North America in 2097: A Fractured Continent of Power and Magic

 

In 2097, North America is a continent defined by its fractured political landscape, corporate dominance, and the interplay of technology and magic. The region is dominated by four primary powers—UCAS, CAS, and Aztlan—each with its own agenda and sphere of influence. In addition, lesser nations like Quebec, the California Free State, the Pueblo Corporate Council, and the enigmatic elven state of Tír Tairngire add further complexity to the region's geopolitical situation. Meanwhile, indigenous communities harness their unique connection to the Awakened world, asserting their power and influence in a landscape shaped by both tradition and modernity.

The Primary Powers

United Canadian and American States (UCAS):
The UCAS, formed in the aftermath of the tumultuous decades following the Awakening and the First Matrix Crash, stands as a beacon of stability in an otherwise fragmented continent. Despite its seemingly unified front, the nation is heavily influenced by megacorporations, which wield significant power in shaping national policies. With its political heart in Washington, D.C., and Ottawa, and economic hubs like Seattle, Chicago, and New York, the UCAS boasts advanced infrastructure and technological prowess. However, internal divisions and regional disparities persist, with tensions often simmering beneath the surface.

• Key Features:
  • Strong central government, but with considerable corporate influence.
  • Advanced urban centers and technological infrastructure.
  • Leading in magical and technological research, especially in Seattle and Boston.
  • Ongoing tensions with Aztlan and CAS over trade, security, and influence.

Confederate American States (CAS):
The CAS, encompassing the southeastern and southern states, emerged as a separate entity during the chaotic period of the 21st century. It is a conservative, independent state with a focus on traditional values, agrarian roots, and a growing tech sector. Atlanta serves as the political heart, with Dallas and New Orleans as key economic centers. The CAS is characterized by its strong regional identity and its strained relationship with Texas, which has become increasingly defiant, pushing for greater autonomy and aggressively countering Aztlan's expansionist policies. The CAS government in Atlanta faces the delicate task of balancing Texas' ambitions with the broader interests of the nation.

• Key Features:
  • Conservative, independent state with a focus on traditional values.
  • Strong agrarian economy with growing tech and manufacturing sectors.
  • Tensions between Texas and Atlanta over autonomy and military strategy.
  • Frequent skirmishes and simmering conflict with Aztlan over the Texas border.

Aztlan:
Aztlan, ruled by the Aztechnology megacorporation, is a powerful theocratic-corporate state stretching from Mexico through parts of the southwestern former United States. Combining Aztec-inspired mysticism with cutting-edge technology and magic, Aztlan is aggressively expansionist, seeking to reclaim and redefine its territories. Tenochtitlan (formerly Mexico City) serves as the nation's sprawling capital, and a center for arcano-tech research, bioengineering, and corporate power. Aztlan exerts considerable influence over Central America, maintaining tight control over the region through a combination of military might, economic leverage, and magical power. However, not all is under control: in the Yucatan Peninsula, Aztlan forces are embroiled in a brutal conflict against powerful Awakened beings and local resistance. The war, fought in both the physical and astral planes, threatens to spill over into neighboring regions.

• Key Features:
  • Theocratic-corporate state with Aztechnology at its helm.
  • Expansionist policies and a strong military presence.
  • Leader in magical research, arcano-tech, and bioware development.
  • Tense relations with UCAS, CAS, and Central American states.
  • Ongoing conflict in the Yucatan Peninsula against powerful Awakened forces.

Central America:
Central America is largely under Aztlan's thumb, serving as both a resource base and a strategic region for its northern neighbor. Most Central American countries are little more than puppet states, with their governments beholden to Aztlan's interests. Nicaragua and Honduras, however, remain hotbeds of conflict, with TCA-supported insurgencies challenging Aztlan's control. These nations are caught in a brutal struggle between Aztlan-backed regimes and resistance movements fueled by a mix of local grievances and TCA support. Panama stands out as an anomaly, with its crucial economic corridor under joint corporate control, making it a neutral ground in the otherwise turbulent region.

• Key Features:
  • Most countries are under Aztlan's control, serving corporate and strategic interests.
  • Nicaragua and Honduras are sites of significant TCA-supported conflicts.
  • Panama remains a neutral, corporate-controlled economic corridor.
  • The region is characterized by unrest, resource exploitation, and corporate militarization.

Lesser Nations

Quebec:
Quebec, having seceded from the UCAS, maintains a strong nationalist identity and is fiercely protective of its cultural heritage. The nation is a hub of aerospace, bioware, and cultural industries, with Montreal and Quebec City serving as vibrant economic centers. Quebec's government is staunchly independent, balancing relations with the UCAS, CAS, and European powers. It has also emerged as a leader in environmental protection and sustainable development, leveraging both magic and technology to preserve its resources.

• Key Features:
  • Strong nationalist identity, culturally distinct from the UCAS.
  • Advanced industries, particularly in aerospace and bioware.
  • Focus on environmental protection and sustainable development.
  • Diplomatic ties with Europe, balancing independence and cooperation.

California Free State:
The California Free State, an independent entity along the western coast, is a battleground for corporate interests and regional power struggles. Los Angeles, a sprawling city of entertainment and excess, serves as the cultural capital, while San Francisco remains a center for technological innovation and corporate power. The Free State's government is notoriously weak, serving more as a facilitator for corporate deals than a sovereign entity. Despite this, the state is a beacon for those seeking freedom from the rigid structures of other North American powers.

• Key Features:
  • Independent state dominated by corporate interests.
  • Key cities include Los Angeles (cultural hub) and San Francisco (tech center).
  • Weak central government, heavily influenced by megacorps.
  • Thriving tech sector, entertainment industry, and underground economy.

Pueblo Corporate Council (PCC):
The PCC, a technologically advanced and heavily native-influenced state, occupies much of the Arizona and New Mexico area. Formed out of the chaotic post-Awakening period, the PCC has embraced both its indigenous heritage and modern technology, creating a unique blend of high-tech industry and spiritual tradition. The council's leadership is composed of representatives from various Pueblo nations, and their governance integrates corporate efficiency with a respect for the natural world. The PCC is an economic powerhouse, leveraging its technological expertise and arcano-tech innovations to maintain its independence from the larger North American powers.

• Key Features:
  • Blend of indigenous tradition and advanced technology.
  • Strong in arcano-tech research, renewable energy, and sustainable development.
  • Maintains a neutral stance between UCAS, CAS, and Aztlan.
  • Tensions with Aztlan over cultural preservation and border security.

Tír Tairngire:
Tír Tairngire, the elven nation-state in the Pacific Northwest, is shrouded in mystery and magic. Governed by a strict, almost feudal hierarchy, the Tír is fiercely protective of its borders and its secrets. Portland, the capital, is a city that blends natural beauty with advanced arcano-tech. The Tír supports indigenous groups across North America, providing aid and sometimes direct support in their struggles against the larger states they inhabit. This has led to covert and overt conflicts, complicating the already delicate political landscape.

• Key Features:
  • Elven nation-state with a strict hierarchy and isolationist policies.
  • Capital: Portland, a city blending natural beauty with arcano-tech.
  • Strong cultural and economic influence, despite limited diplomatic relations.
  • Covertly supports indigenous groups in North America, fueling conflicts with other states.

Indigenous Nations and Their Awakened Power

The Awakening has imbued North America's indigenous nations with extraordinary magical power, allowing them to reconnect with the spiritual world in profound ways. Many of these nations wield significant influence due to their deep connection to the land and its magical energies. Despite the complex web of treaties and corporate contracts they must navigate, these communities are often at the forefront of environmental protection, magical research, and resistance against corporate exploitation. They serve as stewards of lands coveted by the megacorps, drawing on their awakened heritage to protect their people and culture.

Algonkian-Manitou Council (AMC):
A powerful coalition of First Nations from the Great Lakes region, the AMC is known for its expertise in shamanistic magic and environmental protection. The Council governs through a blend of traditional wisdom and modern governance, maintaining a delicate balance between their ancestral lands and the corporate interests that surround them.

Athabaskan Council:
The Athabaskan Council, representing indigenous groups from the far north, has harnessed the power of the tundra and the spirits of the land. The Council is a leader in biomagical research and environmental stewardship, standing as a bulwark against corporate encroachment into the Arctic wilderness.

Salish-Shidhe Council (SSC):
The SSC, encompassing much of the Pacific Northwest, is a thriving community where indigenous traditions and elven influence intertwine. They are skilled in both arcano-tech and nature magic, blending them to create sustainable and self-sufficient communities. The SSC is a key player in the region, often clashing with corporate interests and supporting indigenous movements across the continent.

Sioux Nation:
The Sioux Nation, a vast territory spanning the Dakotas, Nebraska, and parts of Montana and Wyoming, is a powerful entity with a strong martial tradition. The Sioux are masters of elemental magic, harnessing the power of the plains and the spirits of the storm. Their military prowess and magical capabilities make them a force to be reckoned with, defending their lands from any who would challenge them.

Tsimshian Protectorate:
The Tsimshian Protectorate, located along the northern coast of British Columbia, is a haven for those who seek refuge from the modern world's excesses. The Protectorate's leaders are deeply connected to the ocean and the spirits of the water, using their influence to protect the fragile coastal ecosystems and the people who depend on them.

The Caribbean League

The Caribbean League, while vibrant and culturally diverse, is more of a loose coalition than a unified power. Each island nation within the League maintains its sovereignty, with the League serving as a forum for cooperation and resistance against external control. Corporate interests, particularly from Aztlan, the UCAS, and the CAS, are deeply entrenched, often clashing with local governments and each other. The League’s economy is driven by tourism, trade, and magical research, but the region is also a haven for piracy, smuggling, and shadow activity.

• Key Features:
  • Loose coalition of independent island nations with significant internal divisions.
  • Economically driven by tourism, trade, and magical research.
  • Strong corporate presence, particularly from Aztlan and the UCAS.
  • Hotbed of piracy, smuggling, and shadow activity.

Conclusion

North America in 2097 is a continent in flux, where old alliances and rivalries play out against a backdrop of corporate dominance, magical awakening, and the struggle for autonomy. The power dynamics of the region are defined by a delicate balance between the four primary powers and the influence of lesser nations, all while indigenous communities harness their connection to the Awakened world to defend their lands and cultures. In this intricate tapestry of politics, magic, and corporate intrigue, the future of North America remains uncertain, shaped by the forces of both the physical and the astral planes.