New Byzantine Empire of Texas

Capital: Fort Worth

Currency is the Ducat.

In the aftermath of the governmental collapse, a group of college students who coincidentally happened to be part of the Byzantine Club managed to form a resemblance of order around Austin. Due to the massive amount of weapons in Texas, once order was established, there was little trouble establishing a standing army and conquering the surrounding areas. Being history enthusiasts and having studied many historical battles, the Byzantine Club which formed the core of the new Texan government had no trouble wiping out what resistance formed and quickly formed a stable government with the former club president taking on his new name and declaring the Byzantine Empire. (Michael VIII lore)

Most of the conservative and anti-science groups in Texas were purged in a series of "clean-ups" since the High Council did consist of STEM college students at its founding. There were major reeducation centers to teach deniers about evolution, climate change, and how the scientific method works in general. The Orthodox church was reinstituted, with general religious freedom except for a ban on evangelism (that is you're allowed to believe in whatever you like as long as you don't push it on others). So no annoying door to door missionaries; that's a crime. (Michael VIII lore)

The High Coucil of Despotes, what the club members are now, is also called "the Basileus".