Rules update 2024 - Revision history

GuiltyConscience at 11:10, 18 August 2026

2026-08-18T11:10:35Z

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	===Reasoning===		===Reasoning===
	Empire is an avowedly political game, one where the decisions that people make are crucial to what happens because they have profound consequences. It's not possible to have a game in which the decisions players make are important yet have no consequences. However we want those decisions to result in in-character confrontations that are filled with drama and tension, not out-of-character unpleasantness. The point of rough music is to highlight important decisions that have been taken, to draw attention to them and ~~emphasize~~ the drama and impact they have had. Participants must take active steps to avoid their actions becoming so daunting that they make other players feel out-of-character punished or intimidated.		Empire is an avowedly political game, one where the decisions that people make are crucial to what happens because they have profound consequences. It's not possible to have a game in which the decisions players make are important yet have no consequences. However we want those decisions to result in in-character confrontations that are filled with drama and tension, not out-of-character unpleasantness. The point of rough music is to highlight important decisions that have been taken, to draw attention to them and emphasise the drama and impact they have had. Participants must take active steps to avoid their actions becoming so daunting that they make other players feel out-of-character punished or intimidated.

	The existing information already presented clear rules for rough music, like not attacking the targets and not entering their house. There have been a number of occasions at recent events where that IC guidance has been ignored. So we have updated the wiki entry to make it clear in-character why these rules exist but also to state clearly that we require participants to treat these as part of the out-of-character rules of the game. If you engage in rough music you ''must'' follow the three golden rules for everyone's benefit.		The existing information already presented clear rules for rough music, like not attacking the targets and not entering their house. There have been a number of occasions at recent events where that IC guidance has been ignored. So we have updated the wiki entry to make it clear in-character why these rules exist but also to state clearly that we require participants to treat these as part of the out-of-character rules of the game. If you engage in rough music you ''must'' follow the three golden rules for everyone's benefit.

	We've changed rough music to ~~emphasize~~ a procession that ends at the target, so that players can maximise the drama of what they are doing. The rough music ''must'' end within a few minutes of arriving at the destination: it achieves very little in-character to prolong the racket at that point, it simply makes it more out-of-character unpleasant. Starting the rough music early and as part of a procession to the destination means that people can still make a hullabaloo and get everyone's attention, but should prevent any single group of players from being on the receiving end of the noise for too long.		We've changed rough music to emphasise a procession that ends at the target, so that players can maximise the drama of what they are doing. The rough music ''must'' end within a few minutes of arriving at the destination: it achieves very little in-character to prolong the racket at that point, it simply makes it more out-of-character unpleasant. Starting the rough music early and as part of a procession to the destination means that people can still make a hullabaloo and get everyone's attention, but should prevent any single group of players from being on the receiving end of the noise for too long.

	We know that Marcher players enjoy engaging in rough music, but the best way to roleplay at Empire is to make the things you do enjoyable for other players as well as yourself. We don't want the Marchers to have a reputation as bullies, so rough music must be a dramatic, climactic confrontation not a ''punishment''.		We know that Marcher players enjoy engaging in rough music, but the best way to roleplay at Empire is to make the things you do enjoyable for other players as well as yourself. We don't want the Marchers to have a reputation as bullies, so rough music must be a dramatic, climactic confrontation not a ''punishment''.

AmyMason at 14:55, 6 March 2026

2026-03-06T14:55:03Z

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	<tr><td>[[Crow Keeper of the Rest]]</td><td>6 vials of liao, 12 votes in the Imperial Synod</td><td>8 vials of liao and 3 doses of [[Goosewhisper Infusion]] each season</td></tr>		<tr><td>[[Crow Keeper of the Rest]]</td><td>6 vials of liao, 12 votes in the Imperial Synod</td><td>8 vials of liao and 3 doses of [[Goosewhisper Infusion]] each season</td></tr>
	<tr><td>[[Curator of the Blood Red River]]</td><td>8 vials of liao, 16 votes in the Imperial Synod</td><td>15 vials of liao and 8 crowns each season</td></tr>		<tr><td>[[Curator of the Blood Red River]]</td><td>8 vials of liao, 16 votes in the Imperial Synod</td><td>15 vials of liao and 8 crowns each season</td></tr>
	<tr><td>[[Curator of the ~~Printer~~'s Guild Museum]]</td><td>6 vials of liao, 12 votes in the Imperial Synod</td><td>7 mana crystals and 4 crowns each season</td></tr>		<tr><td>[[Curator of the Printers' Guild Museum]]</td><td>6 vials of liao, 12 votes in the Imperial Synod</td><td>7 mana crystals and 4 crowns each season</td></tr>
	<tr><td>[[Curator of the White City Museum]]</td><td>7 vials of liao, 14 votes in the Imperial Synod</td><td>11 vials of liao and 4 crowns each season</td></tr>		<tr><td>[[Curator of the White City Museum]]</td><td>7 vials of liao, 14 votes in the Imperial Synod</td><td>11 vials of liao and 4 crowns each season</td></tr>
	<tr><td>[[Custodian of the Imperial War Memorial]]</td><td>6 vials of liao, 12 votes in the Imperial Synod</td><td>9 vials of liao and 4 crowns each season</td></tr>		<tr><td>[[Custodian of the Imperial War Memorial]]</td><td>6 vials of liao, 12 votes in the Imperial Synod</td><td>9 vials of liao and 4 crowns each season</td></tr>

Twiggy at 21:34, 4 March 2026

2026-03-04T21:34:53Z

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	==Overview==		==Overview==
	Every year we carry out a review of some part of the game looking to see what we can improve. This page ~~summarizes~~ and explains the changes so that players can identify and understand the changes easily. We try to include a section after each update to explain the reasoning behind the change, as well as providing an in-character rationale for what has changed where appropriate.		Every year we carry out a review of some part of the game looking to see what we can improve. This page summarises and explains the changes so that players can identify and understand the changes easily. We try to include a section after each update to explain the reasoning behind the change, as well as providing an in-character rationale for what has changed where appropriate.

	==Veto==		==Veto==

Twiggy at 17:55, 18 February 2026

2026-02-18T17:55:30Z

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	When we've run previous Synod vetos we gave the players until the end of the next event to try to get the greater majority. That was the actual precedent in play, but the way the wiki was worded implied that it had to be done before 10pm Friday.		When we've run previous Synod vetos we gave the players until the end of the next event to try to get the greater majority. That was the actual precedent in play, but the way the wiki was worded implied that it had to be done before 10pm Friday.

	Having looked at this, it would clearly present significant logistical challenges to get voting accomplished by 10pm of Friday of the next event. Crucially this compressed time-frame would mean that the organisation needed would have to be done in downtime between events, which is the opposite of what we want. We want to encourage players to have the time to discuss and organise these things while in-character at events. As a result it is very clear that giving the Synod more time to vote on this will produce a much better game in te long run.		Having looked at this, it would clearly present significant logistical challenges to get voting accomplished by 10pm of Friday of the next event. Crucially this compressed time-frame would mean that the organisation needed would have to be done in downtime between events, which is the opposite of what we want. We want to encourage players to have the time to discuss and organise these things while in-character at events. As a result it is very clear that giving the Synod more time to vote on this will produce a much better game in the long run.

	We've set the deadline for 10pm Saturday rather than the latest possible deadline on Sunday, so that the Senate has time to respond to any developments. The Synod veto is PvP politics between the Senate and the Synod and we want to make sure that both have an opportunity to act depending on what each other is doing. The Senate cannot resubmit the original Senate motion this event if it is vetoed - but they could submit different motions if the veto goes through and we want to make sure they have that opportunity.		We've set the deadline for 10pm Saturday rather than the latest possible deadline on Sunday, so that the Senate has time to respond to any developments. The Synod veto is PvP politics between the Senate and the Synod and we want to make sure that both have an opportunity to act depending on what each other is doing. The Senate cannot resubmit the original Senate motion this event if it is vetoed - but they could submit different motions if the veto goes through and we want to make sure they have that opportunity.

Twiggy: /* Reasoning */

2025-07-13T16:41:20Z

Reasoning

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	The previous rules implied you couldn't make any calls by listing all the sources of power that you couldn't use while suffering from weakness. That left room for an interpretation that said you could make a call if it was from some source that wasn't mentioned in the list. That was never our intention - one of the primary things that weakness does is stop you making any calls. We've rewritten the rules to make it clear that that is always the case.		The previous rules implied you couldn't make any calls by listing all the sources of power that you couldn't use while suffering from weakness. That left room for an interpretation that said you could make a call if it was from some source that wasn't mentioned in the list. That was never our intention - one of the primary things that weakness does is stop you making any calls. We've rewritten the rules to make it clear that that is always the case.

	We've also added religious skills to the list of skills you cannot use while suffering from weakness. You have never been able to use heroic skills or cast spells or rituals while under the effect. Omitting religious skills was an oversight on our part that suggested that these skills weren't as taxing or important as heroic or magical skills. That's not the case - and we've added religious skills to list of skills that prohibited by by the weakness condition.		We've also added religious skills to the list of skills you cannot use while suffering from weakness. You have never been able to use heroic skills or cast spells or rituals while under the effect. Omitting religious skills was an oversight on our part that suggested that these skills weren't as taxing or important as heroic or magical skills. That's not the case - and we've added religious skills to list of skills that prohibited by the weakness condition.

	==Writ of Consecration==		==Writ of Consecration==

Matt: /* Veto */

2024-08-31T18:08:33Z

Veto

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	===Reasoning===		===Reasoning===
	The existing wording on the wiki was ambiguous about exactly how a veto carried over from one event to the next would work. The wiki said only that it would be passed to the tribune for "judgement before the first voting deadline at the following summit". It was not clear whether this meant it was available for voting before 10pm on Friday or whether voting had to be completed by then.		The existing wording on the wiki was ambiguous about exactly how a veto carried over from one event to the next would work. The wiki said only that it would be passed to the tribune for "judgement before the first voting deadline at the following summit". It was not clear whether this meant it was available for voting before 10pm on Friday or whether voting had to be completed by then.

			When we've run previous Synod vetos we gave the players until the end of the next event to try to get the greater majority. That was the actual precedent in play, but the way the wiki was worded implied that it had to be done before 10pm Friday.

	Having looked at this, it would clearly present significant logistical challenges to get voting accomplished by 10pm of Friday of the next event. Crucially this compressed time-frame would mean that the organisation needed would have to be done in downtime between events, which is the opposite of what we want. We want to encourage players to have the time to discuss and organise these things while in-character at events. As a result it is very clear that giving the Synod more time to vote on this will produce a much better game in te long run.		Having looked at this, it would clearly present significant logistical challenges to get voting accomplished by 10pm of Friday of the next event. Crucially this compressed time-frame would mean that the organisation needed would have to be done in downtime between events, which is the opposite of what we want. We want to encourage players to have the time to discuss and organise these things while in-character at events. As a result it is very clear that giving the Synod more time to vote on this will produce a much better game in te long run.

Matt: /* IC Explanation */

2024-08-31T17:46:21Z

IC Explanation

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	In situations where more than one title is being voted on, it will be much harder for a single powerful voting block to ensure they win all the elections - the new system will support rival groups vying for power to get something even if they can't get the title they wanted. The new process should also make it simpler for our civil service who will no longer need to record each individual vote, just identify the winners.		In situations where more than one title is being voted on, it will be much harder for a single powerful voting block to ensure they win all the elections - the new system will support rival groups vying for power to get something even if they can't get the title they wanted. The new process should also make it simpler for our civil service who will no longer need to record each individual vote, just identify the winners.

	===IC ~~Explanation~~===		===IC Justification===
	With the number of Bourse elections continuing to increase, the Imperial Civil Service have been forced to make some changes to the election protocols to ensure that they can continue to fairly assess the will of the nations in these matters.		With the number of Bourse elections continuing to increase, the Imperial Civil Service have been forced to make some changes to the election protocols to ensure that they can continue to fairly assess the will of the nations in these matters.

Matt: /* IC Explanation */

2024-08-31T17:46:12Z

IC Explanation

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	We know that Marcher players enjoy engaging in rough music, but the best way to roleplay at Empire is to make the things you do enjoyable for other players as well as yourself. We don't want the Marchers to have a reputation as bullies, so rough music must be a dramatic, climactic confrontation not a ''punishment''.		We know that Marcher players enjoy engaging in rough music, but the best way to roleplay at Empire is to make the things you do enjoyable for other players as well as yourself. We don't want the Marchers to have a reputation as bullies, so rough music must be a dramatic, climactic confrontation not a ''punishment''.

	===IC ~~Explanation~~===		===IC Justification===
	As the guardians of Marcher culture, the egregores have taken steps to remind all Marchers of the importance of following the rules when engaging in rough music. Having spoken with Marchers throughout the nation, they've collated the wisdom of the Marches to provide some best practices that they expect everyone to follow.		As the guardians of Marcher culture, the egregores have taken steps to remind all Marchers of the importance of following the rules when engaging in rough music. Having spoken with Marchers throughout the nation, they've collated the wisdom of the Marches to provide some best practices that they expect everyone to follow.

Matt: /* IC Explanation */

2024-08-31T17:45:58Z

IC Explanation

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	We've set the deadline for 10pm Saturday rather than the latest possible deadline on Sunday, so that the Senate has time to respond to any developments. The Synod veto is PvP politics between the Senate and the Synod and we want to make sure that both have an opportunity to act depending on what each other is doing. The Senate cannot resubmit the original Senate motion this event if it is vetoed - but they could submit different motions if the veto goes through and we want to make sure they have that opportunity.		We've set the deadline for 10pm Saturday rather than the latest possible deadline on Sunday, so that the Senate has time to respond to any developments. The Synod veto is PvP politics between the Senate and the Synod and we want to make sure that both have an opportunity to act depending on what each other is doing. The Senate cannot resubmit the original Senate motion this event if it is vetoed - but they could submit different motions if the veto goes through and we want to make sure they have that opportunity.

	===IC ~~Explanation~~===		===IC Justification===
	The powers of the Synod to veto a judgement are only rarely used. The official published guidance was unclear, as it failed to specify whether the judgement must be submitted before 10pm on Friday of the next session or voted on before 10pm on Friday of the next session. The civil service have carried out an extensive review of the historical records and identified that the correct approach is to submit it before 10pm on Friday but for voting to be completed by the last voting deadline on Saturday (10pm).		The powers of the Synod to veto a judgement are only rarely used. The official published guidance was unclear, as it failed to specify whether the judgement must be submitted before 10pm on Friday of the next session or voted on before 10pm on Friday of the next session. The civil service have carried out an extensive review of the historical records and identified that the correct approach is to submit it before 10pm on Friday but for voting to be completed by the last voting deadline on Saturday (10pm).

	==International Diplomacy==		==International Diplomacy==

Matt: /* IC Explanation */

2024-08-31T17:45:47Z

IC Explanation

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	For Dawn, we have attempted to create a physical process for the election that reflects its glorious nature. That is difficult to do, since elections are by their nature grubby political affairs. We've presented a new process which we hope players will support and do their best to make as glorious and filled with pomp and splendour as possible, but we welcome feedback on ways that we can make that even more of a spectacle.		For Dawn, we have attempted to create a physical process for the election that reflects its glorious nature. That is difficult to do, since elections are by their nature grubby political affairs. We've presented a new process which we hope players will support and do their best to make as glorious and filled with pomp and splendour as possible, but we welcome feedback on ways that we can make that even more of a spectacle.

	===IC ~~Explanation~~===		===IC Justification===
	The new political systems have been introduced following change discussed between the civil service and the egregores of the respective nations. Over winter the egregores have worked with the civil service to create voting mechanisms that better reflect the spirit of the nation.		The new political systems have been introduced following change discussed between the civil service and the egregores of the respective nations. Over winter the egregores have worked with the civil service to create voting mechanisms that better reflect the spirit of the nation.