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Jun. 29th, 2024 12:29 amRED WEST
Welcome to Sunrise, Sundown, and Stakes—an original, alternate history set in the Old West of the late 1800s, where the Wild States and Territories are a melting pot of history, mythology, and supernatural horror. In this thrilling re-imagining of the American frontier, the familiar fades into the extraordinary as the paranormal lurks around every corner, often hiding in plain sight.
SETTING
The majority of the story unfolds in the American South in the expansive fictional state of Brimstone, a land brimming with rich history and diverse culture. Born from the cultural fusion that emerged along the shared borders, Brimstone draws inspiration from its neighboring regions to create a unique and vibrant identity that sets it apart from Texas and New Mexico, yet still bears their distinct influences.
Spanning a landmass roughly the combined size of Texas and New Mexico, Brimstone is divided into two distinct counties: Caine and Crow.
Caine County, named after the influential Caine family of cattle barons, exudes an air of opulence and prosperity. The Caines' vision and ambition have transformed Brandsville, the county seat, into the largest city in the West—a bustling metropolis where New Mexican flair meets Texan grit. The county's landscape is dotted with sprawling ranches, while its towns teem with vibrant activity and innovation, making Caine County an exemplar of progress and wealth in Brimstone.
In contrast, Crow County embodies the rugged spirit of the Southern frontier. Drawing heavily from Texas' rustic charm and unyielding character, Crow is home to resilient, hardworking folks who thrive amidst harsh landscapes and scarce resources. The untamed beauty of the county's rolling plains, dusty landscapes, sun-bleached prairies, and treacherous canyons belies a proud community steeped in tradition, bound by an unwavering determination to carve out a life in the untamed West.
HISTORICAL DIVERGENCES AND WORLD HISTORY
In this alternate history, the world is home to both humans, half-vampires, and vampires. The presence of these supernatural beings has led to subtle but significant changes in the course of human history.
EL LIBRO DE SANGRE
The Book of Blood, a fabled manuscript cloaked in mystery, has long been the object of relentless pursuit by vampires who believe it contains the key to lifting their solar affliction. The book's origins remain shrouded in enigma—its author unknown, its whereabouts lost to the sands of time. Even the genesis of the vampiric curse remains a matter of conjecture, with whispers linking it to the church and its secrets. Legend has it that a clandestine sect of Spanish priests, descendants of the original guardians, persists to this day. These devoted souls are rumored to be the sole protectors of the Book of Blood, tasked with safeguarding its contents at any cost. Only they may hold the knowledge of the book's current location, zealously hidden from those who seek to harness its power.
SUNDOWN AND MOONRISE
Vampires have plagued the lands of Native American tribes since ancient times. Known to the Navajo as "Jóhonaa'éí NíΕtsΔ Μ NíΕch'i Ts'ídii", these undead creatures were cursed with vulnerability to sunlight. Native Americans became some of the first and most skilled vampire hunters, developing techniques to combat these pale-skinned predators. Yet, as the ages passed and the memory of these nightmarish beasts began to fade, their exploits became legends shared around campfires, with only the wisest elders still privy to the truth hidden within these fables.
THE AGE OF EXPLORATION
During the Age of Exploration, the animosity between Native Americans and European settlers was intensified by the return of vampires. Weary of skulking in the shadows and subsisting on meagre fare after being bested by the tribesmen, the vampires shrewdly manipulated the burgeoning conflict to their advantage.
Harboring grand ambitions of reclaiming their place in the world, the vampires aimed to leverage the turmoil and escalating tensions as a means to solidify their foothold in human society. Select individuals were chosen and turned, strengthening the vampires' ranks while their existence remained a secret. This calculated strategy not only allowed them to sow fear and suspicion among their enemies, but also offered the promise of one day emerging from the darkness to assert their dominance as the superior species.
After all, everyone knows: "The strength of the vampire is that no one will believe in him."
TRAILBLAZING
By the late 1600s, pioneers establish the first settlements and trading posts in Brimstone, driven by bravery, hope, or greed, seeking to tame the wild frontier.
In the annals of the fictional state of Brimstone, the first non-Native settlement that would eventually evolve into a town was Coyote Canyon. This frontier outpost was established in 1685 by an unlikely partnership between British explorer Captain Archibald Crof and Mexican adventurer Rufino "Wily" Ríos. Situated near the border of what would later become Texas, this nascent colony marked the onset of European encroachment into the region.
Despite the founders' ambitious vision, Coyote Canyon was beset by relentless adversity, including incessant attacks from Native American tribes, strange epidemics, and unforgiving environmental conditions. These trials proved insurmountable, ultimately resulting in the settlement's abandonment in 1688.
Yet, the spirit of Coyote Canyon refused to be extinguished. Over a century later, the town experienced a resurgence as a bustling mining community. However, this newfound prosperity was tragically short-lived, as the same mysterious epidemic that had decimated its original inhabitants reared its head once more. The mysterious affliction left the townsfolk exsanguinated, and Coyote Canyon was, once again, forsaken, becoming a haunting reminder of the region's tumultuous past.
THE CURSE OF CAINE COUNTY
Caine County was founded in 1720 by Carnicero Caine, a formidable Spainard who carved out an empire through blood, sweat, and tears—though never his own—branding the land with the Mark of Caine. Carnicero, whose name translates to "Butcher," created a booming cattle business circa 1730 and transformed his image into that of Spanish nobility. However, his true legacy was far darker, built on the suffering and exploitation of others, a tradition that every Caine descendant would continue. This transformation was not merely superficial; it represented a deliberate attempt to rewrite the bloody annals of the Caine family. By presenting himself as a legitimate businessman, Carnicero aimed to erase the memories of his past deeds, which involved building an empire built on bones—animal and human alike.
The Caine family's ascent was also marked by strategic alliances and ambitious expansions with Carnicero's descendants forging crucial partnerships with influential families that shaped the frontier's destiny. Among them were the the Pennyworths, bankers from London, and money launderers, who became indispensable partners, concealing and multiplying the Caines' wealth, while the Jamesons, visionary railroad tycoons, revolutionized transportation, first with an animal-powered wagonways and later by spearheading steam-powered locomotive development and establishing railroads that would span far and wide.
The Alders of Pair-A-Dice, a bustling town, later transformed into a city, built around the burgeoning gambling and entertainment industry would also become integral. This partnership capitalized on the vices and indulgences of the era, fueling the coffers of both families through the allure of chance and spectacle.
The Caines also found a valuable ally in the illustrious Leverton family, renowned gunsmiths who provided weaponry for the Caines and their criminal associates. The Leverton's expertise in firearms ensured that the Caines had a steady supply of high-quality arms, while their foes were often supplied with inferior, malfunctioning weapons—a cunning strategy that maintained the Caines' control over their adversaries. The Leverton family's influence extended far and wide, their gunsmithing empire boasting shops in every major city across the West. This alliance not only solidified the Caines' grip on power but also contributed to the Leverton's burgeoning reputation as the most influential gunsmiths in the region.
To secure their place among the elite, the Caines orchestrated advantageous marriages with English aristocracy, most notably the Brewsters. These unions not only enhanced their social standing but also brought substantial wealth and influence from across the Atlantic. With the combined resources of the Alder, Brewster, Caine, Jameson, Leverton, and Pennyworth families, they laid the foundation for Brandsville—a city that beckoned with promises of luxury and sophistication.
In 1745, Brandsville had emerged as a glittering beacon of opulence in Brimstone. Ostensibly a haven of refinement and class, it masked a darker reality beneath its polished façade. The cattle town turned city thrived on a relentless cycle of gambling, entertainment, and excess, drawing the rich, powerful, and morally flexible from all corners of the frontier.
Within Brandsville's labyrinth of opulent streets and lavish establishments, housing 10,000 citizens and 250 buildings, the Caine empire and its collaborators wielded immense power and influence. Here, fortunes were made and lost in high-stakes games of chance, and alliances were forged and broken in pursuit of dominance. Brandsville epitomized the ambition and ruthlessness of the frontier elite, a testament to the Caine family's vision and their unyielding pursuit of wealth and supremacy.
RAILROAD CREATION AND EXPANSION
In the wake of the Caines family's grisly demise in 1770, Brimstone was left with a power vacuum that many sought to fill. However, it was the Jamesons who ultimately rose to prominence and established themselves as the primary power in the region.
As visionary railroad tycoons, the Jamesons built an extensive network of railroads that originated in Brimstone and gradually spread across the nation. This vast infrastructure transformed trade and transportation throughout the region, facilitating unprecedented growth and prosperity.
Officially beginning in 1827, the Jamesons' ascent to power coincided with the early days of steam-powered locomotive development. By capitalizing on this burgeoning industry before it reached its peak, they cemented their status as a dominant force in shaping Brimstone's economic landscape for decades to come.
The Cartridges, a formidable family of gunsmiths who own the Cartridge Company, also allied themselves with the Jamesons, fiercely defending the rail lines with their skilled gunfighters. In the Jamesons' ruthless pursuit of railroad expansion, the Cartridges were known to dispense leaden justice upon settlements that refused to sell their land, leaving a trail of fear and submission in their wake. Meanwhile, the Goldfinches, an ambitious clan of prospectors, struck it rich in Glitter Gulch and leveraged their newfound wealth to establish a thriving mining company. They aggressively expanded their influence by buying out rival mines and consolidating their power throughout the Southwest. Not to be overlooked are the Rawhides—a newly risen cattle baron dynasty led by Bovine Bill, a rancher and rustler of ill repute.
OTHER
In an alternate timeline where the British colonies achieve statehood in 1700, the social, economic, and political landscape of the Southern states rapidly evolves. The newly formed states invest heavily in infrastructure, education, and commerce, fostering a prosperous environment that leads to the emergence of the Southern Belle archetype as early as 1735. These women, emblematic of Southern gentility and charm, play influential roles in society while promoting fairness and collaboration.
The transition to statehood and the growing autonomy of the Southern states also pave the way for the peaceful abolition of slavery. As the economy diversifies and becomes less reliant on forced labor, tensions between different racial groups gradually diminish. However, this newfound harmony is soon threatened by a hidden menace: vampires seeking to exploit lingering racial divisions as a cover for their nefarious agenda.
In these secret wars against the vampires ensuing in some Southern states, unlikely alliances are forged between people of different races, including black and white Southerners. United by their shared humanity and the common goal of defeating the vampire threat, they set aside their differences and work together in close collaboration. These alliances transcend the social boundaries of the time, demonstrating that, in the face of a greater enemy, people can come together and overcome societal divisions.
Although these battles against the supernatural remain largely hidden from the general populace of the American Southwest and beyond, they eventually become woven into local folklore and ghost stories. Over time, the truth of these historical conflicts fades from public memory. However, some detailed records of these events have been preserved and passed down through generations, proving invaluable to those who find themselves confronting similar creatures in the future, including legacy vampire hunters and other unfortunate souls plagued by the creatures.
THE CHURCH OF BLOOD
The Crimson Congregation, also known as the Church of Blood, is a clandestine cult steeped in ancient rituals and dark worship, centered around the veneration of vampires as divine beings. Founded centuries ago by Isaak Blud, an immortal vampire with a seductive charisma, the cult thrives preying upon the lost and lonely, promising power, wealth, and eternal life in exchange for unwavering devotion and sacrificial offerings.
Members of the Crimson Congregation are drawn into its fold through promises of spiritual fulfillment and the allure of supernatural gifts. They are indoctrinated with fervent beliefs in the benevolence and superiority of vampires, whom they see as saviors capable of granting them immortality and divine favor. The cult's creed, "The blood is the life. We bleed for those we love the most," serves as both a mantra of devotion and a chilling reminder of their sacrificial duties.
Female members of the Crimson Congregation known as Night Sisters are indoctrinated into roles of feeding their life's ichor to gluttonous vampires, believing this act to be a sacred offering that strengthens their bond with their supposed divine masters. They are taught that through this sacrifice, they can secure eternal favor and protection for themselves and their loved ones, perpetuating a cycle of servitude and blind faith.
On the other hand, male members known as Night Brothers fulfill their duties as day drivers, tasked with transporting coffins containing slumbering vampires by wagons during daylight hours. This role symbolizes their role as protectors and caretakers of the cult's supernatural benefactors, ensuring their safety and secrecy from the light of day.
Unbeknownst to its followers, the cult's promises are false and its practices deeply sinister. Isaak and his inner circle exploit the vulnerabilities of their adherents, manipulating their faith and trust to further their own agendas of domination and bloodlust. Rituals within the Church of Blood involve grisly sacrifices and ceremonies designed to appease the vampires they worship, believing these acts will bring them closer to transcendence and supernatural blessings.
The cult's recruitment strategy revolves around exploiting the emotional and psychological vulnerabilities of potential members, offering them a sense of purpose and belonging that is often lacking in their lives. It operates under a shroud of secrecy, with rituals conducted in hidden sanctuaries and remote locations to evade scrutiny. Its hierarchy is structured around Isaak's leadership, wielding his centuries-old wisdom and persuasive charm to maintain control over his followers. Members, such as Jonah Micah King and Faith Seed, play crucial roles in recruiting and indoctrinating new adherents, perpetuating the cycle of devotion and deception.
Behind the façade of spiritual enlightenment and supernatural promises lies a darker truth—the Church of Blood thrives on the exploitation and subjugation of its members, feeding off their devotion and loyalty to perpetuate its rituals of bloodshed and sacrilege. As the cult expands its influence, so too does its grip on the hearts and minds of those who seek solace in its twisted version of salvation, ensnaring them in a cycle of darkness from which escape seems impossible.
As the cult's influence spreads, so too does its insidious grasp on the hearts and minds of those who seek salvation in the darkness of the Crimson Congregation.
ABSENCE OF RAPID INDUSTRIALIZATION
Unlike real-world America, this alternate history does not experience rapid industrialization or modernization. Society remains deeply rooted in the ways of the Wild West, where justice is often delivered through gunfights, and the line between outlaws and lawmen is blurred.
PRECEDING REPUTATIONS
Among the most notorious vampires that inhabit the realm of Red West are the vampire siblings Credence the Cursed and Mordecai the Malevolent; the enigmatic leader of the Church of Blood, Isaak Blud; half-brother Carlos Emanuel Caine and half- sister Ethel Constance Evelyn Caine. The formidable Gallowwalkers, a hexad of cold-blooded outlaws hanged in 1666, have also cemented their place in infamy, along with the Duskriders—a trio of yokel brothers named Cletus, Hoyt, and Rusty, who embody the sinister undertones of the rural countryside. Additionally, Atticus Underwood stands apart as the lone survivor of the ill-fated Roanoke colony.
THE BLOOD MOON MASSACRE
In 1884, under the eerie light of a Blood Moon, which occurs once every 500 years, the small frontier town of Red River, Brimstone, experienced a horrific event. A vampiric horde led by two Night Lords, master vampire brothers Mordecai the Malevolent and Credence the Cursed, descended upon the town. Protected by the lunar eclipse, they slaughtered and drained the entire population. Only a handful of survivors escaped by foot, horseback, or a passing train. These survivors, scarred but determined, returned a year later for an epic showdown to reclaim their town from the undead.
VAMPIRE LORE
Vampires are undead humans who feed on the blood of the living and possess the ability to transform others into vampires. They are immortal beings created through a blood exchange by another full-fledged vampire. Victims of vampire attacks do not turn unless they consume the sire's blood when near death; otherwise, they perish if drained completely.
New vampires begin as half-vampires until they consume human blood to complete their transition, remaining half-vampires indefinitely without it.
Their strengths include echolocation, immortality, razor-sharp nails and fangs, and the ability to shapeshift into vampire bats. They possess supernatural agility, durability, reflexes, regeneration, heightened senses, and strength. However, vampires have weaknesses too, including decapitation, desiccation without fresh blood, fire, garlic, inability to cast a reflection, susceptibility to religious objects and blessed water, need for invitation into private spaces, sunlight, wooden bullets, and stakes.
Night Lords, over five hundred years old, also known as master vampires, develop additional abilities like creating psychic links with fledglings, enabling communication and emotional connection across distances, and occasionally allowing vision through their fledglings' eyes.
During daylight hours, vampires sleep in dark places like underground, caves, or coffins, often hanging upside down like bats if unrestricted. They can consume alcohol, food, and water, but these do not sustain them; vampires require fresh blood, either animal or human.
Half-vampires, who can move freely in daylight, suffer energy depletion, eye discomfort, and skin sensitivity. They lack bat transformation and must consume human blood to complete the full-fledged transition, being notably weaker than full vampires.
Legends speak of a cure for vampirism: the vampire must kill their sire before feeding, though this remains untested in practice.
VERSES
The Curse of Caine County for the past and The Town That Dreaded Sundown for the present.
Welcome to Sunrise, Sundown, and Stakes—an original, alternate history set in the Old West of the late 1800s, where the Wild States and Territories are a melting pot of history, mythology, and supernatural horror. In this thrilling re-imagining of the American frontier, the familiar fades into the extraordinary as the paranormal lurks around every corner, often hiding in plain sight.
SETTING
The majority of the story unfolds in the American South in the expansive fictional state of Brimstone, a land brimming with rich history and diverse culture. Born from the cultural fusion that emerged along the shared borders, Brimstone draws inspiration from its neighboring regions to create a unique and vibrant identity that sets it apart from Texas and New Mexico, yet still bears their distinct influences.
Spanning a landmass roughly the combined size of Texas and New Mexico, Brimstone is divided into two distinct counties: Caine and Crow.
Caine County, named after the influential Caine family of cattle barons, exudes an air of opulence and prosperity. The Caines' vision and ambition have transformed Brandsville, the county seat, into the largest city in the West—a bustling metropolis where New Mexican flair meets Texan grit. The county's landscape is dotted with sprawling ranches, while its towns teem with vibrant activity and innovation, making Caine County an exemplar of progress and wealth in Brimstone.
In contrast, Crow County embodies the rugged spirit of the Southern frontier. Drawing heavily from Texas' rustic charm and unyielding character, Crow is home to resilient, hardworking folks who thrive amidst harsh landscapes and scarce resources. The untamed beauty of the county's rolling plains, dusty landscapes, sun-bleached prairies, and treacherous canyons belies a proud community steeped in tradition, bound by an unwavering determination to carve out a life in the untamed West.
HISTORICAL DIVERGENCES AND WORLD HISTORY
In this alternate history, the world is home to both humans, half-vampires, and vampires. The presence of these supernatural beings has led to subtle but significant changes in the course of human history.
EL LIBRO DE SANGRE
The Book of Blood, a fabled manuscript cloaked in mystery, has long been the object of relentless pursuit by vampires who believe it contains the key to lifting their solar affliction. The book's origins remain shrouded in enigma—its author unknown, its whereabouts lost to the sands of time. Even the genesis of the vampiric curse remains a matter of conjecture, with whispers linking it to the church and its secrets. Legend has it that a clandestine sect of Spanish priests, descendants of the original guardians, persists to this day. These devoted souls are rumored to be the sole protectors of the Book of Blood, tasked with safeguarding its contents at any cost. Only they may hold the knowledge of the book's current location, zealously hidden from those who seek to harness its power.
SUNDOWN AND MOONRISE
Vampires have plagued the lands of Native American tribes since ancient times. Known to the Navajo as "Jóhonaa'éí NíΕtsΔ Μ NíΕch'i Ts'ídii", these undead creatures were cursed with vulnerability to sunlight. Native Americans became some of the first and most skilled vampire hunters, developing techniques to combat these pale-skinned predators. Yet, as the ages passed and the memory of these nightmarish beasts began to fade, their exploits became legends shared around campfires, with only the wisest elders still privy to the truth hidden within these fables.
THE AGE OF EXPLORATION
During the Age of Exploration, the animosity between Native Americans and European settlers was intensified by the return of vampires. Weary of skulking in the shadows and subsisting on meagre fare after being bested by the tribesmen, the vampires shrewdly manipulated the burgeoning conflict to their advantage.
Harboring grand ambitions of reclaiming their place in the world, the vampires aimed to leverage the turmoil and escalating tensions as a means to solidify their foothold in human society. Select individuals were chosen and turned, strengthening the vampires' ranks while their existence remained a secret. This calculated strategy not only allowed them to sow fear and suspicion among their enemies, but also offered the promise of one day emerging from the darkness to assert their dominance as the superior species.
After all, everyone knows: "The strength of the vampire is that no one will believe in him."
TRAILBLAZING
By the late 1600s, pioneers establish the first settlements and trading posts in Brimstone, driven by bravery, hope, or greed, seeking to tame the wild frontier.
In the annals of the fictional state of Brimstone, the first non-Native settlement that would eventually evolve into a town was Coyote Canyon. This frontier outpost was established in 1685 by an unlikely partnership between British explorer Captain Archibald Crof and Mexican adventurer Rufino "Wily" Ríos. Situated near the border of what would later become Texas, this nascent colony marked the onset of European encroachment into the region.
Despite the founders' ambitious vision, Coyote Canyon was beset by relentless adversity, including incessant attacks from Native American tribes, strange epidemics, and unforgiving environmental conditions. These trials proved insurmountable, ultimately resulting in the settlement's abandonment in 1688.
Yet, the spirit of Coyote Canyon refused to be extinguished. Over a century later, the town experienced a resurgence as a bustling mining community. However, this newfound prosperity was tragically short-lived, as the same mysterious epidemic that had decimated its original inhabitants reared its head once more. The mysterious affliction left the townsfolk exsanguinated, and Coyote Canyon was, once again, forsaken, becoming a haunting reminder of the region's tumultuous past.
THE CURSE OF CAINE COUNTY
Caine County was founded in 1720 by Carnicero Caine, a formidable Spainard who carved out an empire through blood, sweat, and tears—though never his own—branding the land with the Mark of Caine. Carnicero, whose name translates to "Butcher," created a booming cattle business circa 1730 and transformed his image into that of Spanish nobility. However, his true legacy was far darker, built on the suffering and exploitation of others, a tradition that every Caine descendant would continue. This transformation was not merely superficial; it represented a deliberate attempt to rewrite the bloody annals of the Caine family. By presenting himself as a legitimate businessman, Carnicero aimed to erase the memories of his past deeds, which involved building an empire built on bones—animal and human alike.
The Caine family's ascent was also marked by strategic alliances and ambitious expansions with Carnicero's descendants forging crucial partnerships with influential families that shaped the frontier's destiny. Among them were the the Pennyworths, bankers from London, and money launderers, who became indispensable partners, concealing and multiplying the Caines' wealth, while the Jamesons, visionary railroad tycoons, revolutionized transportation, first with an animal-powered wagonways and later by spearheading steam-powered locomotive development and establishing railroads that would span far and wide.
The Alders of Pair-A-Dice, a bustling town, later transformed into a city, built around the burgeoning gambling and entertainment industry would also become integral. This partnership capitalized on the vices and indulgences of the era, fueling the coffers of both families through the allure of chance and spectacle.
The Caines also found a valuable ally in the illustrious Leverton family, renowned gunsmiths who provided weaponry for the Caines and their criminal associates. The Leverton's expertise in firearms ensured that the Caines had a steady supply of high-quality arms, while their foes were often supplied with inferior, malfunctioning weapons—a cunning strategy that maintained the Caines' control over their adversaries. The Leverton family's influence extended far and wide, their gunsmithing empire boasting shops in every major city across the West. This alliance not only solidified the Caines' grip on power but also contributed to the Leverton's burgeoning reputation as the most influential gunsmiths in the region.
To secure their place among the elite, the Caines orchestrated advantageous marriages with English aristocracy, most notably the Brewsters. These unions not only enhanced their social standing but also brought substantial wealth and influence from across the Atlantic. With the combined resources of the Alder, Brewster, Caine, Jameson, Leverton, and Pennyworth families, they laid the foundation for Brandsville—a city that beckoned with promises of luxury and sophistication.
In 1745, Brandsville had emerged as a glittering beacon of opulence in Brimstone. Ostensibly a haven of refinement and class, it masked a darker reality beneath its polished façade. The cattle town turned city thrived on a relentless cycle of gambling, entertainment, and excess, drawing the rich, powerful, and morally flexible from all corners of the frontier.
Within Brandsville's labyrinth of opulent streets and lavish establishments, housing 10,000 citizens and 250 buildings, the Caine empire and its collaborators wielded immense power and influence. Here, fortunes were made and lost in high-stakes games of chance, and alliances were forged and broken in pursuit of dominance. Brandsville epitomized the ambition and ruthlessness of the frontier elite, a testament to the Caine family's vision and their unyielding pursuit of wealth and supremacy.
RAILROAD CREATION AND EXPANSION
In the wake of the Caines family's grisly demise in 1770, Brimstone was left with a power vacuum that many sought to fill. However, it was the Jamesons who ultimately rose to prominence and established themselves as the primary power in the region.
As visionary railroad tycoons, the Jamesons built an extensive network of railroads that originated in Brimstone and gradually spread across the nation. This vast infrastructure transformed trade and transportation throughout the region, facilitating unprecedented growth and prosperity.
Officially beginning in 1827, the Jamesons' ascent to power coincided with the early days of steam-powered locomotive development. By capitalizing on this burgeoning industry before it reached its peak, they cemented their status as a dominant force in shaping Brimstone's economic landscape for decades to come.
The Cartridges, a formidable family of gunsmiths who own the Cartridge Company, also allied themselves with the Jamesons, fiercely defending the rail lines with their skilled gunfighters. In the Jamesons' ruthless pursuit of railroad expansion, the Cartridges were known to dispense leaden justice upon settlements that refused to sell their land, leaving a trail of fear and submission in their wake. Meanwhile, the Goldfinches, an ambitious clan of prospectors, struck it rich in Glitter Gulch and leveraged their newfound wealth to establish a thriving mining company. They aggressively expanded their influence by buying out rival mines and consolidating their power throughout the Southwest. Not to be overlooked are the Rawhides—a newly risen cattle baron dynasty led by Bovine Bill, a rancher and rustler of ill repute.
OTHER
In an alternate timeline where the British colonies achieve statehood in 1700, the social, economic, and political landscape of the Southern states rapidly evolves. The newly formed states invest heavily in infrastructure, education, and commerce, fostering a prosperous environment that leads to the emergence of the Southern Belle archetype as early as 1735. These women, emblematic of Southern gentility and charm, play influential roles in society while promoting fairness and collaboration.
The transition to statehood and the growing autonomy of the Southern states also pave the way for the peaceful abolition of slavery. As the economy diversifies and becomes less reliant on forced labor, tensions between different racial groups gradually diminish. However, this newfound harmony is soon threatened by a hidden menace: vampires seeking to exploit lingering racial divisions as a cover for their nefarious agenda.
In these secret wars against the vampires ensuing in some Southern states, unlikely alliances are forged between people of different races, including black and white Southerners. United by their shared humanity and the common goal of defeating the vampire threat, they set aside their differences and work together in close collaboration. These alliances transcend the social boundaries of the time, demonstrating that, in the face of a greater enemy, people can come together and overcome societal divisions.
Although these battles against the supernatural remain largely hidden from the general populace of the American Southwest and beyond, they eventually become woven into local folklore and ghost stories. Over time, the truth of these historical conflicts fades from public memory. However, some detailed records of these events have been preserved and passed down through generations, proving invaluable to those who find themselves confronting similar creatures in the future, including legacy vampire hunters and other unfortunate souls plagued by the creatures.
THE CHURCH OF BLOOD
The Crimson Congregation, also known as the Church of Blood, is a clandestine cult steeped in ancient rituals and dark worship, centered around the veneration of vampires as divine beings. Founded centuries ago by Isaak Blud, an immortal vampire with a seductive charisma, the cult thrives preying upon the lost and lonely, promising power, wealth, and eternal life in exchange for unwavering devotion and sacrificial offerings.
Members of the Crimson Congregation are drawn into its fold through promises of spiritual fulfillment and the allure of supernatural gifts. They are indoctrinated with fervent beliefs in the benevolence and superiority of vampires, whom they see as saviors capable of granting them immortality and divine favor. The cult's creed, "The blood is the life. We bleed for those we love the most," serves as both a mantra of devotion and a chilling reminder of their sacrificial duties.
Female members of the Crimson Congregation known as Night Sisters are indoctrinated into roles of feeding their life's ichor to gluttonous vampires, believing this act to be a sacred offering that strengthens their bond with their supposed divine masters. They are taught that through this sacrifice, they can secure eternal favor and protection for themselves and their loved ones, perpetuating a cycle of servitude and blind faith.
On the other hand, male members known as Night Brothers fulfill their duties as day drivers, tasked with transporting coffins containing slumbering vampires by wagons during daylight hours. This role symbolizes their role as protectors and caretakers of the cult's supernatural benefactors, ensuring their safety and secrecy from the light of day.
Unbeknownst to its followers, the cult's promises are false and its practices deeply sinister. Isaak and his inner circle exploit the vulnerabilities of their adherents, manipulating their faith and trust to further their own agendas of domination and bloodlust. Rituals within the Church of Blood involve grisly sacrifices and ceremonies designed to appease the vampires they worship, believing these acts will bring them closer to transcendence and supernatural blessings.
The cult's recruitment strategy revolves around exploiting the emotional and psychological vulnerabilities of potential members, offering them a sense of purpose and belonging that is often lacking in their lives. It operates under a shroud of secrecy, with rituals conducted in hidden sanctuaries and remote locations to evade scrutiny. Its hierarchy is structured around Isaak's leadership, wielding his centuries-old wisdom and persuasive charm to maintain control over his followers. Members, such as Jonah Micah King and Faith Seed, play crucial roles in recruiting and indoctrinating new adherents, perpetuating the cycle of devotion and deception.
Behind the façade of spiritual enlightenment and supernatural promises lies a darker truth—the Church of Blood thrives on the exploitation and subjugation of its members, feeding off their devotion and loyalty to perpetuate its rituals of bloodshed and sacrilege. As the cult expands its influence, so too does its grip on the hearts and minds of those who seek solace in its twisted version of salvation, ensnaring them in a cycle of darkness from which escape seems impossible.
As the cult's influence spreads, so too does its insidious grasp on the hearts and minds of those who seek salvation in the darkness of the Crimson Congregation.
ABSENCE OF RAPID INDUSTRIALIZATION
Unlike real-world America, this alternate history does not experience rapid industrialization or modernization. Society remains deeply rooted in the ways of the Wild West, where justice is often delivered through gunfights, and the line between outlaws and lawmen is blurred.
PRECEDING REPUTATIONS
Among the most notorious vampires that inhabit the realm of Red West are the vampire siblings Credence the Cursed and Mordecai the Malevolent; the enigmatic leader of the Church of Blood, Isaak Blud; half-brother Carlos Emanuel Caine and half- sister Ethel Constance Evelyn Caine. The formidable Gallowwalkers, a hexad of cold-blooded outlaws hanged in 1666, have also cemented their place in infamy, along with the Duskriders—a trio of yokel brothers named Cletus, Hoyt, and Rusty, who embody the sinister undertones of the rural countryside. Additionally, Atticus Underwood stands apart as the lone survivor of the ill-fated Roanoke colony.
THE BLOOD MOON MASSACRE
In 1884, under the eerie light of a Blood Moon, which occurs once every 500 years, the small frontier town of Red River, Brimstone, experienced a horrific event. A vampiric horde led by two Night Lords, master vampire brothers Mordecai the Malevolent and Credence the Cursed, descended upon the town. Protected by the lunar eclipse, they slaughtered and drained the entire population. Only a handful of survivors escaped by foot, horseback, or a passing train. These survivors, scarred but determined, returned a year later for an epic showdown to reclaim their town from the undead.
VAMPIRE LORE
Vampires are undead humans who feed on the blood of the living and possess the ability to transform others into vampires. They are immortal beings created through a blood exchange by another full-fledged vampire. Victims of vampire attacks do not turn unless they consume the sire's blood when near death; otherwise, they perish if drained completely.
New vampires begin as half-vampires until they consume human blood to complete their transition, remaining half-vampires indefinitely without it.
Their strengths include echolocation, immortality, razor-sharp nails and fangs, and the ability to shapeshift into vampire bats. They possess supernatural agility, durability, reflexes, regeneration, heightened senses, and strength. However, vampires have weaknesses too, including decapitation, desiccation without fresh blood, fire, garlic, inability to cast a reflection, susceptibility to religious objects and blessed water, need for invitation into private spaces, sunlight, wooden bullets, and stakes.
Night Lords, over five hundred years old, also known as master vampires, develop additional abilities like creating psychic links with fledglings, enabling communication and emotional connection across distances, and occasionally allowing vision through their fledglings' eyes.
During daylight hours, vampires sleep in dark places like underground, caves, or coffins, often hanging upside down like bats if unrestricted. They can consume alcohol, food, and water, but these do not sustain them; vampires require fresh blood, either animal or human.
Half-vampires, who can move freely in daylight, suffer energy depletion, eye discomfort, and skin sensitivity. They lack bat transformation and must consume human blood to complete the full-fledged transition, being notably weaker than full vampires.
Legends speak of a cure for vampirism: the vampire must kill their sire before feeding, though this remains untested in practice.
VERSES
The Curse of Caine County for the past and The Town That Dreaded Sundown for the present.
