i guess i'm understanding this whole cycle thing differently.. when that wheel turns the cycle turns, whether humans will it or no. events WILL make that emporer step down.. similarly if the cycle hasn't changed, no force in this world will make it so, as adron found out. i've seen nothing to indicate that multiple (insert house here) people from the same house can rule inside of one reign, while the death of an emporer/ess forces someone else to step up to bat. i think lavode finding the poison was something the cycle required to happen because the cycle hasn't changed yet. the cycle forces fate into line, which might make people who want to favor the whole free will thing a bit snippy. certain metaphysical forces are at work to ensure that the emporer/ess rules as long as they are supposed to and not one iota more, as well as making sure they live long enough to make it to that point. andy