The largest of the empires in the world of EVE, Amarr spans 40% of the inhabited solar systems. The Amarr Emperor is the head of a ritualistic, authoritarian imperial state, and below him are the Five Heirs, the heads of the five royal families from which a new Emperor is chosen. The Emperor's authority is unquestioned and absolute, but the archaic and bureaucratic system of government makes it difficult for him to exert his rule unless directly in person. Otherwise, the Five Heirs rule in his name, dividing the huge empire between them.
The Emperor and the Five Heirs can expect to live for at least 500 years. Extensive cyber-implants keep their frail bodies alive, even when their organs begin to fail. These cyber-enhancements date back many millennia, and have become a symbol of royal divinity in the eyes of the Amarrians.
The Amarrians were the first of the races in EVE to re-discover Warp technology, notably Jump gate technology. After accomplishing this more than 2,000 years ago, they immediately began expanding to nearby solar systems, slowly building up their empire in the process. On the way, they encountered two human races, both of whom suffered the fate of being enslaved by the far more powerful Amarrians.
The Amarr are fictionally an advanced slaveholding race, believing in their race's purity and superiority. In-game this is reflected with their advanced laser weapons systems. There are two different types of lasers--pulse and beam--for long and short range. The lasers must be fitted with crystals--these crystals both focus the beam and can modify the damage. The bonus of this is that an Amarrian will not have to carry around ammunition or stop to reload his weapons. The negatives are that the crystals eventually wear down, and can do so in the middle of battle if the fighter doesn't pay attention. In addition (and this is very important) the lasers use capacitor energy to fire. This means that there is less energy available to run a tank (see the Term List for more), and that if the ship runs out of capacitor energy--whether because the ship used it all, or because an enemy is attacking with an energy neutralizer or Nosferatu (energy drain), the weapons will cease functioning until the cap recharges.
Amarrian ships are generally very tough. They are also the second-fastest in the game, in general; in accordance with their "technological superiority" aspect, the ships tend to be very shiny and sleek, often looking like lumps of pure gold. The Amarrians have one of the best Battleships in the Eve universe, and the rest of their ships can generally hold their own in a fight. In addition, the Punisher is one of the two best frigates in Eve. |