Pyrrhic Stars

Arcanotechnic Communication

Neural Implants

Neural implants constitute the standard communication technology for most Imperial citizens.

Features:

  • Instantaneous communication: Within a planetary system
  • VR/AR connection: For complex interactions
  • Network access: Arcanotechnic equivalent of the Internet, accessible everywhere in the Empire and beyond provided a communication infrastructure exists
  • Standard or advanced: Standard implants for most citizens, advanced versions for specific professions requiring superior capabilities

Interstellar Communication

FTL speed: Communication via arcanotechnology across the Empire experiences a lag of a few minutes from one end to the other. This delay, though notable, does not significantly affect Imperial governance thanks to automated systems and local decision-making capability.

Council technology: Members of the Council of Guardians, as very high-level arcanotechnicians, use superior communication technology to communicate among themselves with reduced delays.

Surveillance and Privacy

The Empire secretly monitors the communications of its citizens. It is a post-encryption world where truly private communications are difficult to maintain.

Surveillance capabilities:

  • Secret units can potentially listen to everything
  • Rebels can nevertheless communicate outside the networks: in person, via physical media, or parallel networks
  • This massive surveillance partially explains the effectiveness of Imperial social control

Access to information:

  • State-controlled media predominantly present
  • Small independent media outlets free but monitored
  • No formal censorship, but control via budget and visibility
  • Subtle algorithms and paid loyalist influencers shape public opinion

Cultural Impact

Instantaneous communication allows citizens to participate in the global Imperial culture, but local cultures persist. People still appreciate their local culture and keep it alive in person.

Inhabitants of remote planets do not necessarily feel isolated, but have a strong sense of their local culture. They are often in less urbanized and less high-tech environments, from which they draw a certain pride. Young Imperial provinces are particularly proud of being pioneers in service of the Empire.