The Expanded Imperial Territories of California

When news of the aether crystals crossed the ocean, China sent a force to the west coast to take what they could of it. While the Union was busy fighting the Confederacy, China was able to claim a large portion of the Northern California Territory. A colonization force was brought in shortly after the military created a foothold on the shores. The Chinese Empire now controls many of the gold and crystal mines along the west coast.

Trade routes have been developed through the wilds to the Americas, and the Empire is on good relations with all three.