Just got this to the table today. 4 players, aged 20 - 56.
We went with the 'one of us has just slain the empress' story setup. By the end it was revealed that the slayer was acting strictly on the Empress's orders. Her killer was sacrificed on the chopping block of history, delivered by my own hand. The Empress was succeeded by her secret love child of another among us. The new Emperor ushered in a golden age and destigmatized bastardry in the Empire.
We each loved it and are planning to play again at next week's meeting.
Comparing to other games, you might think of this an an accelerated FIASCO. Highly recommended.