Taxes and Infrastructure

The first emperor united all the human houses and created treaties and truces with the Dwarven clans and Elven tribes that would build the foundations of the empire, allowing for free trade and open borders. Any city in need could call upon the Imperial Military for aid, so long as they provided at least 10% of their earnings and food, and 1% of their population every 10 years to the capital, on top of smaller yearly taxes. Each citizen is to work a minimum of 2 years of community or military service before returning to their hometown, but longer periods are rewarded with property and titles.
The taxes help fund roads that the Imperial Army protect, including inn’s sanctioned along the main roads of the empire that are set up every 25 miles with large stables, high watchtower(s), thick walls, and space nearby for larger camps to be made. Ferries and chartered ships are also maintained by the empire, allowing for relatively cheap and easy travel throughout the empire.
“Joining” the empire is not optional. Cities cannot leave. New towns must be sanctioned within the first decade of establishment, though they do not need to begin paying the decade tithes and their annual taxes are incredibly small until the first child born there dies of old age. The Empire is willing to help fund ventures to help acquire more land, resources, or knowledge of the old world that was lost with the Cataclysm. The nobles are also encouraging internal expansion, the founding of more settlements within disputed territories
The imperial line is passed down to the first born, then should something happen to the first born, the second born, then the third, etc. If one kills their predecessor they cannot take the throne. If a predecessor dies before the successor is of age (15) a spouse or the eldest sibling will take the role until the heir comes of age.