As oligarchic instability gives way to aristocratic order, a new political structure emerges: one bound by blood and code. In this sixth installment of our Moodboard & Designer Notes, we analyze the rise of Aristocracy, where dynastic factions replace competing elites, and governance rests on fealty, hierarchy, and military autonomy.
Aristocracy buys stability, but the Dynastic Factions will quickly grow strong. They’ll even be able to control their own Militias.
This series of articles aims to showcase the main themes of Shadow Empire: Republica DLC, an expansion currently in development by Vic (VR Designs) that focuses on politics.
Please note: the following images and ideas are conceptual representations meant to illustrate the narrative and thematic tone of the DLC. In-game footage and new visual assets will be revealed later in development.
Moodboard: Aristocracy
The accountant frowned as he briefed the Lord-Governor on the financial results, his voice cautious and critical.
“Abraxis,” sighed the Lord-Governor, “you know I tolerate your diatribes because you’re the most skilled number-cruncher in the entire Zone. You’re aware of that, aren’t you?”
“Yes, my lord,” replied Abraxis, his tone respectful yet burdened with a lingering frustration. “It’s just that the injustice still pains me.”
The Lord-Governor, a figure of imposing stature draped in the red regalia of his House Vernaz, walked over to the accountant’s desk. Placing a hand on the man’s shoulder, he softened his expression. “Explain it to me once more, dear Abraxis” he said.
Abraxis shuddered slightly under the touch but seized the opportunity nonetheless. “If we tally up everything your House Vernaz extracts from the coffers of the state, it amounts to almost 3000 Credits each year, along with resources that could have raised almost three armored battalions.”
The Lord-Governor nodded, his expression both serious and subtly pleased. “That’s a good tally” he mused.
“Don’t you see this harms our nation, my lord?” Abraxis pressed, his voice trembling with restrained defiance.
“Frankly,” Lord-Governor Vernaz drawled, his tone measured, “quite frankly… no, not really. You assume too much, Abraxis. You view the world through a very narrow lens, assuming this wealth is wasted, when it actually is not.”
The Lord-Governor straightened himself, his imposing presence filling the room. “You forget the stability this has purchased for our great Steelshelf Nation. You cannot put a price on a nation at peace with itself. You, of all people, should remember the days of oligarchs and unrest, no?”
Abraxis shook his head, a heavy sigh escaping him. “Yes, yes,” he conceded, “but if we had just curbed the corruption or perhaps reformed into a democracy… then we could have had stability without the aristocracy taking everything from us…”
The accountant slumped in his chair under the Lord-Governor’s withering gaze. “Careful now,” the Lord-Governor warned, his voice low. “Don’t forget your place!” the aristocrat snapped.
After a large pause the Lord-Governor refocussed his attention on his accountant and continued: “What you’re proposing would have bought only temporary stability. Did you notice what happened to our neighbor, the People’s Republic?”
Abraxis nodded again, feeling the weight of his lord’s words pressing down on him, making him question his own revolutionary ideas.
“Alright,” he sighed, “but at least reconsider transferring your household guards to the presidential command. We could really use those elite troops in our fight against the People’s Republic.”
The Lord-Governor laughed, a deep, booming sound that echoed through the chamber. Slapping Abraxis on the back, he nearly knocked the wind out of the accountant. “If the president concedes to our demands for stewardship over the East Zone, sure, Abraxis, we’ll lend a hand. But all in due time… all in due time…”
While going over the financial reports, Abraxis criticizes the aristocracy.
Designer Notes: The Rise of Aristocracy and the Feudal Code
One way out of an Oligarchy is to accept a certain loss of control but regain Virtus by installing a Feudal Code and becoming an Aristocracy. This new system will re-inspire your society with high principles of honor, chivalry and sacrifice. There will be hope again for stability and clean government.
The Feudal Code basically upgrades some Factions to Dynastic Factions. These Dynastic Factions will get their own Fiefs and obtain direct income from them (Feudal Levy). This levy is the thing Abraxis in our story above is complaining about.
They’ll also have assured seats in the Senate. And as the Feudal Code Levels advance they’ll become stronger. Gaining more Zones and privileges. The Compound of the Primus Inter Pares (leader of a Dynastic Faction) will become the focal point of the whole Faction. They’ll pool their revenues to upgrade it as much as possible for the good of their dynasty, but also their Fiefs and their Household Militias.
A special advantage of “Feudal” Zones is that their Militancy will start to rise again, no longer being limited by the presence of Regular Troops. The Capital is no longer the point of reference. These new Militias will be by default loyal to their Dynastic masters. This means that if your relation with a Dynastic Faction drops they might withhold the use of their Household Militias and position them in their own Cities.
Note that these Feudal Militias can rapidly become much stronger than your prior Militias, as the Dynastic Faction might become capable of upgrading them to modern regular Models.
The stronger these Dynastic Factions become the more they’ll become like families with a fixed senior Faction Leader and an inner circle of loyals. Children and family members might make an entrance as well in the higher levels of Aristocracy, as they’ll start to prefer recruiting loyal family members.
The biggest downside of higher levels of Autocracy is the dynastics become more sensitive to you making decisions that do not go their way. It is possible to disappoint a Dynastic Faction so much that you are confronted with a Dynastic Uprising. Dreaded as the Leaders of the Faction will rebel all together.
Under the condition that you do not alienate the Dynastic Faction nobles, the key force of this system is however its stability and military autonomy (Militias).
There is no formal way out of an Aristocracy as the Dynastic Factions will have a majority of votes in the Senate. The only way out is through revolution, either by the people or by the military.
Wishlist Shadow Empire: Republica