[RQ Empires] questions

[artmal]

First of all, congratulation to the author, it's one of the best book of that kind that i have never read !

But i have some questions :

1) I was very surprised this book does not have a list of "actions" that a ruler can do every year. At least, some kind of examples of actions
For instance, capabilities seems to don't be very useful (except warfare)... Commerce can not increase WTH ? Government permits only to discuss tribute ? etc...
Or is the GM who decide the result of all the actions players imagine ?

2) Improving states : it seems not possible for a ruler to increase some caracteristics or capabilities by investing WTH... Is it impossible to increase COM for exemple by building roads, mail post and so on ?

3) I have not test this rule so i am not sure but the imperial influence seems too important (1/20 every year !). Does someone test this rule ?
Why not consider that this increase needs some investments for example ?

Thanks a lot for your answer
I will read this book one more time. It 's full of very good ideas and seems very promising !

 

[Loz]

Thanks for your feedback. Glad you like Empires and thanks for your questions... answers below.

1) I was very surprised this book does not have a list of "actions" that a ruler can do every year. At least, some kind of examples of actions
For instance, capabilities seems to don't be very useful (except warfare)... Commerce can not increase WTH ? Government permits only to discuss tribute ? etc...
Or is the GM who decide the result of all the actions players imagine ?

Its up to the GMs and players. The listed actions for capabilities and characteristics show how the basics work, but when running your empire (or state or whatever), treat it like a player character. If you think a capability can do something, then go for it and agree the effect. They are as flexible as player character skills.

2) Improving states : it seems not possible for a ruler to increase some caracteristics or capabilities by investing WTH... Is it impossible to increase COM for exemple by building roads, mail post and so on ?

Throwing money at something is rarely the right way to improve it, and this is especially true for states and empires. Look at our own economic mess for proof of that. Capabilities and characteristics represent the culture and mindset of the state - it was intentional not to have stats improvable through spending excess WTH.

3) I have not test this rule so i am not sure but the imperial influence seems too important (1/20 every year !). Does someone test this rule ?
Why not consider that this increase needs some investments for example ?

This, again, was deliberate, and based on looking at ancient empires, tributes paid, and the way imperial seats influence their provinces. Of course, your empire might be more lax, demanding 1/10th, perhaps. But empires expand through creaming-off the attributes of their vassal states; in exchange they offer security (supposedly), culture, access to imperial markets, and so on. The benefits will differ from province to province, so you'll need to look at how your meta-game is to develop.

Hope these provide the answers you're looking for.

Loz

 

[artmal]

thanks for yout answer
I hope to play these rules in a short time !

 

[SSWarlock]

...But empires expand through creaming-off the attributes of their vassal states; in exchange they offer security (supposedly)...

Just keep in mind that when a non-governmental body does this, it's called "organized crime."

:wink:

 

[Loz]

... and when a bank does it, its just 'asset management'...

 

[SSWarlock]

... and when a bank does it, its just 'asset management'...

Yeah, but organized crime doesn't occasionally get a government bailout.

 

[Loz]

True. Quite often, organised crime does the bailing.

And you know what? 'Guilds, Factions and Cults' will be addressing precisely how that works in RQ...

God, aren't we a cynical mob?

 

[duncan_disorderly]

First of all, congratulation to the author, it's one of the best book of that kind that i have never read !

But i have some questions :

I'm also enjoying it, but It does appear to suffer from the unfortunate Mongoose Combat Table SNAFU. When two Empires Fight you compare the results of an opposed conflict roll on a table to get a result of partial, normal, major or critical victory for one or other empire. Except that the best possible result (critical success vs Fumble) only yields a major success. It is impossible to achieve a Critical success using the RAW.

I'd suggest the table should read
Crit vs Fumble - Critical Victory to the side getting the Critical
Crit vs Fail - Major Victory to the side getting the Crit
Success vs Fumble - Major Victory to the side getting the success
Success vs Fail - Normal Victory to the side getting the success
the other outcomes can remain as per the table.

Also when an empire is collapsing, is a roll of 71+ treated as automatic insurrection in addition to the reduction of the stat?

 

[Christopher Graves]

Is anyone playing using these rules?