With a drink in one hand, and a cigar in the other.. Ullr watched the days flow perilously by, in and out, like the tides of an ocean crashing in rhythm against a rocky shore. Speaking in general to any who shall pass, Ullr broke from his normal day silence and began to speak..

"The ides of March... oh how soothing they once were for the men and women of Rome. On March 15, 44 BC Julius Caesar was stricken down by his own senators, but theoretically it was for the greater good of an empire.."

Catching himself rambling, Ullr regained composure and proceeded...

"But enough of the history lesson... I have a question for any person who feels confident enough to answer it. We mafioso run things like a fragmented empire, in which all of Generals struggle back in forth to unify under one banner... But will it ever be possible for an empire to form? Or is it already forming in front of our faces?"

Pausing just long enough to catch his breath, Ullr continued..

"I for one, would love to see an empire grow, but many would not. So I ask two questions, can these shores be united under one banner, or will any who try fall short? Or, will we see a great leader rise from the bottom, to the top, to only be stricken down out of fear in our own twisted "Ides of March"?

Knowing he was beginning to sound like a babbling drunk, Ullr sat back and continued watch the days go by.

Anna smiled at Ullr and sat down beside him. Reaching into the pocket of her jacket, she produced a hip flask, filled with a nice strong moonshine. Taking a swig, she offered him the flask to take a drink from. 

"You have some interesting thoughts, Ullr. Empires happen, though. Historically, there's been a few of them. Czylharz had something of an empire a while back, and there was the infamous empire which cannot be named that fell almost a year ago now. All it takes is a group to form with friendships or history drawing them tightly together to start with, and the realization that the sum of the whole is much, much more than that of the parts to keep them that way. And, of course, a few killer guns, to bring them into power to start with.

I think our world today is far more set up to accommodate empires than it was before our cities split into districts too. More Godfathers and more crews means more Godfathers, who can then auth more of their friends as crew leaders around them, and build bigger families to attack other families and other cities with, to move those crew leaders out to become Godfathers.

So, yes. Empires can form. And people can be drawn under a banner. The only thing, though, that is certain, is death. And all things must come to and end some how and some way."

Empires can form, and have formed quite a few times, actually. Many would consider what we have right now to be an empire, and I would be in that group. All current cities stemmed from Chicago, and all are loyal to Duplicity to some extent. 

Anna mentioned a couple of the more recent ones; my line was actually involved in both of them to some degree. But there have been a few others. Most notably, the reign of Roman and Premier a few years back was quite an empire. True, eventually it crumbled, as all empires do in the end. 

Another one you might consider would be Deadlysin/Phil_Steak. SammyGarcini was loyal to DeadlySin for quite a while before he turned and his city ended up ending it. Even SpaceCowboy in Detroit at the time was loyal to DeadlySin. Our world was indeed united to some extent for many months.

Alas, nothing lasts forever. This current regime will be no different. Sooner or later something will happen, someone will make the decision that the empire isn't what they want any more. I, for one, hope that day is far across the horizon. But you never know, it could happen tomorrow. That TylerDurden has a nasty 1%.

Strolling by the bay walk, feeling the afternoon sea breeze through his skin and waiting for the great sun to set. Sceadu saw a familiar figure looking far from the ocean as its color change from blue to gold. He saw few people chat and left so Sceadu also wondered what's its all about. He walked closer only to realize that Ullr has been troubled by something..

"My friend.."

Sceadu reached for a handshake.

"It's actually quite a challenge. To be united eh?"

Looked to the ocean and lit up a cig.

"Now look and that. ~pointing at the view~ The Ocean, Sun, Sky. All great, vast, glorious. Just like an empire. It's truly a marvelous view for everyone's eyes only. No one can truly hold it, for it's endless. The only constant for them is change, this scene changes if it's evening, for it's dark and cold, it changes when there's a typhoon, for the weather's rough and unsteady. If you unite the Sun, Sky and the Ocean. It will be the end of the world. To make it short, uniting an empire is already good as it's end.."

Took a huge puff and turned to the great sun set view.

Smiling at all who came to chat, Ullr spoke in a soft tone...

Anna , you make a very solid point about death. I suppose that we can't prolong the inevitable.. BUT, I must ask you this.. Are the lives of the folks on these shores to short?

And Ronin , if you hope if far across the horizon, than you and I both see in similar ways!

With that, Ullr went back to day dreaming of a better tomorrow.

After listening to Ullr as he ponders the future by looking back to the past, John can't help but smile and nod his head.  History has taught us many things about empires, power and ambition.  But the one thing that is certain, is change.  

"Ullr, your questions are timely.  But there is only one constant, and that is change.  I for one believe that the current situation provides stability and an opportunity for the cities to unify.  That unity and strength will allow for growth and expansion in new directions, satisfying the ambitions of many.  There is however an unfortunate truth.  There are always a small number of people who's ambition will not allow them to appreciate this type of progress.  They will not look at an "empire" as something that affords them the opportunity to achieve what their own ambition, pride and hubris is driving them towards.  There will always be an underlying discontent from that small number of people who's desire to lead is greater than their desire to live."

Before stepping away, John offers one last thought

"There are many great quotes that can be applied to a mans desire to predict the future by looking at the past, but one that has always rung true to me is this.... ‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.’

"I know there are many of our leaders who have a clear understanding of the past.  It's this knowledge that makes our future so interesting.  If you have seen mistakes, regardless if they were yours or the mistakes of others, those lessons change the decisions that will be made moving forward."

With a smile spanning from ear to ear, Ullr looked up at JohnWCreasy ...

"There is a lot of truth in what you say. I for one think that we are fortunate enough that the wars that had stricken us for the major part of the beginning of this year are over... Hopefully stability returns and lasts for quite some time."

BloodyFaster lowers his newspapers, leaving it on the bench where he is sitting. Listening to the conversation trying to remain unnoticed, can't manage to contain a small laugh.

" I've seen a lot of people complaining of violence and wars, but complaining of peace..."

He looks at his father ring, lying now at his own finger. 

" See, I've listen of many stories from my father and our lineage in this business, and what he always told me is to enjoy the most of your lifetime... Because, as the wise lady said, the only certainty is that it will end at some point. Many empires have fallen, and many will"

I think you raise a very interesting discussion here Ullr, and one I will answer to the best of my ability. Overtime we have seen numerous empires, Thomas Rourke and Marietta, Deimne, Roman and Prem, DeadlySin and Phil_Steak, to name but a few. So it *WAS* possible.

There are various ways of creating an empire, so to speak. The first of which is obviously by building alliances, forging friendships and ruling as one. The second, and most common in my opinion is by taking power through brute force, killing those in your way and then installing trusted, old friends as part of your regime.

I don’t believe there is anyway to avoid it for those in power, these things come down to a cost benefit analysis as a general rule. For example

Godfather Dave rules Philadelphia from the old city district. And Don Boris is in charge of Bella Vista, but he wants a bigger slice of the pie, wants to be the biggest dog in the yard. Don Boris has to analyse whether or not the potential benefit outweighs the potential risk. If Don Boris is sufficiently well versed in firing his cannon, and believes he can pick out the shot, managing to fire a bullet through Dave’s Bodyguards, the benefit clearly outweighs the risks, Boris is going for it.

If however, Boris is unsure whether he has a ‘clear’ shot, might miss and then get fucked in the face, he’s much less likely to attempt a takeover.

People undoubtedly have good friends in this thing of ours, friends they will serve loyally and work with. We need not be naïve though, the crux of it is, people are inherently selfish, it’s human instinct to want to be at the top, to be that alpha male. It is the means by which they achieve it that is the real question.

There is now a clear shortage of willing human shields, known as bodyguards, in this thing of ours. Compared to the days of old that is. Takedowns are easier to implement and it is harder to remain in control.

You either have to completely trust your alliances, or shoot anybody who may pose a threat to that.