Besides getting economic benefits, factions who participate in the intergalactic community can gather influence. Influence represents soft power, or the ability to attract and co-opt without using force of finances as a means of persuasion.
Influence is represented by Influence Points (
), which function similar to Jedi Experience: it is acquired by roleplay, saved up over time and spent to gain certain advantages. Influence differs from experience in that it is acquired by member worlds rather than Jedi and is spent on different things.
Minor Worlds, Inner Worlds and Core Worlds can all gather Influence Points. Fringe Worlds and Protectorates cannot gather or spend Influence Points, as they do not participate in the political arena. They do however retain any Influence Points they acquired before or afterwards. Worlds cannot give their Influence Points to other worlds.
Influence is an important factor in influencing NPC factions. Below are some examples of what Influence can be used for.
Influence can be used to gain information about NPC intentions as well as motivating them to align politically with you. Note that Influence Points are infinite in their power. Factions will never vote for issues that directly oppose their core beliefs. For example, no matter how many Influence Points are used, the Holy Heimgolian Theocracy will never vote in favour of a Union enforced separation of Church and State for example.
The table below lists some examples of what Influence Points can be spent on, with an indication of the cost to influence NPCs in this manner. This table is intended as a guideline only as the NPCs attitudes may lower or raise the cost of certain actions.
| Action | Cost | Effect | Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| Find out what an NPC is going to vote in a vote over a new law | 2 Influence Points | The NPC senator informs you exactly what they will vote and why they will vote this way | - |
| Get an NPC to vote a certain way for a new law that does not significantly impact them | 10 Influence Points | The NPC senator will vote as desired during the voting period. | - |
| Get an NPC to vote in a way that clearly negatively impacts them | 20 Influence Points | The NPC senator will vote as desired during the voting period. | Depending on how severe the impact is, this cost may be higher or lower |
| Find out what an NPC is going to vote in the next elections | 4 Influence Points | The NPC senator informs you exactly who they will vote for and why | - |
| Get an NPC to vote a certain way during elections | 20 Influence Points | The NPC senator will vote as desired during the next election. | Factions never vote against their own candidate or a candidate they seconded |
| Second a candidate for the general elections | 30 Influence Points | The NPC senator will second a candidate of your choice, vote for them in the elections and help campaign to get more votes. | NPCs with extensive political influence may charge higher prices for their support as they come with multiple votes |
| Second a motion of Inquiry, Support, Sadness or Input | 10 Influence Points | The NPC senator will second a motion of inquiry, support, sadness or input | Factions never support moptions of Sadness against their own senators and may charge extra for such motions against their allies |
| Make a motion of Inquiry, Support, Sadness or Input | 15 Influence Points | The NPC senator will initiate a motion of inquiry, support, sadness or input | Factions never make motions of Sadness against their own senators and may charge extra for such motions against their allies |
| Second a motion of No Confidence or Special Enforcement | 20 Influence Points | The NPC senator will second a motion of no confidence or special enforcement | If there is no clear cause for the motion, the price will be higher. Factions never second a motion of no confidence against their own Senators and may raise the cost to make such a motion against alies. |
| Make a motion of No Confidence or Special Enforcement | 30 Influence Points | The NPC senator will make a motion of no confidence or special enforcement | Before a motion of this type can be made, there must be a clear cause the NPC can use to justify the motion. Factions never make a motion of no confidence against their own Senators and may raise the cost to make such a motion against alies. |
A Declaration of War is never decided by Influence Points.
Influence Points can also be used to gain valuable trades. The table below lists some examples of what Influence Points can be spent on. The value of trades depends on the number of Influence Points used, so no specific price is listed, but rather a benefit per influence point spent. The table makes a special reference to goods aligned with NPCs, which is explained below.
Each NPC is aligned with one (and only one) product or raw material, which they either wish to buy or sell. The table below lists this information for each NPC world:
| Logo | Faction | Product or raw material | Selling or Buying |
|---|---|---|---|
| | Confederacy of Excaria | | Buying |
| | Divine Fiefdom of Highmons | | Selling |
| | Federal Republic of Bisidn | - | - |
| | High Chiefdom of Skuldda | - | - |
| | Holy Heimgolian Theocracy | | Buying |
| | Kingdom of Komès | - | - |
| | Kingdom of Meritonia | - | - |
| | Miomanian Colonists | | Selling |
| | New Communist Imperium of the Rising Suns of Deominius | - | - |
| | Principality of Suma | - | - |
| | Silver Forests of Remunzia | | Selling |
| | Socialist Republic of Niom | | Selling |
Factions may wish to pass easily through NPC territory.
Influence may also be used in special events, such as opportunities for foreign trade or political happenings. Each special event will explain how Influence may be used with it.
You can acquire influence points through political roleplay and filling certain positions of influence within the Union. The table below lists how. In all cases, the total value may be changed depending on the circumstances.
Other options are also possible, at the discretion of the storytellers.