A quick question I had after delving into the Wiki. I understood the traditional title for the occupier of the Throne was ‘Empress’ regardless of gender. A quirky touch that I quite liked as it immediately reminded me that the Empire is in some ways very nicely different from our own world.
However, the wiki seems to take pains to mention ‘Emperor or Empress’. Did I dream this custom for my own amusement or is the wiki slightly behind the rapid evolution of game-culture?
If I did dream it, would it be weird if I carried on doing it?
Given that pretty much nobody is going to say ‘Emperor or Empress’ in an actual conversation because it has three words instead of one, I have a feeling the ‘Empress’ thing grew out of the problem of people defaulting to ‘Emperor’ in the early days and lots of people wanting to hold that in check.
I’m still super-happy with ‘Empress’ as default, given Empire history and our current incumbent, so I’ll certainly be doing that on the field with you. 
From what I understand, Empress is default because the First Empress was, well, an Empress. However Empress/emperor is gendered normally once elected.
I think it may be a case of things evolving in game, but I don’t think PD are likely to object to it.
Empress seems to have became the default and gender neutral form of the word (based on the opinions of characters who use gender neutral pronouns who I have spoken to.)
Emperor seems to only really exist if talking about specific individuals who have held the throne who are male (and I wouldn’t be surprised if we have a male using the title empress before the end of the game.)
The impression I’ve got is that using Empress as the neutral term is entirely player led on the field. The other gender neutral term I’ve seen used by the wiki and by the civil service is “The Throne”. So basically it’s entirely up to you what you do. Handily as there is now currently an Empress on the Throne this will only be relevant again when the Empire needs a new one .
For me. I vaguely try.
I use the Empress to refer to the person.
And also in generic use of “We need an Empress” (before we got one)
“The Throne” is used when refering to the title and it’s powers in a formal context.
“The Throne has the power to”
I use “Empreror” as the gendered masculine version… if it is specifically used by the individual on the Throne.
So default to “Empress” because the first one was an Empress.
“The Throne” if refering to the position/title and the powers they exercise.
And “Empreror” if the individual on the throne chooses to use it instead of “Empress”
Of course, I might slip back to masculine-led language when I’m not looking.
I do the same as Tom does. Being Highborn Empress has a certain ring as well, being the first…
Someone may correct me if I’m wrong, but I was informed that “The Throne” was the correct term, and “Empress” was just a word suggested in the wiki style guide to avoid defaulting to “Emperor”.
Pretty much Oz, I think misgendering anyone once they are the incumbent is unconscionably rude but talking in the abstract about the role presents no major difficulties I would say.
I prefer the term the Throne for the role with the specific title thereafter as indicated by the post holder, because I feel that is entirely Gender Neutral, like the brief states is the ideal.
I’m sure I remember that before the game started I read on the Wiki that the generic term used in the Empire is “Empress”.
I use “Throne” when I want to be general, and then whatever title the Throne has selected.
The historical thrones stuck to Emperor/Empress depending on what they felt like. You could argue that the ones who appear male picked Emperor and the ones who appeared female picked Empress. I suspect that most of them would have been quite happy being called by either title because neither is incorrect.
The title I saw being used in play was ‘Imperatrix’.
Feels like a pretty pointless attempt to make it seem more mysterious with archaic language. Empress is a perfectly reasonable term, is established in game lore and is clearly understood by all. tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CallARabbitASmeerp
I nearly threw up when I saw that in print during the game.
That… seems quite an intense physical reaction!
I assume Imperatrix is used for the same reason lots of polities had subsets of courtly language, formalities and phrasings different to those used in regular, everyday language.
Absolutely, and making up localisations is a core part of each person’s individual roleplay. My character would never tell anyone it is a silly word, and there are reasons people might use Old Asavean forms of address.
I suspect there is a certain aspect of the current incumbent thinking it’s cool too .
God knows THAT isn’t a fight I would want to pick