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>>6043148
Before your disbelieving eyes, the flesh sloughs from where the bones should be, but there are none. Not even a skeleton. Liquefied skin collects to a puddle under well-worn boots, which without a structure supporting them, fall to either side. The robes of his office are discarded then, and what lays beneath is unspeakable.

Where once a human stood, now towers a grotesque mass of black sinew and coagulant oil. Nowhere is a distinct face or appendages visible. For the first time in a long time, you are at a loss for words. Raw instinct drives you to grip the sword handle at your waist. The Royal Guard snap to combat readiness and, as drilled, hesitate to fire. Tension like the weight of a gas giant's core crushes the throne room, before the moment passes and a word escapes your synthesizer. "...what!?"

The tendons undulate, and a toothless maw opens in the center. It speaks with a wet, guttural diction. "This has been a long time coming, your majesty." If you had a jaw, it would be agape. "I must confess. I never was human, nor am I descended from any of the genewrights of your magnificent clade." The mass ripples, and the sound of its voice seamlessly shifts to that of the Igor you knew. "My kind are utterly unknown to the wider galaxy. I break a great taboo in revealing myself to you in this way. I will break another, in telling you of our purpose."

>>6043152
You listen, stunned.

"Epochs ago, an ancient race held sway over the cosmos. Their mastery of geneticism knew no equal and has not been matched since. They created a plethora of lesser races to suit their purposes. Among them were my predecessors. We were designed to hold functionally indefinite lifespans and flawless recall of prior stimuli. Living databanks that could not be corrupted." The thing that was disguised as Igor, or, is Igor, continues. "That ancient race disappeared. Its whereabouts are unknown to us and to our knowledge, we are the only instance of their creations that has not been marred by the passage of time."

"In their absence, we found a new purpose: To study and record the cosmos, so that no other race would be so forgotten. To that end, we have meticulously exploited our physiologies in concert with organic prostheses to disguise ourselves as members of myriad alien species, infiltrate their societies, and collect data along all social strata. We know ourselves as the Archivists, in your tongue, and have no overarching civilization. Not as you would understand it." This sends your mind reeling. "You..."

>>6043154
The creature ripples in response. "Yes, your majesty. I deceived your predecessors in House Vonduul to record the decline of their dynasty. In the aftermath of their collapse, I found an opportunity to study your grandfather firsthand." Even Emperor Alphonse... "Initially, my observance was strictly detached and rational. However, as his reign progressed and I witnessed excellence after excellence, your grandfather's reckless idealism tested my resolve. In my weakness…”

“I failed.” At this word, its frame hisses, akin to hot-air from a vent. “I broke our most sacred taboo and developed faint sentiments toward your lineage. These deepened, until I grew an attachment and did not move on from my disguise when its duration reached the end of your species' natural lifespan."

Its sinews tense as shame enters its tone. "The Archivists hold a strict noninterference policy to avoid unduly influencing younger societies. In accordance to this, in my tenure as Head Advisor, I have attempted to guide your lineage to act on what it already believes is best while encouraging a bare minimum of bias." Igor slumps, additional maw opening above the other to loudly weep as the first goes on. "I have failed my purpose and irrevocably tainted your dynasty's course in history, but I cannot keep up this facade any longer!"

>>6043158
The sinews fall to the ground in a pile, the portion with both orifices thrusting itself to the floor. "It is irrational, and I do not care! I love House Heinrich, your majesty! I loved Alphonse, I loved Albin, and I love you, Otto! I love your throne, like a leaf to the sun! All I want is to serve! Please, your majesty, forgive me for lying to you for so long!"

To say you’re taken aback is the understatement of the century. “How long… How long has your kind been studying us!?” The creature prostrates lower. “I cannot say, my liege. I have sworn to an accord.” You brace yourself, trying to collect your thoughts. “You’ve betrayed our trust!” The puddle of viscera squirms. “I am aware, your majesty. I beg you to understand. My ganglions are not capable of higher emotion. Not despair, or shame, or hate, only cold reason. For eight millennia, I have watched the races of the galaxy. I have seen the highest and lowest instances of sapience. None moved me until House Heinrich.”

“It is antithetical to my physiology and conditioning, but on a rational level, in every way save base instinct, in these few fleeting generations, I have come to love your dynasty. Your highs, your lows, the tapestry of glory! I was greedy, my liege! I wanted to see it! To see you and yours rise and fall!” It continues, feigning desperation. “I wanted to be there for your bloodline! For you, my Emperor! Everything for the Empire!”

>>6043160
The initial shock begins to waver. You collect your thoughts and, as is your duty, come to a swift and decisive judgement.

>Execute Igor. This sickening abomination has deceived your entire lineage and wormed its way into the highest echelons of power. Such a crime would be unforgivable from a man, let alone… this!
>Imprison Igor. This revelation represents an absolutely catastrophic breach of internal security, regardless of whether its words are true. It must be confined and kept under armed watch while you deliberate on the implications.
>Banish Igor. This aberration has betrayed your dynasty in the deepest sense and its continued presence cannot be tolerated, but you cannot deny its decades of service. It will be gone from your sight, never to return.
>Interrogate Igor. This is a bizarre and disgusting situation, but you also lack context. You’ll demand to know more, while it is still prostrating and, at least openly, cooperating.
>Enlist Igor. This… thing… insists it’s loyal to your dynasty and against your instinctive revulsion, you choose to believe it. You cannot keep it as an advisor, not now, but perhaps can be of use in other ways.
>Trust Igor. This creature is nonhuman, not even terrestrial life, but it has served House Heinrich longer than anyone else. You choose to believe its words, keep its secret, and retain its services as an advisor.

>>6043161
>>Trust Igor. This creature is nonhuman, not even terrestrial life, but it has served House Heinrich longer than anyone else. You choose to believe its words, keep its secret, and retain its services as an advisor.
Not to mention father would roll in his grave if we let the living treasure-trove of information die.

"Just put the suit back on."

>>6043161
>Trust Igor. This creature is nonhuman, not even terrestrial life, but it has served House Heinrich longer than anyone else. You choose to believe its words, keep its secret, and retain its services as an advisor.
A incredibly loyal and useful Xeno? How curious. Igor, or whatever it's name is, can be even more than an advisor since

>>6043161
>Trust Igor. This creature is nonhuman, not even terrestrial life, but it has served House Heinrich longer than anyone else. You choose to believe its words, keep its secret, and retain its services as an advisor.
He's back. HUZZAH.

>Trust Igor. This creature is nonhuman, not even terrestrial life, but it has served House Heinrich longer than anyone else. You choose to believe its words, keep its secret, and retain its services as an advisor.

This is my favorite quest. And I'm so glade you're back.

>>6043161
>Trust Igor. This creature is nonhuman, not even terrestrial life, but it has served House Heinrich longer than anyone else. You choose to believe its words, keep its secret, and retain its services as an advisor.
We're going to have to keep this one under wraps because, oh boy, imagine the shitfit that would follow. I wonder what data House Nigtshayd has gathered on the man?

>>6043161
>Trust Igor. This creature is nonhuman, not even terrestrial life, but it has served House Heinrich longer than anyone else. You choose to believe its words, keep its secret, and retain its services as an advisor.

>>6043161
>>6043163
+1
It's returned!

>>6043161

>Trust Igor. This creature is nonhuman, not even terrestrial life, but it has served House Heinrich longer than anyone else. You choose to believe its words, keep its secret, and retain its services as an advisor.

“If my father were here…Well, there is no question what he would do. Resume your position, Igor - advise the House. But you must be truthful from here on. What proof do you offer of your tale?”

>>6043161
>>Trust Igor. This creature is nonhuman, not even terrestrial life, but it has served House Heinrich longer than anyone else. You choose to believe its words, keep its secret, and retain its services as an advisor.
friend :)

>>6043163
>>6043234
>>6043274
>>6043314
>>6043399
>>6043434
>>6043470
>>6043479
>>6043482
Your mind races through any one of a thousand terrible possibilities, and in the end, keeps coming to the same conclusion. You release the grip on your blade and raise the palm of your hand, setting the Royal Guard at ease. The alien remains in a slump on the floor, “face” down, but you doubt its sensory organs are concentrated anything like a human’s.

“If my father were here…”

Its black mass quivers.

“Well, there is no question what he would do. Resume your position, Igor- advise the House.”

The Archivist (ex-Archivist?) pulsates, quaking in an approximation of disbelief. “My liege?”

You continue, speaking with imperial authority. “But you must be truthful from here on.”

It undulates rapidly, throwing itself into the floor. “You have my solemn oath!”

You observe the aberration, curious. To think that for all those years, this was your Head Advisor… It staggers the mind. Your father would have been ecstatic. Perhaps too ecstatic. Such a revelation, if mishandled, could have toppled the dynasty. Waiting for the end of your reign when you’ve become older and wiser to show itself was a cunning choice, though you recall that it was your own.

If what it says is true, this creature, Igor, is a potentially priceless fount of knowledge. There are few better qualities for a Head Advisor to have. Still, you cannot blindly assume its integrity. “What proof do you offer of your tale?”

Rather than rise from its position, Igor opens another toothless maw facing your direction. “I will give up a blood sample to study. Your scientists will find it beyond them. I can recite every word your majesty has ever spoken to me, in the same diction, and recall the exact time and date. Further, while I was not here during the era of its invention, I once read one of its schematics and am confident I can set your technicians en-route to reassemble your macro-telescope.”

>>6044052
The macro-telescope, arguably the only achievement you’ve made without the Eternal Empire behind you. Even so, that isn’t proof. Igor doesn’t stop there. “Apart from my physiology, I have no physical evidence, my liege. Our purpose has no need for external records and we spend centuries at a time isolated from the rest of our kind. I have no other choice. I must ask you to take this on faith.”

You ponder deeply. If you still had a mouth, you would have sighed. “So be it. Arise, servant of the crown, and continue your work.” The alien scrambles up with worrying speed and twists itself into a bow. “Thank you, your majesty! Thank you! What shall I do now?” Answering that takes far less thought.

“Just put the suit back on.”

Igor ripples. “At once, your majesty!” It snatches up the robes of its office and departs for its personal quarters. Roughly two hours later, Igor, the Igor you knew, returns and seems no different than he ever was. Needless to say, every member of the Royal Guard involved has been sworn to secrecy. As surreal as this situation was, in the end, not too much changes for the day-to-day management of the dynasty.

>>6044056
Your retirement is imminent and the ascendancy of your heir fast approaches. Soon, you’ll leave the burden of rule behind, and cast-off the polite appearances necessary for your position. It shall be your last act as sovereign and you will not be swayed. The cyber-surgeons have been prepared, critical arrangements have been made. Your final campaign awaits…

The only question is how it should be waged.

>Requisition a fleet. One of the Hookware-pattern, easily maintained, and discretely staffed with restless patriots and old veterans of the war on Uvarth. You’ll serve as a forward vanguard for the Eternal Empire.
>Take the dreadnought alone. The same vessel that returned the macro-telescope to Mankind and fought a score of technobarbarian junkers to a standstill. You’ll scout ahead, for as long as you can.

>>6044059
>Requisition a fleet. One of the Hookware-pattern, easily maintained, and discretely staffed with restless patriots and old veterans of the war on Uvarth. You’ll serve as a forward vanguard for the Eternal Empire.

>>6044059
>>Take the dreadnought alone. The same vessel that returned the macro-telescope to Mankind and fought a score of technobarbarian junkers to a standstill. You’ll scout ahead, for as long as you can

>Requisition a fleet. One of the Hookware-pattern, easily maintained, and discretely staffed with restless patriots and old veterans of the war on Uvarth. You’ll serve as a forward vanguard for the Eternal Empire.

>>6044059
>Take the dreadnought alone. The same vessel that returned the macro-telescope to Mankind and fought a score of technobarbarian junkers to a standstill. You’ll scout ahead, for as long as you can.
The soldier emperor makes his final voyage. May he die a warrior's death.

I'm glad I caught this thread in the front page, thank you for coming back!

>>6044059
>Requisition a fleet. One of the Hookware-pattern, easily maintained, and discretely staffed with restless patriots and old veterans of the war on Uvarth. You’ll serve as a forward vanguard for the Eternal Empire.

>>6044059
>Take the dreadnought alone. The same vessel that returned the macro-telescope to Mankind and fought a score of technobarbarian junkers to a standstill. You’ll scout ahead, for as long as you can.
Just like the good, old, simple, happy times.

I'm glad we're back!

>>6044059

>Take the dreadnought alone. The same vessel that returned the macro-telescope to Mankind and fought a score of technobarbarian junkers to a standstill. You’ll scout ahead, for as long as you can.

Ah - it’s good to be back, QM

Once I walked an endless land with a wanderer's swinging stride
And once upon a mighty steed forever I could ride
And once a tall ship rode the tide at midnight from the bay
And I could climb aboard her and travel far away

Through centuries and lifetimes, no journey twice the same
With love or fear to guide me on, seeking death or fame
Or hearing just a still, small voice that said “You cannot stay”
I could leave the past behind me and travel far away

But now the great jets thunder and they sing of distant lands
But all their promised wonders turn to dust within my hands
For I can travel half the world and return in half a day
And I fear that only death remains to take me far away

For with steel and steam and gasoline and turbines' whining scream
They have trapped me in a nightmare that is someone else's dream
Of a world so small and guarded, you could hold it in your hand
A world that knows no land called far away

So I waste my lives in dreaming or in bloody, useless war
But somewhere there's a flash of fire and a mighty rising roar
And I pray godspeed to those who ride, and I live now for the day
When I leave my world behind me and travel far away

>>6044059
>Take the dreadnought alone. The same vessel that returned the macro-telescope to Mankind and fought a score of technobarbarian junkers to a standstill. You’ll scout ahead, for as long as you can.
For one last ride, with our most loyal men and stalwart veterans for a crew. We should leave data caches and beacons as we go, detailing our findings. Mark the trail we blaze and leave a line of footsteps for our future descendants to one follow and find our final resting place in the stars. The only place we ever truly called home.

>>6044059
>Take the dreadnought alone. The same vessel that returned the macro-telescope to Mankind and fought a score of technobarbarian junkers to a standstill. You’ll scout ahead, for as long as you can.
Space: the final frontier. To explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before!

>>6044203

Based poetry poster

>>6044059
>Requisition a fleet. One of the Hookware-pattern, easily maintained, and discretely staffed with restless patriots and old veterans of the war on Uvarth. You’ll serve as a forward vanguard for the Eternal Empire.

>>6044059
>>Take the dreadnought alone. The same vessel that returned the macro-telescope to Mankind and fought a score of technobarbarian junkers to a standstill. You’ll scout ahead, for as long as you can.
>Take volunteer escorts; make it clear that this is one last ride, but any who want glory and have a ship to follow us with are welcome to do so.

>>6044059
Otto... no...

>Requisition a fleet. One of the Hookware-pattern, easily maintained, and discretely staffed with restless patriots and old veterans of the war on Uvarth. You’ll serve as a forward vanguard for the Eternal Empire.

>>6044059
>>Take the dreadnought alone. The same vessel that returned the macro-telescope to Mankind and fought a score of technobarbarian junkers to a standstill. You’ll scout ahead, for as long as you can.
Blaze a trail

>>6044320
+1

>>6044059
>Requisition a fleet. One of the Hookware-pattern, easily maintained, and discretely staffed with restless patriots and old veterans of the war on Uvarth. You’ll serve as a forward vanguard for the Eternal Empire.

>>6044072
>>6044081
>>6044088
>>6044089
>>6044090
>>6044143
>>6044202
>>6044203
>>6044208
>>6044211
>>6044212
>>6044240
>>6044320
>>6044343
You do not make this decision lightly. The dream of leading a fleet is foregone- you are no brazen admiral, nor do you care to burden yourself with the logistics to sustain so many vessels in uncharted space. No. You desire a return to form: the dreadnought that took you on the only period of true autonomy you’ve ever known.

Here, you will not be an Emperor over untold billions. Only a captain and those few tens of thousands daring enough to be his crew. No more mire of politics. No more noble legacy to maintain. No more of old Earth's gravity holding you back from a galaxy of stars…

For once in your life, your path will be your own.

You can’t wait.

>The Reign of Otto Heinrich has come to an end.

>>6045284
>In his 27 years of rule, Otto further legitimised the Privy Council and Landstaat as institutions, oversaw the conquest of the Reaver Clans, began uprooting Clan Skullstucker, encouraged civic aid to former serf populations, founded House Uvar as a vassal under House Heinrich, reformed the Royal Guard into an elite indoctrinated fighting force, brought Crown Corp to economic significance, expanded the Imperial Bureaucracy to more closely monitor the Corps, instituted a ban on Corp scrip, deepened relations with the Osgus State, and coordinated the introduction of the Croize Chutes to imperial shipping lanes.

>>6045285
Over a decade ago, the imperial heir Ferdinand was married to Felicity, one of the most influential daughters of House Soluton. This represented a considerable obstacle to his lifelong project, but the arrangement was critical to the continued stability of the throne. As is an imperial heir's duty, he did his best to find a balance.

What did Ferdinand do after his honeymoon on Teregon?

>He spent time with Felicity at the imperial palace, contributing to the next generation of House Heinrich. (+1d6+1 possible heirs, closer familial relationship.)
>He deepened his research and expanded its purview to encompass a wider range of the infantry's needs. (+1d4 possible heirs, refined body armour accompanies his kinetics rifle)
>He did his best to politick with the scions of House Soluton on Lrypso, bringing both lineages closer together. (+1d4 possible heirs, House Soluton owes Ferdinand a favour)

>>6045288
>He spent time with Felicity at the imperial palace, contributing to the next generation of House Heinrich. (+1d6+1 possible heirs, closer familial relationship.)
C'mon, it's tradition by this point

>>6045288

>He spent time with Felicity at the imperial palace, contributing to the next generation of House Heinrich. (+1d6+1 possible heirs, closer familial relationship.)

Okay, let’s see what we get here

>>6045288
>He spent time with Felicity at the imperial palace, contributing to the next generation of House Heinrich. (+1d6+1 possible heirs, closer familial relationship.)
tradition.

>>6045288
>He deepened his research and expanded its purview to encompass a wider range of the infantry's needs. (+1d4 possible heirs, refined body armour accompanies his kinetics rifle)
c-c-combo breaker

>>6045288
>He spent time with Felicity at the imperial palace, contributing to the next generation of House Heinrich. (+1d6+1 possible heirs, closer familial relationship.)
It really is tradition

>>6045288
>He spent time with Felicity at the imperial palace, contributing to the next generation of House Heinrich. (+1d6+1 possible heirs, closer familial relationship.)
Obligatory. You WILL love your wife, and you WILL have a happy family.

>>6045444
>and you WILL have a happy family.
Unless you're Otto...

>>6045288
>He did his best to politick with the scions of House Soluton on Lrypso, bringing both lineages closer together. (+1d4 possible heirs, House Soluton owes Ferdinand a favour)
Underrated choice. We get a favor from a major ruling House and also make our wife happy since she's from there, sounds like a win-win to me.

>He spent time with Felicity at the imperial palace, contributing to the next generation of House Heinrich. (+1d6+1 possible heirs, closer familial relationship.)

>>6045288
>He spent time with Felicity at the imperial palace, contributing to the next generation of House Heinrich. (+1d6+1 possible heirs, closer familial relationship.)
TRADITION

>>6045292
>>6045317
>>6045330
>>6045340
>>6045400
>>6045444
>>6045463
>>6045477
>>6045483
Taking after his father's example, and taking care to avoid repeating his mistakes, Ferdinand spent time with Felicity in the imperial palace on Mars. The pair had little in common and less politically, as the heir took after his father's violent ideations while she prized a stable status quo, but they did their best to find common ground.

"Tell me more about these guns of yours, then."

Balancing groundbreaking work with raising a family was an ordeal. Ferdinand often found himself resenting his father's decision to force him into an early marriage, but was more often grateful he didn't have to juggle fatherhood and the duties of an Emperor.

Little by little, House Heinrich grew.

>Roll 1d6+1 for potential heirs

Rolled 4 + 1 (1d6 + 1)

>>6045621

Rolled 1, 5, 1, 4 = 11 (4d6)

>>6045645
The burden of rule is heavy to bear. No one man can carry the lives of billions on his own shoulders, but an Emperor must. It is a crushing responsibility. If not for the chance of an heir to one day relieve the weight, it would be hopeless.

Without abominable gene-tech, the only thing any royal couple can do is roll the dice and hope for the best.

>commencing rolls

Rolled 5, 2, 2, 2 = 11 (4d6)

>>6045763
In an unfortunate turn of events, Felicity had a difficult first pregnancy and a painful, dangerously premature delivery. By a stroke of luck, Ferdinand's firstborn, a little girl with her grandmother's nose survived. She required extensive medical assistance early on but shows promising signs that she may exit her infancy without any lifelong health issues.

Time waits for no-one, and once the future Empress recovered, they tried again at her insistence.

Rolled 6, 3, 3, 3 = 15 (4d6)

>>6045770
Their second attempt at a child saw Felicity surrounded by the finest surgeons of the Empire day-and-night, to her chagrin. Fortunately, nothing went wrong, and she gave birth to a healthy boy with a shock of red hair and an easy smile. If all goes well, this child will one day preside over the Eternal Empire.

The pair persisted in their efforts, worried by the earlier crisis and desperate for redundancy.

Rolled 4, 5, 6, 5 = 20 (4d6)

>>6045772
The third went swimmingly, and Felicity gave birth to a second boy. This one's attitude resembled his father's, but his features were more reminiscent of House Soluton's.

The Empire's future reassured, the couple settled into a calm routine.

Rolled 1, 2, 5, 6 = 14 (4d6)

>>6045778
The fourth was a daughter resembling her great-grandmother, Anna, with a quiet and thoughtful stare. Much speculation was made over whether their next would be a boy or a girl.

>>6045780
The fifth was almost as difficult as the first, but Felicity was better prepared and between her efforts and those of the imperial surgeons, she delivered without any major complications. A son, much like his eldest brother, but harder to make laugh.

After this, the pair decided to slow down and Ferdinand was quietly relieved.

The future of the Eternal Empire's throne was assured, but the particulars were far from graven in stone. In their first decades, Felicity and Ferdinand had five children, each worthy of the name Heinrich, each needing a cautious approach to bring out the most of their potential.

>>6045763
Their first daughter grew somewhat more fragile than expected, but didn't let this slow her down. She was meanspirited toward her fellow nobility, rather clever, and fond of competitive games that didn't need much physical exertion, but full of kindness toward the dynasty's servants and the rare commoner she saw.

What did the couple name their firstborn daughter, and how was she raised?

Instead of posting the name and raising prompts all in one mass post like the end of Thread #2, these'll be separate, as almost all of the reason for that was that the thread was about to slide.

>>6045789
>Sophia
Not sure what to say for "how she was raised". How Heinrich has typically raised its girls?

With how hectic and flip-floppy the Heinrich line's children have been in regards to how many are born of each gender, I wonder if there are any betting markets developed on the subject.

>>6045869
Supporting.

>>6045789
Raise her to be loyal to the throne, and employ House Nightshayd to train her in the more subtle ways of living. With her competitiveness and attitude towards the nobility, I think we may have the basis for a new spymaster.

>>6045789
Let her be influenced by House Uvar, so she might see the nobles that were once commoners.
Leopold can teach her some tricks, he's bound to know many. I'm sure there's some family members that would be happy to let her grow into someone that may use subtle force.
Also make sure she's loyal to the crown and House Heinrich, it would be bad if she disfavored her own family because they're seen as 'nobles that happen to have too much power'.

>>6045874
Good idea in her potentially being a spymaster, but I have a bit of Nightshayd paranoia. I'd support this otherwise.

>>6045869
Support the name

>>6045874
>>6045936
We could have both Uvar and Nightshayd teaching her, at least at first.

>>6045936
I support this.

>>6045869
>>6045874
>>6045936
>>6046134
>>6046233
Ferdinand named his firstborn daughter Sophia, in a nod to Felicity's most prestigious great-aunt. Noticing her demeanour and seeing potential, she was raised under the tutelage of House Uvar's finest and the very few trustworthy members of House Nightshayd. To mitigate risks, loyalty to the dynasty comprised a large portion of her curriculum.

Their firstborn son grew strong and healthy, with all indicators that he would retain his father's physique in adulthood. Even better, he was a bright and sociable child, both qualities capable of one day reaching an exceptional degree of competence. However, the boy was not flawless. He was friendly and nonconfrontational by nature, preferring agreeable compromise to issuing commands. Worse, he had no fondness for roughhousing or any more than a superficial interest in the Eternal Empire's extensive military history. These were potentially dangerous attributes for an heir.

What did the couple name their firstborn son, and how was he raised?

>>6043148
oh shit I did not notice this was back, welcome back QM!
>>6045789
lot of the Heinrichs are soft on the common people, good to see!
>>6046284
Albin in honour of his grandfather, and also because he slightly reminds me of him and hopefully, will end up just like him.

>>6046284
I'll suggest we have him learn from House Arthen so that he can go up strong and assertive.

A quick question, is Angelica still kicking?

>>6046284
>Anselm
I like the idea of Arthen, but I don't want him to be almost entirely raised by Arthen like Otto was. Perhaps just enough to get an appreciation of warfare, or at least an understanding, and the ability to be assertive when necessary. Afterwards I think it'd be good to return him to standard instruction and upbringing.

>>6046399
I like this idea, I'll support this. Although I'll also suggest we help him hone into what he's good at too.

>>6046399
I agree with this.

>>6046284
>>6046347
Support Albin II, the legend of a man that proved the Heinrichs can be wildly successful without being military men.

I don't see a problem with the boy's attitudes either. Handsome, strong and friendly means he'll be a popular emperor, just gotta work on his assertiveness. We can let him pursue his own interests too, whatever they may be. Mom wasn't wrong that his Arthen upbringing broke Otto.

>>6046466
To be honest we will need to consolidate stuff eventually. We can't justbdo endless expansion. We gotta build up what we got too. Plus he's going to be the emperor when we consolidate solutions into house Heinrich and he'll have to deal with that fallout. Probably be easier if we increase everyone's education, standard of living and trade lanes.

>>6046474
I agree, but we do have Vrakak and the Kingdom to contend against.
And I doubt we'll be able to consolidate House Soluton anytime soon, that's at minimum a few more Emperors down the line (and that's assuming we decide to even pursue that. There's been some divided opinions on if it's something we should want or not).

>>6046284
What happened with Jeanne? The Otto thing may have broken her up but her relationships with her sons should still be good, right?
>>6046474
Support with the idea of internal build up
Currently I see 2 things we need to do internally
1. Build up infrastructure
Always good but we got a lot of frontier planets, the former holdings of the reaver clans and all the planets that could be terraformed (whenever the Erudition decide to actually finish that up) that we can use now.
2. Population
QM and other anons noticed this in previous threads but the scale of the Empire is not consistent with the population, we need people to get breeding.
>>6046482
I don’t believe those 2 are working together, because the amazing cultural exchange of last thread would have pointed it out and it’s because of that I believe they won’t be starting any aggressive wars against us so we should be fine for now. Plus we have spies in the civilian populace of the Kingdom so we will have early warnings of anything happening.

>>6046474
>consolidate solutions into house Heinrich
We killed Otto's happiness pursuing that pipe dream, I am fully against it.

I agree that a reign of consolidation would do us good.

>>6043274
>>6043314
>>6043470
>>6044089
>>6044143
>>6044202
>>6046347
Thank all of you anons, I'm very glad to be back. Simple Space Empire has been on my mind for a while and I'm excited to see it reach Thread #5. Here's to hoping this will be as fun as the rest.

>>6044203
Classic, and fitting. Otto leaving everything behind to set off for the Lost Reaches wasn't a forgone conclusion but after his falling-out with Jeanne and his mother, it was inevitable. Time will tell what will come of it, though he hasn't left yet, Ferdinand hasn't had his coronation and he wouldn't miss that for an archive of old Earth's schematics. Although if he did, Ferdinand would considered him a fool and never forgave him for it. He isn't inclined to care about ceremonial sentiments or abstract philosophy, but you'll see more of that once we switch to his perspective in full.

>>6045869
In the past, House Heinrich has raised its daughters much like its sons, with a firm focus on instilling a well-rounded education leaning toward their talents and an awareness of the inherent righteousness of the imperial hierarchy. They differ in two respects, the first being that combat training beyond the basics for self-defense isn't mandatory for girls, merely allowed, the second that the particulars of managing an estate, (which on the upper-end can encompass many hundreds of thousands, if not millions of individuals), are given much more emphasis than for boys. House Heinrich is relatively evenhanded as far as delineating the sexes goes. Other noble houses tend to vary to some degree, though as the ruling dynasty, House Heinrich is the (theoretical) benchmark for polite etiquette.

There are extensive betting pools regarding the next generation of House Heinrich, and most of them are even tolerated in public. Fortunes have been made and lost at the announcements of a new member of the royal family. By custom, House Heinrich tends to wait a month after a child is born before informing the rest of the Empire.

>>6046506
>>6046376
Angelica is still alive and kicking, at the ripe age of 123. She's gotten too old to regularly instruct classes of upcoming voidsmen and has slowly shifted over to advising the producers of holo-simulators and holo-documentaries oriented around the military.

>>6046497
Jeanne is healthy and doing well, at 59. She spends most of her days bringing attention to civic causes, generally illiteracy, poor nutrition, and misguided egalitarian sympathizers in the ex-serf populations on the various planets of the conquered Reaver Clans. Her outspoken opinion is that supporters for democracy have been failed by the Eternal Empire's education system, and need to be isolated in humane living quarters and incrementally reconditioned for their own good. In this sense, she's quite moderate. Most noble houses have would-be voters executed on the spot, sent to work camps, or, in extreme cases, condemned to Cradus XVII.

Since the falling out with Otto, she's had a lot of time on her hands and is determined to use it to the fullest. Her relations with her children hasn't been impacted for the worse, and she looks forward to seeing her son Ferdinand's reign. Jeanne has high hopes for the future of the Empire, although she and the heir have opposite opinions in some respects.

>>6046508
>She's gotten too old to regularly instruct classes of upcoming voidsmen and has slowly shifted over to advising the producers of holo-simulators and holo-documentaries oriented around the military.
Huh, cool.
What's her opinion on Otto's last movie?

>>6046508
>Her relations with her children hasn't been impacted for the worse, and she looks forward to seeing her son Ferdinand's reign.
Some good news at least
Perhaps we should put some focus on making sure Ferdinand and Felicity have a stronger foundation with each other, mostly out of guilt for Otto and Jeanne

>>6046610
Otto and Jeane had a rock solid foundation and spent decades happy with each other before we killed their relationship, torched our relations with her house and spit on all the efforts to rehabilitate them after the rebellion just to further appease Soluton.

We don't need to give them a stronger foundation. We just need to not be retarded about maintaining that foundation.

Just read through the archives, and I just want to say that despite Otto's fuckup with the space elevator, we did absolutely nothing wrong with letting the autist obsessed with xenology spend the last years of his life doing what he loves most without being constrained by the responsibilities of being the absolute ruler of a galactic empire. Clara just added on to Otto's life going to complete shit because she was upset that her husband died at the tragically young age of 116 because of plant people space weed instead of passing on at the ripe old age of 121.

>>6046399
I'll support Anselm, he's probably not gonna be as much like Albin as Alphonse II is to Alphonse

I'm going to go ahead and lock the vote here so we can continue.

>>6046553
She thinks it was a compelling insight into Otto's perspective of the campaign of Uvarth, and finds its reuse of the raw holo-footage for the final battle against their Parliament tasteful. However, she also feels its lack of strategic details in favour of viscefal combat was a bland stylistic choice, and that the interview segments were overreliant on kinetics gunfire for punctuation. Overall, she gives it a 7.8/10, though her public rating was a 10/10 for keeping up the appearances of House Heinrich.

>>6046347
>>6046376
>>6046399
>>6046418
>>6046459
>>6046466
>>6047443
Ferdinand named his firstborn son Anselm, after the ancient physicist who laid down the groundwork for the earliest Shunt Reactors. Reasoning that his agreeable mindset was weak, he wanted to have him sent to House Arthen for training but at the last minute, Felicity convinced him a more balanced upbringing would better serve the needs of the Empire. They found a compromise. Select, loyal tutors hailing from House Arthen would be invited to the imperial palace on Mars and would play a critical part in shaping his early perspective, without overtaking it.

Their secondborn son grew within expected parameters and quickly showed an acerbic temperament, talking back to his caretakers and demanding an explanation for everything. He also demonstrated a sadistic cunning, regularly hiding from the Royal Guard, rarely succeeding, and mutilating insects when he believed he wasn't under supervision. Some early talks found that he was fascinated by weapons and disgusted by non-terrestrial life, with an immature conception that crawling, slimy things should be burned. Mammals get a pass and he was slightly fixated on getting a domestic dog for the imperial palace, rather than the guard dogs in its outer wings.

What did the couple name their secondborn son, and how was he raised?

>>6047664
For the name I will throw out Gilbert and for how he was raised I say the same as Anselm

I mostly want to have the tutors reign in his poorer impulses while making sure his cunning and inquisitive nature still remain intact

Good to see the quest back!
>>6047664
Anyway I kinda want to call him Terbla simply for his seemingly xenophobic tendencies and cause it's just Albert backwards. As for upbringing reigning in his impulses and disgust for non-terrestrial life seems like a good idea i'll leave finer details to to other anons.

>>6047664

>Gilbert
>a sadistic asshole of medium intelligence and low inclination to hide his predilections

Ah - this one might be better off having accident out in deep space somewhere. Not every son is worth keeping…

>>6047705
We need to set up some type of low-controversy disinheritance system like The Wall in Game of Thrones or forcing your son to be a monk like IRL.

>>6047705
We are not committing Familicide, even if they may be like Maegor.
>>6047712
Should probably look into this

>>6047664
>Terbla
>Encourage his cunning and help him get his answers from the Order of Erudition tutors.
Nighshayd and Uvar Houses can teach him. I'm sure he'd get along with Leopold and the rest of them.

>>6047664
Send him to House Arthen, where he can learn about respect and chivalry!

>>6043160
I ship them

>>6047664
>>6047856
+1 but call him Ryan instead.

>>6047877
Anon we can't just send every son we want to correct to House Arthen.

>>6047894
What is the empire's mental health services like?
>I recommend the most advanced pediatric mental health treatment we have across to

>>6047899
I have no idea, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Empire doesn't have anything when it comes to mental health lol

>>6047894
Hey if it works it works.

>>6047655
And thank you for responding QM!
Makes me wonder what a 10/10 would look like for her.

>>6047664
>Gilbert
I have no idea how kids who are maybe sociopaths are treated, but I think having him spend some time with the Rangers who could hopefully convince him to not hurt animals and stop any anti-ozgus sentiments before it becomes a problem, could be a good idea.

>>6047712
We need an exploratory corps, named in honour of our father, to send our sons and other, undesirables, out into the wild yonder to either come back with something good or die in service of the empire. Or even send him on a suicide trip to test the defences of the kingdom on our borders.

>>6047705
Supporting gilbert.

>>6047664
>Gilbert
>Given to Arthen to give him discipline and restraint.

Apologies for the sparse updates lately, I've been busy with some early 4th of July parties sickening treason against the throne on Mars. Ferdinand's reign should be commencing soon.

>>6047899
The Eternal Empire has learned and forgotten more about human psychology than has ever been recorded in any single archive at one time. In the current era, there's a wide perception among the aristocracy that a lack of loyalty conditioning for the next generation of the common masses is dangerous, and with budgets in the Order of Erudition strained juggling laying down infrastructure in the former Reaver Clan stars, ongoing research, and keeping parity with the Astronomicon Academy, some rather inventive methods have arisen for instilling it. For an overwhelming majority of Mankind, (at least, within the Empire's territory) holo-propaganda and a culture of repressing weakness is the closest thing to mental healthcare they can get. PTSD is fairly common in former soldiers but due to Emperor Alphonse's reforms, there are means of former enlistees getting help in most of the Empire's core worlds.

Among the noble houses, approaches to mental health vary dramatically. House Junger notably forces those suffering from psychological distress to serve in units meant for the frontlines under the notion that they'll either be broken, ridding their bloodline of weakness, or remade by the crucible of war. At the opposite extreme, House De Croize regularly counsels its scientists and forces most its personnel, noble or commoner, to take as much as one in four months off if quotas are reliably met, reasoning that it improves long-term productivity. House Heinrich considers itself a disciplined bloodline and most of its members are trained from birth to hold strict standards of competence, both mental and physical. Aside from that, it's fairly flexible on its approach to similar issues, though with the obscure rumours surrounding Emperor Albin's proclivities, mental health is a slightly uncomfortable subject.

How about combining having him spend time with the Rangers, Houses Uvar, Nightshayd, and Arthen, along with Erudition tutors?

>>6049274
Darn traitors. Hope you have fun in Mars, QM.

>>6047674
>>6047701
>>6047705
>>6047856
>>6047877
>>6047894
>>6047939
>>6048339
>>6048766
Ferdinand named his secondborn son Gilbert, an old, respectable, if unnoteworthy Heinrich name, after Felicity narrowly managed to talk him out of calling him Terbla. Realizing that his aggression could cause problems in the future, he arranged for him to undergo much heavier conditioning by Arthen's tutors and receive exposure to the Order of Rangers, Order of Erudition, and House Uvar, to teach him subtlety and bring out any hidden potential.

Their secondborn daughter turned out to be a bright and athletic girl, with little interest in talking to others. She held a competitive streak and couldn't stand losing without the chance for a rematch, but her range of interests was wide, encompassing everything from voidships travelling between systems to Jumpcrawlers grappling over the ball. At the same time, she had little care for the social systems behind them and viewed nobility as a simple fact of life not worth worrying about.

What did the couple name their secondborn daughter, and how was she raised?

>>6051133
>Felicity
>Have her go through Astronomicon Academy.
Don't know about the specifics otherwise but if she wants to become physically stronger we should encourage that.

>>6051133
>Felicity
>Let her choose
She has a wide array of options since she seems to have a lot of interests and she doesn’t appear to be mentally unstable in a violent way so this is a safe choice

>>6051160

Support, she seems like she’s a natural athlete. Would wonder if she has a career in space athletics or something?

>>6051160
+1

>>6051142
>>6051160
>>6051161
She’s a natural tomboy.

>>6051142
Support. We need someone to take over from grand-aunt Angelica.

>>6051142
>>6051160
>>6051161
>>6051183
>>6051277
>>6051316
Ferdinand named his secondborn daughter Felicity II, in recognition of his wife. Both parents agreed that she posed little risk while showing promise, and allowed her an unusual degree of freedom in determining her future. She quickly showed an interest in sports, particularly the archaic javelin toss, and began refining her skill to an impressive level. This was a surprise to the imperial court but as it's a respectable, if ancient discipline, it was politely acknowledged as legitimate and spoken of no further.

Their thirdborn son resembled his father, in outlook and intellect. He was no less subtle in public, but privately confided to Ferdinand that he liked the idea of guns and was curious about how they worked, especially for killing Federalists. His father was proud and they developed a close bond, discovering that the boy had a clever, inventive mind and the makings of a crack shot.

They kept most of this a secret from Felicity, out of a desire to avoid her saying something unfounded and worrying the rest of the dynasty. The future-Emperor wasn't sure what to make of his son, but of his children, he saw the most of himself in him. That was a dangerous thing.

What did the couple name their thirdborn son, and how was he raised?

>>6052892
>Ferdinand II
>Have House Uvar help him become more clever, and have Order of Erudition sharpen his inventive mind.
Also we can have his uncle help (the one that invented that gun, I forgot his name) with gun research.
And keep that good relationship between father and son, I feel like we're going to need it.

>>6052905
Support
>Also we can have his uncle help (the one that invented that gun, I forgot his name)
Ferdinand himself developed the cold weld guns I believe or are you talking about Leopold who made himself a pistol during his school years?

>>6052905
Agree.

Our daughteru being an aspiring athlete gives me an idea. Could we resurrect the Olympics (again) in spirit? A periodic Empire-wide contest of sport and athletics, with planets organising teams to send to compete in a wide range of events, with prizes for the winners and the communities or houses they come from. It would be nobility-heavy just by the way the Empire is, but there's always plucky commoners able to prove themselves and for the masses to aspire to. I think it'd give the nobility a new game to focus on, bring the various corners of the Empire that little bit closer together and would of course be a spectacle showcasing the best of humanity. Perhaps we could even extend an invite to the Kingdom to try and do some détente with sports diplomacy like we did with the Osgus?

>>6052892
>>6052905
Sure I'll support this too.

>>6052971
Sounds like fun. While we do have space sports I'm guessing this is mostly an internal thing and a revival of some human traditions.

>>6052905

Also support, good logic here

>>6052892
>>6052905
+1
Ferdinand was the guy that invented the gun btw lol
Although that can help with the father-son bonding if they do gun making stuff together.

>>6052971
I would support the neo olympics but no Kingdom, no recognizing them in any form.

>>6052905
>>6052945
>>6052971
>>6052990
>>6053007
>>6053014
Ferdinand named his thirdborn son Ferdinand II, seeing himself in the young boy's eyes. He arranged to have him trained by House Uvar and tutored by the Order of Erudition, both of which revealed that Ferdinand II is not only bright, but cunning. In a very short time, the boy has started assembling watches from loose gears and making crude modifications to the charge packs for laser rifles. By reaching maturity, he may be an exceptional technician, but the royal couple doubts his ambitions will end at tinkering.

Ferdinand's lifelong goal has come to completion. His attempt at creating a more reliable kinetic rifle has left the prototype stage, and is now prepared for mass-manufacture. It is a rare example of hybrid munitions, blending bullets and lasers for heightened firepower. Unlike most instances of its class, however, it doesn't have multiple barrels or alternate firing modes. Instead, it fires a strong pulse laser, then follows it a quarter of a second later with a semi-automatic burst of lead. This allows the gun to function in atmospheric conditions that would leaves laser ineffective at best, and in terrain (or circumstances) that render kinetics prone to jamming. Additionally, its multi-layered approach is devastating against most personal armour, which is generally tuned for repelling either incoming energy or mass.

>>6053035
Due to its intricate design, it is difficult to manufacture, and to compensate for its delicate internals, the rifle itself is bulkier and heavier than usual. Years spent on refinement have left its maintenance requirements only slightly more severe than average, though its unconventional internal configuration may prove difficult to iterate on further.

This is doubtlessly Ferdinand's greatest achievement. No matter the course of his reign, he'll be remembered for this. All that's left is to decide on the name and means of distribution.

What should the hybrid rifle be called?

>Ferdinand-class. The traditional route and easily the most indulgent to his ego, though he is the royal heir.
>Alphonse-class. Harkoning to the near-mythical past while preserving tasteful humility.
>Heinrich-class. Associating the gun with the dynasty is a bold move, but could have long-term ramifications on its image.
>Burnlance-class. Naming the invention after what it does is uncommon, and to some, refreshing.
>Parliament-class. A crass and insulting name that could be taken dozens of ways, and sure to attract controversy.
>None of these. Ferdinand has a much better idea. (write-in)

Once that's decided, how should it be distributed?

>Keep the schematics strictly confidential. This would almost completely isolate it to the personal retinue of House Heinrich and possibly the Royal Guard, for better or worse.
>Patent the design for Crown Corp. As the weapon came from the auspices of House Heinrich, it's only reasonable it should remain in Heinrich's property.
>Sell licenses of manufacture to the highest bidder. This will encourage its spread and more importantly, make Ferdinand a fortune that isn't tied to the structures of the Empire.
>Make the gun open-source. Such a move is almost unprecedented, but guaranteed to spread it far and wide and improve Ferdinand's reputation among the more cutthroat and entrepreneurial sorts.

>>6053037
>Burnlance-class. Naming the invention after what it does is uncommon, and to some, refreshing.
If it does well it will be associated with the Heinrichs regardless
>Patent the design for Crown Corp. As the weapon came from the auspices of House Heinrich, it's only reasonable it should remain in Heinrich's property.
Basically combines the option before and after it and if given to Crowncorp they could probably figure out a way to streamline the design for mass production.

>>6053037
>Burnlance-class. Naming the invention after what it does is uncommon, and to some, refreshing.
>Patent the design for Crown Corp. As the weapon came from the auspices of House Heinrich, it's only reasonable it should remain in Heinrich's property.

>>6053037
>Burnlance-class. Naming the invention after what it does is uncommon, and to some, refreshing.
>Patent the design for Crown Corp. As the weapon came from the auspices of House Heinrich, it's only reasonable it should remain in Heinrich's property.

>>6053037
>>6053038
+1

>>6052971
I have to agree with the other anon about not legitimizing the Kingdom. Otherwise neo olympics sound good.

>Burnlance-class. Naming the invention after what it does is uncommon, and to some, refreshing.
>Patent the design for Crown Corp. As the weapon came from the auspices of House Heinrich, it's only reasonable it should remain in Heinrich's property.

>>6053126

Support

>>6053037
>Burnlance-class. Naming the invention after what it does is uncommon, and to some, refreshing.
>Patent the design for Crown Corp. As the weapon came from the auspices of House Heinrich, it's only reasonable it should remain in Heinrich's property.

>>6053038
>>6053045
>>6053049
>>6053092
>>6053126
>>6053189
>>6053806
You are Ferdinand Heinrich, firstborn son of Otto Heinrich, third Emperor of his line. As the rightful heir to the dynasty, you’ve received the finest education possible and have taken full advantage of it. Most noble sons concern themselves with refining the arts of war or intrigue, the methods which allow them to seize and retain the power their blood is due. You forewent more than a respectable minimum of either in favour of intellect, which you know encompasses and surpasses both.

You have long been fascinated by violence. There is no higher ecstasy than to strike an enemy down, sword in hand. This is a truth no less fundamental to your blood than that Sol burns and the void chills, but in your studies, you have delved further. If to kill by the sword is joyous, how much greater is the gun that kills tenfold the foe? How much grander, then, is the orbit-to-surface strike that obliterates them in the millions? The annihilation wrought at economy of scale is incomparable! Even dwelling on it, the dopamine floods your brain! Such free-flowing serotonin! Such immaculate bliss!

Honour is the crutch of small-minded fools! Let the duelists and marksmen train their bodies to fight, for even the mightiest of them is no more than a statistical error! The scientist that discovered the principles behind their weapons, the engineer who designed a functional schematic, the industrialist that manufactured and distributed them- those are true killers of men! Pursuing the sentiment of killing personally is vacuous stupidity, and quibbling over abstraction of the act is a senseless distraction from what really matters: Increasingly sophisticated structures of killing!

How many untold billions have fallen to the nameless ancient who first discovered gunpowder? It pales the mind to contemplate. How many thousands have already died to your own Burnlance rifles? Not enough! You have some catching up to do!

Oh, you are surrounded by fools. So fixated on honour, glory, valour… so much hot air! But you will pretend, as you always have. You are a master of it. Let them think you are the martial champion their small minds crave. As long as they march in lockstep to your transcendent vision, as long as they know their place and obey their rightful master, you are content to play the part these untold millions of slack-jawed simpletons demand.

>>6054113
After thirty-seven long years of waiting, the time has finally come for your ascension to the throne on Mars.

The royal ceremony is well underway and you are well aware that billions are watching. You look ahead and maintain a stoic posture, in strict accordance to protocol. Unlike some, you don’t allow yourself the luxury of getting lost in your thoughts.

“THUS! Humanity shall endure ETERNAL in the memory of old Earth, under one EMPIRE!”

The speaker is filled with zeal, as is appropriate. You step forward and kneel toward the throne, the very image of duty, as you’ve rehearsed.

“With the AUTHORITY vested in these hands by ANCIENT WISDOM, this voice declares a NEW EMPEROR!”

You bow your head as he retrieves the crown, and sigh in relief as he places its heavy weight on your brow.

“EMPEROR FERDINAND HEINRICH, FOURTH OF HIS BLOOD!”

He screams with the proper deference to your position.

“ALL HAIL! HAIL to the Emperor! HAIL to the Heinrich line!”

The gathered throng of nobility, and you note, a handful of squids among them, echo his words.

“Arise, EMPEROR, and assume the THRONE!”

You stand and march the short distance. You are amazed at the aura of invincible authority surrounding what’s ultimately just a chair. You restrain yourself from smiling too early. You turn and lower yourself onto the throne. The numerous spectators stare in awe, or present a convincing facade. The speaker concludes the ceremony.

“The Emperor is dead! Long live the Emperor!”

At long last, your birthright is yours.

Tens of billions now lay at your disposal.

It is an exhilarating feeling.

>>6054114
Sitting upon the throne, your thoughts go back to your ambition. Everything you’ve done has been in preparation for this. Every hour of diligent study, politicking, and training was spent in anticipation of your coronation, and the singular cause you intend to dedicate your reign towards. Every hour, save those poured into the creation of the Burnlance-class hybrid rifle. That was a personal indulgence. The second-to-last you’ll permit yourself in some time…

You make a minor break of protocol and smile for the masses.

Now, you are closer to your goal than ever before…

>Consolidate the Conquests. You’re more eager to dwell on your inadequacies than most, because denial changes nothing about the reality of the situation. The Empire is mired in economic stagnation and ignorance among the masses, not yet fit to seize the galaxy by the reins. This must be corrected, and all opposition among the nobility and merchantry, silenced.
>Modernize the Imperial Navy. You are aware that Mars-pattern vessels have served the throne on Mars for many centuries, and that the Cherry-pattern vessels have served your own dynasty for generations. That legacy means nothing to you, as you know they can be replaced and the crown’s unspoken legitimacy through force, improved.
>Subjugate the Chavenac Kingdom. You wish to be known as a great unifier of Mankind, like your father, your father’s father, and your father’s father’s father. To that end, the Kingdom must be brought to heel, by any and all means available, and the renegade House Chavenac humiliated or exterminated for their continued hubris.
>Empower House Heinrich. You know that the interests of the Empire are auxiliary at best to those of the ruling dynasty, and can and should be cast aside where it is expedient for the throne. To ensure that your genetic lineage remains in absolute control of the species, you must elevate House Heinrich’s might beyond reproach, fill the palatial vaults to the breaking point, and instill unquestioning obedience to your bloodline alone in the masses, be it through loyalty or terror.

>>6054118
>Consolidate the Conquests. You’re more eager to dwell on your inadequacies than most, because denial changes nothing about the reality of the situation. The Empire is mired in economic stagnation and ignorance among the masses, not yet fit to seize the galaxy by the reins. This must be corrected, and all opposition among the nobility and merchantry, silenced.

>Then prepare to fight varaks

>Consolidate the Conquests. You’re more eager to dwell on your inadequacies than most, because denial changes nothing about the reality of the situation. The Empire is mired in economic stagnation and ignorance among the masses, not yet fit to seize the galaxy by the reins. This must be corrected, and all opposition among the nobility and merchantry, silenced.
>Modernize the Imperial Navy. You are aware that Mars-pattern vessels have served the throne on Mars for many centuries, and that the Cherry-pattern vessels have served your own dynasty for generations. That legacy means nothing to you, as you know they can be replaced and the crown’s unspoken legitimacy through force, improved.

>>6054118
>Consolidate the Conquests. You’re more eager to dwell on your inadequacies than most, because denial changes nothing about the reality of the situation. The Empire is mired in economic stagnation and ignorance among the masses, not yet fit to seize the galaxy by the reins. This must be corrected, and all opposition among the nobility and merchantry, silenced.

>>6054118
>Modernize the Imperial Navy. You are aware that Mars-pattern vessels have served the throne on Mars for many centuries, and that the Cherry-pattern vessels have served your own dynasty for generations. That legacy means nothing to you, as you know they can be replaced and the crown’s unspoken legitimacy through force, improved.

>>6054118
>Consolidate the Conquests. You’re more eager to dwell on your inadequacies than most, because denial changes nothing about the reality of the situation. The Empire is mired in economic stagnation and ignorance among the masses, not yet fit to seize the galaxy by the reins. This must be corrected, and all opposition among the nobility and merchantry, silenced.
>Modernize the Imperial Navy. You are aware that Mars-pattern vessels have served the throne on Mars for many centuries, and that the Cherry-pattern vessels have served your own dynasty for generations. That legacy means nothing to you, as you know they can be replaced and the crown’s unspoken legitimacy through force, improved.

We have to bring the reaver holdings to Imperial standard, we need to make the Imperial standard better, we need the population to grow so we can get more taxes, we need to terraform more planets so we can get more resources so we can get more taxes, and the navy must be improved and expanded. (I want a minimum of 4 fleets guarding Mars at all times). Lets get to work!

Also Felicity should be happy we are going to be close to her and the children so there is that.

>>6054118
>Consolidate the Conquests. You’re more eager to dwell on your inadequacies than most, because denial changes nothing about the reality of the situation. The Empire is mired in economic stagnation and ignorance among the masses, not yet fit to seize the galaxy by the reins. This must be corrected, and all opposition among the nobility and merchantry, silenced.

>>6054118
>>Consolidate the Conquests. You’re more eager to dwell on your inadequacies than most, because denial changes nothing about the reality of the situation. The Empire is mired in economic stagnation and ignorance among the masses, not yet fit to seize the galaxy by the reins. This must be corrected, and all opposition among the nobility and merchantry, silenced.
Can't make better and more efficient weapons if we're poor/going to war all the time. Logistics wins wars don't you know.

>>6054118

>Consolidate the Conquests. You’re more eager to dwell on your inadequacies than most, because denial changes nothing about the reality of the situation. The Empire is mired in economic stagnation and ignorance among the masses, not yet fit to seize the galaxy by the reins. This must be corrected, and all opposition among the nobility and merchantry, silenced.

we have been more or less on permanent conquest mode, We should take a few decades and really invest in economy

>>6054121
>>6054130
>>6054135
>>6054142
>>6054143
>>6054148
>>6054268
>>6054275
From the earliest days you could comprehend the broader scale of your future position, you have been dissatisfied with the Eternal Empire. Its territories are vast, its munitions numerous, and its armies loyal. None of that is a concern. The military is, barring any unforeseen shortcomings, adequate for the near-future. The economy, however, is in tatters. The Major Houses are squabbling, the Corps are struggling, and the masses are stumbling like so many blind beggars in the dark.

They are so fixated on the acquisition of monopolies and maintenance of assets that they give no thought to their wider civilization. The Empire is vast and this vastness is torn in dozens of directions, when it should be unified! As vast as the Empire may be, the galaxy is incomprehensibly vaster. If the Eternal Empire is ever forced into an existential war, its arms must be prepared to strike without remorse, and the arterial blood that fuels them- the supplies, logistics, and infrastructure- must be swift and coursing! You decided long ago, that shall be your legacy.

Your descendants can be left to their reckless ambitions of conquest. It falls on you to take the scattered flotsam your ancestors left behind and form it into a firm foundation for them to rely on! You decided long ago, this shall be your legacy. A healthy economy leads to prosperity, prosperity leads to power, and power leads to victory over the foes of House Heinrich. You will not be one of the great conquerors, but you’ll stack the dominos for the ones to follow in your wake.

>>6054452
You commence your royal duties the next morning. Unfortunately, an urgent matter requires your personal attention before you can move on to implementing some of your plans. It’s about the Osgus, or more particularly, the backlash to their recent presence in your coronation. The traditionalists among the nobility are fuming with outrage! This is the first time aliens have EVER attended a royal coronation, and for once, House Heinrich is the first among the dynasties of the Eternal Empire to set a trend. You suppose that by extension, that means historians are likely to remember you as a notably xenophilic Emperor, but that's of little relevance.

House Arthen has released a public condemnation of the crown’s involvement with the Osgus State! Many nobles throughout the major and minor houses are similarly infuriated, and if something isn’t done, this is likely to cause a crisis for the stability of the Empire. Of course, they haven’t gone so far as to insult you or the throne on Mars personally, and as this is thus not treason, it must be handled with some tact.

What should be done?

>Apologize for the disrespect your predecessor has shown to Mankind's ancient traditions by inviting aliens. This will surprise everyone, damage House Heinrich's prestige, and deeply insult the Osgus State, but traditionalists will be pleased and you won't have to worry about them.
>Ignore the traditionalists and carry on as usual. If they don’t receive any official recognition, it’s likely their protests will lose steam, but there is some risk that this would galvanize them into something more serious.
>Publicly acknowledge their concerns and explain your reasoning. The Osgus have a polite relationship with Mankind, and there’s no disgrace in a handful of their dignitaries attending such a sacred ceremony, even moreso when your grandfather and his bodyguards have already attended their equivalent.
>Make a public statement of friendship to the Osgus State. This will enrage the protesters, but in turn, it will force them to act on their traditions or cease complaining, and simultaneously appease the squids.
>Redirect their frustrations to the Conclave of Vrakak Clans. Sufficient vitriol toward the subhuman vermin bordering the Empire should calm them down, although it could provoke an incident.
>Swallow your pride and make some bribes. It’s impossible for this to have any effect on House Arthen proper but it’s likely to leave them isolated among the wider nobility, and consequently, no threat to your reign.
>Enlist House Nightshayd operatives to silence the loudest of the regressive-thinkers before it devolves into open dissent. This is effectively the orbital strike option, but House Nightshayd has seldom failed your dynasty in the past.

>>6054455
>Publicly acknowledge their concerns and explain your reasoning. The Osgus have a polite relationship with Mankind, and there’s no disgrace in a handful of their dignitaries attending such a sacred ceremony, even moreso when your grandfather and his bodyguards have already attended their equivalent.

>>6054455
>Publicly acknowledge their concerns and explain your reasoning. The Osgus have a polite relationship with Mankind, and there’s no disgrace in a handful of their dignitaries attending such a sacred ceremony, even moreso when your grandfather and his bodyguards have already attended their equivalent.
Give and take
We cannot do anything that would insult the prestige of the house and we definitely are not apologising to anyone, though I would like to keep things cool as Arthen is a friendly house to us and I rather keep it that way.

>Publicly acknowledge their concerns and explain your reasoning. The Osgus have a polite relationship with Mankind, and there’s no disgrace in a handful of their dignitaries attending such a sacred ceremony, even moreso when your grandfather and his bodyguards have already attended their equivalent.

>Apologize for the disrespect your predecessor has shown to Mankind's ancient traditions by inviting aliens. This will surprise everyone, damage House Heinrich's prestige, and deeply insult the Osgus State, but traditionalists will be pleased and you won't have to worry about them.
Hate doing this, but internal stability is in line with our ideas.

>>6054455
>Redirect their frustrations to the Conclave of Vrakak Clans. Sufficient vitriol toward the subhuman vermin bordering the Empire should calm them down, although it could provoke an incident.
It is the go to for any ruler that wants to keep their country stable and population placated.
Just blame the enemy and unite because of them lmao

>>6054455

>Publicly acknowledge their concerns and explain your reasoning. The Osgus have a polite relationship with Mankind, and there’s no disgrace in a handful of their dignitaries attending such a sacred ceremony, even moreso when your grandfather and his bodyguards have already attended their equivalent.
>Make a public statement of friendship to the Osgus State. This will enrage the protesters, but in turn, it will force them to act on their traditions or cease complaining, and simultaneously appease the squids.
>Redirect their frustrations to the Conclave of Vrakak Clans. Sufficient vitriol toward the subhuman vermin bordering the Empire should calm them down, although it could provoke an incident.
>Swallow your pride and make some bribes. It’s impossible for this to have any effect on House Arthen proper but it’s likely to leave them isolated among the wider nobility, and consequently, no threat to your reign.

Having friendly relations with the Osgus is one of the most critical blessings of Emperor Albin’s reign. We invite House Arthen to reconsider their stance…

Should we try to assemble a meeting between a reasonable member of House Arthen and a group of Osgus diplomats? Maybe an Arthen heir who is less rigid in their beliefs?

>>6054455
>Redirect their frustrations to the Conclave of Vrakak Clans. Sufficient vitriol toward the subhuman vermin bordering the Empire should calm them down, although it could provoke an incident.

>>6054535
>>6054479
lol

>>6054535
>>6054536
Samefag or dementia? Take your pick

>>6054491
>>6054455
>support

Time to make this problem go away. Can't have an incident tarnish our grandfather's achievement.

>>6054536
Shit. My bad I need to lay off the booze.

>>6054455
>Publicly acknowledge their concerns and explain your reasoning. The Osgus have a polite relationship with Mankind, and there’s no disgrace in a handful of their dignitaries attending such a sacred ceremony, even moreso when your grandfather and his bodyguards have already attended their equivalent.
>Redirect their frustrations to the Conclave of Vrakak Clans. Sufficient vitriol toward the subhuman vermin bordering the Empire should calm them down, although it could provoke an incident.
This should keep things well without having relations with the nobles or squidbros sour too much.

>>6054455
>Redirect their frustrations to the Conclave of Vrakak Clans. Sufficient vitriol toward the subhuman vermin bordering the Empire should calm them down, although it could provoke an incident.

Redirecting frustrations at Vrakak Clans could cause an incident, which would probably lead to war, and Ferdinand already stated he did not want to be another conquest emperor. He wants to consolidate the gains, and starting a new war goes completely contrary to that.

>>6054574
I do not want to deal with an 80 world occupation of crack head rat people

>>6054574
If we roll badly then yes it might. But if we roll badly while trying to explain ourselves publicly it would cause the nobles to bicker and faction more, which goes contrary to what Ferdinand wants.
And the latter could also lead to setting the groundwork for another civil war.

>>6054601
I think starting a war with the Vrakaks is more detrimental to the plan than causing some internal strife which might lead to a future war if we're not careful.

>>6054659
These things ultimately hinge on rolls, no amount of caution can save us against a crit fail.
Although I'd argue that fighting an enemy that unifies the entire Empire would cause less harm to internal stability than pissing off a large chunk of the elite.

>>6054455
>>Ignore the traditionalists and carry on as usual. If they don’t receive any official recognition, it’s likely their protests will lose steam, but there is some risk that this would galvanize them into something more serious.
Why should the Emperor care about the opinion of his lessers? Either they get with the program or futilely quibble with the decisions of House Heinrich. What are they going to do, assassinate the Emperor over it? With House Nightshayd at our backs I'd like to see them try.

Seriously though, we probably should figure out a way to make Nightshayd's support iron clad before we really do get stabbed in the back

>>6054455
>Make a public statement of friendship to the Osgus State. This will enrage the protesters, but in turn, it will force them to act on their traditions or cease complaining, and simultaneously appease the squids.
If we're eventually going to be allies with the Osgus we might as well just take this opportunity to improve our relationship with them and reveal the most extreme xenophobes amongst the nobles at the same time before anything actually extreme happens like a military alliance or something. Being too much of a people-pleaser about it is just kicking the squid can down the road.

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>6054462
>>6054464
>>6054479
>>6054482
>>6054483
>>6054491
>>6054528
>>6054538
>>6054544
>>6054560
>>6054737
>>6054979
You determine that a multi-pronged approach is best for handling the situation. First, you’ll make a statement acknowledging their concerns as valid and explaining why they are entirely unfounded, in the most uncontroversial language possible. The Osgus are an advanced species that understands the need for hierarchy, and are thus civilized and worthy of token recognition from the throne on Mars, even before taking into account that your grandfather, Emperor Albin, dedicated the brunt of his reign to bringing them closer to Mankind.

If House Arthen persists in this anti-alien rhetoric they would be openly bringing Emperor Albin’s discernment into question. The same discernment that led him to trust House Arthen with training his son and heir, the future Emperor Otto, as a matter of fact. Such disrespect would be a stain against the honour of both of your houses. Surely they aren’t blind to that?

Second, you’ll redirect their attention to the Conclave of Vrakak Clans. They are, by your estimation, subhuman in most respects and incapable of presenting a true threat to the Eternal Empire. It is a miracle that they’ve managed to achieve a spacefaring society despite the shortcomings of their feral, scattered minds, but it is no coincidence that for all of their incursions in the last millennia alone, they’ve failed to conquer Sol.

Even further, they failed to conquer Uvarth! Even shackled under the inefficiencies of mob rule, Humanity is flatly superior to their fleabitten kind! The Vrakak lack ambition, an existential flaw, and that is why they are destined to fail in their bid for galactic infestation, but that won’t stop them from trying. You’ll recite some of the atrocity propaganda from the bygone Federation, refined through a proper, noble perspective, of course, and see if you can’t get the nobles outraged at the vermin House Heinrich has no relations with instead of the squids that so fascinated your ancestors.

You are no legendary orator, but you’ve certainly been instructed and are quite capable of holding your own before an audience. Factoring in the Landstaat as well, you think you have this in the bag.

>Roll 1d12-3 to calm House Arthen’s concerns. +1 [Friendly Relations (House Arthen)], +1 [Landstaat Forum], +1 [Imperial Authority], -4 [Breaking Ancient Tradition], -2 [Ideals of Superiority (House Arthen)]
>Roll 1d12+3 to redirect the nobility’s frustrations. +2 [Historical Hostilities (Vrakak)], +2 [Ideals of Superiority (House Arthen)], +1 [Friendly Relations (House Arthen)], +1 [Landstaat Forum], +1 [Imperial Authority], -4 [Breaking Ancient Tradition]

Rolled 9 - 3 (1d12 - 3)

>>6055523
Inb4 we roll like shit

Rolled 2 + 3 (1d12 + 3)

>>6055523

Rolled 11 + 3 (1d12 + 3)

>>6055523
hope i don't fuck this up

>>6055525
>>6055551
You give a rousing speech in the Landstaad, urging recognition of Emperor Albin’s contributions to the Eternal Empire and a spirit of cooperation with the Osgus, as one of the only species to prove itself worthy of friendship with Mankind. To your surprise, the ancient patriarch of House Arthen, your father’s old friend Arlo, reciprocates in demanding his lineage hold respect for all traditions of the Empire, past and future. This cools down the loudest outrage among their ranks, but a majority remain incensed by what they view as a desecration of Mankind’s most sacred of rituals.

It’s clear that in siding with you, Arlo has lost a considerable amount of prestige among his house. Further, while House Arthen is nowhere near open hostilities, this has taken the wind from the Heinrich advocate’s sails in their number, and the breeze isn’t likely to pick up again soon.

Relations with House Arthen have declined, and they are now neutral to the throne.

In an attempt to distract the population from anti-Osgus sentiments, you encourage anti-Vrakak militancy. Handfuls of elderly (loyal to the throne) ex-Federalists are interviewed on their experiences in the war against the vermin, Loca Corp makes a handful of holo-documentaries capitalizing on the trend, and royal functionaries quietly pass a loudspeaker to the most vicious anti-Vrakak noblemen that can be found. All of this propaganda does an excellent job to distract from the Osgus and the heat of the incident at your coronation blows over much faster than anticipated.

However, this instills a deep hostility toward the Vrakak species in the masses and the nobility follows suit, making various bold claims of Mankind’s invincibility, martial excellence, and so forth.

The Conclave of Vrakak Clans hasn’t made any direct response, but they’ve closed off what little channels of communication there were. As far as you understand it, their internal political situation has started to change, with the xenophobic Vravak faction making substantial headway as the more agreeable Vreuk faction falls into relative obscurity. Unfortunate, but you never did care for them.

>>6055635
You commence your reign! The Ledger is looking… adequate, but there is significant room for change.

>The Empire:
>Territory: 8
>Economy: 5
>Military: 6
>Happiness: 5
>Population: 7

>House Heinrich:
>3 jewel worlds, 12 core worlds, 14 frontier worlds
>2 Retinue Fleets
>Crown Corp
>Royal Guard:
>1 Imperial Fleet

You’ve been informed of your Head Advisor Igor’s secret. You defer to your ancestors’ judgement regarding him and are fascinated at his informational potential, though you’ve begun taking the precaution of carrying incendiary grenades on your person.

“The Burnlance is a fine weapon, my liege. You should be proud of your accomplishments and what you're going to accomplish, as Emperor.”

Igor seems as normal as ever, which is disturbing now that you know the truth. No matter. You have an economy to manage!

>>6055636
You have an idea you’ve been wanting to implement for some time.

>Strengthen the Bureaucracy. At the moment, a planetary governors’ only recourse for enforcing imperial law is beseeching the local nobility or, in extreme cases, reaching out to the Imperial Army. You aim to change that by raising a separate, sanctioned police force loyal to the broader Empire rather than any one noble house. Bankrolling what amounts to a universal paramilitary will be a highly contentious and expensive move, but a consistent approach to crime may improve stability and certainly cut out the aristocratic middleman in handling the masses directly.
>Grant the Order of Erudition additional funding. The education in the Empire is stratified, with the next generation of nobles receiving diligent tutors and tailoured curriculums designed to bring out the most of them, while the children of the masses are taught a bare minimum of literacy, numeracy, and loyalty in crowded public structures. This is ideal and desirable, but lacking in efficiency. If the educators had a higher budget and a specific direction to move in, they would likely generate better results for the Empire.
>Subsidize Hookware Corp’s expansion. Hookware Corp is an ancient business and arguably the foremost naval power in the Imperial Territories behind the Imperial Navy. They’re also paranoid of the noble houses, sitting on a vast hoard they’re unwilling to spend, and in control of one of the Empire’s most heavily-industrialized worlds. If encouraged to widen their portfolio by the throne on Mars, this would likely stimulate the wider economy while ingratiating them (and their fleets) to House Heinrich.
>Invest in Infrastructure in the former Reaver Clan territories. This admittedly isn’t too exciting or immediately profitable, but it needs to happen sooner or later, and you would vastly prefer sooner. New and refurbished starports, mines, and factories in conquered pirate space will render the ex-serfs more productive, while regular pay for working in better conditions than their forefathers did for free as serfs will make them happier, or at least, less susceptible to the insidious threat of egalitarianism.

>>6055636
>Invest in Infrastructure in the former Reaver Clan territories. This admittedly isn’t too exciting or immediately profitable, but it needs to happen sooner or later, and you would vastly prefer sooner. New and refurbished starports, mines, and factories in conquered pirate space will render the ex-serfs more productive, while regular pay for working in better conditions than their forefathers did for free as serfs will make them happier, or at least, less susceptible to the insidious threat of egalitarianism.
>Grant the Order of Erudition additional funding. The education in the Empire is stratified, with the next generation of nobles receiving diligent tutors and tailoured curriculums designed to bring out the most of them, while the children of the masses are taught a bare minimum of literacy, numeracy, and loyalty in crowded public structures. This is ideal and desirable, but lacking in efficiency. If the educators had a higher budget and a specific direction to move in, they would likely generate better results for the Empire.

>>6055638
>Invest in Infrastructure in the former Reaver Clan territories. This admittedly isn’t too exciting or immediately profitable, but it needs to happen sooner or later, and you would vastly prefer sooner. New and refurbished starports, mines, and factories in conquered pirate space will render the ex-serfs more productive, while regular pay for working in better conditions than their forefathers did for free as serfs will make them happier, or at least, less susceptible to the insidious threat of egalitarianism.
>>Grant the Order of Erudition additional funding. The education in the Empire is stratified, with the next generation of nobles receiving diligent tutors and tailoured curriculums designed to bring out the most of them, while the children of the masses are taught a bare minimum of literacy, numeracy, and loyalty in crowded public structures. This is ideal and desirable, but lacking in efficiency. If the educators had a higher budget and a specific direction to move in, they would likely generate better results for the Empire.

>>6055638
>Invest in Infrastructure in the former Reaver Clan territories. This admittedly isn’t too exciting or immediately profitable, but it needs to happen sooner or later, and you would vastly prefer sooner. New and refurbished starports, mines, and factories in conquered pirate space will render the ex-serfs more productive, while regular pay for working in better conditions than their forefathers did for free as serfs will make them happier, or at least, less susceptible to the insidious threat of egalitarianism.
Happy workers make harder workers.

>>6055638
>Invest in Infrastructure in the former Reaver Clan territories. This admittedly isn’t too exciting or immediately profitable, but it needs to happen sooner or later, and you would vastly prefer sooner. New and refurbished starports, mines, and factories in conquered pirate space will render the ex-serfs more productive, while regular pay for working in better conditions than their forefathers did for free as serfs will make them happier, or at least, less susceptible to the insidious threat of egalitarianism.
Reminder that trying multiple things at once makes them all less likely to succeed.

>Strengthen the Bureaucracy. At the moment, a planetary governors’ only recourse for enforcing imperial law is beseeching the local nobility or, in extreme cases, reaching out to the Imperial Army. You aim to change that by raising a separate, sanctioned police force loyal to the broader Empire rather than any one noble house. Bankrolling what amounts to a universal paramilitary will be a highly contentious and expensive move, but a consistent approach to crime may improve stability and certainly cut out the aristocratic middleman in handling the masses directly.
>Invest in Infrastructure in the former Reaver Clan territories. This admittedly isn’t too exciting or immediately profitable, but it needs to happen sooner or later, and you would vastly prefer sooner. New and refurbished starports, mines, and factories in conquered pirate space will render the ex-serfs more productive, while regular pay for working in better conditions than their forefathers did for free as serfs will make them happier, or at least, less susceptible to the insidious threat of egalitarianism.

>>6055638
>Strengthen the Bureaucracy. At the moment, a planetary governors’ only recourse for enforcing imperial law is beseeching the local nobility or, in extreme cases, reaching out to the Imperial Army. You aim to change that by raising a separate, sanctioned police force loyal to the broader Empire rather than any one noble house. Bankrolling what amounts to a universal paramilitary will be a highly contentious and expensive move, but a consistent approach to crime may improve stability and certainly cut out the aristocratic middleman in handling the masses directly.
Infrastructure is always popular with everyone, but I'd rather do something bold.

A shame about House Arthen, hopefully we can bump relations up with them again.

>>6054113
>Cooming to going fully Oppy

God I love this character. Such a twist on the "evil bloodthirsty ruler" cliche.

>>6055638
>Strengthen the Bureaucracy.
This will make further reforms easier.

>>6055659
>>6055670
>>6055707
>>6055748
>>6055768
>>6055774
>>6055822
You understand that infrastructure is the backbone on which the Imperial military marches. It is indispensable, and you can accept no shortcuts. You commence the long, tedious process of burning the treasury's credits and exerting your authority as Emperor to get construction underway. In theory, your word is law and your will is absolute. In practice, there are hundreds, if not thousands of subjects that need to be meticulously sorted and commanded, so that they can guide their own millions of subordinates to enact your sovereign decree.

Every star system requires your input. Each planet, moon, and satellite's circumstances are different and require discernment, or in the instance it's beneath your notice, delegation to ensure that tasks are accomplished as you would intend them. It is a sprawling, frustrating exercise in bureaucracy that would leave a weaker man soured to the entire principle. Fortunately, the Imperial Bureaucracy has minimal corruption in its ranks and an adamant loyalty to the throne on Mars. With their assistance, much of the process is streamlined and you can rest assured of its success.

Of course, where there's construction, there are those coordinating it to make a profit. As Emperor, you are well-positioned to enrich a faction of your choosing.

Who should receive the brunt of profitable infrastructure contracts?

>Crown Corp. The property of your bloodline, lacking in experience and compensating with an abundance of hired technique and loyalist fervour. Some would be annoyed by favouritism, but such things are par the course for ruling dynasties and their complaints matter little when House Heinrich is strengthened.
>Zephyr Corp. The property of House Lochstrum working in concert with their former foes in House Ustong, drawing on bold financial savvy and an expertise only countless generations of practice can yield. This is a surefire way to please House Lochstrum and House Ustong, as well as entrench future competition for Crown Corp's construction sector.
>Local Workers. Rather than finance a specific Corp, you'll go out of your way to organize the ex-serf populations, get them trained, and get them working under a temporary imperial tenure which will help them find gainful employment when the work projects are done. The nobles won't be amused by perceived pandering to commoners, but the masses will be delighted, and the wages they earn are nigh-guaranteed to be spent and flow straight back to the wider economy.
>Nobody in Particular. You'll analyze the situation on a case-by-case basis and assign contracts to those who are best prepared to handle them. A more-or-less even spread won't insult or please anyone, and makes you seem like more of a fair and impartial Emperor.

>>6056083
>Nobody in Particular. You'll analyze the situation on a case-by-case basis and assign contracts to those who are best prepared to handle them. A more-or-less even spread won't insult or please anyone, and makes you seem like more of a fair and impartial Emperor.
>Local Workers. Rather than finance a specific Corp, you'll go out of your way to organize the ex-serf populations, get them trained, and get them working under a temporary imperial tenure which will help them find gainful employment when the work projects are done. The nobles won't be amused by perceived pandering to commoners, but the masses will be delighted, and the wages they earn are nigh-guaranteed to be spent and flow straight back to the wider economy.
The local workers as part of whoever's best, Im sure the pirates had them as laborers so they must be plenty experienced.

>>6056083
>Nobody in Particular. You'll analyze the situation on a case-by-case basis and assign contracts to those who are best prepared to handle them. A more-or-less even spread won't insult or please anyone, and makes you seem like more of a fair and impartial Emperor.
I would like to do local workers but we just pissed off some of the nobility with our first act as emperor. This should at least help some of the locals, which seems to be be much of Ferdinand's goal.

>>6056083
>Nobody in Particular. You'll analyze the situation on a case-by-case basis and assign contracts to those who are best prepared to handle them. A more-or-less even spread won't insult or please anyone, and makes you seem like more of a fair and impartial Emperor.
Large and complex megaprojects should be left to the big boys, but the huge scale of the program means much of it will be comprised of work that can be done by local contractors. I'd like to leave as much of it as possible to the latter to provide maximum return for the planetary economies but for practical concerns and providing some political appeasement.

>>6056083
>>Local Workers.

>Nobody in Particular. You'll analyze the situation on a case-by-case basis and assign contracts to those who are best prepared to handle them. A more-or-less even spread won't insult or please anyone, and makes you seem like more of a fair and impartial Emperor

>>6056083
>Zephyr Corp. The property of House Lochstrum working in concert with their former foes in House Ustong, drawing on bold financial savvy and an expertise only countless generations of practice can yield. This is a surefire way to please House Lochstrum and House Ustong, as well as entrench future competition for Crown Corp's construction sector.
Might as well. I also reckon we should put Crown Corp onto designing more custom-weapons, maybe even WMDs. Hey, there's a question for you QM, what kind of WMDs does the Empire have access to beyond regular nukes?

>>6056083
>>Crown Corp. The property of your bloodline, lacking in experience and compensating with an abundance of hired technique and loyalist fervour. Some would be annoyed by favouritism, but such things are par the course for ruling dynasties and their complaints matter little when House Heinrich is strengthened.

>>6056083
>crown corp
>Local workers

Let's boost our company and help the surfs.

>>6056083
>Nobody in Particular. You'll analyze the situation on a case-by-case basis and assign contracts to those who are best prepared to handle them. A more-or-less even spread won't insult or please anyone, and makes you seem like more of a fair and impartial Emperor.

>>6056083
>Nobody in Particular. You'll analyze the situation on a case-by-case basis and assign contracts to those who are best prepared to handle them. A more-or-less even spread won't insult or please anyone, and makes you seem like more of a fair and impartial Emperor.
Although maybe a slight preference toward locals, regardless our current guy seems to lean toward moralless pragmatism so Nobody in Particular makes sense to me.

>>6056083
>Nobody in Particular. You'll analyze the situation on a case-by-case basis and assign contracts to those who are best prepared to handle them. A more-or-less even spread won't insult or please anyone, and makes you seem like more of a fair and impartial Emperor.
We're fair.

>>6056083
>Nobody in Particular. You'll analyze the situation on a case-by-case basis and assign contracts to those who are best prepared to handle them. A more-or-less even spread won't insult or please anyone, and makes you seem like more of a fair and impartial Emperor.

>>6056089
>>6056099
>>6056104
>>6056138
>>6056182
>>6056197
>>6056398
>>6056401
>>6056427
>>6056428
>>6056456
>>6056496
You decide to lend an advantage to nobody in particular, and simply allocate contracts as is convenient. This should make things smoother but with the Imperial Bureaucracy working overtime, the gains in this department are marginal.

An annoyance is brought to your attention. Your "little" sister, Arnette, at 21 years of age. More specifically, her marriage prospects. She has remained quietly vitriolic to every noble lineage, save House Heinrich and those in overt submission, House Uvar and the Martial Houses as a whole. Even the latter are on thin ice with her. You'd prefer not to deal with this, but since your father replaced himself with a heap of illegal cybernetics and left you the ruins of a body to bury, the burden is yours to bear.

Who should Arnette be married off to?

>Klaus Schafer: One of House Schafer's foremost administrators, prevented from joining the admiralty due to a childhood accident which left him partly paralyzed on the left side. His gene scores are adequate, however, and he's held in low esteem by most of House Schafer for his insistence that they abandon the pretense of independence and become vassals to House Heinrich. A marriage from Heinrich would legitimize his views, for better or worse.
>Nils Uvar: The prospective heir to House Uvar, an exceptional spy whose political maneuvering has left him in line for the position. He shows no sign of any overarching ambitions outside of solidifying his bloodline as the legitimate rulers over House Uvar, and an imperial marriage would provide exactly that. You met him once at a social function, and he rather reminded you of Gerardo II.
>Harold II, Heinrich: The firstborn son of the legendary Harold, and a perfectly satisfactory admiral who's risen to his rank on legacy, loyalty, and exceptional talent for telling people what they want to be told. He's no less a groveling sycophant than his father was and, half-commoner that he is, has no relation to House Heinrich. You suspect he would make a fine doormat of a husband.
>You don't care. This is beneath your concern as Emperor, no matter how much your mother and grandmother are insistent on matchmaking. Your sister can handle her own affairs! You have an Empire to run!

>>6056549
>Nils Uvar: The prospective heir to House Uvar, an exceptional spy whose political maneuvering has left him in line for the position. He shows no sign of any overarching ambitions outside of solidifying his bloodline as the legitimate rulers over House Uvar, and an imperial marriage would provide exactly that. You met him once at a social function, and he rather reminded you of Gerardo II.

>Harold II, Heinrich: The firstborn son of the legendary Harold, and a perfectly satisfactory admiral who's risen to his rank on legacy, loyalty, and exceptional talent for telling people what they want to be told. He's no less a groveling sycophant than his father was and, half-commoner that he is, has no relation to House Heinrich.

>>6056549
>Nils Uvar: The prospective heir to House Uvar, an exceptional spy whose political maneuvering has left him in line for the position. He shows no sign of any overarching ambitions outside of solidifying his bloodline as the legitimate rulers over House Uvar, and an imperial marriage would provide exactly that. You met him once at a social function, and he rather reminded you of Gerardo II.

>>6056549
>You don't care. This is beneath your concern as Emperor, no matter how much your mother and grandmother are insistent on matchmaking. Your sister can handle her own affairs! You have an Empire to run!

>>6056549
>Nils Uvar: The prospective heir to House Uvar, an exceptional spy whose political maneuvering has left him in line for the position. He shows no sign of any overarching ambitions outside of solidifying his bloodline as the legitimate rulers over House Uvar, and an imperial marriage would provide exactly that. You met him once at a social function, and he rather reminded you of Gerardo II.
Ferdinand start putting some respect on Harolds name he has done a good job

>>6056549
>>Klaus Schafer: One of House Schafer's foremost administrators, prevented from joining the admiralty due to a childhood accident which left him partly paralyzed on the left side. His gene scores are adequate, however, and he's held in low esteem by most of House Schafer for his insistence that they abandon the pretense of independence and become vassals to House Heinrich. A marriage from Heinrich would legitimize his views, for better or worse.

>>6056549
>Nils Uvar: The prospective heir to House Uvar, an exceptional spy whose political maneuvering has left him in line for the position. He shows no sign of any overarching ambitions outside of solidifying his bloodline as the legitimate rulers over House Uvar, and an imperial marriage would provide exactly that. You met him once at a social function, and he rather reminded you of Gerardo II.

>>6056549
>Nils Uvar: The prospective heir to House Uvar, an exceptional spy whose political maneuvering has left him in line for the position. He shows no sign of any overarching ambitions outside of solidifying his bloodline as the legitimate rulers over House Uvar, and an imperial marriage would provide exactly that. You met him once at a social function, and he rather reminded you of Gerardo II.

>>6056549
>You don't care
it really seems in character for him not to give a shit

>>6056551
>>6056574
>>6056576
>>6056620
>>6056657
>>6056982
>>6057012
>>6057148
>>6057207
You are annoyed with the entire situation but see some potential for politicking, so you sign off on a marriage with Nils Uvar. To your knowledge, they hated each other for the initial months until something internal shifted, and they started excitedly cooperating. That would be cause for concern, if you weren't the one who just legitimized Nils as foremost vassal-lord of House Uvar and heading the dynasty Arnette reveres so much. Nicely done. You'd say that warranted a pat on the back if you cared about anyone's opinion but your own.

The Empire has experienced a sudden tragedy. The Voidmaster of the Eternal Empire, Angelica Heinrich, who conquered the Federation of Uvarth after she shattered their armada in a masterstroke of strategy, has been lost to us all. In more detail, though no evidence exists due to the nature of the incident, months of investigation have left palace analysts certain to within a 0.001% margin of error that her personal frigate suffered a catastrophic Shunt Reactor stutter while traversing the Hypervoid. This caused a localized false vacuum decay, instantaneously annihilating her vessel and all seven-hundred and fifty of her crew, along with herself. It cannot be denied any longer.

Your great-great aunt Angelica has died at a venerable 131 years of age, after being claimed by the void.

This is a tragedy almost without parallel, but she has lived a long and triumphant life.

What should be done?

>Ordain a new holiday of some variety. No woman has ever done more for the territorial expansion of the Eternal Empire under House Heinrich, and that deserves recognition.
>Declare a period of mourning across the Empire. Angelica was critical to suppressing the insidious scourge of democracy, and must be remembered.
>Hold a sizeable state funeral. No expense shall be spared in commemorating her lifetime of service to the Imperial Navy, for she saved none in munitions spent against its foes.
>Keep this a quiet affair. The population is not all sympathetic to their rightful rulers, and closeted neo-federals cannot be given any reprieve.

Equally concerning is the matter of her position, but that can wait until the (sadly, symbolic) funerary affairs have been taken care of.

>>6057667
>Hold a sizeable state funeral. No expense shall be spared in commemorating her lifetime of service to the Imperial Navy, for she saved none in munitions spent against its foes.

>>6057667
>Declare a period of mourning across the Empire. Angelica was critical to suppressing the insidious scourge of democracy, and must be remembered.
>Hold a sizeable state funeral. No expense shall be spared in commemorating her lifetime of service to the Imperial Navy, for she saved none in munitions spent against its foes.
Obviously nothing that will greatly affect the economy and a period of mourning of about a week should do
RIP Angelica, probably the best admiral we ever had

>>6057667
>Ordain a new holiday of some variety. No woman has ever done more for the territorial expansion of the Eternal Empire under House Heinrich, and that deserves recognition.
>Declare a period of mourning across the Empire. Angelica was critical to suppressing the insidious scourge of democracy, and must be remembered.
You'll be missed, Angelica.

>Ordain a new holiday of some variety. No woman has ever done more for the territorial expansion of the Eternal Empire under House Heinrich, and that deserves recognition.
>Declare a period of mourning across the Empire. Angelica was critical to suppressing the insidious scourge of democracy, and must be remembered.

>>6057667
>>6057718
I'll change my vote to support >>6057699 instead. A holiday might be too much.

>>6057667
>Declare a period of mourning across the Empire. Angelica was critical to suppressing the insidious scourge of democracy, and must be remembered.
>Hold a sizeable state funeral. No expense shall be spared in commemorating her lifetime of service to the Imperial Navy, for she saved none in munitions spent against its foes.
RIP. What a way to go too. Fitting, in a way.

>>6057667
>Ordain a new holiday of some variety. No woman has ever done more for the territorial expansion of the Eternal Empire under House Heinrich, and that deserves recognition.
>Declare a period of mourning across the Empire. Angelica was critical to suppressing the insidious scourge of democracy, and must be remembered.

>>6057667
>Declare a period of mourning across the Empire. Angelica was critical to suppressing the insidious scourge of democracy, and must be remembered.
>Hold a sizeable state funeral. No expense shall be spared in commemorating her lifetime of service to the Imperial Navy, for she saved none in munitions spent against its foes.

>>6057667
>Ordain a new holiday of some variety. No woman has ever done more for the territorial expansion of the Eternal Empire under House Heinrich, and that deserves recognition.
>Declare a period of mourning across the Empire. Angelica was critical to suppressing the insidious scourge of democracy, and must be remembered.
>Hold a sizeable state funeral. No expense shall be spared in commemorating her lifetime of service to the Imperial Navy, for she saved none in munitions spent against its foes.

>>6057684
>>6057699
>>6057753
>>6057757
>>6058192
>>6058884
>>6059361
>>6059483
No expense is spared. Short of impacting the treasury proper, the Empire digs deep into its pockets to give Angelica the most magnificent funeral possible. Millions of veterans are in attendance, as well as representatives of every noble house and, of course, the entirety of the royal lineage. You yourself give an appropriately rousing speech, if a short one, as you hardly knew your great-great aunt. This serves as a fitting close to her long and illustrious career in service of House Heinrich.

She is certain to be remembered for as long as your dynasty endures. Perhaps longer. A period of mourning is declared. One month, as is customary. You spend it with your family in a rare reprieve from your duties. It is brought to your attention that a number of neo-federalists have been arrested and punished accordingly for celebrating in public, especially in Uvarth. Their numbers have been on a downward trend ever since the educational reforms of your forefathers, but such an infection is not easily excised from the body of the Empire.

Not without fire. You mull over these things for some time. Now that Angelica and Otto are both lost to the void, in a sense, their positions have been left vacant, and neither left any successors to fill them. These are the roles of Warmaster and Voidmaster. Both highly ceremonial titles, and all the same, deeply meaningful for the rank-and-file who looked up to them. They are a valuable asset, one not abandoned without due cause.

How should their allotment be handled?

>Make them synonymous with high command. The current High General and High Admiral will receive the appropriate title, neatly folding it with preexisting command structures.
>Keep it as a rare ceremonial position. In the event that a General or Admiral performs above and beyond expectations, they’ll receive the title, otherwise, they will remain unassigned.
>Allow the current holders to decide their successor. As there are none, you’ll have to select them yourself in time, but this could lend hereditary wisdom to the Imperial Army and Navy.
>Retire both titles. They represent a source of legitimacy to the armed forces of the Empire, one not necessarily aligned to the throne, and that is a danger that cannot be tolerated.

I'm extremely sorry for dropping off the face of the Earth without any warning for several days, but I got distracted with the recent assassination attempt and lost track of time. It's really blown up things where I'm at. I don't think there'll be any long-term issues coming out of it, but now I'm better prepared if there are. Lots of people are worried about a hot civil war but I think a recession is order of magnitude likelier.

>>6060482
>Keep it as a rare ceremonial position. In the event that a General or Admiral performs above and beyond expectations, they’ll receive the title, otherwise, they will remain unassigned.
>>6060488
All good, man. Real life takes priority.

>>6060482
>Keep it as a rare ceremonial position. In the event that a General or Admiral performs above and beyond expectations, they’ll receive the title, otherwise, they will remain unassigned.

>Keep it as a rare ceremonial position. In the event that a General or Admiral performs above and beyond expectations, they’ll receive the title, otherwise, they will remain unassigned.

>>6060482
>Keep it as a rare ceremonial position. In the event that a General or Admiral performs above and beyond expectations, they’ll receive the title, otherwise, they will remain unassigned.
I would consider giving it to Harold for conquering the reavers but I don't know if he still alive but otherwise keep them until the next war as rewards
>>6060488
Take care QM

>>6060640
+1

>>6060482
>Keep it as a rare ceremonial position. In the event that a General or Admiral performs above and beyond expectations, they’ll receive the title, otherwise, they will remain unassigned.

>>6060596
>>6060600
>>6060621
>>6060640
>>6060776
>>6060778
You decide to keep the titles of Voidmaster and Warmaster as rare, ceremonial positions. This may lessen their impact over time or enhance it, depending on presentation. It is a rather minor issue as the titles themselves confer rather minor privileges. You don't have any need to concern yourself for the time being.

The investigation launched on behalf of Cherry Corp has borne fruit. There's a substantial degree of paperwork that requires your input. Fortunately, the Imperial Bureaucracy has managed to pare the slog down to solely what's needed for you to make an informed decision. This eases your work considerably. According to the agents of House Uvar, Beckham was not exaggerating.

Nearly every noble house has been levying extensive taxes, fees, and tithes on interstellar merchants acting in their territories. In some cases, this equates to more than half of gross profits made, and there's little consistency in when or how they are applied. House Uvar's agents have noticed a pattern. These taxes are extremely selective.

Merchant vessels owned by the nobility invariably receive only modest charges. Those owned by commoners, however, are consistently fleeced for all they're worth. In the event that they're held by one of the Corps, the taxes veer from steep to ruinous, and the armed confiscation of nebulous "contraband" by segments of noble retinues is not uncommon. This is suffocating to interstellar commerce.

At the same time, close to sixty percent of merchants are nobility who are unaffected by these taxes. Further, this status quo grants fairhanded noble merchants a considerable advantage over greedy commoners who'd think themselves the peers of their betters. You note that there are some exceptions to these taxes. House Heinrich, its vassal House Uvar, and House Nightshayd go out of their way to avoid taxing merchants more than reasonable. House Arthen doesn't single out commoners, as their tariffs are extreme across the board.

>>6060785
Most Corp merchants travel accompanied by mercenary squadrons, and these tend to have less severe taxes than lone freighters or wholly mercantile ventures. "Confiscations" are similarly rare, and there have only been a handful of combative incidents which were quickly suppressed by both parties involved to avoid imperial censure. The details on them are scarce, save that mercenaries have consistently been crushed when confronted by equal numbers of nobles, and cost the noble retinues dearly for the privilege.

Escorting merchants like this is one of the foremost means of employment for mercenaries, especially since pirates have become a rare sight on imperial trading routes. Notably, merchant vessels affiliated with Crown Corp and Hookware Corp have gone entirely undisturbed. In fact, most minor houses have shown limited deference to the latter when Hookware caravans are passing through their systems. It's certain that's because Hookware Corp supplies most minor retinues with their warships in the first place, and itself has a strong enough armada to threaten any one major house, let alone those who don't even hold a whole planet under their banner.

>>6060787
This is a rather interesting situation. What should be done in response?

>Issue an Imperial Edict banning exorbitant taxes of common merchants. This will annoy almost all of the noble houses and enflame the discontent that's already there, but the economy will be better off for it, and the Corps will be grateful.
>Politely ask the noble houses to ease-up on the import and export fees. Most will ignore House Heinrich but those which are friendly won't, and their internal economies should see heavier business for it.
>Reduce taxes on merchants in House Heinrich territory below the average, and make this known on the financial grapevine. Some of the noble houses may mutter about your dynasty fraternizing with Corps, and your planets will be overflowing with vendors looking to buy high and sell low to take advantage of the heightened profit margins.
>Maintain the current status quo. It's worked well for House Heinrich over a century now, and there's little reason to disrupt an already practical system. Beckham and by extension, Cherry Corp will be miffed, but that's no issue.
>Allow Corps to privately own warships without explicit permission of the throne on Mars. While this won't impact anything initially, it should be excellent stimulation for the shipbuilding industry and solve the problem in a roundabout way. Although there are certain risks associated with this.
>Levy a tax on mercenaries operating as escorts throughout imperial space. This will infuriate them but make a healthy chunk of credits on what's already happening one way or another without aggrieving the Corps or Major Houses.
>Start selling Imperial Charters exempting the holders from all but a few mostly-standardized taxes. The Corps will be frustrated by this but gladly pay House Heinrich hand-over-fist to save on the cost of doing business. This should greatly enrich your bloodline and mostly solve the problem without unduly overstepping your bounds in the sight of the lesser houses.
>Join in on the trend and start taxing merchants traveling through House Heinrich territory. This will enrage the Corps while amusing the noble houses, and earn your bloodline some credits on the side.

>>6060788
>Politely ask the noble houses to ease-up on the import and export fees. Most will ignore House Heinrich but those which are friendly won't, and their internal economies should see heavier business for it.
Either of the first three options are alright with me, but I have a slight preference towards this one. This is an address that we really should address and will go a long way towards helping us consolidate and improve the general wellbeing and economy of the empire. Doing it through this softer method will enrich those friendly with the throne at the expense of those not, and encourage the latter to follow suit in lowering taxes of their own volition without annoying them. A good political move I'd say.

>>6060794
>This is an address
This is an issue*

>>6060788
>Issue an Imperial Edict banning exorbitant taxes of common merchants. This will annoy almost all of the noble houses and enflame the discontent that's already there, but the economy will be better off for it, and the Corps will be grateful.
>Write-in
>Make the law something along the lines of "Equal taxation for all merchants from the Empire, the rate you choose is up to you." instead of banning exorbitant rates for commoners specifically.
Sure they can maintain high tariffs if they want, but they'll be equal across the board and they'll have to strangle their own economies if they want to keep out commoner merchants. Arthen and our friendly houses are already being even-handed, and they won't be upset, but everyone specifically dicking over commoners will have to shape up or alienate noble merchants.

>>6060788
>Politely ask the noble houses to ease-up on the import and export fees. Most will ignore House Heinrich but those which are friendly won't, and their internal economies should see heavier business for it.

>>6060788
>Start selling Imperial Charters exempting the holders from all but a few mostly-standardized taxes. The Corps will be frustrated by this but gladly pay House Heinrich hand-over-fist to save on the cost of doing business. This should greatly enrich your bloodline and mostly solve the problem without unduly overstepping your bounds in the sight of the lesser houses.

Jesus, what a mess. The rule of law and the free flowing of commerce as the cornerstone of any civilized state. How do we lack it when it comes to commercial transactions…

This is a good means to force economic standardisation and enrich our coffers

If noble houses want to add more taxes across the board - they should argue for it in the Landstradt

>>6060788
>Politely ask the noble houses to ease-up on the import and export fees. Most will ignore House Heinrich but those which are friendly won't, and their internal economies should see heavier business for it.
Only De Croize and now Arthen are not friendly but the rest are including most of the minor houses if I am correct so most of the worries should be dealt with, HOWEVER to get the remaining to comply follow with:
>Issue an Imperial Edict banning exorbitant taxes of common merchants. This will annoy almost all of the noble houses and enflame the discontent that's already there, but the economy will be better off for it, and the Corps will be grateful.
>Make the law something along the lines of "Equal taxation for all merchants from the Empire, the rate you choose is up to you." instead of banning exorbitant rates for commoners specifically.
Do this a bit AFTER we politely ask so that by the time the edict comes in our friends won't be affected since they already complied and now have more business and those who refused have only themselves to blame since everyone else already did.

>>6060788
>Start selling Imperial Charters exempting the holders from all but a few mostly-standardized taxes. The Corps will be frustrated by this but gladly pay House Heinrich hand-over-fist to save on the cost of doing business. This should greatly enrich your bloodline and mostly solve the problem without unduly overstepping your bounds in the sight of the lesser houses.

>>6060788
>Start selling Imperial Charters exempting the holders from all but a few mostly-standardized taxes. The Corps will be frustrated by this but gladly pay House Heinrich hand-over-fist to save on the cost of doing business. This should greatly enrich your bloodline and mostly solve the problem without unduly overstepping your bounds in the sight of the lesser houses.
I'd prefer keeping the status-quo, but that's not going to win so this is a good choice too.

>>6060788
>>Start selling Imperial Charters exempting the holders from all but a few mostly-standardized taxes. The Corps will be frustrated by this but gladly pay House Heinrich hand-over-fist to save on the cost of doing business. This should greatly enrich your bloodline and mostly solve the problem without unduly overstepping your bounds in the sight of the lesser houses.

>>6060788
>Start selling Imperial Charters exempting the holders from all but a few mostly-standardized taxes. The Corps will be frustrated by this but gladly pay House Heinrich hand-over-fist to save on the cost of doing business. This should greatly enrich your bloodline and mostly solve the problem without unduly overstepping your bounds in the sight of the lesser houses.

>>6060788
>>6060917
On second thought I'll change this too
>Levy a tax on mercenaries operating as escorts throughout imperial space. This will infuriate them but make a healthy chunk of credits on what's already happening one way or another without aggrieving the Corps or Major Houses.
The mercs should be happy enough to allow this.

>>6060788
>Start selling Imperial Charters exempting the holders from all but a few mostly-standardized taxes. The Corps will be frustrated by this but gladly pay House Heinrich hand-over-fist to save on the cost of doing business. This should greatly enrich your bloodline and mostly solve the problem without unduly overstepping your bounds in the sight of the lesser houses.

>>6060788
>>6060918
>Start selling Imperial Charters exempting the holders from all but a few mostly-standardized taxes. The Corps will be frustrated by this but gladly pay House Heinrich hand-over-fist to save on the cost of doing business. This should greatly enrich your bloodline and mostly solve the problem without unduly overstepping your bounds in the sight of the lesser houses.
Changing back to this. I just realized it's a bad idea to frustrate the mercs even if we do have good relations.

>>6060925
It bewilders me why you all think it's any better of an idea to literally sell out imperial charters. We had to do some serious negotiation and bargaining in the face of a civil war to give Hookware their charter and now you all want to give them out like candy to all the corps?

>>6060788
>Politely ask the noble houses to ease-up on the import and export fees. Most will ignore House Heinrich but those which are friendly won't, and their internal economies should see heavier business for it.
>Start selling Imperial Charters exempting the holders from all but a few mostly-standardized taxes. The Corps will be frustrated by this but gladly pay House Heinrich hand-over-fist to save on the cost of doing business. This should greatly enrich your bloodline and mostly solve the problem without unduly overstepping your bounds in the sight of the lesser houses.
We should make it clear that said imperial charters don't have to be paid solely in money. It'd be good to have the corps in our debt I think.

>Issue an Imperial Edict banning exorbitant taxes of common merchants. This will annoy almost all of the noble houses and enflame the discontent that's already there, but the economy will be better off for it, and the Corps will be grateful.
>Write-in
>Make the law something along the lines of "Equal taxation for all merchants from the Empire, the rate you choose is up to you." instead of banning exorbitant rates for commoners specifically.
>Reduce taxes on merchants in House Heinrich territory below the average, and make this known on the financial grapevine. Some of the noble houses may mutter about your dynasty fraternizing with Corps, and your planets will be overflowing with vendors looking to buy high and sell low to take advantage of the heightened profit margins.

>>6060788
>Start selling Imperial Charters exempting the holders from all but a few mostly-standardized taxes. The Corps will be frustrated by this but gladly pay House Heinrich hand-over-fist to save on the cost of doing business. This should greatly enrich your bloodline and mostly solve the problem without unduly overstepping your bounds in the sight of the lesser houses.

>>6060788
>Issue an Imperial Edict banning exorbitant taxes of common merchants. This will annoy almost all of the noble houses and enflame the discontent that's already there, but the economy will be better off for it, and the Corps will be grateful.

>>6060794
>>6060797
>>6060843
>>6060872
>>6060875
>>6060881
>>6060900
>>6060913
>>6060922
>>6060925
>>6060952
>>6060958
>>6061187
>>6061211
You determine that the most efficient course of action would be to sell Imperial Charters exempting the holders from most taxes. This is within your authority as Emperor and would effectively punish those who need them in the first place, as the nobility wants. It's a reasonable and profitable solution to the problem. There's only one point of contention. Hookware Corp.

To be specific, the Imperial Charter they received under Emperor Albin, which granted them permission to operate without risk of censure, in exchange for a Hookware-pattern warfleet and their continued discrete cooperation in royal affairs. Big Hoss Gus the 456th may be outraged if such a privilege is freely given to their competitors. Their Imperial Charter also gave them tacit carte blanche to continue manufacturing warships, which sets a worrying precedent for the rest of the Corps. This is an intriguing puzzle of sorts. On one hand, the hubris of the Corps. On the other, the backlash of the Major Houses. Your duty is to find the best balance between them, and you daresay you are up to the task.

>>6061349
First, how should the Imperial Charters be handled?

>A Charter is a Charter. All holders will receive the same rights of near-autonomy in exchange for their overt submission to the throne on Mars. If Gus doesn't like dealing with the competition on an equal footing, he can ask one of his customers to file a complaint in the Landstaad.
>Establish multiple grades of Charter. High Charters will allow for near-autonomy and exemption from nonstandard taxes, while Low Charters only confer the tax exemption. Hookware Corp's will be retroactively upgraded to a High Charter, and only Low Charters will be freely sold.
>Introduce some legalese to the Charter. Rather than simple terminology, you'll introduce an intricate screed of bureaucratic jargon that can functionally be interpreted as the Emperor sees fit. This will leave the Imperial Charters vague and force the holders to err on the side of caution, including Hookware Corp.

Second, how much should the Imperial Charters be sold for?

>Ruinous Expense. They'll be carefully planned to give a moderate discount over the status quo, and in so doing enrich House Heinrich considerably. The Corps themselves will be outraged but they lack the power to enforce their will, so they'll by and large comply with a bare minimum of grumbling.
>Moderate Expense. They'll be expected to require a substantial portion of the buyer's budget but be lenient in comparison to the status quo. The Corps will be frustrated by what they see as continued exploitation, but this is inarguably better than before.
>Slight Expense. They'll be given for a relatively pitiful sum, in the interest of encouraging trade, and will have a correspondingly minor impact on your dynasty's coffers. The Corps will be pleased by this act of mercy, but some noble houses are bound to consider this insufficient.
>Loyalty over Credits. They'll be handed over for free, aside from handling fees, in exchange for the buyers pledging submission to the throne and signing profitable contracts with Crown Corp. The Corps will be nonplussed by such blatant favouritism, as it's what they would've done, but the wider nobility will view it as a naked power-grab. Needless to say, Crown Corp would see substantial expansion in the upcoming quarters.

>>6061351
>Establish multiple grades of Charter. High Charters will allow for near-autonomy and exemption from nonstandard taxes, while Low Charters only confer the tax exemption. Hookware Corp's will be retroactively upgraded to a High Charter, and only Low Charters will be freely sold.
The other corps only want to not be taxed to hell, and we should honour our old agreements
>Moderate Expense. They'll be expected to require a substantial portion of the buyer's budget but be lenient in comparison to the status quo. The Corps will be frustrated by what they see as continued exploitation, but this is inarguably better than before.
Its a one time buy they cannot complain too hard

>>6061351
>Establish multiple grades of Charter. High Charters will allow for near-autonomy and exemption from nonstandard taxes, while Low Charters only confer the tax exemption. Hookware Corp's will be retroactively upgraded to a High Charter, and only Low Charters will be freely sold.

>Slight Expense. They'll be given for a relatively pitiful sum, in the interest of encouraging trade, and will have a correspondingly minor impact on your dynasty's coffers. The Corps will be pleased by this act of mercy, but some noble houses are bound to consider this insufficient.

What an awful decision this was. We'll get way less money than what we would have gotten from just lowering taxes, the Imperial Charter has none of its former prestige, and now we're pissing off Hookware too. "A reasonable and profitable solution to the problem." Lmao. At least this isn't too harmful to us that we can see right now.

>Establish multiple grades of Charter. High Charters will allow for near-autonomy and exemption from nonstandard taxes, while Low Charters only confer the tax exemption. Hookware Corp's will be retroactively upgraded to a High Charter, and only Low Charters will be freely sold.

>Slight Expense. They'll be given for a relatively pitiful sum, in the interest of encouraging trade, and will have a correspondingly minor impact on your dynasty's coffers. The Corps will be pleased by this act of mercy, but some noble houses are bound to consider this insufficient.

>>6061351
>Establish multiple grades of Charter. High Charters will allow for near-autonomy and exemption from nonstandard taxes, while Low Charters only confer the tax exemption. Hookware Corp's will be retroactively upgraded to a High Charter, and only Low Charters will be freely sold.

>Slight Expense. They'll be given for a relatively pitiful sum, in the interest of encouraging trade, and will have a correspondingly minor impact on your dynasty's coffers. The Corps will be pleased by this act of mercy, but some noble houses are bound to consider this insufficient.

>>6061376
Give it a couple generations for the corps to consolidate and for new competitors to be a near impossibility due to the inevitable corruption of the charter system that causes the buy-in price to be near unattainable for the average person while being able to compete without it also becoming an impossibility. (Granted still probably slightly better then the current status quo regardless just not as much as it could of been)

>>6061351
>Establish multiple grades of Charter. High Charters will allow for near-autonomy and exemption from nonstandard taxes, while Low Charters only confer the tax exemption. Hookware Corp's will be retroactively upgraded to a High Charter, and only Low Charters will be freely sold.

>Moderate Expense. They'll be expected to require a substantial portion of the buyer's budget but be lenient in comparison to the status quo. The Corps will be frustrated by what they see as continued exploitation, but this is inarguably better than before.
Let's at least get some money from this.

>>6061351
>Establish multiple grades of Charter.
>Slight Expense.

>>6061351
>Establish multiple grades of Charter. High Charters will allow for near-autonomy and exemption from nonstandard taxes, while Low Charters only confer the tax exemption. Hookware Corp's will be retroactively upgraded to a High Charter, and only Low Charters will be freely sold.

>Write-in
>Variable Expense. Charters will be sold at a fair price according to the assets and income of the buyer, as accounted for by an Imperial Audit, set up in categories in a manner similar to tax brackets; the lesser your income and assets, the less you'll have to pay. This will encourage trade and smaller companies or independent merchants. Nobility will likely not care, but corps will likely be upset that their lesser competitors are getting a better deal than they are, hopefully mollified by the fair pricing.

>>6061351
>>6061460
+1

>>6061351
>Establish multiple grades of Charter. High Charters will allow for near-autonomy and exemption from nonstandard taxes, while Low Charters only confer the tax exemption. Hookware Corp's will be retroactively upgraded to a High Charter, and only Low Charters will be freely sold.

>Slight Expense. They'll be given for a relatively pitiful sum, in the interest of encouraging trade, and will have a correspondingly minor impact on your dynasty's coffers. The Corps will be pleased by this act of mercy, but some noble houses are bound to consider this insufficient.

>>6061349
>Establish multiple grades of Charter. High Charters will allow for near-autonomy and exemption from nonstandard taxes, while Low Charters only confer the tax exemption. Hookware Corp's will be retroactively upgraded to a High Charter, and only Low Charters will be freely sold.

>Moderate Expense. They'll be expected to require a substantial portion of the buyer's budget but be lenient in comparison to the status quo. The Corps will be frustrated by what they see as continued exploitation, but this is inarguably better than before.

>>6061460
I like this one more but unfortunately it doesn't look like it's going to win.

>>6061460
Support. High charters should only be given out for extraordinary service to the realm, the rest can pay for it depending on their assets.

>>6061351
>>6061460
Supporting. Good write-in.

>>6061514
You should vote for what you want. I've seen tons of votes swing in less likely scenarios.

>>6061460
+1

>>6061351
>Establish multiple grades of Charter. High Charters will allow for near-autonomy and exemption from nonstandard taxes, while Low Charters only confer the tax exemption. Hookware Corp's will be retroactively upgraded to a High Charter, and only Low Charters will be freely sold.

>Write-in
>Variable Expense. Charters will be sold at a fair price according to the assets and income of the buyer, as accounted for by an Imperial Audit, set up in categories in a manner similar to tax brackets; the lesser your income and assets, the less you'll have to pay. This will encourage trade and smaller companies or independent merchants. Nobility will likely not care, but corps will likely be upset that their lesser competitors are getting a better deal than they are, hopefully mollified by the fair pricing.

>>6061529
>"hey I'm not gonna vote for this because it's going to lose"
>someone else does it
>"hey anon you should vote for what you feel like"

>>6060928
thought I responded to this, sorry
I never said I knew what i was doing. My brain is too smooth to understand economy.

>>6061544
Welcome to realpolitik. I will take on contrary views if it helps me win in an argument.
I'm doing the epic pragmatic Imperialist larp and totally aren't just being a hypocrite lol

Changing my vote from this
>>6061416

To this
>>6061460
Although I must say this sounds like its going to add a shite ton of strain to our bureaucracy for atleast the short term as they get through all the big players, I mean hell proper audits can take feken ages even if everything is on the up and up. I also think your underestimating how making an audit a requirement for this may (silently) piss off some of the megacorps that may or may not have something to hide although that's frankly more of a them problem than a us problem.

>>6061563
Also expect some absolute major levels of tax bracket fuckery from these guys in a effort to pay as little as possible for their charter, i'm talking shell companies within shell companies that are bought out which are bought by a shell company to be merged with mega corp to inherit the charter cheaper type shenanigans.

>>6061355
>>6061376
>>6061404
>>6061420
>>6061440
>>6061460
>>6061500
>>6061512
>>6061514
>>6061528
>>6061529
>>6061533
>>6061540
>>6061563
You reason that the Imperial Charters should be divided into multiple grades. High Charters shall go to those who've gone and beyond in service of the throne on Mars and allow their holders to do as they see fit, within their territories and to the extent that they do not disadvantage the Empire. The Imperial Charter your grandfather gave to Hookware Corp will be retroactively upgraded to a High Charter, both for their continued cooperation and them holding enough firepower to threaten the economy at large.

Low Charters shall be sold to whichever merchants can afford to purchase them, and while still requiring their holder to obey the laws of the noble houses, as is proper, they'll also spare them from additional taxes. These will be sold without additional requirements. To ensure that commerce within the Eternal Empire goes smoothly, you introduce the Imperial Audit. Now, instead of a set cost, the Imperial Bureaucracy will launch an investigation of any would-be Charter holder's properties and set a price scaling to their value.

This will render Low Charters just as accessible to fledgling Corps and independent merchants as they are to juggernauts of finance. High Charters will remain inaccessible and rare, given out on a strict case-by-case basis. You announce your reforms through the usual channels.

>>6061607
The noble houses are irritated by the introduction of Low Charters sparing common merchants the de-facto tribute they see as their right to claim. At the same time, the Corps they despise are expected to pay the heaviest charges of them all, so the overall controversy is negligible. The Corps themselves publicly praise House Heinrich's approach to free trade, and are privately concerned at the risk of upstarts muscling in on the more lucrative trade routes.

To the best of your awareness, Hookware Corp is content with the preservation of their privileges and paranoid of small-time traders undercutting their cheaply-made and cheaply-sold goods. You think that's ideal and could drive economic stimulation, but you remind yourself that Hookware Corp historically sold even to pirates. The economy hasn't yet felt the effects of the change but credits are already trickling into House Heinrich's vaults.

You truly are the most brilliant Emperor that House Heinrich has ever held. Certainly, your forefathers have more impressive accomplishments to claim, but you alone have had the temerity, nay, the vision to consolidate them! Leave extravagant campaigns and one-upsmanship to the lesser minds that came before your reign and will come after. You are satisfied to replace their foundation of sand and blood with brick and mortar.

All the better to withstand the rigours of warfare on an interplanetary scale. You must prepare for the worst if you are to ever to be assured of your best. That was the philosophy that went into your Burnlance-class rifle, after all, and it hasn't failed you, nor the ignorant masses, yet.

>>6061609
You catch wind of a sudden, bizarre development. One of the Eternal Empire's frontier worlds, Xoter, is a desolate rock with soil content acidic enough that conventional agriculture is largely impossible. Even so, its subsurface freshwater content is considerable, as is its precipitation, and the planet's surface is covered by sheets of algae.

Further, it's comfortably in the center of its star's habitable zone, has an easily breathable atmosphere, and is situated on a trade route, so it holds a handful of starports and is valued by the various Minor Houses that lay claim to its scattered regions. Xoter has been of little-to-no significance, up to this point. One enterprising son of House Lu'gaut, Ansaldo, decided to wager his inheritance on the bold proposition of mulching algae and selling it as fertilizer to the Mukvir. This succeeded.

Far beyond anyone's expectations. Xoter mulch took the Mukvir Courts by storm and left the wealthiest scants of their vegetable species scrambling over each other to bid for more. Access to (almost literally) dirt-cheap goods has elevated Ansaldo Lu'gaut to a significant fortune, though it isn't relevant on the imperial scale. Over the last several years of legal smuggling, he's managed to keep the source of his product secret, but after making enough to retire, he decided to reveal the secret to Paskal, the patriarch of House Lu'gaut.

Paskal is an ancient man, if in remarkable health, and remembers the vengeance Emperor Otto wreaked against the Reaver Clans on House Lu'gaut and House Aboze's behalf well. Out of gratitude, he reasoned it was best to come to you with this information. You are one of a handful who understands the true value of Xoter. Ansaldo believes the mulch's strange chemical content is somehow excellent for the Mukvir's xenobiology, but no significant human research has been done on the phenomenon. At the least, it doesn't seem to have any obviously deleterious side-effects. It's only a matter of time before the news gets out.