Imperial institutions - Revision history

Matt at 12:05, 1 February 2017

2017-02-01T12:05:04Z

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	One of the things that makes Empire unique as a fest role-playing game is that the events take place within the context and setting of a civilized nation. The Empire has a fully detailed government, populated solely by PCs, which acts at the events. It has a school system for teaching children, a legal system for punishing offenders, a formal military council and the power to govern is divided between five great political houses, each with their own unique character. All of these institutions offer avenues for plot.		One of the things that makes Empire unique as a fest role-playing game is that the events take place within the context and setting of a civilized nation. The Empire has a fully detailed government, populated solely by PCs, which acts at the events. It has a school system for teaching children, a legal system for punishing offenders, a formal military council and the power to govern is divided between five great political houses, each with their own unique character. All of these institutions offer avenues for plot.
	==The Senate==		==The Senate==
	The Senate is primary ruling institution of the Empire - it is the [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Imperial_Senate Imperial Senate] that creates new laws, [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/New_titles] and raises armies. We have two [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Game_overview#The_Civil_Service_and_magistrates civil servants] who work in this area acting as impartial chairman of the debates and votes that take place.		The Senate is primary ruling institution of the Empire - it is the [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Imperial_Senate Imperial Senate] that creates new laws, [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/New_titles new titles] and raises armies. We have two [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Game_overview#The_Civil_Service_and_magistrates civil servants] who work in this area acting as impartial chairman of the debates and votes that take place.

	The Senate presents many opportunities for plot - NPCs may want new laws passed - or old laws repealed. They may want a new title created. The Senate has many different [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Powers_of_the_Senate powers] and for every power they have, there are a dozen different reasons an NPC might want them to use it.		The Senate presents many opportunities for plot - NPCs may want new laws passed - or old laws repealed. They may want a new title created. The Senate has many different [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Powers_of_the_Senate powers] and for every power they have, there are a dozen different reasons an NPC might want them to use it.

Matt: /* The Synod */

2015-11-13T13:53:20Z

The Synod

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	The political interactions between the Synod and the other houses are difficult to do plot with. In effect the Synod has little power other than over religion - but it has very strong powers to control and police the Senate and the Military Council (and to a lesser extent the Bourse and the Conclave, though it's powers here are much more limited). This interaction is an important part of the PvP political arena of the game - in theory it would be easy to write a group of NPCs who were agitating to have some senator removed from office - but in practice that kind of movement is very much the remit of PCs in Empire - plot is better advised to try and avoid involving themselves directly in the politics of the Empire. It's great to create plot that causes political divisions - but it's not a good idea to write plot in which NPCs take a stance against individual characters.		The political interactions between the Synod and the other houses are difficult to do plot with. In effect the Synod has little power other than over religion - but it has very strong powers to control and police the Senate and the Military Council (and to a lesser extent the Bourse and the Conclave, though it's powers here are much more limited). This interaction is an important part of the PvP political arena of the game - in theory it would be easy to write a group of NPCs who were agitating to have some senator removed from office - but in practice that kind of movement is very much the remit of PCs in Empire - plot is better advised to try and avoid involving themselves directly in the politics of the Empire. It's great to create plot that causes political divisions - but it's not a good idea to write plot in which NPCs take a stance against individual characters.

	The other major area of plot for the Synod is the true liao visions. The Synod controls the only known supply of [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Liao#True.2C_or_Imperial.2C_Liao true liao]. This powerful substance causes any human character who imbibes it to experience a vision - an experience of a past life according to Imperial theology. We have a team whose job is to create these vision experiences for the players - so that the experience is played out live. These visions are great opportunities to create an epic experience for an individual character as well as a mechanism to introduce plot elements into the game. [[Past life visions]] are discussed in detail on the page on ~~structural plot elements~~.		The other major area of plot for the Synod is the true liao visions. The Synod controls the only known supply of [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Liao#True.2C_or_Imperial.2C_Liao true liao]. This powerful substance causes any human character who imbibes it to experience a vision - an experience of a past life according to Imperial theology. We have a team whose job is to create these vision experiences for the players - so that the experience is played out live. These visions are great opportunities to create an epic experience for an individual character as well as a mechanism to introduce plot elements into the game. Past life visions are discussed in detail on the page on [[religion]].

	===Relevant NPCs===		===Relevant NPCs===

Matt: /* The Synod */

2015-11-13T13:52:26Z

The Synod

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:52, 13 November 2015
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	The political interactions between the Synod and the other houses are difficult to do plot with. In effect the Synod has little power other than over religion - but it has very strong powers to control and police the Senate and the Military Council (and to a lesser extent the Bourse and the Conclave, though it's powers here are much more limited). This interaction is an important part of the PvP political arena of the game - in theory it would be easy to write a group of NPCs who were agitating to have some senator removed from office - but in practice that kind of movement is very much the remit of PCs in Empire - plot is better advised to try and avoid involving themselves directly in the politics of the Empire. It's great to create plot that causes political divisions - but it's not a good idea to write plot in which NPCs take a stance against individual characters.		The political interactions between the Synod and the other houses are difficult to do plot with. In effect the Synod has little power other than over religion - but it has very strong powers to control and police the Senate and the Military Council (and to a lesser extent the Bourse and the Conclave, though it's powers here are much more limited). This interaction is an important part of the PvP political arena of the game - in theory it would be easy to write a group of NPCs who were agitating to have some senator removed from office - but in practice that kind of movement is very much the remit of PCs in Empire - plot is better advised to try and avoid involving themselves directly in the politics of the Empire. It's great to create plot that causes political divisions - but it's not a good idea to write plot in which NPCs take a stance against individual characters.

	The other major area of plot for the Synod is the true liao visions. The Synod controls the only known supply of [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Liao#True.2C_or_Imperial.2C_Liao true liao]. This powerful substance causes any human character who imbibes it to experience a vision - an experience of a past life according to Imperial theology. We have a team whose job is to create these vision experiences for the players - so that the experience is played out live. These visions are great opportunities to create an epic experience for an individual character as well as a mechanism to introduce plot elements into the game. [[~~Structural_elements#Past_Life_Visions\|~~Past life visions]] are discussed in detail on the page on structural plot elements.		The other major area of plot for the Synod is the true liao visions. The Synod controls the only known supply of [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Liao#True.2C_or_Imperial.2C_Liao true liao]. This powerful substance causes any human character who imbibes it to experience a vision - an experience of a past life according to Imperial theology. We have a team whose job is to create these vision experiences for the players - so that the experience is played out live. These visions are great opportunities to create an epic experience for an individual character as well as a mechanism to introduce plot elements into the game. [[Past life visions]] are discussed in detail on the page on structural plot elements.

	===Relevant NPCs===		===Relevant NPCs===

Matt: /* The Conclave */

2015-11-13T13:52:14Z

The Conclave

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	The Conclave has a complex political structure involving political parties - called [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Conclave_order orders] who elect grandmasters. The Conclave's powers are considerable but focussed on issues involving and affecting magic. Voting is done by the grandmasters who expend mana to a limit set by the number who elected them.		The Conclave has a complex political structure involving political parties - called [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Conclave_order orders] who elect grandmasters. The Conclave's powers are considerable but focussed on issues involving and affecting magic. Voting is done by the grandmasters who expend mana to a limit set by the number who elected them.

	The Conclave can declare a character to be a Sorcerer - indicating they have used magic to the detriment of the Empire. Sorcerers are forbidden to use magic and any magical resource they control is confiscated by the Conclave. They can also forbid Imperial citizens from dealing with Eternals considered to be enemies of the Empire and censor magics - rituals or magical items - if their use or manufacture would damage the Empire. These votes are also used to elect appointed officials of the Conclave, such as the Archmages ~~(who determine [[campaign elements#gambits\|gambits]])~~ and the Dean of the Lyceum (who is able to research new rituals).		The Conclave can declare a character to be a Sorcerer - indicating they have used magic to the detriment of the Empire. Sorcerers are forbidden to use magic and any magical resource they control is confiscated by the Conclave. They can also forbid Imperial citizens from dealing with Eternals considered to be enemies of the Empire and censor magics - rituals or magical items - if their use or manufacture would damage the Empire. These votes are also used to elect appointed officials of the Conclave, such as the Archmages and the Dean of the Lyceum (who is able to research new rituals).

	All these powers bring opportunities for plot - Eternals may intrigue with Conclave Mages to attempt to change their legal standing in the Empire - or the standing of their enemies. NPCs may seek to have magics forbidden, or may be attempting to access forbidden magic. They may be striving to have a character declared a Sorcerer - or appealing to the Conclave to lift a previous judgement. NPC Imperial mages may have developed a new ritual that they are seeking Conclave approval for.		All these powers bring opportunities for plot - Eternals may intrigue with Conclave Mages to attempt to change their legal standing in the Empire - or the standing of their enemies. NPCs may seek to have magics forbidden, or may be attempting to access forbidden magic. They may be striving to have a character declared a Sorcerer - or appealing to the Conclave to lift a previous judgement. NPC Imperial mages may have developed a new ritual that they are seeking Conclave approval for.

	If you are interested in doing plot with the Conclave - then it is useful to read the section on [[~~Structural_elements#Magic\|~~magic]].		If you are interested in doing plot with the Conclave - then it is useful to read the section on [[magic]].

	===Gambits===		===Gambits===

Matt: /* The Bourse */

2015-11-13T13:51:54Z

The Bourse

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	As a political body the Bourse is the least powerful of all the political institutions of the Empire. Rather than acting as a single cohesive body to wield powers, the Bourse is made up of individuals who each control one of the centres of production for Mithril, Weirwood, or White Granite in the Empire. This gives them the power to make themselves them very rich - and it gives them considerable political and economic power - but their only cooperative power comes from working together to create monopolistic control of these resources. Plot that concerns the economics of the Empire, of nations or of individuals is likely to be of interest to the characters in the Bourse.		As a political body the Bourse is the least powerful of all the political institutions of the Empire. Rather than acting as a single cohesive body to wield powers, the Bourse is made up of individuals who each control one of the centres of production for Mithril, Weirwood, or White Granite in the Empire. This gives them the power to make themselves them very rich - and it gives them considerable political and economic power - but their only cooperative power comes from working together to create monopolistic control of these resources. Plot that concerns the economics of the Empire, of nations or of individuals is likely to be of interest to the characters in the Bourse.

	Because they control the supply of vital resources, plot that is attempting to acquire those resources is likely to end up targeting bourse members. Plot that offers to provide these resources should be handled with care (see [[~~Structural_elements#Economics\|~~economics]] and you need to think carefully whether to target this plot at the Bourse or is aiming to avoid it. In fact if you are keen to run trade based plot in the Bourse (or without) then it is important to read the section on economics carefully - it is as central to the Bourse as war in Empire is to the Military Council.		Because they control the supply of vital resources, plot that is attempting to acquire those resources is likely to end up targeting bourse members. Plot that offers to provide these resources should be handled with care (see [[economics]] and you need to think carefully whether to target this plot at the Bourse or is aiming to avoid it. In fact if you are keen to run trade based plot in the Bourse (or without) then it is important to read the section on economics carefully - it is as central to the Bourse as war in Empire is to the Military Council.

	The most prominent avenue for plot in the Bourse is the private auction - described below.		The most prominent avenue for plot in the Bourse is the private auction - described below.

Matt: /* The Military Council */

2015-11-13T13:51:33Z

The Military Council

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	If you are doing any plot with an army then it is important to get the scale right. An army is a huge thing - roughly five thousand fighting men - you can't run a plot where the army will get stronger by being given a single magic weapon.		If you are doing any plot with an army then it is important to get the scale right. An army is a huge thing - roughly five thousand fighting men - you can't run a plot where the army will get stronger by being given a single magic weapon.

	If you are interested in doing plot with the Military Council - then it is important to read the entire section on war on the page about [[structural elements]].		If you are interested in doing plot with the Military Council - then it is important to read the entire section on war on the page about [[Plot_tools#Structural_Elements\|structural elements]].

	===Relevant NPCs===		===Relevant NPCs===

Matt at 08:00, 14 November 2014

2014-11-14T08:00:40Z

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	===Relevant NPCs===		===Relevant NPCs===
	* reference to Tom Francis, Gill Francis, Jerry and other Academy civil servants required		* reference to Tom Francis, Gill Francis, Jerry and other Academy civil servants required
	~~[[Category:~~Plot]]		{{Plot Further Reading}}
	[[Category:Campaign Elements]]		[[Category:Campaign Elements]]

Mrdaniel: /* Relevant NPCs */

2014-03-14T17:30:30Z

Relevant NPCs

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	===Relevant NPCs===		===Relevant NPCs===
	The civil servant in charge of Synod Judgments is [Angelo\|[Angelo i Ceneiza]] a Freeborn character played by Daniel Williams.		The civil servant in charge of Synod Judgments is [[Angelo\|Angelo i Ceneiza]] a Freeborn character played by Daniel Williams.

	==The Civil Service==		==The Civil Service==

Mrdaniel at 17:30, 14 March 2014

2014-03-14T17:30:09Z

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	===Relevant NPCs===		===Relevant NPCs===
	The [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Appointments_to_the_Senate#Speaker.27s_Seat Speakers for the Senate] are [[John of Meade]], a Marcher character played by Harry Harrold ~~and~~ [[~~Origen~~]] ~~of Urizen~~ played by ~~Ian Andrews~~.		The [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Appointments_to_the_Senate#Speaker.27s_Seat Speakers for the Senate] are [[John of Meade]], a Marcher character played by Harry Harrold.

			The civil servant in charge of research requests is [[Angelo\|Angelo i Ceneiza]] a Freeborn character played by Daniel Williams.

	~~The civil servant in charge of research requests is [[Angelo i Ceniza]] a Freeborn character played by Daniel Williams.~~
	==The Military Council==		==The Military Council==
	The [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Imperial_Military_Council Military Council] is the military body that controls the armies of the Empire and is charged with its defence. The Generals who sit on the council are appointed by the Senators, but in theory they are independent of them once appointed. Each General has sole control of a single [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Imperial_armies Imperial army] - they usually submit their orders together, but there is no requirement to do so. Generals are good hooks for plot - the well being of their army is their responsibility - and most are powerful and influential characters able to source resources to solve problems they are facing.		The [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Imperial_Military_Council Military Council] is the military body that controls the armies of the Empire and is charged with its defence. The Generals who sit on the council are appointed by the Senators, but in theory they are independent of them once appointed. Each General has sole control of a single [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/empire-wiki/Imperial_armies Imperial army] - they usually submit their orders together, but there is no requirement to do so. Generals are good hooks for plot - the well being of their army is their responsibility - and most are powerful and influential characters able to source resources to solve problems they are facing.
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	===Relevant NPCs===		===Relevant NPCs===
	The functionary who serves the Military Council is [[Pavel Gregorivitch Milyukov]], a Varushkan played by Liam Spinage.		The functionary who serves the Military Council is [[Pavel\|Pavel Gregorivitch Milyukov]], a Varushkan played by Liam Spinage.

	==The Bourse==		==The Bourse==
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	===Relevant NPCs===		===Relevant NPCs===
	The functionaries who serve the Bourse are [[Elgar Nithenhow]], an Urizen played by Dave Jones and [[Marta Vaskovich Kovar]], a Varushkan played by Elinor Kershaw.		The functionaries who serve the Bourse are [[Elgar\|Elgar Nithenhow]], an Urizen played by Dave Jones and [[Marta\|Marta Vaskovich Kovar]], a Varushkan played by Elinor Kershaw.

	==The Conclave==		==The Conclave==
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	===Relevant NPCs===		===Relevant NPCs===
	The civil servant in charge of ~~research requests~~ is [[Angelo i ~~Ceniza~~]] a Freeborn character played by Daniel Williams.		The civil servant in charge of Synod Judgments is [Angelo\|[Angelo i Ceneiza]] a Freeborn character played by Daniel Williams.

	==The Civil Service==		==The Civil Service==

Mrdaniel: /* Relevant NPCs */

2014-03-14T17:19:58Z

Relevant NPCs

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:19, 14 March 2014
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	===Relevant NPCs===		===Relevant NPCs===
	* reference to Kate Forsters character required. Complete list of civil servants would be useful.		* reference to Kate Forsters character required. Complete list of civil servants would be useful, and a work in progress version is [[Civil servants\|here]]

	==The Tavern==		==The Tavern==