[Dragaera] States and violence (was Re: OT: Ray Bradbury)

[Scott Schultz]

> What examples do we have where a state with the power of the Empire has
> allowed vassal states free reign to war with each other?
>
> I believe that such wars would have to be strongly subject to laws of
> the empire.   And armies that get too large would be considered to be a
> threat.

<opinion>
While I'm sure that the sitting Emperor could have something to say about it 
if he chose to, the Empire appears to be a fairly lassaiz-faire place. Given 
the existence of the Cycle and the stratification of the Houses along very 
real metaphysical, social, and genetic lines, the Empire as we've seen it in 
the books is one that tends to allow the Houses to handle their own internal 
affairs. If there's no direct threat to the Empire and neither party is owed 
a favor by the Emporer, nor is there a state of rebellion of some kind, then 
war is a matter of politics; especially war amongst Dragons. Their internal 
battles and/or battles against the East help keep them occupied with 
thoughts about something other than how much better the Empire would run if 
the current government was overthrown.
</opinion>

Putting the Morrolan/Fornia war aside for the moment - The case of Aerich 
and Tazendra is instructive. Aerich's family is wiped out in what is clearly 
an internal Lyorn dispute, as is Tazendra's. There is no Imperial 
Investigation into the matter - in fact, the Empire doesn't even seem to 
really know or care about it. House Lyorn is no doubt aware of the 
situation, but with the heir apparenlty dead, they don't look to have done 
anything either except possibly to have noted the change in administration 
of the area.

It's at least some corroborative evidence of the Empire's lack of interest 
in affairs that aren't directly concerned with its own welfare.