How can I prevent semi-independent royal families from rebelling against the empire?
$begingroup$
This global-spanning empire is divided among five royal families, each headed by a prince. The emperor himself leads the empire, with the five princes serving under him. While they owe fealty to the king who has absolute authority over the empire, these families operate semi-independently and control their realms directly, as well as their own security forces and economy. The king holds all secular power by law. however, his right to rule is given to him by the gods, with priests of the theocracy speaking on their behalf.
The selection process of becoming king is administered by the priests themselves in order to prove the future king's worthiness. A series of trials are conducted in which the heads of the five families compete against each other. These contests vary with each selection process, and these princes can participate themselves or elect a champion from their realm to compete on their behalf. The winning prince of these contests is then elected to the position of emperor, and rules until he dies. The four losing princes are ritually sacrificed to the gods. This system is meant to prevent any disputes between rival families as to who is the rightful ruler, and to keep the empire stable.
However, it is possible that a prince or several princes may simply not accept the results. They may lead their families into open rebellion to avoid their honorable fate of being sacrificed for the good of the empire. This is unacceptable, for it would tear the empire apart with various wars.
How would I prevent this from happening?
society empire-building
asked 4 hours ago
IncognitoIncognito
6,10065589
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This global-spanning empire is divided among five royal families, each headed by a prince. The emperor himself leads the empire, with the five princes serving under him. While they owe fealty to the king who has absolute authority over the empire, these families operate semi-independently and control their realms directly, as well as their own security forces and economy. The king holds all secular power by law. however, his right to rule is given to him by the gods, with priests of the theocracy speaking on their behalf.
The selection process of becoming king is administered by the priests themselves in order to prove the future king's worthiness. A series of trials are conducted in which the heads of the five families compete against each other. These contests vary with each selection process, and these princes can participate themselves or elect a champion from their realm to compete on their behalf. The winning prince of these contests is then elected to the position of emperor, and rules until he dies. The four losing princes are ritually sacrificed to the gods. This system is meant to prevent any disputes between rival families as to who is the rightful ruler, and to keep the empire stable.
However, it is possible that a prince or several princes may simply not accept the results. They may lead their families into open rebellion to avoid their honorable fate of being sacrificed for the good of the empire. This is unacceptable, for it would tear the empire apart with various wars.
How would I prevent this from happening?
society empire-building
asked 4 hours ago
IncognitoIncognito
6,10065589
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
What's the tech level?
$endgroup$
– Sasha
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Can a prince opt out of the trials and not be killed like say a prince knows that one of the other family's is far more powerful in both might and champions and will most likely win anyway (sounds like a shitty deal if you ask me, some princes WILL be more powerful than the rest). Can’t the prince just swear to summit to the winner of the trails instead of partaking, like having a content prince who just wants to rule his realm instead of gunning to become emperor? What stops the princes from killing each other like the Daimyos from Japan were like?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Also what stops the priests from rigging the trails to fit who they want to rule? Like most of the princes are more military focused but the priests do a spelling bee so that one nerd (or a prince that bribed them) has the advantage. Do the princes get a heads up on what the trails will be like beforehand so they can prepare or is it in the moment?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@CreedArcon princes cannot back out of the trials, as they were ordained by the gods and it is his destiny to participate. Yes they are told what trials there will be. And as anyone who has studied world history knows, it is impossible for any priest to be corrupt, for they are moral figures beyond approach. They speak with the authority of the gods and are merely humble servants to their divine will.
$endgroup$
– Incognito
1 hour ago
add a comment |
$begingroup$
This global-spanning empire is divided among five royal families, each headed by a prince. The emperor himself leads the empire, with the five princes serving under him. While they owe fealty to the king who has absolute authority over the empire, these families operate semi-independently and control their realms directly, as well as their own security forces and economy. The king holds all secular power by law. however, his right to rule is given to him by the gods, with priests of the theocracy speaking on their behalf.
The selection process of becoming king is administered by the priests themselves in order to prove the future king's worthiness. A series of trials are conducted in which the heads of the five families compete against each other. These contests vary with each selection process, and these princes can participate themselves or elect a champion from their realm to compete on their behalf. The winning prince of these contests is then elected to the position of emperor, and rules until he dies. The four losing princes are ritually sacrificed to the gods. This system is meant to prevent any disputes between rival families as to who is the rightful ruler, and to keep the empire stable.
However, it is possible that a prince or several princes may simply not accept the results. They may lead their families into open rebellion to avoid their honorable fate of being sacrificed for the good of the empire. This is unacceptable, for it would tear the empire apart with various wars.
How would I prevent this from happening?
society empire-building
asked 4 hours ago
IncognitoIncognito
6,10065589
$endgroup$
This global-spanning empire is divided among five royal families, each headed by a prince. The emperor himself leads the empire, with the five princes serving under him. While they owe fealty to the king who has absolute authority over the empire, these families operate semi-independently and control their realms directly, as well as their own security forces and economy. The king holds all secular power by law. however, his right to rule is given to him by the gods, with priests of the theocracy speaking on their behalf.
The selection process of becoming king is administered by the priests themselves in order to prove the future king's worthiness. A series of trials are conducted in which the heads of the five families compete against each other. These contests vary with each selection process, and these princes can participate themselves or elect a champion from their realm to compete on their behalf. The winning prince of these contests is then elected to the position of emperor, and rules until he dies. The four losing princes are ritually sacrificed to the gods. This system is meant to prevent any disputes between rival families as to who is the rightful ruler, and to keep the empire stable.
However, it is possible that a prince or several princes may simply not accept the results. They may lead their families into open rebellion to avoid their honorable fate of being sacrificed for the good of the empire. This is unacceptable, for it would tear the empire apart with various wars.
How would I prevent this from happening?
society empire-building
society empire-building
asked 4 hours ago
IncognitoIncognito
6,10065589
asked 4 hours ago
IncognitoIncognito
6,10065589
asked 4 hours ago
IncognitoIncognito
6,10065589
asked 4 hours ago
IncognitoIncognito
6,10065589
asked 4 hours ago
IncognitoIncognito
6,10065589
6,10065589
1
$begingroup$
What's the tech level?
$endgroup$
– Sasha
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Can a prince opt out of the trials and not be killed like say a prince knows that one of the other family's is far more powerful in both might and champions and will most likely win anyway (sounds like a shitty deal if you ask me, some princes WILL be more powerful than the rest). Can’t the prince just swear to summit to the winner of the trails instead of partaking, like having a content prince who just wants to rule his realm instead of gunning to become emperor? What stops the princes from killing each other like the Daimyos from Japan were like?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Also what stops the priests from rigging the trails to fit who they want to rule? Like most of the princes are more military focused but the priests do a spelling bee so that one nerd (or a prince that bribed them) has the advantage. Do the princes get a heads up on what the trails will be like beforehand so they can prepare or is it in the moment?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@CreedArcon princes cannot back out of the trials, as they were ordained by the gods and it is his destiny to participate. Yes they are told what trials there will be. And as anyone who has studied world history knows, it is impossible for any priest to be corrupt, for they are moral figures beyond approach. They speak with the authority of the gods and are merely humble servants to their divine will.
$endgroup$
– Incognito
1 hour ago
add a comment |
1
$begingroup$
What's the tech level?
$endgroup$
– Sasha
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Can a prince opt out of the trials and not be killed like say a prince knows that one of the other family's is far more powerful in both might and champions and will most likely win anyway (sounds like a shitty deal if you ask me, some princes WILL be more powerful than the rest). Can’t the prince just swear to summit to the winner of the trails instead of partaking, like having a content prince who just wants to rule his realm instead of gunning to become emperor? What stops the princes from killing each other like the Daimyos from Japan were like?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Also what stops the priests from rigging the trails to fit who they want to rule? Like most of the princes are more military focused but the priests do a spelling bee so that one nerd (or a prince that bribed them) has the advantage. Do the princes get a heads up on what the trails will be like beforehand so they can prepare or is it in the moment?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@CreedArcon princes cannot back out of the trials, as they were ordained by the gods and it is his destiny to participate. Yes they are told what trials there will be. And as anyone who has studied world history knows, it is impossible for any priest to be corrupt, for they are moral figures beyond approach. They speak with the authority of the gods and are merely humble servants to their divine will.
$endgroup$
– Incognito
1 hour ago
1
1
$begingroup$
What's the tech level?
$endgroup$
– Sasha
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
What's the tech level?
$endgroup$
– Sasha
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Can a prince opt out of the trials and not be killed like say a prince knows that one of the other family's is far more powerful in both might and champions and will most likely win anyway (sounds like a shitty deal if you ask me, some princes WILL be more powerful than the rest). Can’t the prince just swear to summit to the winner of the trails instead of partaking, like having a content prince who just wants to rule his realm instead of gunning to become emperor? What stops the princes from killing each other like the Daimyos from Japan were like?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Can a prince opt out of the trials and not be killed like say a prince knows that one of the other family's is far more powerful in both might and champions and will most likely win anyway (sounds like a shitty deal if you ask me, some princes WILL be more powerful than the rest). Can’t the prince just swear to summit to the winner of the trails instead of partaking, like having a content prince who just wants to rule his realm instead of gunning to become emperor? What stops the princes from killing each other like the Daimyos from Japan were like?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Also what stops the priests from rigging the trails to fit who they want to rule? Like most of the princes are more military focused but the priests do a spelling bee so that one nerd (or a prince that bribed them) has the advantage. Do the princes get a heads up on what the trails will be like beforehand so they can prepare or is it in the moment?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Also what stops the priests from rigging the trails to fit who they want to rule? Like most of the princes are more military focused but the priests do a spelling bee so that one nerd (or a prince that bribed them) has the advantage. Do the princes get a heads up on what the trails will be like beforehand so they can prepare or is it in the moment?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@CreedArcon princes cannot back out of the trials, as they were ordained by the gods and it is his destiny to participate. Yes they are told what trials there will be. And as anyone who has studied world history knows, it is impossible for any priest to be corrupt, for they are moral figures beyond approach. They speak with the authority of the gods and are merely humble servants to their divine will.
$endgroup$
– Incognito
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@CreedArcon princes cannot back out of the trials, as they were ordained by the gods and it is his destiny to participate. Yes they are told what trials there will be. And as anyone who has studied world history knows, it is impossible for any priest to be corrupt, for they are moral figures beyond approach. They speak with the authority of the gods and are merely humble servants to their divine will.
$endgroup$
– Incognito
1 hour ago
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
If I remember correctly, in ancient Japan all the daiymios had to send their sons to reside in the Shogun's castle, where they were held as hostages, as a warranty for the underling's fidelity.
The emperor can use a similar system. Each family has to give their heirs into the complete control of the emperor. Rebelling to the emperor and his designation results into the beheading of the family itself, as all of the heirs will face death.
Be faithful and you lose just one member. Betray, and you lose all your descendants.
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
80.4k26192391
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Threat of a curse and a holy crusade.
Since the priests are the ones doing the trials, any action against the will of the god will invoke a curse upon those who defy the will of the One. Anyone siding with them is also be cursed (does not need to be real), causing them to lose even their loyal subjects. Obviously the curse will be a black mark that will cause all other kingdoms to attack them, electing a new noble family. Since the risk of losing nobility is high and the threat of a otherworldly curse is also on the table, I bet only few will try that way. Even if one of the families revolts, it wouldn't be too difficult to subdue them.
answered 3 hours ago
Cem KalyoncuCem Kalyoncu
5,57811033
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Make it so each prince can command their own army, but the army they command is at an opposite end of the empire from the lands they actually control. This, while confusing, prevents any prince from consolidating military power in their home territory and using it against the emperor.
answered 3 hours ago
The Weasel SagasThe Weasel Sagas
1,167121
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Change Who can Participate in the Trials
The death trials still doesn't seem like a fair deal, like you’re the head of a family you train just for that one rich family to hire the best mercenary in the world to curb stomp you. If I was one of prince’s I would rebel just so I would not get killed and install an elective Imperium like the Holy Roman Empire (like it’s a one in five chance to win and if you lose you die). It would also make your empire unstable as well; you kill off every head of state EVERY TIME your emperor dies (also I would be pissed if my dad got killed and the new emperor was responsible).
What would be better if you still want a holy death trial is open it up to any volunteer (could be just nobles and or commoners) so anyone who wants to risk it for the biscuit can, instated of forcing a select few to do so. Like well-known champions get sponsored by the families and if they win then they will carry favour with the next emperor. Could open up a lot of possibility’s for story telling as well, like a minor noble becomes a candidate and everyone did not see it coming or a rare sight an actual prince does the trials and every is like wow.
if i was a prince i would be cool with that and if my son or i "volunteered" then it would seem far more holy then force us to do so. and i would not be so pissed if he or i lost because both would have known what they were getting themselves into
answered 46 mins ago
Creed ArconCreed Arcon
2,04711236
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Prince-in-waiting likes the situation!
If you are dead set on "prince dies" you make it work by having many princelings in a family. One of these immediately takes over for the family not on the death of the old one, but when the old one loses and is condemned.
If a given losing prince refuses to accept his demotion from prince to sacrifice, there are people in his court who are eager for him to accept his fate - his heirs / brothers, one of whom is at that moment the new prince, according to the king. Revolution risks everything, and sending an older no-longer-a-prince brother off to die risks little. The military would prefer not to fight 4 other houses and so it is an easy decision for them too.
This system falls apart if a given prince does not have an heir. Solution - princes from each families line reside safe in the capitol. These princes may or may not be next in line for the throne, but they could be. This is the system of the Romans - raise the children of your enemies as Romans. Then when they go back to rule their people, they will in theory be sympathetic to their overlords.
Substitute prince.
A given prince might try to dodge his fate (if he were pretty certain to lose) by ceding the princedom to some elderly half brother stand-in, drafted into rulership from civilian life and expected in short order to lose and die. The new prince holds his head high and takes it like a man for his country. Unless by chance his champion turns out to be a lot better than anyone expected...
answered 4 mins ago
WillkWillk
104k25197440
$endgroup$
add a comment |
Your Answer
StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function () {
return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function () {
StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix) {
StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
});
});
}, "mathjax-editing");
StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "579"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});
function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});
}
});
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworldbuilding.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f137182%2fhow-can-i-prevent-semi-independent-royal-families-from-rebelling-against-the-emp%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
If I remember correctly, in ancient Japan all the daiymios had to send their sons to reside in the Shogun's castle, where they were held as hostages, as a warranty for the underling's fidelity.
The emperor can use a similar system. Each family has to give their heirs into the complete control of the emperor. Rebelling to the emperor and his designation results into the beheading of the family itself, as all of the heirs will face death.
Be faithful and you lose just one member. Betray, and you lose all your descendants.
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
80.4k26192391
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
If I remember correctly, in ancient Japan all the daiymios had to send their sons to reside in the Shogun's castle, where they were held as hostages, as a warranty for the underling's fidelity.
The emperor can use a similar system. Each family has to give their heirs into the complete control of the emperor. Rebelling to the emperor and his designation results into the beheading of the family itself, as all of the heirs will face death.
Be faithful and you lose just one member. Betray, and you lose all your descendants.
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
80.4k26192391
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
If I remember correctly, in ancient Japan all the daiymios had to send their sons to reside in the Shogun's castle, where they were held as hostages, as a warranty for the underling's fidelity.
The emperor can use a similar system. Each family has to give their heirs into the complete control of the emperor. Rebelling to the emperor and his designation results into the beheading of the family itself, as all of the heirs will face death.
Be faithful and you lose just one member. Betray, and you lose all your descendants.
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
80.4k26192391
$endgroup$
If I remember correctly, in ancient Japan all the daiymios had to send their sons to reside in the Shogun's castle, where they were held as hostages, as a warranty for the underling's fidelity.
The emperor can use a similar system. Each family has to give their heirs into the complete control of the emperor. Rebelling to the emperor and his designation results into the beheading of the family itself, as all of the heirs will face death.
Be faithful and you lose just one member. Betray, and you lose all your descendants.
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
80.4k26192391
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
80.4k26192391
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
80.4k26192391
answered 4 hours ago
L.Dutch♦L.Dutch
80.4k26192391
80.4k26192391
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Threat of a curse and a holy crusade.
Since the priests are the ones doing the trials, any action against the will of the god will invoke a curse upon those who defy the will of the One. Anyone siding with them is also be cursed (does not need to be real), causing them to lose even their loyal subjects. Obviously the curse will be a black mark that will cause all other kingdoms to attack them, electing a new noble family. Since the risk of losing nobility is high and the threat of a otherworldly curse is also on the table, I bet only few will try that way. Even if one of the families revolts, it wouldn't be too difficult to subdue them.
answered 3 hours ago
Cem KalyoncuCem Kalyoncu
5,57811033
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Threat of a curse and a holy crusade.
Since the priests are the ones doing the trials, any action against the will of the god will invoke a curse upon those who defy the will of the One. Anyone siding with them is also be cursed (does not need to be real), causing them to lose even their loyal subjects. Obviously the curse will be a black mark that will cause all other kingdoms to attack them, electing a new noble family. Since the risk of losing nobility is high and the threat of a otherworldly curse is also on the table, I bet only few will try that way. Even if one of the families revolts, it wouldn't be too difficult to subdue them.
answered 3 hours ago
Cem KalyoncuCem Kalyoncu
5,57811033
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Threat of a curse and a holy crusade.
Since the priests are the ones doing the trials, any action against the will of the god will invoke a curse upon those who defy the will of the One. Anyone siding with them is also be cursed (does not need to be real), causing them to lose even their loyal subjects. Obviously the curse will be a black mark that will cause all other kingdoms to attack them, electing a new noble family. Since the risk of losing nobility is high and the threat of a otherworldly curse is also on the table, I bet only few will try that way. Even if one of the families revolts, it wouldn't be too difficult to subdue them.
answered 3 hours ago
Cem KalyoncuCem Kalyoncu
5,57811033
$endgroup$
Threat of a curse and a holy crusade.
Since the priests are the ones doing the trials, any action against the will of the god will invoke a curse upon those who defy the will of the One. Anyone siding with them is also be cursed (does not need to be real), causing them to lose even their loyal subjects. Obviously the curse will be a black mark that will cause all other kingdoms to attack them, electing a new noble family. Since the risk of losing nobility is high and the threat of a otherworldly curse is also on the table, I bet only few will try that way. Even if one of the families revolts, it wouldn't be too difficult to subdue them.
answered 3 hours ago
Cem KalyoncuCem Kalyoncu
5,57811033
answered 3 hours ago
Cem KalyoncuCem Kalyoncu
5,57811033
answered 3 hours ago
Cem KalyoncuCem Kalyoncu
5,57811033
answered 3 hours ago
Cem KalyoncuCem Kalyoncu
5,57811033
5,57811033
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Make it so each prince can command their own army, but the army they command is at an opposite end of the empire from the lands they actually control. This, while confusing, prevents any prince from consolidating military power in their home territory and using it against the emperor.
answered 3 hours ago
The Weasel SagasThe Weasel Sagas
1,167121
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Make it so each prince can command their own army, but the army they command is at an opposite end of the empire from the lands they actually control. This, while confusing, prevents any prince from consolidating military power in their home territory and using it against the emperor.
answered 3 hours ago
The Weasel SagasThe Weasel Sagas
1,167121
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Make it so each prince can command their own army, but the army they command is at an opposite end of the empire from the lands they actually control. This, while confusing, prevents any prince from consolidating military power in their home territory and using it against the emperor.
answered 3 hours ago
The Weasel SagasThe Weasel Sagas
1,167121
$endgroup$
Make it so each prince can command their own army, but the army they command is at an opposite end of the empire from the lands they actually control. This, while confusing, prevents any prince from consolidating military power in their home territory and using it against the emperor.
answered 3 hours ago
The Weasel SagasThe Weasel Sagas
1,167121
answered 3 hours ago
The Weasel SagasThe Weasel Sagas
1,167121
answered 3 hours ago
The Weasel SagasThe Weasel Sagas
1,167121
answered 3 hours ago
The Weasel SagasThe Weasel Sagas
1,167121
1,167121
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Change Who can Participate in the Trials
The death trials still doesn't seem like a fair deal, like you’re the head of a family you train just for that one rich family to hire the best mercenary in the world to curb stomp you. If I was one of prince’s I would rebel just so I would not get killed and install an elective Imperium like the Holy Roman Empire (like it’s a one in five chance to win and if you lose you die). It would also make your empire unstable as well; you kill off every head of state EVERY TIME your emperor dies (also I would be pissed if my dad got killed and the new emperor was responsible).
What would be better if you still want a holy death trial is open it up to any volunteer (could be just nobles and or commoners) so anyone who wants to risk it for the biscuit can, instated of forcing a select few to do so. Like well-known champions get sponsored by the families and if they win then they will carry favour with the next emperor. Could open up a lot of possibility’s for story telling as well, like a minor noble becomes a candidate and everyone did not see it coming or a rare sight an actual prince does the trials and every is like wow.
if i was a prince i would be cool with that and if my son or i "volunteered" then it would seem far more holy then force us to do so. and i would not be so pissed if he or i lost because both would have known what they were getting themselves into
answered 46 mins ago
Creed ArconCreed Arcon
2,04711236
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Change Who can Participate in the Trials
The death trials still doesn't seem like a fair deal, like you’re the head of a family you train just for that one rich family to hire the best mercenary in the world to curb stomp you. If I was one of prince’s I would rebel just so I would not get killed and install an elective Imperium like the Holy Roman Empire (like it’s a one in five chance to win and if you lose you die). It would also make your empire unstable as well; you kill off every head of state EVERY TIME your emperor dies (also I would be pissed if my dad got killed and the new emperor was responsible).
What would be better if you still want a holy death trial is open it up to any volunteer (could be just nobles and or commoners) so anyone who wants to risk it for the biscuit can, instated of forcing a select few to do so. Like well-known champions get sponsored by the families and if they win then they will carry favour with the next emperor. Could open up a lot of possibility’s for story telling as well, like a minor noble becomes a candidate and everyone did not see it coming or a rare sight an actual prince does the trials and every is like wow.
if i was a prince i would be cool with that and if my son or i "volunteered" then it would seem far more holy then force us to do so. and i would not be so pissed if he or i lost because both would have known what they were getting themselves into
answered 46 mins ago
Creed ArconCreed Arcon
2,04711236
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Change Who can Participate in the Trials
The death trials still doesn't seem like a fair deal, like you’re the head of a family you train just for that one rich family to hire the best mercenary in the world to curb stomp you. If I was one of prince’s I would rebel just so I would not get killed and install an elective Imperium like the Holy Roman Empire (like it’s a one in five chance to win and if you lose you die). It would also make your empire unstable as well; you kill off every head of state EVERY TIME your emperor dies (also I would be pissed if my dad got killed and the new emperor was responsible).
What would be better if you still want a holy death trial is open it up to any volunteer (could be just nobles and or commoners) so anyone who wants to risk it for the biscuit can, instated of forcing a select few to do so. Like well-known champions get sponsored by the families and if they win then they will carry favour with the next emperor. Could open up a lot of possibility’s for story telling as well, like a minor noble becomes a candidate and everyone did not see it coming or a rare sight an actual prince does the trials and every is like wow.
if i was a prince i would be cool with that and if my son or i "volunteered" then it would seem far more holy then force us to do so. and i would not be so pissed if he or i lost because both would have known what they were getting themselves into
answered 46 mins ago
Creed ArconCreed Arcon
2,04711236
$endgroup$
Change Who can Participate in the Trials
The death trials still doesn't seem like a fair deal, like you’re the head of a family you train just for that one rich family to hire the best mercenary in the world to curb stomp you. If I was one of prince’s I would rebel just so I would not get killed and install an elective Imperium like the Holy Roman Empire (like it’s a one in five chance to win and if you lose you die). It would also make your empire unstable as well; you kill off every head of state EVERY TIME your emperor dies (also I would be pissed if my dad got killed and the new emperor was responsible).
What would be better if you still want a holy death trial is open it up to any volunteer (could be just nobles and or commoners) so anyone who wants to risk it for the biscuit can, instated of forcing a select few to do so. Like well-known champions get sponsored by the families and if they win then they will carry favour with the next emperor. Could open up a lot of possibility’s for story telling as well, like a minor noble becomes a candidate and everyone did not see it coming or a rare sight an actual prince does the trials and every is like wow.
if i was a prince i would be cool with that and if my son or i "volunteered" then it would seem far more holy then force us to do so. and i would not be so pissed if he or i lost because both would have known what they were getting themselves into
answered 46 mins ago
Creed ArconCreed Arcon
2,04711236
edited 39 mins ago
answered 46 mins ago
Creed ArconCreed Arcon
2,04711236
answered 46 mins ago
Creed ArconCreed Arcon
2,04711236
answered 46 mins ago
Creed ArconCreed Arcon
2,04711236
2,04711236
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Prince-in-waiting likes the situation!
If you are dead set on "prince dies" you make it work by having many princelings in a family. One of these immediately takes over for the family not on the death of the old one, but when the old one loses and is condemned.
If a given losing prince refuses to accept his demotion from prince to sacrifice, there are people in his court who are eager for him to accept his fate - his heirs / brothers, one of whom is at that moment the new prince, according to the king. Revolution risks everything, and sending an older no-longer-a-prince brother off to die risks little. The military would prefer not to fight 4 other houses and so it is an easy decision for them too.
This system falls apart if a given prince does not have an heir. Solution - princes from each families line reside safe in the capitol. These princes may or may not be next in line for the throne, but they could be. This is the system of the Romans - raise the children of your enemies as Romans. Then when they go back to rule their people, they will in theory be sympathetic to their overlords.
Substitute prince.
A given prince might try to dodge his fate (if he were pretty certain to lose) by ceding the princedom to some elderly half brother stand-in, drafted into rulership from civilian life and expected in short order to lose and die. The new prince holds his head high and takes it like a man for his country. Unless by chance his champion turns out to be a lot better than anyone expected...
answered 4 mins ago
WillkWillk
104k25197440
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Prince-in-waiting likes the situation!
If you are dead set on "prince dies" you make it work by having many princelings in a family. One of these immediately takes over for the family not on the death of the old one, but when the old one loses and is condemned.
If a given losing prince refuses to accept his demotion from prince to sacrifice, there are people in his court who are eager for him to accept his fate - his heirs / brothers, one of whom is at that moment the new prince, according to the king. Revolution risks everything, and sending an older no-longer-a-prince brother off to die risks little. The military would prefer not to fight 4 other houses and so it is an easy decision for them too.
This system falls apart if a given prince does not have an heir. Solution - princes from each families line reside safe in the capitol. These princes may or may not be next in line for the throne, but they could be. This is the system of the Romans - raise the children of your enemies as Romans. Then when they go back to rule their people, they will in theory be sympathetic to their overlords.
Substitute prince.
A given prince might try to dodge his fate (if he were pretty certain to lose) by ceding the princedom to some elderly half brother stand-in, drafted into rulership from civilian life and expected in short order to lose and die. The new prince holds his head high and takes it like a man for his country. Unless by chance his champion turns out to be a lot better than anyone expected...
answered 4 mins ago
WillkWillk
104k25197440
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Prince-in-waiting likes the situation!
If you are dead set on "prince dies" you make it work by having many princelings in a family. One of these immediately takes over for the family not on the death of the old one, but when the old one loses and is condemned.
If a given losing prince refuses to accept his demotion from prince to sacrifice, there are people in his court who are eager for him to accept his fate - his heirs / brothers, one of whom is at that moment the new prince, according to the king. Revolution risks everything, and sending an older no-longer-a-prince brother off to die risks little. The military would prefer not to fight 4 other houses and so it is an easy decision for them too.
This system falls apart if a given prince does not have an heir. Solution - princes from each families line reside safe in the capitol. These princes may or may not be next in line for the throne, but they could be. This is the system of the Romans - raise the children of your enemies as Romans. Then when they go back to rule their people, they will in theory be sympathetic to their overlords.
Substitute prince.
A given prince might try to dodge his fate (if he were pretty certain to lose) by ceding the princedom to some elderly half brother stand-in, drafted into rulership from civilian life and expected in short order to lose and die. The new prince holds his head high and takes it like a man for his country. Unless by chance his champion turns out to be a lot better than anyone expected...
answered 4 mins ago
WillkWillk
104k25197440
$endgroup$
Prince-in-waiting likes the situation!
If you are dead set on "prince dies" you make it work by having many princelings in a family. One of these immediately takes over for the family not on the death of the old one, but when the old one loses and is condemned.
If a given losing prince refuses to accept his demotion from prince to sacrifice, there are people in his court who are eager for him to accept his fate - his heirs / brothers, one of whom is at that moment the new prince, according to the king. Revolution risks everything, and sending an older no-longer-a-prince brother off to die risks little. The military would prefer not to fight 4 other houses and so it is an easy decision for them too.
This system falls apart if a given prince does not have an heir. Solution - princes from each families line reside safe in the capitol. These princes may or may not be next in line for the throne, but they could be. This is the system of the Romans - raise the children of your enemies as Romans. Then when they go back to rule their people, they will in theory be sympathetic to their overlords.
Substitute prince.
A given prince might try to dodge his fate (if he were pretty certain to lose) by ceding the princedom to some elderly half brother stand-in, drafted into rulership from civilian life and expected in short order to lose and die. The new prince holds his head high and takes it like a man for his country. Unless by chance his champion turns out to be a lot better than anyone expected...
answered 4 mins ago
WillkWillk
104k25197440
answered 4 mins ago
WillkWillk
104k25197440
answered 4 mins ago
WillkWillk
104k25197440
answered 4 mins ago
WillkWillk
104k25197440
104k25197440
add a comment |
add a comment |
Thanks for contributing an answer to Worldbuilding Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fworldbuilding.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f137182%2fhow-can-i-prevent-semi-independent-royal-families-from-rebelling-against-the-emp%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
1
$begingroup$
What's the tech level?
$endgroup$
– Sasha
4 hours ago
$begingroup$
Can a prince opt out of the trials and not be killed like say a prince knows that one of the other family's is far more powerful in both might and champions and will most likely win anyway (sounds like a shitty deal if you ask me, some princes WILL be more powerful than the rest). Can’t the prince just swear to summit to the winner of the trails instead of partaking, like having a content prince who just wants to rule his realm instead of gunning to become emperor? What stops the princes from killing each other like the Daimyos from Japan were like?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
Also what stops the priests from rigging the trails to fit who they want to rule? Like most of the princes are more military focused but the priests do a spelling bee so that one nerd (or a prince that bribed them) has the advantage. Do the princes get a heads up on what the trails will be like beforehand so they can prepare or is it in the moment?
$endgroup$
– Creed Arcon
1 hour ago
$begingroup$
@CreedArcon princes cannot back out of the trials, as they were ordained by the gods and it is his destiny to participate. Yes they are told what trials there will be. And as anyone who has studied world history knows, it is impossible for any priest to be corrupt, for they are moral figures beyond approach. They speak with the authority of the gods and are merely humble servants to their divine will.
$endgroup$
– Incognito
1 hour ago