Alternate History Friday

Continuing my posts about alternate histories, I've decided to start Alternate History Thursday. Without further ado, here's the next set. #alternatehistoryfriday #alternatehistory

Oz II

Buddy Ebsen was the original actor playing the Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz. He became severely ill from the silver makeup used in the production and was replaced by Jack Haley in our timeline. In the world of Oz II, Buddy Ebsen never got sick, and played in the released version. Because of this, Buddy’s movie career took off, instead of him going into television (The Beverly Hillbillies and Barnaby Jones). He played roles in several westerns, including an Oscar for playing Doc Holiday in Gunfight at the OK Corral. Few other changes of any impact occurred on this alternate. This world might be most useful for that first dimensional jump to a close parallel, where the players think that nothing is different.

Allah Be Praised

Judas Escariot has second thoughts about betraying Jesus Christ, keeps the nine silver coins, and kisses one of the Roman officials instead. Judas is executed in Jesus’ place. Christianity never really catches on without a good martyr. Rome never converts to Christianity, and therefore loses a powerful political tool. The Western Empire lasts about as long as it did in this timeline, but failed to have the same far-reaching effects on Western Civilization beyond its demise. The Byzantine Empire was a non-starter.

Without the unifying aspects of Christianity on Europe, the Muslims and the Mongols divide Europe between them. Scientific discovery pushes forward at a fast pace, but artistic fervor remains in the realm of nonrepresentational Islamic art. Because of their essential conservatism, Allah is currently in TL 5, but with TL 7 in the area of medicine. The world has three main capitals: Beijing, Damascus, and Tenochtitlan, as the Aztecs were never invaded.