Clockpunk(+Solarpunk): Background Story (Longish Text)

I haven't really thought of a main story for this setting, but I have planned out a bit of background:


As I have it figured out, the story occurs during the 17th Century (the 1600s) - which, in real life, was the Baroque Era… with the main story taking place during the latter half of that century.

I think the point-of-divergence would occur about two centuries prior. In this universe, Christopher Columbus never makes it to the Americas - as he falls ill at sea along the way. When the news of Columbus’ demise hits Italy, it leads to a decline of popularity in colonialism and imperialism - and, not long thereafter, anti-colonial and anti-imperial sentiments rise in popularity. Vatican City and the Catholic Church also loses its stronghold in religious domination. At some point, Leonardo de Vinci renounces religion - and he dedicates more of his time to creating clockwork models. This is what sets the clockwork technology in motion.

Quite naturally, there are limitations to clockwork alone - so something needs to be used to power it. Due to the growth in pacifism, gunpowder is on the decline - and magic doesn’t really exist in this universe. This is where people realize that sunlight and other natural resources can be used to power technology.

Due to greater artistic freedom and the growth in optimism, artwork becomes more colourful - and stained glasses enjoy a growth in popularity, and does not have such a strong connotation with churches. Religious freedom and religious tolerance becomes more prevalent, and people learn to embrace diversity.

By the early 17th Century, the last vestiges of class stratification are present - until, by about the middle of the century, it no longer exists.


In this universe, Jimmy Reed would be born in 1635 - whilst most of the Avenged Sevenfold members would be born in 1671. Johnny Seward and Matt Baker would be born in 1674. This places the births of everyone precisely two centuries before that of their steampunk counterparts.

The setting would be rich with gear aesthetics and with colourful glass and lights aesthetics. Even the urban areas are beautiful with greenery used in tandem with the buildings, and stained glass everywhere. Everything is so colourful - it practically makes the Christmas season seen dull and drab by comparison.

Blues music and rock music would still exist in this universe, but the latter genre would not so much carry connotations of debauchery and douchiness. Some of the older folks might still not care much for the genre, but only because it’s quite louder and noisier than what they grew up on.

Jimmy would have been born during a time when class stratification was still an issue, but it would already be in its deconstruction state.

For fans of clockpunk and/or solarpunk, feel free to suggest ideas.