Empire: Difference between revisions

|image1 = File:EmpireInsignia.png

|caption1 = Insignia of the Empire

|capital = [[Capitol (city)|Capitol]], [[Capitol]], [[Achenar]]

|demonym = Imperial

The '''Empire''', officially the '''Empire of Achenar''', is a [[:Category:Galactic Superpower|galactic superpower]] and hereditary monarchy. It is the second largest major [[Factions|faction]] in the galaxy. The reigning [[Emperor]] is [[Arissa Lavigny-Duval]] of the [[Imperial Family]]. The [[Imperial Palace]], seat of the Emperor, is located in the city of [[Capitol (city)|Capitol]] on the planet [[Capitol]] in the [[Achenar]] system.

 

 

The Empire is less technologically dependent than the Federation, choosing to keep and employ [[Imperial Slavery|slaves]] for the work which machines would usually perform in other parts of the universe. The Empire is also a proponent of human [[cloning]] rather than [[robotics]].<ref name=":1" />

== History ==

===Departing the Federation===

What is now known as the Empire began around in the middle of the 23rd century, with the architect of peace and an anti-Federation activist [[Marlin Duval]].<ref name="GalnetBirthOfAnEmpire">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/559fe59e9657ba1b5a47e853 GalNet: The Birth of an Empire]</ref> She had long spoken out against the oppressive Federal administration of the time. Such was her disenchantment that she gathered her family together, along with many supporters, and left the Federation. Marlin led them to a distant star system called Achenar, many light years from Sol, in order to found a new colony based on peaceful ideals.<ref name="GalnetBirthOfAnEmpire" /> In 2292,<ref name="EE" /> a suitable home was found orbiting Achenar 6, a Class III gas giant, and Achenar 6d was colonised. Now called [[Capitol]], this moon formed the core world of the [[Republic of Achenar]], which would later become the Empire.<ref name="GalnetBirthOfAnEmpire" />

 

 

===Accusations of Genocide===

 

Federal historians, citing Federal decrees of the time, paint a different tale. The official Federal version of events alleges that Capitol was in fact sterilised on the orders of [[Henson Duval]], brother of Marlin Duval, prior to terraforming some years after Marlin's death. Imperial scholars disagree on whether this was due to innocent confusion over misunderstood or misrepresented information, associating plans for the terraforming of nearby world Conversion, a project which would not be completed until 2696, with that of the genocide, or a deliberate political smear campaign based on Marlin Duval's antagonistic relationship with the Federation.

 

=== The Battle of Achenar ===

{{Main|Battle of Achenar}}

The [[Battle of Achenar|war]] between the Federation and [[Achenar]] was notable as the first large-scale interstellar conflict. Much has been made over the years of the Federation's reasons for invading Achenar, in particular the claim that the annihilation of the native sentient species was little more than a slim pretext. While it was certainly true that the principal reason for the military action was Achenar's refusal to join the Federation, it is also worth noting that the protection of xeno-culture and life forms was a key tenet of the Federation's founding.<ref name=":8">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/55a910889657bad10af67b12 GalNet: A Clash of Titans]

===Recent events===

====3300 - 3305====

In 3300, Emperor [[Hengist Duval]] fell gravely ill, throwing the Imperial succession into question as his son and designated heir, [[Harold Duval]], was widely viewed as unsuitable to rule the Empire.<ref>[http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=560d50221f Newsletter #52]</ref> On December 19, Hengist appeared before the Imperial Senate to decree Harold was not of sound mind and could not succeed him to the throne.<ref>[http://elitedangerous.com/news/galnet/?read=19DEC3300fce3b0de3f373020e6cf3b5c58d73141 GalNet: Heir to the Throne Officially Mad]</ref> Senator [[Arissa Lavigny-Duval|Arissa Lavigny]], Hengist's illegitimate daughter with [[Florence Lavigny]], was touted as likely to be named the next heir, and on December 22, Hengist announced he would marry Florence and thus solidify Arissa's claim; Arissa changed her last name to Lavigny-Duval.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/news?read=22DEC3300f8b120575cdb102684c7d394a21de3e8 GalNet: Emperor To Marry Sweetheart]</ref> Hengist's illness subsequently worsened and he entered a coma, causing the wedding to postponed through July 3301.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/27b34f18704d470bd0e0f8a09721a81f488b7ee4 GalNet: Emperor in Coma]</ref>

 

</ref> The Imperial succession was again thrown into question, with Hengist's granddaughter [[Aisling Duval]] jockeying for the position. On October 6, the matter was finally settled when Arissa Lavigny-Duval was declared Emperor by a vote of the Imperial Senate, and she was formally crowned on October 18, 3301.<ref name=":4">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/561397259657ba7007435572 GalNet: Senate Declares Arissa Lavigny-Duval Emperor]

</ref>

 

That same month, Senator [[Denton Patreus]] waged a military campaign to eradicate Emperor's Dawn. Many Emperor's Dawn bases across Imperial and Federal space were destroyed, and on February 5, 3302, Patreus declared the group had been wiped out. In recognition of Patreus's service, Emperor Arissa promoted him to Admiral of the Fleet, giving him command of the Imperial Navy.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/56cae5a39657bade449aaddb GalNet: Galactic News: Denton Patreus Receives Promotion]</ref>

 

On October 6, 3303, authorities in the Pleiades Nebula reported that the Federation had completely withdrawn its ships from the region, likely marking the end of the Federal-Imperial cold war over meta-alloys. The Empire was expected to follow suit in the coming days. Political commentators suggested that the attitude of cooperation brought about by the joint formation of Aegis, as well as escalating Thargoid attacks in the Pleiades, had been the catalyst for the withdrawal.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59d7526d8101dd5da464f2fa GalNet: Galactic News: Federation Withdraws from Pleiades]</ref> The Empire's own withdrawal was confirmed by regional authorities on October 11.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59ddfbc6122be924b4645a7d GalNet: Galactic News: Empire Pulls Out of Pleiades]</ref>

 

Relations between the Federation and the Empire appeared poised to continue warming on June 22, 3304, when Princess [[Aisling Duval]] of the Empire announced her engagement to Federal Ambassador [[Jordan Rochester]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b2a5313ac998e5aec013c6b GalNet: Aisling Duval Announces Marriage to Federal Ambassador]</ref> The planned marriage proved controversial not only among Federal citizens, but also in Imperial circles.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b335f4b308c8b18a33feb05 GalNet: Galaxy Reacts to Federal-Imperial Betrothal]</ref> However, days before the ceremony was scheduled to occur in August 3304, anti-slavery activist [[Jarl Toredo]] revealed to the public that he had been in a secret relationship with Aisling, and Jordan's mother, [[Isolde Rochester]], cancelled the wedding.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b742ce2563afa25f241db2f GalNet: Aisling Duval's Secret Relationship Revealed]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5b7d48ec3cc7f7442d0414e4 GalNet: Aisling Duval Wedding Cancelled]</ref>

 

====3306 - Present====

The Empire was shaken by a series of terrorist attacks on four [[starport]]s on September 10, 3306 that were carried out by the [[Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army]], an extremist paramilitary faction dedicated to abolishing the monarchy by force and replacing it with a system of representation by elected senators.<ref name="Terrorist Attacks">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f59df9848baea0ae33e1e05 GalNet: Terrorist Attacks on Imperial Starports]</ref> Four days later, the NMLA also assassinated Prince [[Harold Duval]].<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f5f5a4a838b10170647e29b GalNet: Prince Harold Duval Assassinated]</ref> In response, the [[Imperial Navy]] embarked on a widespread anti-terrorism operation to root out the NMLA. Believing that supporters of the more moderate [[Marlin Duval|Marlinist]] ideology were collaborating with the radical and violent NMLA, the Imperial Navy attempted mass arrests of Marlinists. Millions fled their homes to escape persecution, sparking the [[Marlinist refugee crisis]], and by October 20, 3306, many had arrived in several outlying Federal systems. The Empire formally requested that the refugees be returned, but Federal Ambassador [[Jordan Rochester]] refused and asked [[Federal Congress]] to grant them asylum.<ref name="Refugees Flee">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f8eccd964813d010413e662 GalNet: Marlinist Refugees Flee to the Federation]</ref> On October 26, Federal Congress granted the Marlinists temporary Federal citizenship at the request of [[Shadow President]] [[Felicia Winters]] despite [[President of the Federation|President]] [[Zachary Hudson]]'s stated intention to return the refugees to the Empire.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f96dae3c5f82d16485c8ba7 GalNet: Congress Votes to Accept Marlinist Immigrants]</ref> As a result, tensions between the Empire and the Federation increased, with some fearing that the Empire could declare war to recapture the Marlinists.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5f9c3b09f940387d9539a785 GalNet: Empire and Federation Clash Over Marlinists]</ref> The situation worsened on November 5, 3306, when the Empire invaded LTT 1935, a Federal system in neutral space that the [[Imperial Internal Security Service]] had reason to believe contained multiple hidden NMLA bomb-making facilities.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5fa3f841861db67e3c548667 GalNet: Federal and Imperial Forces Engage in Battle]</ref> The conflict ended on November 12, with the LTT 1935 Confederacy securing a decisive victory and preventing an Imperial occupation.<ref name="FedResists">[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5fad25247ca22b31b03796c3 GalNet: Federal System Resists Imperial Takeover]</ref>

 

As relations between the Empire and the Federation continued to deteriorate, both superpowers took more aggressive stances. Senator Denton Patreus ordered the withdrawal of Imperial funding from [[Aegis]] on November 27 as the Empire changed its focus from the subsiding Thargoid threat to countering the Federation and the NMLA.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5fc0f66cdb6b4a02124bfdc1 GalNet: The Shadow of War]</ref> [[Sirius Corporation]] finally intervened on December 10, 3306 to try to end the Marlinist refugee crisis and prevent a war between the superpowers. CEO [[Li Yong-Rui]] proposed resettling the Marlinists in [[Marlinist Colonies|new colonies in unclaimed systems]]. Both Federal Congress and the Imperial Senate approved the plan after a period of debate, but added the caveat that any NMLA members identified among the refugees be turned over to the Empire.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/5fd21ab2fbd6a36ef7161e62 GalNet: Sirius Corporation Campaign to Establish Marlinist Colonies]</ref>

 

 

On March 3, 3307, at the Galactic Summit in [[Sirius]], Chancellor Blaine personally ratified the [[Cornelius-Lasky Convention]] with his Federal and Allied counterparts.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/603f8712228a4030f344bcb3 GalNet: Superpowers Make Progress at the Galactic Summit]</ref> The conference was cancelled on March 11 following a series of coordinated attacks on starports in nine major systems, including [[Dawes Hub]] in Achenar, that were carried out by the NMLA.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/604a1301b02d5114c742fe00 GalNet: Galactic Summit Cancelled – NMLA Attacks Superpowers]</ref> The Empire denied any responsibility for the [[Nine Martyrs]] attacks and insisted [[Serene Harbour]], where the NMLA leader [[Theta Seven]] claimed to have escaped from and mentioned as a motivation for the attacks, was a Federal disinformation campaign.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/604b64ec0edb312109560151 GalNet: Starport Bombing Casualties Include Federal Vice President]</ref> As a result of the Cornelius-Lasky Convention establishing new communications protocols between the security forces of the superpowers, the Imperial Internal Security Service participated in the creation of the [[Affiliated Counter-Terrorism unit|Affiliated Counter-Terrorism unit (ACT)]] to defeat the NMLA.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/6051fcec549a83506f45143f GalNet: Anti-NMLA Intelligence Unit Formed]</ref>

The NMLA was finally defeated in a decisive confrontation in the Mudhrid system on December 2, 3307. The bulk of the NMLA's remaining cells and supporters gathered there in an attempt to rendezvous with Theta Seven, who had gone into hiding after bombing the Marlinist Colonies in July, but they were defeated by Imperial forces with the assistance of independent pilots.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/619f87b6ec2baf12582da95a GalNet: The Battle of Mudhrid]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61a8b6928debb451f45185cf GalNet: Battle of Mudhrid Ends in NMLA Defeat]</ref> With nowhere left to run, Theta Seven killed himself, his last followers, and thousands of [[Far God cult|Far God cultists]] who he had taken hostage by detonating bombs aboard the [[Sacrosanct]] megaship on December 13.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61b22be2043a8c1f9e7ae20c GalNet: The Death of Theta Seven]</ref>

 

 

The superpowers agreed to shut down Aegis on January 18, 3308 per the recommendation of the [[Paul Baumann|Baumann Report]], which had found that Aegis was no longer able to effectively carry out its anti-Thargoid responsibilities. The Imperial Senate approved Senator Patreus's request for a military budget increase, allowing the Imperial Navy to assume Aegis's role in defending the Empire from Thargoid attacks.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/61e6ba29f6b3cd47d1758763 GalNet: Superpowers Plan to Replace Aegis]</ref>

 

==Society==

The Empire is based on a ''cliens'' system. Society is strictly stratified, with people being able to move between strata (lower strata particularly) based on money, patronage and influence.<ref name=":1" /> [[Imperial Family|Royalty]], nobility, and wealthy individuals are members of the upper class of Imperial society.

 

</ref>

 

[[Imperial Citizen|Imperial Citizens]] (aka Imperials or Imps) like to project their wealth.<ref name=":3" /> They prefer opulence, style and quality with no expense spared.<ref name=":6" /> This is visible in their cities, ships by [[Gutamaya]] and clothing.

 

 

=== Technology ===

The Empire relies less on mechanical technology such as [[robotics]] and artificial intelligence, and instead uses [[Imperial Slaves]] and [[cloning|clones]] to do the work which machines usually perform in other parts of the universe.<ref name=":1" /><ref>''[[Elite Dangerous: Wanted]]''</ref><ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/ElitePress/comments/52ahu4/lore_request_imperial_cloning_process/ reddit: lore request, Imperial cloning process]</ref>

 

 

=== Public Holidays ===

 

 

 

The Empire is the second most populous of the three superpowers, and has an estimated population of 1,652,046,151,015 as of April 3306.<ref>[https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/g641q3/demographic_changes_in_the_galaxy_2020/ reddit: Demographic changes in the Galaxy, 2020]</ref>

 

As of January 3308, the Empire controls 4,239 systems, of which the ten most populous are:<ref name="EDDB">Data gathered from [https://eddb.io/system EDDB] on January 31, 2022</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" border="1"

|-

|1

|-

|4

|Empire

|16,202,692,006

|-

|9

|Empire

|-

|10

==Government==

===Leadership===

 

The line of succession to the Imperial throne is generally hereditary except if there is no suitable candidate acceptable to the [[Imperial Senate]].<ref name=":5" /> When ascended to the throne, the emperor rules until death.

All [[Senators]] and the [[Emperor]] can sit in the [[Imperial Senate]], but it is rare that all participate at the same time. The [[Chancellor]] is a Senator with additional powers, and he or she runs any debates in the Senate. They are appointed by the Emperor. It is otherwise structurally flat by law, but in practice has power blocks within it, led by the more important/powerful Senators. Not all Senators are equal. There are regular votes on issues of the day, and the Senator’s voting power is the total number of [[Imperial Citizen|Citizens]] (in turn represented by [[Client]]s, and blocks of Clients by [[Patron]]s) they currently represent. They are influenced by their most powerful Patrons – who in turn are not all equal, and Patrons may move their block to another Senator at a whim, particularly if they feel their current Senator is not representing the views of their Clients. Senators can lose Patrons quickly if their actions are unpopular, but bear in mind a Senator sets tax rates and healthcare for all those that support them, so can effectively bribe Patrons to ally themselves with them. The most powerful Senators can have a hundred or more times the voting power than others, and a Senate majority can be just a few of the major Senators, but honour requires that the views of all Senators are listened to politely before voting against them.<ref name=":5" />

 

Historically the Imperial Senate used to always physically sit in the [[Senate House]] on [[Capitol]] (Achenar 6d). It is near to the [[Imperial Palace]]. Technically it still does sit there, but in practice most Senators "sit" virtually by remote projection – though by tradition there are a number of events (like the accession of a new Emperor, and on Empire Day (January 2nd) where it is considered proper and polite to attend physically, where a party atmosphere descends on Capitol as the entourages of each Senator arrive in their finery.<ref name=":5" />

 

[[Senators]] represent their Patrons as they see fit. Senators can also hold other roles, like [[Admiral of the Fleet]], [[Chancellor]], Leader of the House (runs the Senate hearings when the Emperor and Chancellor are not present). Senators can also have private interests, and generally represent one or more [[Corporations]] – often with large personal shareholdings in them. They are fully entitled to be biased towards their own interests, and generally do, as long as most of their Patrons hold much the same interests. Senators are above the law, subject only to a decree from the Emperor, and through history it has even been known for Senators to go to battle against each other.<ref name=":5">[https://forums.frontier.co.uk/threads/governments-and-politics-in-elite-dangerous.225156/ Frontier Forums: Governments and politics in Elite Dangerous] by Michael Brookes</ref>

 

 

*[[Imperial Diplomatic Corps]] - Operates the Empire's embassies in foreign systems, and also has broad powers and jurisdiction throughout the Empire itself.

 

*[[Imperial Intelligence]] - A highly secretive agency that monitors Imperial interests outside the Empire.

*[[Imperial Internal Security Service]] - An agency responsible for domestic security throughout the Empire.

*[[Omega Company]] - An [[Advanced Tactical Response]] unit that operates in Imperial space.

 

 

 

==Military==

 

===Imperial Navy ships===

* [[Imperial Courier]]

* [[Imperial Eagle]]

 

{{For|a list of Permits|Permits/Empire}}

 

Once you have finished several dispatch quests, simply visit the Bulletin Board at any of the faction's stations to accept a job titled "Imperial invitation". Accepting the job automatically adds the permit to your FSD computer.

 

<gallery>

</gallery>

 

<gallery hideaddbutton="true">

File:EmpireInsignia.png|Insignia of The Empire

File:Empire insignia simple.png|Alternate insignia

File:Imperial-Navy-Fleet.png|Imperial Navy fleet

File:Elite-Dangerous-Imperial-Palace-Concept-Art.png|Imperial Palace concept art

File:Elite-Dangerous-Empire-City.png|An Imperial city

File:Imperial-Clipper-Cockpit-Planet-Capitol-in-Achenar.png|Imperial Clipper cockpit and Capitol in Achenar

</gallery>

 

 

==References==