I have been selfish in neglecting my duties as your leader. The events of the past few weeks have proven I am incapable of enduring, and an upcoming emotional and mental gauntlet shall only serve to diminish my energies here.
I would hate to leave office with the same excuse as my predecessors, the fact-of-the-matter is simply that this position is too important to occupy should the holder's life be anything less than organized.
However, I hope to leave office with a lasting sense of organization. I believe this something we all can be proud of. I shall of course continue to serve an advisory capacity to the new ruler should they wish. But I shall always be open to the concerns and voice of the people should they so wish me.
On another personal note, I miss my Church. I had promised many people many times that I would never accept the position as Emperor. Yet, circumstances change. And so they change again. It is my duty to pass along this government to a steward who shall give it the attention it deserves with the passion I perhaps could not muster.
My administration has been subject to conspirators and would-be rebels. Each prevailing week an open call for rebellion did not come was a pleasant surprise. However, my critics would do well to acknowledge that I am not above pragmatism.
I do in fact love this forum. And I do in fact know what is and what is not in its best interest. My continued reign does not ensure a strong, loyal base of Sith like it had during Chick and Saber's tenure. I gracefully accepted the fact that I would not be popular forever with my appointment as Grand Vizier over one year ago. And it is my hope that with my leave from office, we can regain some of the talent I directly or indirectly suppressed.
Well, that pretty much covers it. I won't stagnate now, there's still work to be done before I'm gone.
* This date is tentative. I have no intention to step down before appointing a suitable Emperor or Empress. Should I fail in that promise by the 28h, I shall stay in office long enough for its realization.
Emperor Shadow
All right, lovelies and agitators abound, I come bearing news.
Certain individuals have expressed their treasonous malcontent that I have overstayed my welcome. Perhaps it was my mistake to announce a date for the transfer of power, but know that it is not my aim to fly the SSD into the Death Star. Thank you very much.
My critics would do well to note that things are slightly more efficent than they were in September when I initially made this announcement. It is the intention of every monarch to eventually step down from the throne, however I don't feel like dying in office. That would be a long tenure indeed. So I am doing you all a favor by stepping down at all. And know that I have endured bigger, better-equipped, and more determined adversaries than any of you and all of you combined. How else would I have gotten here?
It was never in my destiny to become ruler. I stated many times all I wanted to do was manage my Church. However, that become impossible when there was but one other qualified candidate for leadership upon the retirement of Empress Saber and he lacked the popular support to be awarded the position.
So perhaps you believe me harsh, even cruel in my pursuit of security for this forum and for this Empire. It comes from a long past of dealing with people like Minious, Tontie, Embeion, Revenous, Obsidian, and others, some of who remain due to an amnesty deal brokered months ago.
And so if you wish to try and shame me, mock me, or berate me, wait until I'm retired. But you're disgracing yourselves by trying right now.
With that in mind, I've crafted a definitive to-do list. These are things I shall be accomplishing [I very much wanted your help, hence the General Assembly, but that was a fiasco] before I retire.
1.) Redressing the Rank System
2.) Redressing the Promotion System
3.) Reorganizing the Naval Forces in a more Palpatine-like manner
4.) Developing a body of law
5.) Addressing the current system of government
6.) Development of new Orders, organizations, or institutions
7.) Seeing the instillation of a new High Prophet
8.) Writing and implementing a new roleplay [details to come]
9.) Finish collecting and publish the New Imperial Timeline
10.) See an addition of ten new members from unused IPs from sites contacted by our Diplomatic Corps
11.) Naming a new Grand Vizier and Darkest Knight
And in out-of-character issues
1.) Accept applications for a new staff of Moderators
2.) Clean-up clutter in every forum
3.) Go through and get a list from Order Heads as to who should have access to their hidden forum
4.) Purge users from other private forums who do not belong
Emperor Shadow
As the Overlord and steward of this, our Eternal Empire, I, Darth Shadow, hereby modify existing precedents and lay the groundwork for new ones. Let it be said that government of the masses is an art, not a science. And let it be known that when things came to pass that my reign was in twilight, the Moff’s Council came together to voice unanimous opposition. As such, I renew my pledge to serve this Empire until my dying day.
Should there ever pass a time when I fail in my obligations to you or to the Empire, I welcome your input. I shall address all concerns swiftly and provide a forum for discussion and discourse. If ever a time comes that I am unabe to perform my duties, I shall renew my plans for resignation.
The seemingly endless faith and trust so freely offered by the Moff’s Council has reinvigorated my original promises to put power in the hands of the many. Such faith is worthy of reward, and as such, I decree the following:
First, reestablishment of the offices of Grand Vizier and Darkest Knight. However, instead of positions of privilege, these positions shall be ones of burden and responsibility. The Grand Vizier shall be charged with oversight of the Church of the Dark Side, the Holocron and the Councils of Population Control and Ranks and Games and Canon. The Darkest Knight shall be charged with oversight of the Armed Forces, the Inquisitorius, the Emperor’s Royal Guard and the Council of Justice.
As such, any disorganization or dissent shall be on their heads and will be dealt with in the swiftest manner possible.
Secondly, I am granting each subcouncil more power than they previously held.
The Council of Population Control and Ranks is henceforth tasked with maintaining rank lists, handling all promotions from Dark Adept to Priest/Marauder. Additionally, this subcouncil shall continue approving Master/Apprentice pairings. The council is now tasked with conducting Trials, of which a Dark Lord of the Sith must still approve. Petitions to bypass certain ranks must be filed directly with the Chairman of this council who will in turn forward them to the Emperor for consideration.
The Council of Games and Canon is henceforth tasked with maintaining the Imperial Timeline, the creation of storylines through roleplay and the granting of canonical value to aforementioned roleplays and fan fiction pieces. This council shall create a level of canon. Upon completion of a piece, a representative of the council shall assign a letter value to the roleplay/fan fiction entry and elements shall be added to the Timeline.
The Council of Justice shall become the watchdog of corruption against the Empire. It shall have a large roleplay function. If ever charges are brought against you, play along, have fun with it. This council is charged with broad discretionary powers over Imperial obedience.
I am reviving the Diplomatic Corps under a new guise. The Imperial Mission shall pick up where the Diplomatic Corps left off. With the absence of its former leader, the Corps suffered. We shall work together to rebuild. It shall have a large practical and roleplay presence.
The Office of the Emperor retains the right to overrule any previous statue without consequence.
The Emperor’s role as overseer of all the Empire shall remain intact. However, the Emperor retains the right to directly manage an Imperial Order or any other Sith organization.
Assignments shall be posted for full review in the Moff’s Council. Instead of the Emperor or his Dark Lords handling all matters, specific items shall be made available for development by a wider group of people.
