I really love this concept. It reminds me of Barrayaran Imperial Auditors from Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Series. That had a basis from when the planet was at a low tech after losing contact with the rest of the galaxy, but the same essential idea - the authorities can't be aware of everything, and these folks with a vast remit step in to make things right.
My immediate reaction is how great this is for plot points and scenario generation never mind being a wildcard in faction interaction. I’m sure many will seek leverage in both the threat of and reality of reconcilers arriving. I’m getting increasingly stoked about the macro level approach you are taking to the setting and how it can draw stories away from the dominant/default micro/tactical level situations I find typically playing out.
This sounds like a great way to bring stagnation to an interstellar empire. What incentive does anyone in power have to innovate? Even if seen as necessary in the context of an empire through which information takes months or years to travel, even the possibility of reconciliation would paralyze all but the most bold of leaders. Even if one bold and decisive leader gets retroactively punished, it would encourage all others to do nothing. Even if that nothing is punished, nothing is easier to accomplish. Plus, if punishment is coming anyway, why bother? The only way I see this working is if the wheels of reconciliation are greased by bribery and/or fraud. I don't which option is worse.
I think this is likely balanced if we think back to older Empires by the empire itself not wanting to be its own worst critic and it’s bureaucracy and leadership using these activities to defend and backup the system - even in the light of obvious mistakes; frequently promoting politically or socially significant failures up the chain and away from causing direct harm rather than punishing outright. There will be push and pull in this dynamic that can provide opportunities for all levels of player engagement.
Cool idea. Reminds me of traveling judges, maybe with a team of specialists. Could make for an interesting campaign frame.
I really love this concept. It reminds me of Barrayaran Imperial Auditors from Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan Series. That had a basis from when the planet was at a low tech after losing contact with the rest of the galaxy, but the same essential idea - the authorities can't be aware of everything, and these folks with a vast remit step in to make things right.
My immediate reaction is how great this is for plot points and scenario generation never mind being a wildcard in faction interaction. I’m sure many will seek leverage in both the threat of and reality of reconcilers arriving. I’m getting increasingly stoked about the macro level approach you are taking to the setting and how it can draw stories away from the dominant/default micro/tactical level situations I find typically playing out.
This sounds like a great way to bring stagnation to an interstellar empire. What incentive does anyone in power have to innovate? Even if seen as necessary in the context of an empire through which information takes months or years to travel, even the possibility of reconciliation would paralyze all but the most bold of leaders. Even if one bold and decisive leader gets retroactively punished, it would encourage all others to do nothing. Even if that nothing is punished, nothing is easier to accomplish. Plus, if punishment is coming anyway, why bother? The only way I see this working is if the wheels of reconciliation are greased by bribery and/or fraud. I don't which option is worse.
I think this is likely balanced if we think back to older Empires by the empire itself not wanting to be its own worst critic and it’s bureaucracy and leadership using these activities to defend and backup the system - even in the light of obvious mistakes; frequently promoting politically or socially significant failures up the chain and away from causing direct harm rather than punishing outright. There will be push and pull in this dynamic that can provide opportunities for all levels of player engagement.