Former Temporal Empire Citizens Confident Disbandment Is Just Next Step In Cycle Of Rebirth

Former Temporal Empire—Weeks after the Temporal Empire disbanded and a coalition led by the Meridiem Entente disabled its vault, former citizens said they remained confident that the collapse was simply the next stage in the cycle of pearling, death and rebirth taught by the empire’s state religion.

“This is exactly what the doctrine predicted,” said one believer, sitting in the empty throne room. “Pride, fear, ambition, vault disabled. Classic. Honestly, if anything, it’s reassuring. It means the religion works.”

The Temporal Empire, a monarchy that formed after the fracture of the Temporal Isles, held that citizens are bound to the Eternal Emperor through a cycle of pearling, death and rebirth. Its theology also warns of the Refractions, three betrayers whose sins of pride, fear and ambition serve as lessons for ruler and subjects alike.

Theologians say the empire has collapsed and revived before, and see no reason this time should be different. “We have been through collapse, revival and rapid growth,” said one. “Right now we are in the collapse part. The growth part is next. We just need to wait.”

Asked how long the wait might be, the theologian said that “rebirth comes when it comes,” and that in the meantime, citizens are encouraged to keep their armour polished and their Initiation Day outfits ready.

Some former citizens have joined other nations while they wait. They insist this is not a betrayal but “a spiritual pause,” and several have asked their new nations to keep a seat open for them “in case of resurrection.”

Scholars of Civ religion say the empire’s belief system is unusually well suited to defeat. “Most nations collapse and that’s the end of it,” said one. “The Temporal Empire collapses and its people say, ‘ah yes, chapter four.’ That is a very resilient way to lose.”

At press time, theologians had asked that anyone who finds an empire lying around please return it to them.