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Introduction
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.. image:: img/dellavitadelcont00bian-portrait.*
In the late 18th century scientists around Europe were busy discovering
the Laws of Nature; what if they had been able to *warp* them?
In this setting, they are! Imagine a place where devices like the
remotely controlled electro-flogo-pneumatic gun [#eft_gun]_ aren't just
experimental prototypes, but they get a practical use in a
tongue-in-cheek context rich in excitement and adventure!
.. [#eft_gun] An actual device invented — and named — by the real world
Volta
This manual is centered on the area around Como, in the Duchy of Milan /
Cisalpine Republic / Kingdom of Italy / Kingdom of Lombardy - Venetia
(and a couple more entities in between) where Alessandro Volta lived,
discovered the secret of eternal life [#eternal]_ and founded an
important centre of research that attracted scientists and aspiring
scientists from all around Europe and the world.
.. [#eternal] or at least the means to prolong his own life and health
indefinitely.
The time range covered by this manual starts in the 1780s, with the
establishment of a centre of research in Como (rather than accepting the
post at the university in Pavia, as in the real world timeline) and
reaches the mid 19th century, when a Volta recognised as immortal
oversees the birth of the steampunk computer (with Electricity and small
explosions in the UI).
Of course, Volta wasn't alone and all european countries (and armies)
had access to their own scientists, so nobody gained an undue advantage
and the political history of this timeline follows more or less that of
the real world timeline… except where it doesn't. This means that the
players have a chance to get involved in such events as the Napoleonic
wars or the Italian indipendence wars.
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