Vic (VR Designs) is hard at work on the upcoming Republica DLC for Shadow Empire, an expansion that puts politics at the center of the experience. This series of articles explores each of the nine political systems playable in the Republica DLC.
In our last entry, we examined Tyranny. We now conclude the series with Fanatical Autocracy.
In a Fanatical Autocracy the Supreme Leader is glorified until he reaches a God-Emperor like stature, Leaders that not concur will be harassed by your Fanatics
Moodboard: Fanatical Autocracy
“All hail the Divine Emperor,” intoned the secretary of the politburo, his voice reverberating through the chamber.
The members rose in unison, echoing the words with solemn reverence. The Emperor, clad in his imperial robes, entered the meeting room and seated himself on the grand, ornate chair that stood slightly elevated above the others. He sighed, a subtle weariness evident in his demeanor, and said, “Please, gentlemen… be seated.”
It took a full ten seconds before the first of his cabinet members dared to sit, and the rest quickly followed, the weight of the Emperor’s presence pressing down on them. His gaze swept across the table, acknowledging some of his key council leaders with a nod. But then he noticed an empty chair.
“Where is Milan Bluemoon?” he asked, his voice carrying a sharp edge.
Silence hung in the air, thick and oppressive. After a few tense moments, the secretary cleared his throat and spoke. “Divine Emperor, I regret to inform you that the council leader of military research, Bluemoon, is no longer with us. The news only just reached us, or I would have informed you sooner.”
“What?” The Emperor’s voice rose in disbelief. “What happened to Milan?” The secretary hesitated, glancing nervously at Orgosh Forner, the leader of the fanatical FAC faction, before replying. “He was… challenged to a… duel,” he stammered.
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed, his patience thinning. “Elaborate, please.” The secretary swallowed hard. “This morning, as Bluemoon walked towards the palace, a group of FAC faction members saw him pass by your statue outside—your divine likeness—without offering a salute. They took this as an insult to your honor and immediately challenged him to a duel.”
The Emperor grunted, an unintelligible sound that conveyed both anger and resignation. His gaze shifted to Christian Staffelman, commander of the 2nd SHQ and a close friend of Bluemoon. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, “What did you hear, Staffelman?”
Uncharacteristically pale, Staffelman’s usually composed demeanor was tinged with sadness and unease. Yet his voice remained steady. “The same as the secretary just told you, sir, though from what I understand, neither a formal challenge was issued, nor the proper protocols observed. It appears more like a murder to me.”
Orgosh Forner leaped to his feet, his face contorted with rage. “We address His Divinity as the Divine Emperor, Staffelman!” The Emperor, his patience finally snapping, rose from his chair, his voice thundering through the room. “We will have order! Let Staffelman speak! I do not care how I am addressed.”
Staffelman, unperturbed by Forner’s outburst, continued in the same measured tone. “You see, sir, this is what’s happening. You’ve created zealots instead of commanders. I’ll be next on their hitlist, I am sure, either executed or simply disappeared.”
The Emperor’s expression betrayed a flicker of distress; it was clear he both liked and trusted Staffelman. He was all too aware that Bluemoon was not the first casualty of this rising fanaticism.
Drawing himself up to his full height, the Emperor addressed the FAC members directly. “This must stop! I issue a formal order: cease killing your fellow leaders because they are less fanatical than you. Less fanatical does not mean less loyal!”
Staffelman did not even smile at this decree; he merely remarked, “Again?” The Emperor, his gaze hardening, demanded, “Do I have the word of all the FAC members in the politburo?”
Faction Leader Forner snapped to attention, his posture rigid with total obedience. “Yes, Divine Emperor! Our loyalty is our honor!” The Emperor seemed somewhat reassured, his taut expression easing as he sat down.
But Staffelman, ever the pragmatist, sighed quietly to himself, knowing full well the futility of the Emperor’s command.
“This will not end well,” he whispered to himself…
Commander Bluemoon forgot to salute the statue of the God-Emperor
Designer Notes: From Decay to Devotion in a Fanatical Autocracy
A degrading Autocracy that is turning into a Tyranny with low Virtus might find new vigor and purpose by moving into a Fanatical Autocracy by Glorification of the Supreme Leader. For Fanatics it is no longer about individual power but about the new “God” and loyalty to him. These Fanatics don’t care about themselves, only about the Nation and even more about its glorious supreme Autocrat (you).
They’ll stamp out any Tyrants and Sadists, they’ll return Virtus and they will turn the Supreme Leader into a God. This will initially stop any unnecessary loss of life among the Populace with misbehaving little Tyrants.
However be warned that the Fanatics will eventually demand more and more Glorification of the Supreme Leader (what else would a loyal believer demand than more loyalty?).
As the loyalty of Fanatics goes to extreme levels they will be repulsed to their core by any Leaders that are not on the same level of fanaticism. They might start harassing such Leaders, or worse. Fanatics will show similar behaviour with the rank and file. A Fanatical Commander will not tolerate low morale with its Units, a Fanatical Governor will not tolerate low loyalty with the Populace. In those cases examples must be made to increase loyalty to proper levels (or more accurately in some cases: perceived loyalty). These cases of infighting and punishment of the lower ranks and Populace are the big downsides of a Fantical Autocracy.
In many ways the Fanatics worship an idealized image of the Supreme Leader. They’ll obey till death, especially in combat, but they will not be able to wrap their heads around for example the Supreme Leader not wanting to be glorified. It just does not compute in the head of the Fanatic and thus they’ll remain loyal to their idealized image.
An entrenched Fanatical Autocracy can probably only be dislodged by a revolution of the Workers & Apparatchiks as the Supreme Leader will be able to nudge them towards that goal. A revolution by the Populace might be more complicated as Fanatics are obsessed with keeping them loyal by any means. If the Apparatchiks succeed with a Palace Revolution the Fanatics will be severely punished. The most fanatical will be executed and others will be denied the right to vote in the newly created Senate.
It has to be mentioned that one of the big boons of the system is that the troops led by Fanatic Commanders will have higher morale and will be able to take more casualties in combat before retreating. This is getting more and more important as I am currently (while rewriting) making morale more important in the combat mechanics. So the system could suit quite well a certain highly aggressive playstyle and is probably quite manageable in its lower levels of Fanaticism.
Shadow Empire: Republica DLC is coming. Wishlist Now: