Dominion Empires Game for Rio Grande Games

Being the emperor of a vast, sprawling empire certainly comes with its fair share of perks and challenges. While the world you now rule is truly gigantic, it's no longer just a simple kingdom - it's an entire empire, and that means you are now the emperor, a title that entitles you to certain privileges.

For starters, you get to enjoy a much better chair, one that befits your elevated status. And, if you're feeling particularly creative, you can even name a salad after yourself, though whether anyone will actually eat it is another matter entirely.

However, the life of an emperor is not all fun and games. The day starts early, with the ritual lighting of the sacred flame, a task that must be carried out with the utmost care and precision. Then it's straight into a seemingly endless stream of committee meetings, as you and your advisors try to figure out why the sacred flame keeps going out, despite your best efforts.

And the challenges don't stop there. Sometimes, your armies will conquer an entire continent, only for you to realize that you have no idea where to actually put it. It's a problem that would make even the most seasoned of strategists scratch their head in bewilderment.

Then there's the ever-present risk of assassination, which has led you to take some rather unusual precautions. You now have a dedicated food taster, whose sole job is to sample anything before it reaches your lips, as well as a dagger tester, who is tasked with being stabbed by anything before it can be used against you.

In fact, you've become so paranoid about the Ides of any given month that you've taken to staying at home, lest some unseen assailant try to take you out.

But despite all the challenges, being the emperor of such a vast empire is still a great job, one that you wouldn't trade for the world - especially given how much of that world you already control.

After all, the mission of Rio Grande Games, the company that produces this game, is to promote the playing of games that offer players a sense of choice and agency. And as the emperor, you certainly have no shortage of choices to make, even if some of them involve ensuring your own personal safety.

So, whether you're lighting the sacred flame, navigating the treacherous waters of imperial politics, or simply trying to find a place to put your latest conquered continent, the life of an emperor is never dull. And with the right strategy and a little bit of luck, you might just be able to keep your throne for years to come.

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