On Sat, 2 Oct 2004, Jose Marquez wrote: >SPOILERS for Phoenix, Athyra, Orca, and Issola. >Jerry Friedman wrote: >> --- Jose Marquez <jhereg69 at earthlink.net> wrote: >> >> > >>>Especially after knowing that Kelly's ideas won't work in the >>>current Empire. >> I'm not sure Vlad would trust Verra on that. On the other hand, >> from what Steven posted, Verra might be right. >I think that she is. In 10,000 years, there might be a Teckla >republic long enough to implement those ideas, but I think that >unless they can manage to break the Cycle, once their turn is up, >it'll be time for the next reign. Once the revolution comes, it may well be that the Cycle will change, but the political and economic system will still be a socialist republic. Remember, as both Kiera and Zerika point out, the Emperor is just the one who keeps things working. If the political system changes, it could end up that the "Empress" is just the President of the elected Parliament. That person can change as the Cycle changes, with no great effect on the body of representatives. Perhaps the Emperor still gets to choose a cabinet of important officials, such as the Warlord and the Court Sorceror, but since they would serve policy rather than making it, I don't see that making too much of a difference. I can also see the Cycle transition changing so that it is no longer considered necessary to do so by bloodshed. I can see the whole thing as a ceremony that occurs once every 17 years, once 17^2 years of reign are up. The next Heir approaches the Emperor, and officially requests the Orb. If the Orb refuses to move, then obviously the reign isn't up yet, and no harm done. If the Orb *does* move, the new Empress/President of the Parliament is sworn in (or whatever), and the cycle has changed. Now, it might well be pointed out that a change in Cycle includes a change in society, so that a Dragon reign is more warlike, or a Hawk reign is more intellectual and introverted, but I figure that to most people, such changes won't make *that* much of a difference. Of course, I could be wrong on all counts. Who can say?