The mindset that leads an empire to pilfer its territories and conquests is a bit more complicated than some lack of artisanship or productive culture back home

The mindset that leads an empire to pilfer its territories and conquests is a bit more complicated than some lack of artisanship or productive culture back home, to meet some perceived economic demand. I think it's much more closer (though still aggressively reductionist) to model it in your head as base exoticism trophy-taking. Look at the strange works of these lesser beings, and remember that we defeated them.