If you're planning on using/bouncing off the "Imperial" then you need the appropriate logo, just text is not going to do it. "Where design becomes reality" should start with your own stuff.
Get yourself a logo that also works with down to where you can use it for the forum itself - use if for: gray - no new posts / gold - new posts.
The backdrop is extremely intense on a LCD display, i'm not exactly sure if the burgundy red really works with it. I'm guessing your aim was to replay of the medieval combination of gold/burgundy, that didn't quite work out like that. Somehow it doesn't flow well - visually that is.
Can you tweak the color of the backdrop a bit and soften it, also - can you shade the background of the actual forum? Not sure if that functionality is given with Invision?
