Greetings Master Swirl! A hearty welcome to our commons. I'm Nicholas II, your Minister for Applications.
So glad that you've reached us through our Reddit efforts! Our advertising and media is the culmination of collaborative efforts from some of the Empire's most talented and hardworking individuals, and have done well to show off the breadth of our world and what is possible when we work together.
With that in mind, you are right in that we are something of a unique construct; as you say, that is why newcomers begin their journey in the lands of an experienced noble. Those interested in learning more of our world through working with others, such as yourself, will always be welcome here.
As for specialization, trading; absolutely! One of a number of things that couldn't be included in our advertisement for sake of space is our Guilds System: Guilds are sprawling international organizations, usually based around a specific theme or interest, that pursue different goals throughout the Empire. Guilds such as the Aedificans promote architecture and asthetic across the Empire, while the Cartographers are embroiled in an eternal quest to chart Hermertia and the members of the Skyfire Guild seek to master the famed Elytra. I myself am Guildmaster of the Merchant's Guild, which from its base in Wysteria seeks to promote international trade and diplomacy through the peaceful exchange of goods. Everything is fully player-driven, and opportunities are ripe for invested newcomers. Let your in-game actions create your story, or base your gameplay around a story you have laid out - our lore is an organic collective mesh of stories, histories, and players, all navigating our world.
I think the good sir Mark has covered most of the questions that we typically ask of new applicants; these are just to get a feel for your application and where you might end up going in Hermertia.
Do let us know of any questions you might have! Moving forwards, others from the community will visit your application in a process that will lead into votes being cast; I'll link you to our
Applicant FAQ for the run-down if you haven't seen it yet.
Until then, I'll leave off with an introduction to the Imperial Motto since Time Immemorial:
For Glory!