Gottardämmerung: Alternate World

To put it briefly, the general chain of events begins from the first half of the 19th century to the first half of the 20th century:

1800s → Rise of German power → Early Great War → Defeat of the Entente → German hegemony → Capitulation of Britain → Massive human losses → Reich reforms → New political system → Military modernization → 1910
And in parallel:
Russia splits → China remains fragmented → Qing rises in strength → Japan suffers defeat → US creates Mittel America → American power struggle begins → Ottomans retain military power → The whole world tries to figure out what to do with the German giant.

Greater German Reich

The Greater German Reich was the largest power in Europe and one of the most powerful powers in the world by 1910. It emerged from the unification of Prussia and the subsequent expansion of the German state. After a series of European wars, the Reich established control over a significant portion of Europe and transformed several states into protectorates and commissariats.

The capital is Berlin. The Empire is governed by the Empress, whose decisions are aimed at maintaining stability and developing the state. She is supervised by a council of Matrons, responsible for key areas of government. Regents oversee large territories and institutions, Executors ensure the needs of the population, and Servants carry out administrative work on the ground. Overseeing the entire system is the Royal Guard—a closed structure with special powers and reporting directly to the Empress.

After the Great War, the Reich underwent sweeping reforms. A war-weary population demanded change, so the state gradually transitioned to a more modern system of governance. People could submit petitions to the authorities with real problems, after which they were reviewed and passed on to higher authorities for decision-making.

The army was also completely restructured. The old command was partially retired, and military doctrine shifted from massive frontline battles to mobile warfare with armor, air power, and rapid breakthroughs. The conventional armed forces number approximately 8 million personnel, performing defensive and support missions. The main striking force consists of approximately 2 million Limenars, used for large-scale operations, breakthroughs, and special attacks.

The Reich possesses one of the most advanced aviation industries in the world. Its fighters, interceptors, and bombers are significantly superior to most foreign designs.

Despite its vast territory and military might, the Reich sought to avoid a new global conflict after the war.

Foreign policy of the Reich

The Reich seeks to maintain its achieved superiority while avoiding another large-scale war. Its primary tools are diplomacy, trade, military alliances, and political influence.

Britain - cold economic cooperation and maritime rivalry.
The Ottoman Empire is a military alliance, but political tensions remain.
France and Italy are protectorates, gradually normalizing relations with the Reich.
Russia/USSR – tense relations due to ideological and geopolitical contradictions.
USA - The Reich is trying to establish diplomatic relations.
China - neutral relationship due to distance.
India, Mongolia, Tibet, Latin America - neutrality and minimal intervention.
Japan - weak influence after defeat by China.
Korea is the territory of the Great Qing; the Reich is considering the possibility of establishing a diplomatic bridgehead.

Reich Army

After the Great War, the army was radically reformed. The old command was partially retired, and doctrine shifted to mobile warfare, emphasizing armored vehicles, aviation, and rapid breakthroughs.

8 million soldiers – the main army: border defense, facility security, regional operations and maintaining order.

2 million Limenars are a striking force: large-scale offensives, breakthroughs, raids, and special operations. Singulars are used only when immediate capture is necessary or in critical attacks.

The Reich also possesses one of the most advanced air forces in the world: fighters, interceptors and bombers of the new generation.

Reich Technologies

The Reich is one of the world leaders in military technology. Its main areas of expertise include aviation, armored vehicles, jet engines, weapons, and EMP technology.

German fighters, interceptors, and bombers are considered among the most advanced in the world. Following the development of British railguns and EMPs, the Reich began developing equipment with enhanced protection against electromagnetic interference.

The main experimental project is the EMP-Patriot, a heavy-lift jet attack aircraft resistant to EMPs. It combines high speed, armor protection, and automatically guided missiles, allowing it to perform both attack and fighter functions.

The Greater German Reich - Territories and Influence

By 1910, the Greater German Reich was a continental superpower, controlling most of Central and Western Europe and large areas of Africa.

Directly included in the Reich: the historical German lands, Benelux, Alsace-Lorraine, northern France, Austria, the Sudetenland and Denmark.

Subordinate states: France, Italy, Hungary, and Romania exist as protectorates of the Reich. Sweden and Norway are united in the Scandinavian Commissariat. Part of Yugoslavia is also under German control.

Africa: The northern part of the continent, including the Sahara, is converted into colonial territories for the Reich. The rest of Africa is largely divided between German and British spheres of influence.

The Reich wields enormous political and economic influence in Europe. Britain remains independent, but maintains frosty economic relations with Berlin. The Ottoman Empire is formally a military ally of the Reich, although serious tensions remain between the powers.

German influence also extends far beyond Europe through trade, diplomacy, colonies, and military might. However, the Reich does not seek direct control over the entire world, preferring to preserve independent states where direct intervention does not serve its interests.

Rights of the population

Women of the Reich: enjoy full civil rights. They can vote, hold public office, serve in the army, travel freely, and choose their profession.

Reich men: legally protected, but subject to restrictions. They cannot enlist in the army or leave their hometown without permission. If married, they are obligated to abide by the rules established by their spouse. The state provides men with enhanced security measures.

Citizens of the protectorates and commissariats have equal rights regardless of gender. They may move freely within the Reich and its controlled states, but cannot voluntarily visit independent countries due to post-war treaties.

The judicial system is uniform for all categories of the population and is obliged to protect the rights of citizens, including men.

Petition system

Each city collects citizen petitions monthly. Officials receive and review the complaints, rejecting false or destabilizing ones. Intentional destabilization is punishable by one to three administrative warnings, followed by a possible fine.

The processed requests are forwarded to the Executors, who formulate a decision. The Regents then review it and decide whether to implement the proposed measures.

Estates of the Reich

The Empress is the head of state, the highest political authority.

The Matrons, the Empress's council, determine strategy and the main directions of policy.

Regents govern territories, institutions and large government structures.

Contractors ensure production, supply and satisfaction of the needs of the population.

Clerks carry out administrative tasks and work directly with the public.

The Royal Guard is a special class, effectively standing above the regular hierarchy. It reports only to the Empress and ensures order is maintained.

The transition between classes is extremely difficult: a person usually remains in the chosen class for life, and advancement requires exceptional merit and connections.

Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire was a military ally and potential adversary of the Reich. After the Great War, it maintained its imperialist course and began rapidly expanding its military might.

The state is gradually restricting civil rights in the name of militarization. All adults serve in the military, and approximately 25% of the 102 million population is already in the armed forces.

Despite the formal alliance with the Reich, the rise of the Ottoman Empire is causing tension between Berlin and Istanbul. Both states understand that if the political situation changes, their alliance could easily turn into confrontation.

USA and Mittel-America

After the Civil War, the United States experiences the Great Depression, from which the country emerges only after a long period of recovery.

The weakening of Great Britain allows the United States to expand the Monroe Doctrine. Using diplomatic pressure and political maneuvering, the Americans achieve the liberation of the British colonies in North America.

Gradually, Washington's influence spreads across the entire continent, and North American territories are united into a single state - Mittel-America.

By 1910, the country was experiencing a new political crisis: four main leaders were vying for the final consolidation of power. The Senate deliberately maintained a balance between them, preventing any single candidate from achieving absolute supremacy. The presidency remained effectively vacant, turning the struggle between the elites into Mittelland's main internal conflict.

1. UK

After the Great War, Britain expanded military conscription while simultaneously improving working and living conditions for the civilian population. These reforms helped maintain stability in the economy and the military.

Support for the monarchical government gradually grows, and the country maintains its independence and continues to rival the Reich.

2. The UK Government

The United Kingdom retains a monarchical system of government. The Crown remains the primary symbol of the state, and the government is responsible for domestic policy, the economy, and military development.

London's main goal is to maintain independence, prevent German hegemony and strengthen the country after a difficult war.

3. Electrical Breakthrough

British scientists are making a major technological breakthrough in the field of electricity and electromagnetic technologies.

Railguns and EMP systems capable of countering advanced German aircraft were being developed. These new technologies became the foundation of British defense, allowing the United Kingdom to offset the Reich's air superiority.

Russia and the USSR

The civil war left both sides severely exhausted. The Russian Empire retained the northwestern territories, while the Bolsheviks controlled the vast majority of the former empire. After the war, the Romanov dynasty abandoned its previous imperialist course. The state officially renamed itself "Russia," focusing on internal reconstruction and shared prosperity.

The Russian army and construction units gained extensive experience in defense, fortification, and the construction of fortified lines. The USSR, by contrast, developed effective maneuver warfare, relying on mobility and rapid operations.

Despite their ideological rivalry, the emergence of a clear threat from the West forces Russia and the USSR to unite in a common military and political alliance. They later invite the Chinese states to their side and begin diplomatic rapprochement with Mongolia.

Now the former adversaries are forced to cooperate: they are united not by ideology, but by the need to confront an external enemy.

1. Lin Gang Yunfo
   Age: 52 years
   Position: Emperor of the Great Qing.
   Personality: calm, reasonable, and patient. Prefers diplomatic solutions to open confrontation.
   The goal: to preserve the independence of the Great Qing and prevent a new civil war.
   Strengths: diplomacy, patience, political endurance.
   Weaknesses: excessive caution and unwillingness to take decisive steps.

Korea and Mengjiang have no leaders, as the Emperor of the Great Qing rules all three states.

1. Tang Yunhai
   Age: 39 years
   Position: Chief Warlord of Guanxi.
   Personality: Extremely cruel, decisive, and warlike. However, for him, cruelty is not a means of personal gain. He views it as a necessary means for the survival of his clique.
   Tang Yunhai understands full well how weak Guanxi is in the face of large Chinese forces, so he is prepared to take extremely harsh measures to preserve his territory.
   Strengths: determination, military experience, charisma, willingness to act.
   Weaknesses: cruelty, suspicion, tendency to radical decisions.
2. Zhou Kailing
   Age: 31 years
   Position: Leader of Nationalist China and the Kuomintang.
   Status: eldest heir to the imperial throne.
   Personality: Cunning, calculating, proud, and politically cautious. Prefers to win not by force, but through manipulation, diplomacy, and political maneuvers.
   At the same time, he wages a struggle against the communists and the Great Qing, striving to retain the right to determine the future of China.
   Strengths: cunning, diplomacy, political influence, strategic thinking.
   Weaknesses: excessive caution, pride, distrust of others.
3. Zhou Hanling
   Age: 24 years
   Position: Supreme Commander of Shanxi.
   Status: junior heir to the imperial throne.
   Hanlin is not the full ruler of Shanxi. Local supporters do not perceive him as their leader, and his power rests primarily on his status and military influence.
   Personality: Ambitious, decisive, and eager to prove his own worth. His position as heir gives him influence, but does not guarantee true loyalty to Shanxi.
   Strengths: determination, military influence, ambition.
   Weaknesses: lack of popular support, inexperience, dependence on local forces.

The Imperial throne in Japan is vacant, as Zhou Kailing established a puppet regime in Japan by establishing the Government-General there.

1. Chen Ren
   Age: 17 years
   Position: Leader of Communist China.
   Personality: Extremely persuasive, charismatic, and ambitious. He possesses a well-developed oratory skill and is capable of captivating even more experienced politicians and military leaders. However, his youthfulness manifests itself in his extreme ideological integrity: Chen Ren literally hates his political opponents and is virtually incapable of compromising with them.
   Strengths: oratory, charisma, conviction, ability to inspire people.
   Weaknesses: extreme ideological principledness, hatred of the opposition, political inexperience.
   Goal: to unite China under communist rule.
2. Hong Tanma
   Age: 46 years
   Position: Chief Military Commander of Xinjiang.
   Personality: An authoritarian, pragmatic, and corrupt official. He is not cruel and does not seek power for its own sake. His primary goal is to preserve his own position and the security of Xinjiang.
   Realizing that it is impossible to resist Communist China alone, Tanma makes concessions. He uses Xinjiang's influence in Tibet to gain Chen Ren's protection and favor.
   Strengths: pragmatism, political caution, influence on the region.
   Weaknesses: corruption, dependence on stronger players, desire to maintain one's own position at any cost.

After the expulsion of the Great Qing and the Kuomintang, China quickly disintegrated into warlord territories and various opposition regimes. After protracted conflicts, three major states emerged: the Communists in the northwest, the Kuomintang in most of the south, and the Great Qing, which held Manchuria.

Japan tries to take advantage of the fragmentation and attacks the Qing. The Chinese states, fearing individual annihilation, form a united front and, within a few years, force Japan to capitulate. Japan becomes a puppet of the Kuomintang, and Korea falls under the control of the Great Qing.

After the war, a struggle for influence between the Chinese states began, gradually escalating into military confrontation. However, the communists' entry into the Comintern, founded by the USSR, changed the situation: the remaining Chinese states also joined the alliance, preferring Soviet guarantees to another war.

By 1910, China remains formally fragmented, but all three major powers are in a single military-political system.

Communists:
Xinjiang, Communist China

Kuomintang:
Guanxi, Nationalist China, Shanxi, Japan (Maorinete)

Imperialists:
Great Qing, Korea (Puppet), Mengjian (Marionette)

Emptiness

The Void is a supernatural entity linked exclusively to the Singularity legacy. It is passed down along with the power upon the death of the previous host and accumulates with each transmission.

The Void influences Singular's consciousness, amplifying its primary flaw. The longer the chain of inheritance, the greater the influence.

It has no physical form, is indestructible by conventional means, and seeks to continue its existence through new carriers.

The Nine Vices: Pride, Wrath, Gluttony, Greed, Lust, Envy, Sloth, Deceit and Fritz's Absolute Pride.

Nine Singulars

1. Uberlaufer – creates a pocket world and portals for moving people and cargo.

2. Henker - super speed and close combat skills.

3. Zerstörer - colossal physical strength and invulnerability to conventional weapons.

4. Unerwarten - Creates powerful explosions, but drains greatly when used.

5. Riese - controls a 25-meter humanoid that is resistant to most conventional weapons.

6. Gestalter - converts magical energy into matter, creating shields, equipment and restoring the wounded.

7. Falcner - subjugates animals and other creatures deprived of reason.

8. Farman - affects the minds of people, causing disorientation.

9. Fritz is the strongest Singularity, capable of harnessing the powers of the other eight and additionally converting Void energy into matter.

Kairos and Fritz

Kairos is a legendary figure, the only known enemy completely immune to Limenar, Singular, and Void magic. He is considered the killer of the first Fritz and the hero who stopped him. He was officially killed on January 2, 1898, during a British bombing raid near Hamburg.

Fritz is the first and most powerful Singular, considered the source of Limenar magic. His true identity is unknown. After his death, his power continued through the descendants of the nine Singular lines. For the Limenar, he remains the legendary founder of their people.

The current nine Singulars

Sasha Uberlaufer is a strategic and reserved woman. She uses portals and the pocket world primarily for supply and troop movements.

Julius Henker is a 15-year-old French Singular. A disciplined and impulsive fighter who turned himself into a weapon to protect his family.

Lena Zerstorer is a girl who didn't want war. She possesses immense physical strength and tries to use it only against serious threats.

Isabella Unerwarten is an 83-year-old woman who appears considerably younger. Calm and level-headed, she uses explosive force with extreme caution. She avoids military service due to her connections.

Thomas Reiss is a member of a noble family that fled to Great Britain before the war. He prefers a peaceful life and rarely uses his Titan powers.

Friedrich Gestalder is a talented soldier and a closeted opponent of Limenar exploitation. He uses force to protect, heal, and supply his allies. He sometimes works behind the lines, developing resources for production.

Carla Falcher is the head of the Reich's large agricultural enterprises. She manages animals and uses force to produce food and protect the home front. She is a symbol of the home front itself.

Paula Farman is a patriotic 14-year-old girl. She is sincerely devoted to the Reich, although in everyday life she remains an ordinary teenager.

Fritz is the current incarnation of the strongest line of Singulars. The chain has been broken.

Limenars and Singulars

The Limenars are a rare people with an innate magical sensitivity. Their abilities allow them to strengthen their bodies, manipulate energy, and use combat or defensive magic. They serve as a separate military unit within the Reich.

Singulars are the most powerful Limenars, possessing unique magical abilities. Their powers are passed on through the death of the previous host, along with a portion of their memory. There are nine lines of Singulars in total.

Singulars are extremely rare and are used by the Reich only in critical operations. Each one has a unique specialization, from creating portals and controlling animals to destructive attacks and mind-affecting abilities.

The Singulars' power is linked to the Void, a supernatural entity that accumulates through the transfer of power and gradually strengthens a specific flaw in its bearer.