The Wider World
Jane Austen did not bring in large themes from the wider world, but a conversation about politics and world affairs in a polite and genteel fashion would not be out of place at a society ball. The real England of 1812 should be used as a faint background on which to create this game and inspire character creation, rather than an attempt at genuine recreation. The desired outcome is a ball that would fit into Austen’s fictional novels, not her real world.
Players should feel free to alter history to suit the story they would like to tell, with particular encouragement to recast history into a more balanced world in terms of gender, race, sexuality etc.
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Remember that this is a genteel party, and discussion should remain polite and courteous for the most part.
Slavery and Colonies
The real England of the time was engaged in horrific colonial endeavours and the slave trade. The slave trade was declared illegal in 1807, a few years prior to the setting of this game, but slavery itself remains legal in Britain until 1833. The Atlantic slave trade played a huge role in enriching British families.
Slavery, and particularly the Atlantic slave trade, are not part of the history of this game.
Please avoid bringing it up in backstories or conversation in game.
I also want players to particularly note that in this version of England, there is no reason to assume that skin colour has any bearing on your class or country of origin. Please do not presume that non-white characters are not English, or expect them to have specific views on the idea of colonies or slavery.
Love
The decreased costs of printing had encouraged the publication of more types of books - particularly the romance novel. Many young people are starting to claim they would like to marry for love, not social and financial security. The older generation mostly believes this is utter nonsense - love leads to foolish matches, inappropriate attachments and threatens the foundations of society itself.
“I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman, that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you.
A word, a look, will be enough to decide whether I enter your father's house this evening or never.”
Persuasion
Politics
The season in London coincides with the sitting of the MPs in parliament. You may wish your character to be involved in throwing political parties to support the Whigs or the Tories, or donating funds. You may even hold political office yourself.
The current Prime Minister is The Earl of Liverpool for the Tory party; the previous Prime Minister was assassinated in the Houses of Parliament last year.
The current queen is Augusta II, the sister of real world George III. She is in her mid-fifties. Her heir, Catharina, is unmarried.
The Tories are associated with the gentry and religious figures, while Whigs are associated with trade, money and larger landholders. The Tories are firmly opposed to the radical ideas coming from the American and French Revolutions, while the Whigs believe in reducing crown patronage, support for the interests of merchants and bankers and reform of the voting system.
Acts before parliament this season included:
Insolvent Debtors Act
Renewal of the East India Trading Company.
World events
J. Madison is appointed for a second term as US president.
The invention of Puffing Billy
W. Charles Wells reads a paper to the Royal Society about natural selection.
C. Waterton creates the world's first nature reserve
M. Orfila formalizes the field of toxicology
E. Howard invents the enclosed vacuum pan for refining sugar.
S. D. Poisson publishes Poisson's equation.
Leisure
The upper classes have considerable time for leisure activities. Theatre, musical concerts, sport, hunting are all popular diversions.
The war
The Sixth Coalition war is in mid-flow.
UK formally joined the coalition in June; soldiers are being called up to fight. This is ending a period of seven years where we have mainly been engaging in minor naval fights (Anglo-Sweden War and the Anglo-Russian War)