Re: [NetEpic ML] Re: On Imperial armies and original fluff

From: Joshua W Raup <deaconblue3_at_...>
Date: Fri, 26 May 2000 14:13:05 -0400

The Imperium as described is extremely unstable. It's subject to
massive internal and external pressures, and is unable to cope with
either of those, because is described as being BOTH socially and
militarly unefficient. This situation CAN happen , but it CANNOT last
for any length of time, much less 10000 years. I refuse to admit the
possibility for the very simple fact that this possibility is highly
unlogical. No, it's TOTALLY unlogical. It would take a whole galaxy
inhabited by MORONS for 10000 years to have any chance of actually
happening, and the chance would be extremely small even in such a
case.

-->The situation can last, as long as there is a single over-riding
unifying factor. In the case of the Imperium it is two fold. first is
the Emperor, and his associated cult, promulgated by the ecclesiarchy.
This creates the first common bond across the Imperium. second, is that
the Imperium is in a constant state of war. there's always a war being
fought somewhere, against somebody. So, the general population, which is
for the most part ignorant about teh galaxy at large, is geared
constantly towards the war effort. Be it in raising new units, or
production of war materials. there has been no period of peace for the
Imperium to be allowed to collapse. it's momentum keeps it going. The
other thing I find a problem in your theory, is that it implies a uniform
level of social attitude and structure across the Imperium. This doesn't
exist. It varies from feral detah worlds, to over developed hive
planets, and everything in between. The Imperium is too decentralized,
and too much of a polyglot to achieve such uniformity of social
attitudes, and even cultural level. The emphasis is too much on the
military aspects, allowing the niceties of socila development to fall to
haphazzard chance.


Minister for General Mayhem
"Don't let the bastards grind you down." Gen. Joseph Stilwell
Received on Fri May 26 2000 - 18:13:05 UTC