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THRON ÜBER
!BACKGROUND
Imagine a world where WWI wasn't won by the Triple Entente (France, Britain), but by Germany and their allies. Half of France is under German rule now. Britain stands as a bastion against further advances and treaties have been signed to stop the fighting, but the world order has nevertheless been forever changed.
Everything north of Paris and up till the Danish border is German-occupied or Germanized territory, meaning that the Benelux countries have been German for almost 100 years and the Eastern block, likewise. German is the only language permitted to be spoken outside of diplomatic context, though regional dialects are allowed, thus the German spoken in the former Netherlands isn't the same as the one spoken in Berlin, for example. Resistance groups are active, especially in the border territories, like the old Southern Jutland and formerly Northern France.
A century after the Great War ended, technology has slowly developed to resemble ours in the 90's in some ways, whereas in others development was stalled without the progress that WWII birthed, in regards to the Internet and other cryptotechnological areas. Think that techonological progress in this world can range from the 60's at its slowest to 90's at its fastest.
What remains is how Germany is now the world's #1 super power. Largest army in the world, largest territory (there are overseas colonies, too) and most diverse inhabitants. Although there are treaties and deals in place to avoid more fighting, war is a constant reality of the empire.
This is the setting.
Everything north of Paris and up till the Danish border is German-occupied or Germanized territory, meaning that the Benelux countries have been German for almost 100 years and the Eastern block, likewise. German is the only language permitted to be spoken outside of diplomatic context, though regional dialects are allowed, thus the German spoken in the former Netherlands isn't the same as the one spoken in Berlin, for example. Resistance groups are active, especially in the border territories, like the old Southern Jutland and formerly Northern France.
A century after the Great War ended, technology has slowly developed to resemble ours in the 90's in some ways, whereas in others development was stalled without the progress that WWII birthed, in regards to the Internet and other cryptotechnological areas. Think that techonological progress in this world can range from the 60's at its slowest to 90's at its fastest.
What remains is how Germany is now the world's #1 super power. Largest army in the world, largest territory (there are overseas colonies, too) and most diverse inhabitants. Although there are treaties and deals in place to avoid more fighting, war is a constant reality of the empire.
This is the setting.
THE STATE OF THE WORLD
- Fashion is much more conservative and subdued than what we know today, resembling the fashions of the 40's and 50's.
- Christianity is in, loose moral is out. Although Germany is largely Catholic, the northern border territories especially are home to a devout Protestant community based around the Danish minority.
- The Great Depression did strike in both USA and the losing side (Britain, Scandinavia and southern Europe) and struck hard, while Germany and its allies got out on the other side less battered than the rest.
- Contraband and illegal import flourish, though Germany strikes down hard on people doing it, if they're caught. Marcel's business is mainly import of illegal alcohol, cigarettes as well as weapons that he provides the various resistance groups around the country with.
- Germany is still figureheaded by an Emperor, while Parliament (House of Commoners and House of Lords) makes the actual decisions for the country, led by a Chancellor. You have to have been German for a certain amount of generations back to work in politics.
- Women's and minority rights are virtually non-existent in the German empire. Women, unless they're working class, are expected to get married and have children, taking care of the house while their husband works.
- Seeing as Scandinavia especially, but also other "enemy" countries, have begun legalizing homosexuality, it's not only frowned upon in Germany, but getting caught doing "homosexual acts" will land you in prison for at least 30 days.
- Christianity is in, loose moral is out. Although Germany is largely Catholic, the northern border territories especially are home to a devout Protestant community based around the Danish minority.
- The Great Depression did strike in both USA and the losing side (Britain, Scandinavia and southern Europe) and struck hard, while Germany and its allies got out on the other side less battered than the rest.
- Contraband and illegal import flourish, though Germany strikes down hard on people doing it, if they're caught. Marcel's business is mainly import of illegal alcohol, cigarettes as well as weapons that he provides the various resistance groups around the country with.
- Germany is still figureheaded by an Emperor, while Parliament (House of Commoners and House of Lords) makes the actual decisions for the country, led by a Chancellor. You have to have been German for a certain amount of generations back to work in politics.
- Women's and minority rights are virtually non-existent in the German empire. Women, unless they're working class, are expected to get married and have children, taking care of the house while their husband works.
- Seeing as Scandinavia especially, but also other "enemy" countries, have begun legalizing homosexuality, it's not only frowned upon in Germany, but getting caught doing "homosexual acts" will land you in prison for at least 30 days.
BASICS
Married to Lieschen for 11 years, with whom he has three children (Walter and Jürgen, 10, as well as Christina, 6), Marcel runs an inn in the Noord area of Amsterdam harbor. The inn has been on Krüger hands for almost a century and was maintained by Marcel's father until his death when Marcel was four and after that, by his mother until she died when he was seventeen. Marcel would inherit the inn and proceed to use it as a front while leading an extensive crime business in the shadows. He's a gangster and everyone knows it, except they lack either the proof or the courage to take him down, if not both. 32 years old, he looks about a decade older than he is. Just like the inn, his marriage is a convenient facade, while he's actually mainly attracted to men and has a secret relationship to this one.
no subject
- It was while studying at culinary school that he met her, since she worked there as a trainee waitress.
- His cover name when working in the illegal import industry is King.