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Originally conceived by: Steve
Virtue | Law (Order) | The Emperor rules supreme, his word is law. |
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Fault | The King, reversed (Tyranny) | The rigid bureaucratic hierarchy headed by the Emperor oppresses the people, allowing no freedom. |
Fate | The Fool (Freedom vs. Lack of Connection) | Eventually, either the Emperor will have to loosen the reins or his people will rise and overthrow a tyrant unable to understand the common man. |
Usurper | The Feathered Serpent | Couatl is the savage god demanding blood sacrifice through which the Emperor claims his divine right to rule. |
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Originally conceived by: Steve
The Couatltec Empire spans an entire continent coast to coast most of which is tall mountain ranges rising out of jungle. To control this Empire, the Emperor has an immense staff of bureaucrats who keep copious records on his subjects. Every aspect of their life is controlled from birth to death and their massive taxes maintain the army and communications network that controls them.
The Emperor's authority stems from his descent from Couatl, the Feathered Serpent God. To placate and honor him, thousands are slain in sacrifice by the priests every year, dozens in a day. The victims do not volunteer but are dragged screaming to the altar where the priests, skilled in the art, cut open their chests and remove their hearts still beating while the victims look on in living horror. The priests then consume part of the heart in ritual while sending a portion of every sacrifice to the Emperor, who therefore lives on a diet of human hearts. The rest of the body is thrown to the crowd who tear it to pieces. Victims must be physically healthy and are usually criminals and enemy soldiers captured in war. Any subject peoples who revolt are invariably brought to the Emperor's Citadel for sacrifice on the altars atop the vast pyramids. Otherwise, there's always a shortage of suitable candidates and travelers must be very wary they do not transgress the rigid code of conduct or they may find themselves slated as the Emperor's breakfast.
Technology: Very primitive. Even the wheel does not work due to profound problems involving the dissipation of energy in circular motion. Nonferrous metals are used for display and for very prestigious items but most swords are made from wood with edges of inserted volcanic glass.
Magic: Magic is weak and only the priesthood has license to practice, others do but if found out are treated as criminals.