You know, that adds another question overall. If a world is not permitted to have colonies or other worlds as part of a coalition while it is a member of the Imperium - what world in its right mind would even want to create colonies?
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The real rule of Imperial internal relations is Never Make Waves.
It is clear from other sources that some worlds do have other worlds attached to them. The rule against expnsion should be taken as a guideline.
I envision the Imperium as having the resources to tackle any given crises, but not all of them. It has to pick and choose. If a subempire is not seen as generally disruptive the Imperium will probably
simply keep an eye on it. In fact the stated policy of discouraging sub-empires could primarily be a justification for forcibly shutting down a vassal that had to much power. Like when they arrested Al Capone for neglecting to pay taxes. In general the Imperium can't be everywhere and will probably tolarate a lot of irregularities as long as they Don't Make Waves.
As for the planets motive, there are several possibilities. It could be seen as a method of siphoning off troublesome elements. The intention may be simply to get what they can while the getting is good(assuming they have the technology to do that: real colonial development often takes generations before it shows a profit). Or to sell it off to the Imperium. Or as I said to quietly extend there influence.
Another trickier possibility. The government might want to have a branch that is actually sovereign, rather then having it's ambition limited to jockeying for local influence. Remember the refugee dynasties in Pocket Empires. That sort of thing would probably continue. And there would be some that want to have their cake and eat it too-possess both a independant state and a powerful vassal within the Imperium.
The Imperium, of course, is unlikly to tolerate such a practice on a large scale(though it might wink at it here or there for whatever reason)for it is extremely threatening to stability. Therefore this has to be done in secret. The danger of such a policy is great but so are the rewards-a local noble might see himself as the founder of a new pocket empire. He is more likly to end up an exile begging the Federation of Arden for asylum. But there is always a chance...
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The real rule of Imperial internal relations is Never Make Waves.
It is clear from other sources that some worlds do have other worlds attached to them. The rule against expnsion should be taken as a guideline.
I envision the Imperium as having the resources to tackle any given crises, but not all of them. It has to pick and choose. If a subempire is not seen as generally disruptive the Imperium will probably
simply keep an eye on it. In fact the stated policy of discouraging sub-empires could primarily be a justification for forcibly shutting down a vassal that had to much power. Like when they arrested Al Capone for neglecting to pay taxes. In general the Imperium can't be everywhere and will probably tolarate a lot of irregularities as long as they Don't Make Waves.
As for the planets motive, there are several possibilities. It could be seen as a method of siphoning off troublesome elements. The intention may be simply to get what they can while the getting is good(assuming they have the technology to do that: real colonial development often takes generations before it shows a profit). Or to sell it off to the Imperium. Or as I said to quietly extend there influence.
Another trickier possibility. The government might want to have a branch that is actually sovereign, rather then having it's ambition limited to jockeying for local influence. Remember the refugee dynasties in Pocket Empires. That sort of thing would probably continue. And there would be some that want to have their cake and eat it too-possess both a independant state and a powerful vassal within the Imperium.
The Imperium, of course, is unlikly to tolerate such a practice on a large scale(though it might wink at it here or there for whatever reason)for it is extremely threatening to stability. Therefore this has to be done in secret. The danger of such a policy is great but so are the rewards-a local noble might see himself as the founder of a new pocket empire. He is more likly to end up an exile begging the Federation of Arden for asylum. But there is always a chance...
