The "plebs" is pretty much everyone. That is a lot of people.>>
> Yeah, but not the ones who matter here. I want people to sincerely
>believe they can be (part of) the new Emperor, not have (all of) them know
>they're just usurpers. That's what makes it interesting.
Hmm, different strokes I guess. Personally I'd much rather be an usurper, smacks much more of Conan that the other way. Much more heroic IMO. That legitimacy crap is for perfumed folk, t'is much better to sieze the throne by a strong arm and a dancing blade. Ahem.
<< > And the argument 'but hang on, mate, I know you and you've had a
previous
>life, so you can't possibly be the Red Emperor' wouldn't hold any sway? If
>not, why not?
Sure it would but who is going to know this? The vast majority of folk would not know. >>
> You'd think it would be fairly obvious, at least to all those who
>actually have a say in influencing events.
Maybe to some. Again, how do you test and know? There are many obstacles in the way.
<< Anyway, they could always just _lie_.>>
> But not convincingly.
Why not? Just use Ganesetarus magics. He has the power to lie in front of a truth test - its called self deception and with it one can believe one is anything and the Antirian judge will say you tell the truth.
<< How many pretenders to the throne existed in the RW? Loads and some did
rather
well.>>
> But they didn't have the disadvantage of having to prove they never
>existed before last week.
The Emperor hasn't always done this. Sometimes he's lived out his life for years in covert seclusion. So, I'd simply say that the throne was held by an usurper, one of the darn proxies and I (the true RE) have been living among you as baron of blarg waiting to claim my right as son of the Goddess. Follow me! First rule of politics, the big lie works.
>Its not as if the kind of people capable of pulling
>off the imposture in other respects are going to be obscure people that
>nobody in power has heard of.
True, but there are ways round this and it is my belief that ways round this are being sought by people across the Empire on a constant basis. The Emperor is beset by foes just waiting for their chance to see him weaken.
Martin Laurie
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