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Imperial society is based on a ''cliens'' system - much like ancient Rome - and strictly stratified, with people being able to move between strata based on money, patronage and [[influence]]. It values both status and honour very highly. Whilst it is acceptable to flaunt wealth, treating people well is a question of honour - and this includes slaves. Having an unpaid debt is seen as utterly dishonourable - an honourable Imperial citizen would sell themselves into slavery to clear a debt they couldn't otherwise afford.<ref name=":1" />
The Imperial Law is seen and enforced by [[Imperial Senators|Senators]] who themselves are above the law. They can order executions, and can even kill people themselves, though sometimes (rarely) they may be held to account for their actions by the [[Emperor]]. In the Empire very little is illegal, but many things are frowned upon, like excessive use of narcotics.<ref>[http://www.elitedangerous.com/galaxy/gs-empire/ Galactic Superpower Empire - Galaxy - Elite Dangerous]</ref><ref name=":1" />
Due to the Empire's obsession with wealth projection,<ref name=":3" /> Imperial design puts an emphasis on opulence, style and quality with no expense spared.<ref name=":6">Official The Art of Elite Dangerous art book, August 17 2016</ref> This is apparent in their cities, ships by [[Gutamaya]] and clothing of [[Imperial Citizen|Imperial citizens]].
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In 2296, only four years after the founding of the Republic of Achenar,<ref name="EE" /> Marlin Duval was killed in a shuttle accident, in which her partner and children also perished. No evidence ever surfaced linking her brother Henson to the incident, but even the most loyal Imperial historians openly accept that the event was suspicious in light of his subsequent actions.<ref name="GalnetBirthOfAnEmpire" />
Assuming control of the senate as Marlin's closest living heir, Henson Duval quickly disbanded the ruling council and installed himself as leader of the Achenar system's colonies, transforming the Republic into the Empire.<ref name="EE" /> Citing the continued threats made by the Federation and their defencelessness in the face of a military invasion, Henson began a campaign of propaganda rejecting his sister's pacifistic ideals. Such was his passion and power of persuasion that he succeeded in converting the capricious colonists to his doctrines in a remarkably short period of time.<ref name="GalnetBirthOfAnEmpire" /> Henson Duval was formally crowned as the first [[Emperor]] of the Empire in 2320.<ref name="TLOTD">Tourist
===Accusations of Genocide===
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[[File:Imperial-Navy-Fleet.png|thumb|250px|Imperial Navy fleet]]
{{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
</ref>
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=== Terraforming ===
[[Emperor]] [[Gaylen Trasken Duval]]'s passion for the arts and very high standards of living saw a rapid population increase in Imperial systems. Massive migration from [[Independent Systems|independent]], [[GalCop]] and [[Federation]] worlds saw an accompanying increase in prosperity.<ref name=":9">Tourist
To deal with the rapid rise in population across many worlds, the Empire began terraforming of [[Cemiess]] 2 in 3080. This put paid to Federal ambitions in the system. A colonial charter had been established since 3055, but lack of funds had prevented any expansion. The act of approving the Imperial settlement proved to be the last of Gaylen Trasken Duval who died shortly afterwards, he was 109 years of age.<ref name=":9" />
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===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>
Hengist awoke from his coma on July 14, 3301, and rapidly recovered.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/55a4dc5d9657ba6d253de737 GalNet: Long Live the Emperor!]</ref> The wedding was initially scheduled for July 29, then finalized for August 5. Dignitaries from across human space attended the ceremony, including Federal [[Shadow President]] [[Felicia Winters]]. However, the ceremony was interrupted when [[Brendan Paul Darius]], a high-ranking Imperial official and member of the ultra-traditionalist faction [[Emperor's Dawn]], assassinated Hengist Duval.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/55d6e83e9657badf472c7ad6 GalNet: Emperor’s Killer Not Working Alone?]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/55c1d0099657bafd440d630d GalNet: Emperor Hengist Duval Attacked During Wedding]
</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>
By 3303, tensions between the Empire and the Federation have become heightened as both superpowers have significantly increased military spending and capital ship construction. The Empire expanded into the Pleiades star cluster and established a number of outposts in the HR 1185 system.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/58de2f2515ac1cf85c132945 GalNet: Galactic News: Empire Expands into the Pleiades]
</ref> Proxy conflicts have broken out in the vicinity of the Pleiades Nebula as the Empire and Federation sought to monopolize access to Alien Structures and Meta-Alloys.
On June 19, 3303, following an apparent attack by [[Thargoids]] on a Federal fleet, Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval urged her citizens to remain calm and assured them that humanity had overcome seemingly insurmountable odds in the past.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5947bb8ef0522a25d9666976 GalNet: Galactic News: Galactic Leaders Address Thargoid Discovery]
</ref>
By September 3303, speculation was rife that tensions between the Empire and Federation were thawing and the cold war was ending after the three superpowers set aside their differences to sponsor the creation of [[Aegis]]. Commentators opined that because neither the Empire nor the Federation had succeeded in establishing a monopoly over Meta-Alloys, both sides wanted to back down and save face.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59a92dbb2b36fd286819e7e5 GalNet: Galactic News: Cold War Thawing?]</ref> Despite these reports, some Imperial pundits expressed doubt that the Federation could be trusted to uphold their end of any truce.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59b115cad1c3406265302efd GalNet: Galactic News: Voices of Dissent]</ref>
On September 21, 3303, following a second attack by Thargoid ships that destroyed a Federal fleet in Pleiades Sector IR-W d1-55, the Empire and the other two superpowers widened Aegis' remit to focus on both research and defence. The organization's budget was dramatically increased, and it recruited the [[Engineers]] [[Liz Ryder]] and [[Professor Palin]] to produce a new anti-Thargoid weapon and a scanner for Thargoid ships, respectively.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3a108ced3ff7f807f54b7 GalNet: Galactic News: Aegis to Widen Remit]</ref><ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/59c3cb9dffff1a05c9770bdd GalNet: Community Goal: Engineers Appeal for Thargoid Material]</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>
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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.
Its high living standards, outlandishly wealthy companies and sophisticated technology and design have made it an attractive place for the wealthy and famous to call home. The Empire has a fascinating political system, rampant nationalism, obsession with wealth projection, and a dark underbelly of legalised slavery.<ref name=":3">[https://www.edrpg.co.uk/what-s-in-the-books The Empire Sourcebook,
The [[Imperial Museum of Culture]] is located on [[Eotienses A 3]]. It has historical artworks such as sculptures.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/5ba38461092bf134fa0fe019 GalNet: Historical Sculptures Stolen
=== Honour and Status ===
The Empire values both status and honour very highly indeed. So whilst it is acceptable to flaunt wealth, treating people well is a question of honour – and this includes [[Imperial Slaves]]. Having an unpaid debt is seen as utterly dishonourable – an honourable [[Imperial Citizen]] would sell themselves into [[Imperial Slavery|slavery]] to clear a debt they could not otherwise clear.<ref name=":1" /> The [[Imperial Slavers Association]] monitors the treatment and transportation of Imperial Slaves.<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/galnet/uid/55d6f8369657ba95302c7ad6 GalNet: Imperial Slave Association Audited]</ref> Unlike conventional slaves, Imperial Slaves hold status within the Empire, albeit as the lowest rung on the ladder, and are entitled to legal protections.<ref name="EE" />
Imperial society is based on honour. The values resemble the ancient Roman [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dignitas_(Roman_concept) Dignitas] and Japanese [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bushido Bushido].<ref name=":2">
It was shaming to do something that put people in a bad state. The poorhouses still happened, but sensibly, people were supposed to look after each other.<ref name=":2" />
Former [[Senator]] [[Kahina Tijani Loren]] was quoted as saying: ''"We Imperials often do get accused of being arrogant and overbearing, but at least we're good at it.''"<ref>[https://community.elitedangerous.com/en/galnet/uid/7c0cd42ca1cf41eef5ab43a40cfbce2fc828f4d9 GalNet: Prism Senator Continues to Woo Federation Residents]
</ref>
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[[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.
Imperial citizens view [[Ngadandari Fire Opals]] as a status symbol. Their mesmerizing fire-like reflections represent the fire of the birth of the Empire. Their high market value has lead to the planet Ngadandari being systematically strip-mined by Imperial slaves.<ref>
=== Family ===
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=== 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>
[[Majestic-Class Interdictor]] capital ships, supplied by [[Gutamaya]], make up the backbone of the Imperial Navy. The vessel boasts a striking beauty and luxury while remaining an effective machine of war.
=== Discrimination ===
People who do not speak with the quirky accent of [[Imperial Citizen]]s are shunned in the [[Achenar]] system, especially if they are from a Federation world.<ref>[[Achenar]] In-
At the [[Imperial Palace]], foreigners are welcomed by palace staff who use subtle pro-Empire propaganda in an attempt to undermine the Federation. These greetings are not extended outside palace grounds.<ref name=":0" />
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=== Population ===
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/
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>
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Effectively all Imperial systems have representation, but indirectly. Every [[Imperial Citizen]] has a right to representation by a Client. Every [[Client]] has a right to be represented by a [[Patron]], and every Patron a Senator. Senators generally represent power bases – which can be many systems or a specific interest group, and typically many hundred Patrons – though it is up to the Senator how many Patrons they have. There is not a fixed number. So if a system has just one Imperial Citizen living there, they will have representation in the Senate – but most likely only indirectly through their Patrons. It is likely there is a Patron at the head of each of the larger Imperial Minor Factions for example, but not a Senator.<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>
=== Government agencies ===
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== Imperial Law ==
Law is seen and enforced very differently in the Empire. The [[Emperor]] is the sovereign ruler of the Empire and above the law. [[Senators]] are responsible for enforcing the Emperor's laws, but the Senators themselves are above the law. They can order executions, and can even kill people themselves, though sometimes (rarely) they may be held to account for their actions by the Emperor. Some Senators are warlike and may take over systems in the name of the Empire, to get the spoils, and they may get a good deal of support as a result. Some Senators do not tolerate [[Imperial Slavery]], and regularly speak out against it, but from the basis of honour - not suggesting it should not be legal. In the Empire, very little is illegal, but many things are frowned upon, like excessive use of narcotics. [[Cloning]] and [[genetic engineering]] are allowed in the Empire.<ref name=":1">[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dcbf6b86b4b0c7d1c21b73b1e&id=f72c0f91b2 Newsletter #22]</ref><ref name=":7">Tourist
== Key systems ==
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* [[Synteini]] - Home system and headquarters of Senator [[Zemina Torval]].
* [[Prism]] - Home system of the late Senator [[Algreb Loren]] and his infamous daughter, [[Kahina Tijani Loren]].
* [[Facece]] - The Empire's most important military bastion and headquarters of the [[Imperial Navy]].<ref name="EE" /> It is administered by Senator [[Anders Blaine]].<ref>Tourist
* [[Quince]] - An early Imperial colony founded outside the Core Systems to demonstrate the fledgling Empire's growing influence.
* [[Fehu]] - One of the Empire's most isolated and remote colonies.
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