The Empire: An Essay*

[Plausifraunz 361]

  

4 minutes ago, Crevel said:

At its very base-level, it's an extensive political entity consisting of varying distinct cultural groups. Look at the Roman Empire for instance and it spanned from England

The Roman empire still had a cultural identity though. What do you think of when you think of Rome? You think of art, literature, the depth of their political system, the religion that they had formed through conquering other places. Rome still had distinct clothing styles, distinct architecture, philosophers, artists, so on so forth.

The Empire, doesn't really have any of that. When I think of the empire, I just think of the vassals that it has. I don't necessarily think of the royal family. Rather then the Empire being a culture pot of people offering their cultures to others, it's a hotpot that's been separated into different soups, rather then figuring out how to enjoy one soup. I want one big hot pot, with varying levels of flavor. I want to enjoy my soup while adding an ingredient that doesn't overwhelm the average person. 

Like I had mentioned before, a little further up. Vassals having an identity isn't a bad thing. But the Empire itself doesn't really have a culture despite having one so to speak. Tell me, what do you think, when you think of the Empire?

[Apotolofo 2204]

Honestly, yeah I agree

 

I feel that what the empire is eventually going to end up doing is wiping out pretty much all non-human nations? 

 

I dunno, I haven't really had fun there. I'd like to! But I kinda haven't. 

[Epicethan4 948]

They are a fascist, imperialist ethno state that is a threat to Azuras and must be destroyed!

Edited December 4, 2025 by Epicethan4

[Laeonathan 5889]

1 hour ago, sam33497 said:

The CEO of roleplay has spoken, write the culture posts stat

culture posts fix EVERYTHING!!!!

 

2 hours ago, growingivy said:

Why is there no fun in the Empire?

There is. At least for me! My voidal mage currently makes HOLY PROPAGANDA ORBS that preach the scrolls. Then my Sarkozic is a silly Adrian teenager. Metchant. Getting rich...

 

I love how decentralized the Empire is. It gives lives to places.

Quote

The Empire, doesn't really have any of that (culture). 

  

The van Aerts, Marenos etc are Lodenlander/Midlander arent they??? 

[MailC3p 2402]

4 minutes ago, Laeonathan said:

The van Aerts, Marenos etc are Lodenlander/Midlander arent they??? 

The (PVPER) are (basic white boys) Aren't they????

[ScreamingDingo 20568]

me when empire is empire and it doesnt actually have culture but it enforces itself on the server which means it actually does have cultural significance but because it gives vassals autonomy its bad but because people surrender its bad but its also bad because it is not the same as all other human nations but at the same time its not unique enough because its not accomodating of darkspawn but its also too lenient on darkspawn but at the same time its also the use of canonism being evil but while actually it has other religious sects but at the same time the church and state are separated but actually why arent they more unique.

[MailC3p 2402]

10 minutes ago, ScreamingDingo said:

me when empire is empire and it doesnt actually have culture but it enforces itself on the server which means it actually does have cultural significance but because it gives vassals autonomy its bad but because people surrender its bad but its also bad because it is not the same as all other human nations but at the same time its not unique enough because its not accomodating of darkspawn but its also too lenient on darkspawn but at the same time its also the use of canonism being evil but while actually it has other religious sects but at the same time the church and state are separated but actually why arent they more unique.

 Me when Joel has a genuinely garbage take

[TheNunnery 1853]

Open ended question. How come anytime an empire is formed; the multiple identities found in the empire don't begin fighting for dominance or due to prior tension and feuds. Additionally how come there isn't plotlines OR narratives of those identities fighting for independence due to the central power not being of the same identity of the opposing faction? How do we never get perspective from citizens of these empires that express disinterest and distain for the empire? Which honestly. Would be a opening to then create narratives and plotlines within the empire of all these identities having and or creating collaboration amongst themselves. Even narratives which could be of factions which have had tension and feuds in the past. Making peace OR to continue their feuding. Fighting for political and court dominance. As long as it is all good and fun for other players! Love what everyone is saying so far and I definitely agree with all the points you made! 
 

Spoiler

@growingivy

 

[Slorbin 2932]

you're expecting good roleplay from a nation thats built entirely on little dark age edits

[Werew0lf 24179]

Thanks for the post.

 

I’m not going to try and make my vassals feel interconnected. Most of them do not like each other in-RP or OOC, a lot of the roleplay surrounding them gets publicly veiled because they would rather directly roleplay or answer to the Emperor. 

I’m okay with this. The Empire is too large (genuinely) to attempt this. Nectorist speaks on a lot of the points.

 

Imperial culture doesn’t really exist — even the capital itself is a mix of every culture, that’s to cater to the fact that we have over 20 culture groups integrated into the Empire.

 

I have a lot of roleplay and posts surrounding the imperial family which my children follow. Scarcely seen by most, unfortunately, because the Emperor doesn’t walk around very often (aaauraa???), a lot of the Empire is built on fearmongering. 
 

The idea and concept that everyone answers to one person (retrospectively, the Emperor’s power exists from the loyalty of his vassals), some out of genuine love, others because they fear, is just the uniqueness of the roleplay.

 

Empires of old had varying concepts around this. Some people followed the Emperor because they thought a united humanity was agreeable, but they wouldn’t let themselves get pushed around by the Emperor. It’s just slightly different this time around.

 

The nobility pre-existed the Empire. We scooped everyone in and some nations enjoy giving everyone titles. I am trying to abate this but we shall see.

 

I think your post was lovely though. Thanks. 

[Laeonathan 5889]

7 hours ago, Plausifraunz said:

The Roman empire still had a cultural identity though.

 

Barely. It was a multicultural state, even in Rome itself. Its the perfect example. 30+ languages were spoken and many cultures existed.

 

Lead by the Lodenlanders ehhh Romans...

[Sr_Dimentio 585]

Don't worry PEOPLE! I... Dimentio, OVERLORD of WHIMSY shall Carry all of the server's WHIMSY and FUN over my shoulders... No matter what!!! GRAAAAAAAH!!!! I'm Evil btw.

[Samson Option 9652]

7 hours ago, ScreamingDingo said:

me when empire is empire and it doesnt actually have culture but it enforces itself on the server which means it actually does have cultural significance but because it gives vassals autonomy its bad but because people surrender its bad but its also bad because it is not the same as all other human nations but at the same time its not unique enough because its not accomodating of darkspawn but its also too lenient on darkspawn but at the same time its also the use of canonism being evil but while actually it has other religious sects but at the same time the church and state are separated but actually why arent they more unique.

 

Those who want to whinge about this can whinge, but I agree with Joel here.

 

One psychological issue that seems to repeat itself among a number of players on this server is pseudo-critiquing how the next player enjoys their genre of narrative & roleplay. Obviously, Player A might not enjoy what flavors & genres Player B does, but sitting there & pseudointellectually griping about Player B is unnecessarily hostile & dare I say - as the internet culture has used this word - toxic. Usually this pseudointellectual gripe abstracts away the fact that you are dissatisfied with the dynamic nature of this server and that perhaps your character may be on a "weaker pole" so to speak at this point of time.

 

I'll use myself as an example simply for the sake of not offending any other person's sensibilities.

 

I gravitate towards expressing diverse cultures while tying them to real life entities because I thoroughly enjoy educating players through this medium. Does it have to be Player B's cup of tea? No. However, Player B bitching that I teach Arabic (called Qali on the server) because grr its too like real life! is unnecessarily hostile.

[Zqppy 918]

Sorry you dont find it fun,

:(

[Rig 17580]

10 hours ago, ScreamingDingo said:

me when empire is empire and it doesnt actually have culture but it enforces itself on the server which means it actually does have cultural significance but because it gives vassals autonomy its bad but because people surrender its bad but its also bad because it is not the same as all other human nations but at the same time its not unique enough because its not accomodating of darkspawn but its also too lenient on darkspawn but at the same time its also the use of canonism being evil but while actually it has other religious sects but at the same time the church and state are separated but actually why arent they more unique.

 

this reminds me of a PessPess post