How do I get involved at Empire?

[Mark_Wilkin]

Empire can seem a very big daunting game to get involved with, it’s got a huge background and it can look like lots of the game is locked up by big groups or long established players.

So what advice would you give to people who want to get involved in the deeper parts of the game at Empire, like the politics at Senate, Conclave or Synod? How do you get involved in your nations politics? Or how do you influence the military side of things and all the other parts of the game I’ve forgotten to mention?

Also if you’ve recently started playing Empire, what things have worked for you in breaking into the larger game?

[Zeke_Hubris]

Talk to people and offer to help. The Cardinals, Archmages, Senators, etc are often insanely busy and genuinely glad to have someone ask what they need doing. This is a really simple way to get your character known and gives you a chance to prove your competence.

[raggedhalo]

I’ve had quite a lot of luck with this as my last couple of characters. I think my main advice boils down to:

• Have a particular goal or set of goals you want to achieve
• Have a rough plan of how to achieve those things within the game rules/IC structures
• Make a point of seeking out and talking to the relevant people - Senators, Generals, Bourse holders, Cardinals, Archmages, whatever
• Ask them to do the thing you want. If they won’t yet, ask what it would take to make them do it.
• Do that thing. Go back to them and ask them to do the thing you said before because you’ve done that other thing for them.
• Don’t be afraid to get your character’s hands dirty, as it were. Even ending up in trouble with the law or dead can be lots of fun and give you a chance to do something else with your next character.

Basically - doing stuff is fun (for me), not doing stuff less so. So do stuff, even if it’s not quite the stuff you want, so long as it moves you towards doing the stuff you want.

[Iulian]

Getting involved in plot -

• Talk to your Egregore. They probably have something on.
• Participate in Imperial Bodies you’re entitled to participate in - for mages this is Conclave, for priests this is Synod. The way to learn how to do this is to go to a Hat and ask.
• If it’s Senate or the Military Council that is your bag, I recommend finding your representative Hat and asking how you can help them.
• The Bourse is harder to break into - talk to your national Bourse Resource holder, would be my advice. Breaking into the auction, you’re looking at three figures of Thrones in cash.
• Who is a Hat? A Hat is an archmage, grandmaster, gatekeeper, cardinal or other Imperial title holder. They tend to be quite busy people. The busier they are, the more they need people running their errands.
• Another way to find Plot is to hang around near the Imperial Regio or inside the Hall of Worlds and talk to all the Heralds that come through - they always have some Plot or other, but they might not necessarily want to talk to you. But I must say, you can wait for ages and not find even one - bring friends, bring something else to do in the meantime.
• Talk to anyone who wanders into your nation camp looking lost - see what you can do to help them. Do this enough and you’ll get people expecting you - hey, great, you just built a niche. You’ll meet quite a few NPCs this way, and also be really helpful to players looking for directions!

[Iulian]

Oh, and from experience - how you get a Past Life Vision is to befriend a Gatekeeper and then work out how to big yourself up to the others. Go meet all of them, tell them you want a vision, explain how you are worth giving a vision to (I recommend you learn why you are worth giving a vision to IC…) and then basically be a better candidate than other people. Visions don’t just go to movers and shakers.

[Jim]

Here’s a few maxims I tend to use to fuel my relentless keen for this game.

• RULE ONE: YOU ARE HERE TO HAVE FUN.
• Your PC should yes to anything you think looks fun.
• They should say no to anything you think looks boring.
• Try to write them with this in mind.
• You are not responsible for anyone else’s fun.
• Before each event, make a list of things you’d like to do, or that you think would be cool if you pulled them off.
• This is not a scoreboard, it is a set of prompts.
• Be willing to abandon a goal if it is proving OC frustrating.
• It doesn’t matter if you never do most of it. What matters is you never need to think “I’m bored, what now?”
• Characters develop. This is a feature, not a bug.
• If you are saying “My character wouldn’t do The Thing” but you want to do The Thing, then do it.
• You can always find an excuse for them to say yes, and then have them care about that excuse.
• If your PC argues, refer them back to Rule One.
• Pamphlets! If you have opinions, write them down.
• Then there’s stuff out on the field with your name on it.
• This works best if the opinions are either useful or controversial.
• Keep them short and succinct and you can get one rant on each side of an A5 sheet. I use cheap cream paper as it has a nice IC feel.
• Look for areas of game where people aren’t getting involved in your Nation, Order, Assembly, whatever. Then do that thing.
  • That way you’re not competing for attention, you’re finding a new corner to shout from.
• You can more easily get known as the local go-to person for this Thing.
• You don’t have to make everything Bigger, Louder and More On Fire.
• It’s a big game. You can literally make popcorn and watch while people escalate their grudges and go down in flames.
• A lot of people I know do really well by looking quiet and unassuming and then chipping in with a Serious Point at the right time. Conclave can be pretty good for this.
• Being known as a Thing can include “running a publication”, “Being a massive gossip”, “Knowing random interesting stuff off the wiki”, etc.
• Every time I’ve had official influence as a PC I have used these sorts of people to ensure my plans were doable and that I had decent information.

[anon86822163]

I think the first thing to remember when “getting involved” is that this is a game – and importantly a game you can’t “win” by any clear method – ie: There is no amount of points to score to end the game and win.

To this end, weirdly, don’t be afraid to “lose” either – because you can’t really lose. You only actually “lose” if you don’t have fun – if you have fun doing stuff and die (often seen as ‘The’ lose) then you haven’t lost.

Anyway, going in with this mindset – I advise you do the following

. Have a clear idea of your character – Who are they, what excites then, what interests them? These things will help you work out what you want to do

. Roleplay – if you’re roleplaying your character as a ‘proper’ person in a fantasy setting, and not just you in fancy dress you’ll get lots more from the game and people will naturally include you more

. Be bold – throw yourself into things. If an interesting bit of plot happens near you, get involved, don’t be afraid to ask questions or if people would like help. Other, supportive RP’ers usually relish the chance to get others involved

. Ask for help from ‘veteran’ players – You’ll know who they are, they’re the ones getting shiz done normally, or pushing others to do it. Most vet players love to see new players doing stuff, it’s rewarding.

. Be awesome – do your best. Your best is all you can do. If you’re doing your best then you’re being awesome. No one is going to score your roleplay on a scorecard…they may offer advice here and there but that’s ok

. Be proactive – don’t just sit in your tent drinking beer (unless that’s your game, then that’s fine) but stuff will rarely come to you…the game needs you to come to it!

Feel free to ask me, IC or OC and I’m happy to offer advice/help or just some roleplay.

[Bouteillebleu]

Echoing all of Jim’s advice here.

Other tips:

• Get other people involved.
  • If you have an idea, and other people seem like they could be interested, ask them if they want to join you.
  • It’s often easier to get something done if you’re encouraging each other to do the thing than if it’s just you.
• Look at the setting material to see if there’s something that really grabs your interest…
  • …and then look around to see if anyone’s doing it…
  • …and if they are, that’s something you can join in with!
  • …and if they’re not, that’s a niche you can work in!

[Kargur]

This may sound completely daft, but I honestly don’t know how to approach the egregores, I just don’t know what I would say. Title holders I have an easier time with thinking how I would do it. I’m probably over thinking it, but yeah… any tips would be appreciated.

[Clare]

Hi Kargur,

I’m Clare and I run the egregore team. The egregores main job is to help and support players so please don’t worry about approaching them.

Just Hi Egregore can we talk for a bit please? Or I’m not really sure what to do, can you help? Or basically anything will do. This is what they are for so please don’t think they are judging you or you’re wasting their time or anything like that! They’re also used to being called ‘egregore’ so don’t worry about not knowing names!

They’re role is to support all players not hat wearers in particular, which is why they’re part of player support.

Feel free to come to the new player meeting in the Hub at 4 on Friday (even if your not new!) As lots of them are there then and you can meet them before the game starts.

You’re also welcome to email me on New.player@profounddecisions.co.uk and we can talk about your nations egregore and I can put you in touch before hand.

I’m also more than happy to talk to people at events about anything that’s bothering them. You can get an egregore to radio me (I’m the voice on the other end of their radios) or ask God to radio me.

These are our roles in PD. No player is ever bothering us or wasting or time. Aside from that we’re all reasonably nice people even if we weren’t getting paid in Freddos to be nice and would happily talk anyway.

[Kargur]

Cheers Clare!

That was a helpful post. I will try and make it along to the new player meeting as I missed it when i actually was a new player cos of arriving on the field very late!

I’m not worried they’ll think I’m daft/or be bothering them it’s more just starting that conversation. I think brain weasels may be somewhat at play here.

I have decided this year to make a more concious effort to get out and about in the game world, and posts like this one and the podcasts have been very helpful in that regard.

Thank you and sorry for the wall of text!

[creamhorn]

I did this, and it worked for me and my group:

Read the Winds of Fortune;
Pick one of the stories you ‘like’ that has a clear goal (I did, “Pass a synod motion naming yourself, and collect 100 Liao, to convert the Lasmabirans to The Way”);
Hit the field at time in ready to rock and roll: in my case, speak to some Synod folk and hold a big bag open expectantly;
Work at it until it is done.

The various ‘missions’ are different and some even don’t involve collecting 100 Liao (gasp) but picking one and going at it WILL get you game, get you involved, and get you known as someone who can Get Things Done. Don’t succumb to ‘impostor syndrome’: YOU can do these missions, if you want to: I’ve never played a field LARP before Empire, and I did one, and it was great

Also, get a Congregation: seriously the Synod is the most accessible way to lever plot. I can’t over-state how easily it fills your entire event with stuff to do and talk about, and genuine ability to influence the Empire.

[Ricohard]

Don’t feel tied by your skills to only explore one aspect of the game.

Just because you’re not a priest doesn’t mean you shouldn’t poke your nose into synod stuff if it looks interesting for example, or just because your not a physic you can’t poke the hospital game. There can be a lot of game by being the outsider.

For example I got a lot of game by being ‘The priest of the way who understands magic’ and ‘that guy at the hospital who knows how curses and exorcisms work.’

Those points of intersectionality don’t always appear but when they do they get you noticed and your name gets remembered and next time they have a problem you’re higher up that list.

[ClaireS]

I know it can seem hard sometimes, but persevere. If you have a goal or an idea to pursue then keep on pursuing it!

Listen.

I am currently playing an elected general. I get people come up to me with news or ideas or suggestions. Sometimes I don’t have time that moment to help. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to. Also, just because people in Imperial positions are surrounded by people doesn’t mean that they don’t still need an extra pair of eyes or hands with something.

Approach the person you want to help.

If they are not available, approach someone who appears to be helping them already and ask for an in. (This route will eventually lead you to someone who can help you, even if you bounce a bit.)

Be willing to do the jobs which need doing, even if they do not appear glamorous or high-profile.

Of course, if they are unfun, do not do them. But that person thought they needed doing for a reason.

Listen.

I know many players who have played bodyguards or similar who picked up a lot of information by not saying things, but being present and listening. The person you’re guarding may want a second opinion. They may want someone to have a beer/cola with after a meeting and talk/not talk.

This may be from my own character rather than general advice, but if someone asks your opinion, give it. Give it genuinely and fully. If people disagree, game! If they agree, game! If you are offered the opportunity you want, and can take it, take it! Don’t differ. Don’t reason yourself out of it. You were offered. Take your chance!

The needs of people who hold Imperial positions are many and varied. The Military Council is not all about fighting on the field. And don’t think just because you’ve not been given command of a skirmish by the end of your first event that you never will be. Get to know others who occupy similar parts of the game as you and make links ready for the day you do get where you want to be!

[Laura]

In addition to the above, I’d say spend some out of character time planning something fun. If your group has a birthday, plan a party. Have a funeral plan in case you lose a group member. Practice some songs, poems or stories so you can have something to offer if the moment seems right. Have a read of - and have an opinion about! - the current affairs of the Empire so you can make small talk.

If you struggle to approach people IC, do have a chat to your egregore or reach out to people OC either in real life or here to let them know you want to be involved but putting yourself forward is something you find difficult.

With True Liao visions I would throw a word of caution about bigging yourself up; yes, being sure of your achievements is definitely a help but some of my favourite candidates were not the ones who blew their own trumpet but were quietly being Virtuous in their own way and were put forward by others. Each Gatekeeper is different and what works for one may actively put off another, so there is no ‘one true way’ of getting a TLV. If there was it would be easy!
It’s also bonkers hard because there is so little True Liao to go around, so try not to be disheartened if you don’t get one!

[Jag]

So I am not sure I know how you get involved in Empire. Which is odd given how involved I think I have got in Empire. What I mean is that I don’t think that there are some steps you can follow that will guarantee Plot. As such I will try and explain my thoughts, but it might be a bit “info dumpy”.

Firstly I want though to address the word Plot. Whenever someone says they are looking to find Plot in a game I can’t but think that they are looking for someone with a glowing exclamation point above their head. Empire does not provide any sort of NPC that stands around asking for Heros to complete some benign fetch quest. Instead Empire provides a world that allows you to experience life as a key component at the Epicentre of a Empire. These means I tend not to think at all in terms of plot and more “Do I have things to do that I enjoy and provide meaning to my characters existence”.

I really like Pels advice above:

Roleplay – if you’re roleplaying your character as a ‘proper’ person in a fantasy setting, and not just you in fancy dress you’ll get lots more from the game and people will naturally include you more

I think this sums up all the advice I can think of. Your character should have things they want to do, opinions on things. And they should preferably extend beyond wanting to fight and drink. Think about the things that motivate you as a player in reality with the things you want and ask the same questions of your character. Are they someone constantly bemoaning the state of the Generals and thinking “I could do better”. Or maybe they want to represent the “Forgotten people in the corner of a territory”. For some its as simple as “I want the Empire to be the best it can be”.

For me there is no Plot at empire at all. There is a world, just like ours, with events and people and strange magical creatures doing things. And you can be a part of it. All you have to do is step outside and speak with people. Ask them what they are doing, tell them about that thing you are trying to do and see how you can help each other achieve your goals. There are 1500 people at Empire all wanting to achieve things. Of those over 200 of them have a special title that means they have everyone wanting them to do things. Go help them or depose them.

My final advice is READ THE WIKI. Information is the currency of Political games like Empire. The Wiki contains enough information to make you useful. Pick some bits and become an expert on that. Then when you are on the field find out which bits have changed, or which bits people can’t remember/don’t know and tell them about it.

[Ergot]

A few simple rule guides.

1. No plan is a bad Plan

But be adaptable No plan survives the first moments in the field

2. Failure is the root of all success

Plans will fail, things fall through you are beaten, but only through failure can we find the will to truly succeed.

3. Find a niche and be passionately contentious.

While cooperation is likely on the books it doesn’t stop you causing conflict. Just because the majority see it should be so doesn’t mean they know best.

4. Don’t write your story before it’s begun!

Your hero is at the beginning of their journey, don’t write an essay when a paragraph will do. No one cares what you did in your imagination, but what you did in the field they may.
Also it’s an idea to start the game by not spending your skill points and apprenticing skills and seeing what is best for YOU.

5. Have Fun with Strangers

Resources and plot are a social lubricant for less awkward interaction between strangers and to facilitate the joy of role-playing that comes from it. Resources are not and end goal role-play is.

.

[Potential_Emu]

I’m quite a new player and i’m not ashamed to say I was quite lost at my first event, which was E3 2016, but i found walking around the camps introducing yourself and talking to people associated with what you do, i.e. Hospital if you’re a physick, Archmages if you use magic, Senators if you want to get into politics or cardinals if you want to get into religion as they will usually be willing to help and give advise. I got quite lucky as the first person I spoke to in my nation sent me in the direction of a senator who sent me to a general who told me about a skirmish going out in the evening.

My overall advise is go talk to people either in your own nation or in other nations and see where it takes you. Nearly everyone will be willing to help you, point you in the direction of something or someone or just have a chat to get you to know you.

[Elcampo]

OK, inaugural post… my tuppence.

• Believe you can do it! The GM team at Empire are actually very likely to try and make your activities have a bearing on the game world, so long as they’re fun and consistent with the game as a whole. Want to try and bring the Imperial economy to it’s knees with rituals? Try it! Want to be Freedom heretics? Ask! But remember to ASK the GMs for things, because they can’t read your mind

• Go to the Hub and check where the meetings are. You don’t need to do them all. Hell, you’ll get plot enough out of one, but going to the Hub and checking the message boards is where you’ll find out where they are. Failing that talk to a cardinal, general, or whichever official is appropriate. The Civil Service can probably point them out to you.

• When you go to one of those meetings, volunteer to do something! Usually everyone comes away with things that need to be done - offer! You’ll make an IC friend and you’ll give yourself something to do.

• Nothing happens IN Conclave really, (maybe DVT) but the Grand Masters of the various orders do tend to be doing stuff outside it. If you want to do conclave stuff, go through them.

• Synod is all about the Virtue Assembly meetings. Go to them and stuff will happen. And if you pick the right Virtue you will find jobs like Inquisitor or Gatekeeper that no one actually wants to do - bingo, they’re yours for the asking!

• I can’t help much with the Senate and the Bourse, but offering to help out Senators can’t do any harm with the former. They probably have way too much to do.

[MorkaisChosen]

Interestingly, a lot of my Synod fun has been non-Virtue Assembly stuff; I think that might be because I spotted the stuff about Theology Club meetings and went to that instead.