On 07Apr2019 1040, Kenneth Barns wrote:

> So how about this:
> *  Dulinor, Lucan, et al are unknowable as individuals.  All we can see are
> their actions.
> *  In fact, those actions are being taken by factions and historical
> forces.  The individuals are, at best, figureheads.  More likely, they are
> puppets.
> *  "Dulinor" are the reformers: strong enough to hold the reins of power in
> regions that have been victimised by the status quo (such as Ilelish); but
> also having a notable presence on the ground in the Capital.
> *  "Lucan" are the established military bigwigs (or else the conservative
> Great Houses): they probably weren't happy with Strephon's reforms, but
> could go with it.  Might have been cultivating Lucan as a lobbyist within
> the Imperial Family even before Strephon's assassination.  Were able to use
> military connections to convince some of the peripheral fleets to abandon
> their posts and support Lucan.  Think the Praetorian Guard.  It wasn't
> Lucan who was personally ruthless that set the tone for his faction as
> such; it was the fact that his entire faction was a group of cynics seeking
> to protect their position and privilege that brought out the worst in
> "Lucan".
> *  Sector Fleets are drawn mainly from the population of their names
> sectors.  They will have a degree of dual loyalty to the Imperium and Navy
> as a whole, but also to their local commanders and homeworlds.
> *  Norris/Brzk/Craig are the local military forces, the ones who actually
> do the fighting.  Doesn't really matter who is the Emperor, just look out
> for your local province.  And maybe take a shot at the big prize, but only
> if it produces a payoff for your local supporters.

The real problem is the Solomani. None of the 'outlands' or 'wilds' are
in their own space - they are all in parts of the Imperium that they've
(re-)conquered. Their industrial worlds are mostly untouched (some that
relied on cross-border trade will be feeling the pinch a bit), and while
they have a weakness in that their industrial core is near the border,
there's no real risk of an Imperial advance that would threaten them.
Their internal 'strife' is just political and once it's solved they can
capture as much of the Imperium as they feel they need simply by keeping
the pressure on, as there is no faction that has the resources or
production capacity remaining to stop them. They wouldn't even have to
put that much military pressure on - sending in security forces and
anti-piracy fleets, and then investing in rebuilding worlds would get
them results.

Then there's Margaret. Her greatest weakness is given as 'tends to see
everything in economic terms', which would obviously apply to her
(largely megacorp sourced) advisors as well. The problem is, when
fighting wars of this scale, economics is just about everything. So is
gaining public support - making the trains (ships) run on time and
suppressing piracy is going to get more people liking your than shiny
3-Vee messages and big fleet battles. That's why they (DGP/GDW - not
sure who made the decisions at that point) had to make her a racist, or
at least someone who put their megacorp friends ahead of the labour
rights of minorities.

--
Rupert Boleyn <xxxxxx@gmail.com>
Chief Assistant to the Assistant Chief