For that to work you'll have to make HP power viable. As it is now, emperor doesn't lose anything with no healing curse.

I'd suggest democracy though, because it's always the best choice. Make War Master an electable position. Sect members vote for sect leaders, sect leaders vote for Emperor.

P.S. That being said though, it's easy to see that Empire is most awesome because it employs real politics. The man who's best at politics stays at the top. You don't need for everyone to like you, you don't even need for anyone to like you, you just need to do what needs to be done to stay at the top. And that's a.w.e.s.o.m.e.