Imperial City

[Brian Stoner]

While there are certainly realms powerful enough to lay seige to and
conquer the Imperial City, there many other factors that may keep
regents from doing so. First, most regents see the approval of the
Chamberlain as central to being proclaimed emperor...and with him
removed, that would obviously be impossible. Becoming Emperor would not
be so easy--conquering a whole new empire would take a long time. Any
regent who attempted to attack the city would face the wrath of all the
other regents, and no regent could long survive that. Second, perhaps
there is a cultural regard towards the city. During the days of the
Roman Republic it was unthinkable (illegal, in fact) for a Roman General
to march troops into the City. Although there are many differences
(Anuire is not a unified nation, of course), perhaps there is still a
cultural taboo against marching against the City. And for the 500 years
since the fall, no one has dared to cross that line. But, all it takes
is one regent to decide otherwise, as Julius Caesar did, and the City
will be under seige. Would Gavin Tael try it if he were close enough?
He might. Diemed or Avanil? I don't think so. In fact, they probably
see themselves as protectors of the city, guardians of the glory of the
Empire. But, maybe their successors will not see it that way...

Brian

[Darkstar]

Brian Stoner wrote:
>
> While there are certainly realms powerful enough to lay seige to and
> conquer the Imperial City, there many other factors that may keep
> regents from doing so. First, most regents see the approval of the
> Chamberlain as central to being proclaimed emperor...and with him
> removed, that would obviously be impossible. Becoming Emperor would not
> be so easy--conquering a whole new empire would take a long time. Any
> regent who attempted to attack the city would face the wrath of all the
> other regents, and no regent could long survive that. Second, perhaps
> there is a cultural regard towards the city. During the days of the
> Roman Republic it was unthinkable (illegal, in fact) for a Roman General
> to march troops into the City. Although there are many differences
> (Anuire is not a unified nation, of course), perhaps there is still a
> cultural taboo against marching against the City. And for the 500 years
> since the fall, no one has dared to cross that line. But, all it takes
> is one regent to decide otherwise, as Julius Caesar did, and the City
> will be under seige. Would Gavin Tael try it if he were close enough?
> He might. Diemed or Avanil? I don't think so. In fact, they probably
> see themselves as protectors of the city, guardians of the glory of the
> Empire. But, maybe their successors will not see it that way...


The aim of all the rulers in the nearby land though is to become the
next emperor. To do so they would need the approval of the chamberlain
and the other nations of Anuire, something that they would not gain by
marching into the city with an army of soldiers.
Also in my campaign I have given the imperial city 2,000 soldiers to
defend it (the imperial legion). although they act more as city watch
than an army they are still a powerful force. These soldiers are taken
from all the realm of Anuire and payed for by those nations (as part of
normal maintenance) so the chamberlain does not need to spend money to
maintain them.

- --
Ian Hoskins

e-Mail: hoss@box.net.au
ICQ: 2938300
Home Page: http://www.box.net.au/~hoss/birth.html

From the Darkness we came,
and to the Darkness we will return.