, secrets exchanged, and relationships advanced. Examples:

• Charades, a game that promoted creativity and theatrical flair.
• The séance, a popular activity bordering on the eerie and spiritual.
• Whist, a card game requiring strategy and keen observation.
• Blind Man's Bluff, a physical game encouraging light-hearted mischief.
• The Conversation Game, designed to prompt discussion on a range of subjects.

Penny Dreadfuls: The streets of Victorian London buzzed with the lurid tales spun by the penny dreadfuls. These cheap, sensational publications reveled in stories of crime, adventure, and the supernatural, captivating the imagination of the populace. Their inclusion in a Neo-Victorian setting provides a rich vein of inspiration for suspenseful plots and larger-than-life characters. Examples:

• "Varney the Vampire," a tale that fed the public's fascination with the supernatural.
• "The Mysteries of London," revealing the dark underbelly of the city.
• "Black Bess or The Knight of the Road," chronicling the exploits of highwayman Dick Turpin.
• "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," a chilling tale of murder and depravity.
• "Spring-Heeled Jack," featuring the eponymous and infamous supernatural character.

Piracy: The lure of the lawless life, the romance of the high seas, or perhaps even the sky-high adventure, offers a tantalizing escapade from the confines of conventional society. Pirates, with their irresistible blend of danger and freedom, bring excitement and unpredictability to any narrative. Whether it's a hunt for treasure, epic ship or airship battles, or the mercurial alliances of freebooters, the theme of piracy promises adventure and high stakes in abundance. Examples:

• Captain Kidd, a notorious figure whose pirate life was shrouded in controversy.
• The exploits of Jean Lafitte, who straddled the fine line between pirate and privateer.
• Bartholomew Roberts, better known as Black Bart, the most successful pirate of the Golden Age.
• Fanny Campbell, the female pirate captain who defied societal expectations.
• Cheng I Sao, the Pirate Queen who commanded hundreds of ships in the South China Sea.

Revolution: The restless spirit of revolution was the catalyst for dramatic change throughout the 19th century. The call for political, social, or economic transformation ignited conflicts, challenged societal norms, and tested personal loyalties. Incorporating such turbulent periods can introduce sweeping drama and profound questions about morality, justice, and the human capacity for change. Examples:

• The French Revolution of 1848, which briefly established the Second French Republic.
• The Revolutions of 1848, a series of republican revolts against European monarchies.
• The Meiji Restoration in Japan, marking the end of the feudal shogunate.
• The Taiping Rebellion in China, one of the deadliest conflicts in history.
• The European anarchist movements, advocating for radical societal change.

Streetlife: The ebb and flow of life on the city streets offer an effervescent backdrop for any narrative. This intricate tapestry of encounters, observations, and everyday transactions can reveal a host of potential allies, rivals, and secrets. The vibrant streetlife, with its variegated mix of characters and happenings, captures the essence of urban living, and serves as a rich setting for diverse storylines. Examples:

• The bustling marketplace, a hub of trade, gossip, and chance encounters.
• The darkened alleyways, hiding nefarious activities and secretive rendezvous.
• The lively taverns, fostering friendships, rivalries, and spontaneous revelries.
• The crowded boarding houses, encapsulating a microcosm of the city's population.
• The omnipresent street urchins, embodying the gritty reality of urban survival.