(no subject)

[iceheart_imperial]

The Empire is mine now. Always.

Comments

[ancient_story]

And what empire would that be hm?

Oh, kudos to you for playing from 'Rome'.

[iceheart_imperial]

[She smiled, leaning back into her chair.]

The only one that matters, in the end. The Galactic Empire. Tens of millions of planets, colonies, subject territories...all part of the glorious New Order.

[ancient_story]

Never heard of it. [As far as Romans are concerned only Earth and its solar system exist.] The only empire I know of is Rome, favored by the War God Mars. The vast empire that covers all of the known world. [Except Germany and Scandinavia.]

[longlostspirit]

So... you're an Empress then? Or Dictator? What term do you prefer?

[Where does a God got fit in on the Force scale?]

[iceheart_imperial]

[An indulgent smile.]

One small, unknowing world? How quaint.

[iceheart_imperial]

The difference between an Empress and a Dictator is merely a crown.

I prefer 'Director.' None of the hubris of the former, and none of the affectations of the latter.

[longlostspirit]

I'm quite aware of that. I've spent time with both. [He muses.]

Must be quite difficult for a mortal to manage such a vast empire. Where I'm from we have had kingdoms and empires that lasted for millennia... but none of them spanned more than a continent, if even that.

[iceheart_imperial]

'Manage' is a bit of a misnomer. One rides the chaos, and attempts to steer the momentum. Full control over anything that complex is, I think, impossible.

[She sighs]

It has, of course, been tried. It ended spectacularly badly.

[longlostspirit]

I'd say it takes a little more than just "steering" to lead an empire.

It has been tried in my world too... but it was by a god... Not a mortal. He didn't do too much better.

[iceheart_imperial]

[She smiles at that. As if that action isn't a monumental achievement in itself.]

Oh, there are skills involved - otherwise the result is immediate decline. But you have to use momentum to your advantage.

[She leaves the god bit uncommented on. She's met people who claim to be gods, who are false gods, believe in them or don't believe in them. None so far have directly interfered with her, so she leaves the matter alone.]

Regardless of the size, or the power of the imperial center, there is no possibility of control on that scale. Not so long as people, citizens, are involved.

[longlostspirit]

I would assume as much. I'm advising an emperor myself on how to change the future of a 8000 year old empire and take it into the future.

[He muses. He doesn't comment on her desire not to comment. It's none of his business. That said, he isn't hiding that he's a pure spirit of light.]

Hmm... might be a good idea to involve the regular citizen in decision making. Like in a democracy. If everyone can pitch in about their concerns people might be more willing to cooperate. [It would be something he'd like to strive against. It only seems fair to him.]

[iceheart_imperial]

Eight-thousand years. Hmph. Now that's a neat trick. One done, I presume, with prodigious shedding of blood.

[That last, though, she shakes her head vehemently.]

That's what the Republic was. Fifty thousand voices, all pulling separate ways or working in factions. It held together by sheer size by and large. Come the end the entire thing was rotted out from the inside. Leave them to organize their own planets - the voice in the center must be strong.

[longlostspirit]

Certainly. They were corrupted by an evil god. Became oppressors and war mongers. It split the world apart, literally. But it also stunted their growth. They were on the opposite side of order, goodness and light.

If people are left to organize their own planets, I see no reason for a central power. A central power can become corrupted, high on power. [Like a certain Supreme Chancellor...] It would tear an empire apart. Interstellar agreements and alliances seems to be a far better solution, if a Senate where people's voices can be heard isn't desirable.

[iceheart_imperial]

Literally, as in physically? There's a new one.

Eventually all systems collapse - that is in their nature. Change is inevitable. You have to do what you can in the time you have. And a certain degree of autonomy is the trade one can make for obedience to larger goals.

[Plus, yes, they technically rule themselves - but the ruler is an Imperial Moff or Grand Moff. But she has no reason to paint Imperial rule in a less enlightened light.]

The central authority thus provides what is needed: order, regimentation of things like...trade languages, standards of measurement, taxation or even anti-piracy patrols. Bind it all together to a greater purpose.

[longlostspirit]

Yes. Torak used the Orb of Aldur to split the world apart, as a way to protect his own people in the first war. The Orb burned him because of that. It caused him eternal pain as gods aren't supposed to get hurt, hence they can not recover naturally.

My world has managed quite well for 8000 years to keep their system of freedom and autonomy going. I do not like the idea of "obedience". It leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I prefer respect and agreements. Not pushing your agenda upon someone else. It'll breed anger and lead to conflict.

[He looks quite disgusted at the idea. That sort of obedience has harmed his people far too long.]

Certain things do well from being centralized. Like some of those that you mention. But others don't. Taxes for one should benefit the local government. Not the "central power".

[iceheart_imperial]

We make do with the tools life hands us. Not all of us get magic orbs and gods deigning to help us.

[She leans on one arm, casual yet carefully observing.]

I have to make do with warships and soldiers, and unworthy politicians.

[longlostspirit]

That was then, not now. The gods have taken a seat back, allowing humans to take control of their own destinies. As for simply calling the Orb of Aldur a "magic orb" is quite ignorant. It's one half of the Will of the Universe.

I've similair things to deal with as I'm aiding the emperor of Mallorea. Though I've far better ideas how to solve the problems. Ideas that won't lead to hatred and eons of war. There has been enough of that.