SHWI-ISOT - FAQ file

1.  What's going on here?

The description on the start page was written when we moved over after clogging up the SHWI newsgroup. After two years of writing, our understanding of the basic premise has evolved somewhat.

The background is that, since April 2000, individuals have been mysteriously disappearing from our own time and deposited in an alternative timeline that began in April 1800. We are inserted into a historical environment akin to that of the early nineteenth century. However, it is not exactly the same. Our arrivals affect the alternative timeline in ways that become more noticeable as the years go by.

2.  Where and WHEN am I?

Right now we are "living" in 1813. The Napoleonic Wars finished in 1810 and a great Peace Congress was held in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany. Many of the characters and ideas from the historical Congress of Vienna were there but the outcome was subtly different. There were as many as eight uptimers (as well call ourselves) at the Congress at one time or another. The South American revolutions are unfolding and there is a War of 1812 but this time it is against Spain. Actually, it is more complicated than that. The USA is at war with Spain but more so with the new Republic of Mexico, where a curious combination of circumstances resulted in Hidalgo's revolution succeeding under different leadership. The revolutionaries joined forces with a faction from the losing side in the Spanish civil war.

Darien (Panama and part of uptime Colombia) rebelled in 1811/12. Santafe (Bogota) itself was liberated in August 1812. The first Venezuelan republic has collapsed pretty much as in our history and Bolívar has fled. Peru remains solidly and powerfully loyal to Spain and rebel Argentina and Chile nervously await the Spanish backlash.

We are scattered around the world, although, as in the nineteen century OTL (our time line), much of the focus has been on Europe. To a lesser extent, we are also occupied with the fortunes of the young United States. We aim to use our skills and knowledge to influence things and make the world a better place.

3.  But I don't have many skills, I'm just a student or an office worker or whatever.

That's fine, the game allow us to communicate via computer, which turns into a laptop. You get to keep everything on your hard drive and the CD in your computer. (Or which is most commonly in.) Please note that encyclopedia CDs are not allowed. You arrive in a set of ordinary plain 21st century clothing, a smallish laptop in a black bag and enough food for 30 days, although in compact ration form. The laptop has a mysterious power source and a seemingly huge drive. It takes quite serious punishment to damage or destroy it. You have access to the knowledge base on your computer and what other uptimers are prepared to share with you, as well as guidance on what is going on. We have records of all our communications since the first people arrived in April 1800.

If you don't have much training, consider that you are now in a position to learn fast and take advantage of all that 20th and 21st century education. However, learn one thing right now. The locals are not stupid. They are no less intelligent than you and your back story has to stand up to scrutiny. It is an unwritten law that you do not reveal our secret except in the most extreme circumstances. The locals will likely think that you are insane or dangerous or both. You could also place fellow uptimers in serious danger.

4.  Cool.  Should I wait to announce I've conquered China till I do it, or what?

Uh, no, see, we tell each other what we're doing as we go along, and run really big things by the moderators to see if they're plausible before we do them. This allows us to discuss what you want to do and to get ideas on how to accomplish our goals better. Besides, you won't be conquering China.

One of our number is the British governor of Cape Colony, South Africa and another of us is likely to be given charge of a new colony in Australia. Others have had or still hold senior positions in their own countries. This has happened because of the efforts of those involved, or just plain good luck. Some of our wartime activities led to us coming under favourable notice!

4.  So that's why everyone's posting so often. Can I be Thomas Jefferson?

You might be US President someday, but you have to be yourself, sorry. Note that this means your 21st Century self as of this date that you are transported back in time. This is important. However, you are free to use another name downtime. What you do is make an initial post telling who/where you are, and that you've arrived in what is now 1813.

5.  But I'd die without my medication in 1812.

That's okay, we handwave all debilitating illnesses away. A minor problem disappears and a major problem becomes minor.

Incidentally, you are not immortal. Bullets can do nasty things. Many uptimers have lost body parts in various circumstances and some have been killed.

6.  This is sounding intriguing; how do I start interacting with others?

First start posting, tell where (and when) you showed up so that someone can come get you if you need help. Or start walking towards us - we have safe houses in New York City, New Orleans, Yerba Buena (San Francisco), London, Copenhagen, Rome, Athens, Sydney (Australia), Mornington (near Melbourne, Australia) and a few other places. You'll be given advice on the location of these. Oh, and we don't run realtime. We tend to run between 1.5 and 4 times as fast as realtime, the slower rate especially if there is a major war being worked out.

One very helpful indicator that you can include in your posts is the actual downtime date and location (if known). This helps in co-ordinating rescue and posts with other characters, as well as keeping the historians happy.

You should also read the roe.txt file, as it contains some points of etiquette in dealing with other uptimers.

7.  And then they'll help me get started, right?

Right, it's more realistic that if you did appear in 1813, you'd need the help of someone you can trust to ignore little 2002-ish mannerisms. Help is available but you will have to earn your "keep" in some way, as "downtime" can be deadly for uptimers who just expect to get a free ride.

After your initial post, or even beforehand, it helps to send a draft to the moderators, who can let you know if what you are saying fits in.

8.  What and where is Cascadia?

In a nutshell, it is an independent republic west of the Rockies. Uptimers were involved in its successful war of independence against Spain. It has lots of gold but many complicated political issues and a settlement of formidable Chinese pirates. The moderators are working on a codification of early Cascadian history, in order to clear up some confusion.

On that note, Greece is also independent, ahead of OTL and has a slightly larger area than its uptime counterpart. Finland is effectively, although not officially, independent of Sweden, and Norway is still united with Denmark. There is an independent Iroquoia, although its future is possibly shaky.

9.  This sounds like a Role Playing Game.  Is it?

It's a special type, a historical one. Which is nice because you can play yourself "In the Sea Of Time". "Game" is probably not the best description, as we tend to get quite involved. "Scenario" is probably a more accurate term.

10.  Where'd you get that phrase, anyway?

From novels by S.M. Stirling. However, our premise is different - only individuals are sent back, rather than with their entire surroundings as in the Stirling books.

11.  Anything else I need to know?

Some things have already been invented, like steam engines, the telephone and spark gap radio (though we'll need lots of improvements), the phonograph, baseball, rugby, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army. So, check with the moderators before saying you plan to invent 'x'. You can certainly improve on 'x'.

12. Moderators

These are fellow uptimers who sort out historical developments, approve proposals and (try to) settle disputes. You can send a private e-mail to them at the following addresses:

Vegard Valberg (Norway): Vvalberg@online.no

Richard Williams (Wales): richard.williams3@ntlworld.com

Cathy James (USA): prjames@mindspring.com

John Trungove (Australia): raven_j@optusnet.com.au

The moderators make the final decisions on historical events, outcome of wars and feasibility of uptimer projects, as well as many other issues. They will consider suggestions, initiate actions and make many other rulings. Some have to be made on the spot. A moderator can take unilateral action but this can be overridden by two other moderators.

As uptimers, individual moderators are subject to moderation by other moderators.

We will call for submissions occasionally or you can make a proposal at any time. Please do this, as there is a huge amount of work involved in keeping the scenario going and plausible. As stated, elsewhere, you need to run significant plans and developments involving your own character by the moderators.

MODERATOR RULINGS ARE FINAL. They are normally made after extensive discussion, sometimes drawing flak because we take so long. If you want to change something we have decided, make a fresh submission please. DON'T RESORT TO ABUSE OR SLANDER. The moderators do have the power to suspend you or limit what you post, although this is rarely done. Participants normally have totally open access to the list.

Notwithstanding that our rulings are final, we can and do make mistakes. We reserve the right to apply the "slip rule" and correct our mistakes.

13. Official Time Setting.

June 30, 1813. All participants may post up to this date.

14.  [THIS PAGE LAST UPDATED: July 9, 2002]