Feminist Cultural Revolution Marches on

[Gloria Regis]

OOC: Put Queries and OOC discusion Here please!

Heraclea, Gloria Regis

Outside the Assembly of Gloria Regis, protesters had assembled in hundreds and sometimes thousands around teh streets. Every approach to the beautiful classically made Assembly Building with its high dome and pillared porch with its polished granite steps were people holding pu signs. LET MEN RUN FOR OFFICE! the signs would read. WE WANT FAIR ELECTIONS! NO MORE FEMINIST COLLECTIVE!

National Police Service personnel in khaki uniforms kept a careful eye on them. This paramilitary organization was predominantly women but had roughly 15% men, all of them ardent supporters of the movement. These men were mocked by some of the protesters whether male or female, though most protesters were male. 'What happened, Livia cut your balls off?" "Did your wife let you come out today pudding?" The male police officers gritted their teeth, clenched their riot sticks.

In the General Assembly of Gloria Regis, the building's stone construction made it hard to hear outside with thew indows closed. In spite of stuffiness the Assemblywomen preferred to bring in fans rather than be distracted. in the visitor's gallery members of the Council of Guardians were watching quietly.

An Assemblywoman had recent introduced some amendments to the constitution. This woman, Rufina Marcello, was a professor of law and philosophy at Isis-Urania University before she was elected in the last election. A member of the Feminist Collective Party's Radical Wing, she was soft spoken and used a microphone to be heard. Her manner was gentle and kind.

"Beloved sisters, I would like to propose a series of additions to the Constitution. Our Cultural Revolution has begun some important steps. But we are still living in fear, under the shadow of the Patriarchy. We have not yet taken back the night. We have not yet fulfilled Livia Barberina's vision of a feminist future of freedom, peace and good will. We must continue to examine the historic and deeply interlaced roots of Patriarchy in our culture. Only then can we be truly free."

First, Marcello proposed that the Women's Communes should be publicly funded, and that a tax should be developed for that purpose.

Second, she proposed that a new Education Policy which would present textbooks and curriculum should be presented entirely from a feminist perspective, with alternate points of view being presented as alternate points of view. "I do not advocate censorship, but we must either e committed to our vision of the future or not committed at all." There were some mutterings of disapproval from the more liberal wing members of the Party, wariness from the Moderates, clapping and cheers from the Radicals.

Third, she proposed a ban on pornography, exotic dance clubs, and eroticisization of women in advertising. She proposed that there would have to be in any depiction in popular media of a nude or erotically depicted woman at least two similar depictions of a man. Elaborating on this, she said that a new rating system should be proposed where there would be a strict categorization of depictions of eroticism or sexuality in film, television, plays and literature.

"Any questionable degree of consent must be depicted as possible rape," she said gently. "I propose that a higher rating should exist for films and other media that depict males intiating sex acts. The only way to encourage women's sexual empowerment is for them to have it, and everything in our society is against women taking sexual initiative without shame."

She also insisted on a ban on anything resembling a sex trade. Sterner sentences for males who initiated it or took part in it in anyway. "It must be considered rape plain and simple."

However, Marcello pointed out that prisons, penal colonies, penal battalions commonly seemed to lead to perpetuating rape Culture. "We must not perpetuate this problem ourselves," she urged softly. "We must consider how to liberate men from the violence they have been generationally taught, which I believe is not natural to maleness, but is imposed by Patriarchy."

What she proposed was following the government of Anathaat in that they would require miliary service from women, and apply it to men on a limited case by case basis. For women, 16 years of age for voluntary service with parental consent
Conscription: 18 years of age, 48 months
Mandatory Reserve Status: All female citizens 18-55 years of age.

Men would have to be 25 or older, and there could never be more than one male soldier per ten women in any given military unit No man would be allowed to command women, but they could receive commendations, financial reward, and be honoured by their country.

"I realize that this is controversial," Marcello said quietly in the hubub of approval and disapproval, 'But already there are foreign nations trying to undermine our government--by stirring the men against us. I believe that if the men of this nation really love the women they work with, are neighbors to, are related to, they will accept this as a necessary step of our revolution."

"Order!" cried the President of the Assembly.

"I second the motion of these additions to the constitution," cried a Radical Wing member, leaping to her feet. "And i applaud my sister from Iphigenia West, who has brought forward this bold proposal..." she was almost drowned out by cheers from her faction.

"Order! There is a motion of additions to the constitution of our country!" cried the President of the Assembly.

"Madame President" said Marissa Ludovic, a Liberal leader, "I would like to propose that we form a committee to examine whether or not these amendments are constitutional, and that it should be jointly presided over by a Guardian as well as by members of the Assembly, and that it be composed of both the Assembly and the Council of Guardians."

"It was too radical," murmured a young woman up in the gallery into her phone, "but it's been put to committee."

"Good," said Theodora Ferrovius, the Guardian of Justice. "Baby steps, right?"

[The Guangxi Clique]

Nanning, Guangxi

"extra, extra!" cried a newspaper seller "feminists march on in gloria regis!" already a gathering of people hungry for information were grabbing for papers, coins in hand. "unbelievable" sighed one man to another, walking away. "you'd think people would know that this kind of thing leads only to tyranny, but there we go"

"I know" replies his friend "good thing you don't get the whiny type over here, they were forced out in 82. Jishen is brutal but man can he get stuff done". The first man laughed "think we can be expecting refugees? I bet we will". the friend nodded in agreement "Yeah, we of all people know freedome ain't free. The warlords make my eyes roll at times but honestly it's a hell of a lot better than this."

The first raised an eyebrow "let's just hope they keep their dogma way away from us, and we won't have another attempted cultural overhaul. Man, that was bloody. Still, guess all we can do is feel sorry for 'em"

[Gloria Regis]

Bountiful Park
Heraclea, Gloria Regis

Chloe Lokris, the Student Union spokeswoman, was speaking into a micrphone to a crowd of cheering people. "...women, we may come from different backgrounds, but one thing is for sure: we have all been oppressed by The Patriarchy. The Patriarchy is part of the backbone of civilization and the structure of women's oppression. The women and girls in the Student Union say that there is no place for traditional masculinity--for Roman, classical, Judeo Christian or whatever kind of male-ism in Gloria Regis' Cultural Revolution. If we truly desire to do away with Patriarchy, men can no longer partake in displays of masculinity that feed and sustain male supremacy.

"It is out of love for our male allies--our brothers, lovers, and children, our fathers and uncles and cousins, our neighbors and our workmates that we, the Student's Union, will work to help our male allies to undo the behaviors of masculinity that are made invisible to them by male privilege. We have come together to voice our concerns and expectations. We expect to be asked for our voice on policies within the Cultural Revolution, especially as they pertain to women’s space and the Cultural Revolution’s policy of freedom for women."

"Freedom for women!" a woman screamed in teh audience. Others took it up.

Male Feminist Collective Party spokesmen then got up and spoke.

"I do not need to be in charge to be able to be a good man," said Professor Philip Tarquin, a good looking, greying haired man in a formal chiton, smiling at the crowd. He looked modestly at them as they cheered. "I am proud to say that there is a 2/3 majority of women at my department at Isis-Urania University and I have never felt like i am prejudiced against...the diea is absurd. How could I be? I'm part of the ruling class!" he laughed. "So how can I be 'oppressed'? No, I am not and so...I am proud to say that I have been among the first to sign the Code of Conduct for male party members."

"I don't fit into the gender binary," said the high voiced, goatee wearing long haired young man who came up next. "When I joined the Student Union I was an outsider fighting for LGBTQ! rights. And so I don't fit that structure. And so I need feminism."

Guidelines for Male Feminist Collective Party Members

Preamble As a class, men have developed an entrenched system of power called patriarchy in order to naturalize exploitation of women’s bodies, labor, time, children, and so on. Patriarchy consists of an interlocking system of social, economic, political, legal, and cultural structures designed to oppress women for the benefit of men. This system provides men with privileges in every aspect of our lives; we are the direct beneficiaries. As men, we often mistake these privileges for natural rights.

It is not enough for us to be what has formerly been called good men. It is not enough to personally refrain from exploiting women. It is not enough for us to be personally conscientious and respectful to women. It is not enough to maintain equality in our own relationships with women. While all of those things are important, abstaining personally from outright oppressive behavior doesn't challenge The Patriarchy as a system of power. Basic decency commands that we work alongside women to uproot and dismantle this entire patriarchal system– within ourselves, within our groups and communities, and within institutions and the culture at large.

The following guidelines are to encourage male activists in the Feminist Collective to change their behavior and to better ally themselves with women. As male party members we have been socialized into a culture of domination, and are just as liable to carry, practice, and reproduce patriarchy. Remember: being an ally is an ongoing process rather than a title one earns; it must always be defined by women, who will determine by the daily actions and behaviors of a man how much of an ally he really is.

1. Learn to listen: Learn to be silent, hold back, be humble, and to listen to women's voices. Be aware of subtle ways that you may devalue women or treat them unfairly.Do not talk down to women or interrupt them.

2. Accept female leadership: We must follow the lead of women, and prioritize issues that are brought forth by women or concern women. The culture we want to move into will be women-centered: we should move in this direction ourselves. Make it a priority to have women in positions of power, and to encourage new woman leaders.

3. Relinquish authority: It is inappropriate for us to speak as authorities on subjects that women directly experience. As men we do not and cannot understand these experiences. If we are to speak at all on such subjects, it should only be after women or if women ask us to do so, and never from our own perspective.

4. Remove male centered language: We must challenge our own patriarchal behavior, such as patterns of silencing or devaluing women, and using patriarchal language (such as hate speech, jokes based on humiliation and degradation, and male-identified generalities

5. Do not objectify: Do not use the sex industry in any way. Do not slut shame women or try to in any way control their sexual decisions. Always assume that the default answer to any expression of male sexual desire is 'no' until you have heard explicity otherwise.

6. Challenge entitlement: Women do not owe men anything, including a smile, a conversation, a hug, a relationship, or intimacy of any kind. Men do not have the right to take up space at the expense of women’s comfort or personal boundaries.

7. Challenge male dominated spaces: Men's clubs, male exclusive areas are sources of male domination. Challenge them, do not join them, discourage family and friends from them.

8. Do not derail: Men are not oppressed. Men's concerns are private, personal, not historic and systemic.

9. Believe women: We must familiarize ourselves with issues affecting women, and with feminist theory and history. We should not expect to be spoon-fed a feminist understanding.

10. Accept that male violence is a problem: Within the dominant culture males are perpetrators of harassment and violence. Many women are survivors of this violence – studies estimate that nearly 1/3 of all women have been sexually assaulted or beaten by men, and many women say these numbers are low. It is not any woman’s responsibility to assume that men are safe to be around.

10. Do not protect but serve: Men do not join the Party to save or rescue women. We are not here to be heroes. We are not here to be protectors of women; women can protect themselves. Our job is not to protect women; it is to respect their wishes and work in solidarity with them to dismantle Patriarchy. If we take on these roles against the wishes of the particular women involved in a situation, we are violating boundaries. We must agree to not serve with a commissioned or non-commissioned rank in the military, paramilitary services or in the police. We will nto agitate for public office, and we will call out those who do.

11. Virtue is its own reward: We are not owed any thanks or privileges for following these guidelines. We must set an example so that they become the guidelines of minimal decent behavior. We cannot stoop to less. We must make this guideline 'normal'.

Ten thousand male party members signed an oath expressing allegiance to the guidelines and to the Party. Of these, five hundred also resigned positions in companies , military and police ranks, and swore oaths not to ever seek public office.

When Julian started the year before at Isis-Urania University, he had discovered sexual liberation along with the Revolution. But increasingly he had begun to feel ashamed of this, and burned all his pornography one day. He had signed up for a Gender Studies Class begins reading radical feminist philosophy. He admired the sense of certainty in what he read. He became ashamed of his male gaze, his objectification, his phallocentrism, his role as a gender oppressor, the notion that he had somehow raped all the women in history by virtue of being male. He spent his time deliberately not looking at women or thinking about what they look like naked. He smiled inside, feeling liberated. But when alone in his now lonely his bed with just his body and his mind, his fantasies become more wild than ever. Determined, he read even more feminist philosophy. He gravitated to the lesbian separatists. Julian wished he were a lesbian. With their absence of phallocentrism, he reasoned, they must have the key to whatever he was looking for in a relationship, whatever would make him feel like a good person.

Julian attended Student Union gatherings on campus. He sat on the outside of the meetings. Men must be limited to a support function. He had signed the Code of Conduct; the government might be hesitating thanks to foreign pressure but those who believed in liberation knew they had to act.

He was ashamed that he was more attracted to Fatima than Trinity. Fatima, an olive skinned woman with long raven hair, round glasses that hid her big brown eyes only a little, a large bosom, small waist and flaring hips, long slim legs, attracted him deeply. She was on the volleyball team and he was often tempted to watch her play in her sports bra and shorts. But Trinity was smart, she was friendly to him. She had a short page boy cut of mousy brown hair, had a round face and square large glasses. Her body was a bit dumpy, and in her one piece bathing suit when the Union went to Little Baiae he could see cellulite on her upper thighs. But she was beautiful, because she was a woman and all women were beautiful. He often listened to her talking and would wait patiently until she gave him a space to speak. Her recommendations for reading he accepted.

He told himself, when she invited him to attend the film festival at the university with her, that it was not a reward for his signign the Code of Conduct. He was just blessed, and he should have no expectations. She owed him nothing. He was happy enough that he was going to go with her and would have some company.

[United Valik]

100th National Congress of the Communist Party of United Valik

The anthem sung was timeless in their eyes and ears, its rhythm, melody, and harmony on their tongues as they sang it, the meaning clear and unchanged in the century since they began as a militant, revolutionary group, a vanguard of the proletariat, and have now come full circle....back to being a tiny, radical minority, though, frankly, they had seen better days and many of the youth preferred their less hard-line and less totalitarian alternatives.

Despite this, all remaining party members were committed to their cause and they sang this song with conviction, the same lyrical rally cry of the international working class, the song of the fraternal socialist comrades in the class struggle for liberation of the workers of the region and the world. The same song sung in Rietunimark and other places...the song of international socialism and Marxism in particular.

The Internationale.....

Arise, the workers of all nations!
Arise, the oppressed of the earth!
For justice thunders condemnation;
A better world is in birth!
It is time to win our liberation
Arise you slaves, no more in thrall!
The earth will rise on new foundations;
We, who were nothing, shall be all!

This is our final battle
Let each stand in his place.
The Internationale
Unites the human race!

This is our final battle
Let each stand in his place.
The Internationale
Unites the human race!

We see through their disinformation:
Designs to turn us into war.
But soon the soldiers in formation
Will break the ranks and fight no more.
And if those cowards think it's their right
To sacrifice us to their dream,
They'll see the power of our own might:
It's time to end the old regime.

This is our final battle
Let each stand in his place.
The Internationale
Unites the human race!

This is our final battle
Let each stand in his place.
The Internationale
Unites the human race!

Just we, the workers of the world-wide,
The greatest army of labor,
To own the planet have a true right -
But the parasites — never!
For too long we've endured exploitation,
Too long we've been the vulture's prey.
Farewell to days of condemnation!
The red dawn brings a bright new day!

This is our final battle
Let each stand in his place.
The Internationale
Unites the human race!

This is our final battle
Let each stand in his place.
The Internationale
Unites the human race!

The whole congress rose as one man and shouted their anthem, fists clenched and raised defiantly, as they sang, a predominantly older, somewhat more male-dominated crowd, furious over betrayals such as what the Feminists did to the Party in Gloria Regis, proof that Feminism was just another reactionary, revisionist bastardization of Marx and Lenin that needed removal, a card of reaction to fall before the Communist juggernaut. This wasn't about gender, it was about class. Gender was a distraction of the capitalist roaders and robber barons, nothing more. A clever one, as it pit men and women of the working class against each other, in fact.

It was time to stand as one class, the proletariat, male and female alike. Sexism would no longer be an issue once the class system was abolished and the workers' socialist collective was established for good.

Or, as Anton Stavros, the party's First Secretary, stated in his public address, "Feminism is a war between the sexes. We do not care about such bourgeois pettiness. That is nothing but a battle for the scraps at the capitalist table, male dogs warring with bitches for it. Socialism, real socialism, is a war between the classes, and when that happens, there will be a lot more than just scraps for everyone, male and female alike.

"Make no mistake. Feminism is nothing but a Shrailleeni and Deadoran form of capitalist oppression and injustice. It divides the working class along gender lines instead of uniting them against their capitalist overlords. Shrailleen and Deadora are just as oppressive in their own way as the Imperium, New Edom, or the Late Roman Empire. Feminism is a front in the matriarchal struggle against equality, justice, and liberation of the international brotherhood of workers. We will never trust nor be gulled by feminists, ever again. We have learned the hard way what liars and puppets of feudalist matriarchs they really are."

This last line brought nothing but applause, and shortly after the Congress closed, the calls for direct action began, leading to large crowds of angry Valikan Communists surrounding the Glorian, Deadoran, and Shrailleeni consulates. These angry protesters shouted, raised their fists, and marched past the buildings often....and often organized by their workers' militia units....well, those units more heavily dominated by Communists instead of Populists and Progressives. These units carried truncheons, hammers, and other such melee weapons, rather than guns, because they didn't wish to actually attack the places....no, they just meant to put a scare into the staff a bit....

Meanwhile, feminist offices in parts of United Valik got "visits" from angry Communists, who often raided them for "redistributive actions".....armed robbery, as well as intimidation, beatings, harassment, and such to "penalize the Feminist movement for betraying their male comrades and the international workers' revolution."

As he witnessed this on the news, only one man was grinning right then, as his Federalists didn't even need to lift a finger yet. The leftists were tearing each other apart and all he had to do was step and reap the rewards.....Mikis Baukis of the Federalist Party stood to benefit most of all.....

Three days later.....

At a rally in Glauconeum, Federalist leader Mikis Baukis denounced the "Feminist tyranny and oppression of menfolk in Gloria Regis, who are now pressuring men to give up their dreams, their ambition, their initiative, their drive....their goals, and to accept a second-class citizenship under the thumb of the petticoat. Well, they might be so weak as to yield, but we are not! God ordained a natural order of things, and that is patriarchy! We will not stand by while that is undermined! Time to stand up for patriarchy and remember that it is a good thing!

"Say it with me....matriarchy is bad, patriarchy good! Down matriarchy, up patriarchy!"

The crowd of more than twenty thousand in the capital shouted it back to their speaker, the national chairman of the far-right Federalist Party, a known Magi quasi-fascist with pro-Imperium leanings. He was a handsome family man with three children, including one tall son and two very pretty daughters.

"Matriarchy is a disease that spreads through social unrest and social disruption, wrecking the family life and ruining good morals. Stand with me, arm in arm, brothers and sisters, for the greater good of mankind! Long live faith and family....long live Federalism! Vote Federalist next time around!" Mikis Baukis shouted....scant seconds before a shot rang out....

And then another, and then another.....and before anyone knew it, Mikis Baukis lay on the ground, his life's blood spilled out on the concrete, his breath giving out....gasping for breath as his heart and lungs steadily quit on him. His bodyguards swarmed the assailant, who proved to be a radical student named Ewa Jaworski with a tank top of the national symbol of Gloria Regis and a shaved head, who clearly favored the Feminist regime and still screamed, "Die, sexist Imperium stooge, die!"

Jaworski was turned over to police for booking as Mikis Baukis was pronounced dead on the spot at approximately 4:32 pm. He was 53 years old.

[New Edom]

"Mikis Baukis is dead," said Uriah Samson, the New Edomite Ambassador to Gloria Regis in a video statement that was put online with the permission of the New Edomite Government. The Ambassador stood bare headed in the garden at the embassy compound. A man with rich dark caramel skin, nearly bald, with a short neat moustache, he had a grave expression on his face. "His wife and children will miss him. And others will, including myself. I did not know him, but I knew his reputation.

"However it is a terrible thing to be murdered. War is bad enough, but such an act of hatred must make us question what prompted it, and if the ideology that encouraged this death will take responsibility. The ideology is not just words on a page or ideas in heads--it is a living thing in the mouths and actions of pepoel who are living according to it. I hope that the government of Gloria Regis will show some compasssion and advise moderation to its friends and allies abroad, and acknowledge this dreadful incident. Now, the embassy will be lowering the flag to half mast, and having a day of prayer and reflection."

[Herodas]

"... I mean, these... what was their name again? Ah, yes, these "Guidelines for Male Feminist Collective Party Members" - cute and all, we could take it apart at its seams for the whole evening, but have you ever read point 7? "Challenge male dominated spaces"? Sure, they cutely list men's clubs as examples, but also male exclusive areas. So, will "Male Feminist Collective Party Members" now go around and challenge male dominance on the male toilet now?"
- Alexander Pnévma, Pnévma's Crazy World, TV-21, 11th of February 2016.

To: The Feminist Collective Party.

From:

Alexandra Demertzis, Unofficial Minister of Cabinet-Matters.
Aphrodite Damaskinos, Minister of Social Affairs.
Antigone Venizelos, Minister of Justice.
Athene Zahariadis, Minister of Education and Research.
Field Marshal Sanja Salta, Chief of the Federal General Staff (spokesperson).
General Lena "Sungirl" Bardivilias, Chief of the Federal Air Force.
General Doctor Serafina Klados, Cheif of the Federal Medical Staff.
General Sophia Zervas, Chief of the Federal Staff for Public Affairs.
Admiral Zoe Spetsai, Commanding Officer, 2nd Herodan Fleet (FNS Demos).
+ around 700 high-ranking, female governmental and military officials of the Federal Republic of Herodas.

Subject: Criticism.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Feminist Collective Party,
we are deeply worried about the course you are taking.
We, high-ranking Herodan women, who fought their way up (sometimes metaphorically, sometimes literally) with hard work and determination, know, that our government gave its support to the idea of the communes. We know, that Herodan Strength of Arms pledged to guarantee your independence, should push come to shove.

However, the course suggested by the Right and Honourable Miss Rufina Marcello, member of the radical wing of your party, as well as the "Guidelines for Male Feminist Collective Party Members" have us deeply worried. The acknowledgement of the communes came at our initiative and we would hate to regret this step.
As the case may be: We have a lot of points worrying us.

First. Miss Marcello's proposals, which include new educational guidelines from a feminist point of view and the military's ban on promoting men.
Education, neither in languages, nor in sciences and least of all in social subjects like history, should be taught form any point of view. What is to be taught are cold and hard facts, all of them neutrally and in their entirety. Descending back into the age of teaching points of view, with one main point of view and other "alternate points of view", is a step back into barbary, no matter who teaches like this.
Then, the ban of promotion for men. Many of us are active soldiers, who worked our ways up and up, from conscripts to Admirals, Generals and, in my personal case, to Field Marshal. None of us can imagine an effective military, where a person is not promoted or not given a command because of the position of his (in this case) reproductive organs.
We implore you think thrice before you pass Miss Marcello's proposals, not for our sake, but for your country's sake.

Second, for the "Guidelines for Male Feminist Collective Party Members". To put it in the eloquent words of my beloved daughter Philomena: "I want something of the stuff they smoked to come up with this shit..."
While her terminology used certainly isn't befitting her station as commanding officer of the Presidential Guard Regiment, I can only agree.
Besides the fact, that the notions of guidelines in this case is funny, in the best of cases, we took the liberty of compiling a document, which could be interpreted as guidelines for male and female behaviours in a modern society. We worked closely together with a bunch of colleagues and friends, attached the document at the bottom and are hereby giving you the right to issue it to your people as new guidelines if you wish so.
We cut a bit on the purple prose.

Finally, the ban of men to run for political offices must be lifted. You are robbing your own people and the political process of valueable opinions, perspectives and knowledge with such a ban.

Signed,
Field Marshal Sanja Salta
Chief of the Federal General Staff and appointed spokesperson.

P.S.: We are acting as private persons here, not as Herodan Governmental or Military Officals.

Introduction
A modern society is built on the peaceful, equal and productive coexistence of men and women. To reach this, the parents must believe in these basic principles and pass them down onto their children and the state must give equal rights and equal duties to both men and women.
A good man or a good woman is to be defined by their actions, both against people of the other gender as well as against people of their own. While the principles of gallantry and chivalry are a tad bit outdated, both men and women are expected to fight like Lakediamonians, to live like Lokrisians, to discuss like Mycenaens and to work like Illionians: Fight fearsome, live happily, discuss constructively, work hard.

The Guidelines
1. Listen to the other's opinion. No matter if man or woman, every person has a perspective and something interesting to say. Maybe the new perspective gives you a new idea about the topic?
1.1. Argue factually.

2. Listen to your superiors. If male or female, your superiors are your superiors for a reason. Act like it.

3. If you don't know about a topic, keep your trap shut.

4. Speak your opinion, but try to not insult anyone. Someone will always feel offended, even by the most mundane greeting, but try to limit it to a minimum. Or at least make it a decent sweeping blow.

5. No means no.

6. Gentlemanly conduct and Ladylike conduct include being nice to each other, but don't assume anything.

7. Sometimes, men want to be among men and women want to be among women. Respect that.

8. Law does not opress women or men. Be happy about it and work towards keeping it that way.

9. Herodas is a place, where men and women have equal rights, duties and social standing. That is not the case everywhere. Sometimes men are opressed, many times women are opressed for whatever reason. Make yourself familiar with the why and act accordingly.

10. Violence is a serious problem in our society. If you see violence executed against anyone, be it man on man, woman on woman, man on woman or woman on man, call the police and step in.

With these 10 points, life is made easier in a modern society. It is not the cure-all and the end-all, the simple absurd need for this document proofs this.
Upholding a certain code of conduct, be it the Gentleman's, the Ladie's, the Chivalric, the Hoplite's, the Pirate's or any other code of cunduct, is a way of imporiving the quality of the own life, the qualities of the lifes of others and the way to go to earn the respect of peers.
It also helps to make a good catch.

Speaking from experience and for the editorial team,
Aphrodite Damaskinos, Herodan Minister of Social Affairs.
General Lena "Sungirl" Bardivilias, Chief of the Federal Air Force.

[Gloria Regis]

Heraclea, Gloria Regis

The "Herodas Letter" as it came to be called, had a divisive effect on the Feminist Collective Party. While the Protector, Livia Barberina, was more worried about counter-revolutionary sentiment and foreign hostility, she had given a great deal of control of security over to Theodora Ferrovius and her followers. Dr. Servilia Aemlianus, the Vice-Protector, had been more concerned about trying to balance Ferrovius' policies against the vital need to not have the country descend into complete poverty.

While the Protector had thanked the Herodas letter writers politely and told them their suggestions would be taken under advisement, the reading of it aloud by a derisive Chloe Lokris at another Bountiful Park meeting and then by Aemilianus herself at a meeting of the Council of Guardians broke the year long truce in the different factions of the Party.

Admiral Clytemnestra Hortensius, the Chief of Defense Staff, gave a testimony to the Council of Guardians and explained her own views on the matter.

"I think that the guidelines proposed by the Student Union are extreme," she said in her slow measured way. "In our Revolution, women and men worked together. I fought for this country's independence because I believed that men and women ought to be equal and I did not believe we could do that in the colonial system we were under. I saw too much sexual harassment and unfair discrimination against women. However without our male comrades we could not have succeeded in the mutiny which was one of the main reasons why we were able to free ourselves. I am not in agreement with the Code of Conduct. I will not ask my male comrades who are officers and petty officers to resign, and i will not be party to forming our army under those circumstances. If need be I will resign, though I will be unhappy to do so."

Hortensius had been reluctant to speak up about policy. She had strongly been determined to not interfere with civilian control of the military.

Guardian of Justice Theodora Ferrovius spoke in response. "I think that the Admiral is one of our greatest heroes. I will honour her to my dying day. But with all respect to her, she has said herself that her expertise is in military matters. But her advice is well received, and I think that we should keep the Code of Conduct under advisement and review both proposed ideas."

Theodora had no intention of locking horns with Hortensius when the woman scarcely had to buy a drink for herself in the capital. The Student Union had other work they could be focused on, persuading more students and other citizens to join the Party. All good things in good time. The other Guardians in the Council chimed in. The important thing, Theodora later told Julianna Aspen, her right hand and the Guardian of Police, that "we have political control. It's important to test the waters from time to time."

To: Field Marshal Sanja Salta
Chief of the Federal General Staff and appointed spokesperson (and co-signatories)
From: Vice-Protector Dr. Servilia Aemilianus, Guardian of Justice Theodora Ferrovius
Subject: Guidelines

---

Dear Field Marshal and friends,

We are glad that your letter is so supportive of our Revolution. So often 'criticism' is not creative or helpful but simply tells us to surrender all our beliefs and submit to the Patriarchy. I am sure you will be glad to know that our most senior officer, Admiral Clytemnestra Hortensius, supported your views and was a deciding figure in having us table the Code of Conduct for the time being. We will be studying your proposal as well as the Marcello-Lokris proposal thoroughly over the next few months.

It is very interesting to us to hear about your country's background when it comes to equality. Would it be possible to have a delegation visit your nation, and vice-versa, to have cultural exchange, explore trade and possible closer relations?

In friendship,
Dr. Servilia Aemlianus, Vice-Protector
Theodora Ferrovius, Guardian of Justice

The smiles between the two women seemed to Livia to look mutually friendly, but she had a sinkng heart. Her left and right hand probably had never had a more subtle yet more clear declaration of rivalry. She feared it might one day tear their Revolution apart. Ferrovius might control the police and justice officials as well as having mobs of zealous radicals at her becka nd call, but Servilia was more popular among the rather more moderate Navy and Marines, the only regular military personnel the nation had as yet. Livia was the main figure supported by their foreign allies--the Shrailleeni, Deadorans, Jedorians, and Anathaat. Socialist nations which supported Gloria Regis also identified Livia as more of an ally than the other two leaders. She had been a strong ally to the Communist Party when it had still been strong in the country. But she was feeling more and more as though she had to stretch between two extreme positions to keep the Party together...

[Late Roman Empire]

The new Roman Legate was no non-entity, of course. He was actually the former Grand Chamberlain of the Sacred Palace, one Laurentius, a eunuch from the imperial staff. He had been shifted from one civil service post to another of later, but he was a very prominent member of the Roman political elite. He was also a rather large, if not huge fellow, at least in terms of height and weight. His shaved head and massive body made it impossible to blend in a crowd. He wore the traditional robes of a court eunuch rather than a proper suit and tie, a rather handy reminder of who and what he was. It was a subtle dig at what Romans felt was the emasculation of the men of the island that the man they sent was already neutered. It also indicated that they didn't trust feminists not to attempt to turn on the charm, too.

A eunuch, after all, was immune to such weaknesses. He would be able to keep his mind clear, and for this special task, he brought a whole staff that had to be either eunuchs or homosexuals. Not a single straight, uncut male between them, even the guards were drawn from reputed homosexuals in the ranks. The idea was to have a staff impervious to feminine wiles, tricks, and other such tactics. Even the chaplain was a priest so old that he was impotent, due to the Roman determination to avoid even the possibility of flirting or other manipulation of their men by the women of this rogue nation. No women were taken along, either....just in case. It was an all-male staff.

With that in mind, the new Legate began working closely on processing asylum requests and screening for abuses through his staff. When the time came, naturally, he would visit to present his credentials, but for now.....for now, the flag still flew about the Legation, and this was what mattered.....the Roman Eagle wasn't coming down.

[Kovruka]

Imperial Palace - Keveron, Kovruka

Walter Eivan I, the recently crowned Emperor of Kovruka, received a rather agitated committee in the throne room. The recent events on Gloria Regis caught the attention of several Imperial Ministers. The General of the Krigsmaskine, Evert Traugott, the Imperial Cardinal, Anton Thorsten, and the Minister of External Intelligence , Vivi Judith, have then asked for a meeting with the Emperor.

"Your Majesty." began saying the Minister Judith, after bowing before her regent. "We have gathered some information that might be of your interest." The Emperor accepted with a gesture. Then, the Minister ordered some workers to bring a screen. On said screen, the recorded speeches that took place on Gloria Regis a few days ago were shown. Once they ended, the Emperor had a look of deep concern on his face.

"Another derailed society, breaking God's rules. It is certainly sad to see such things happening." Said him, with a stoic voice.

"That is a clear nest of corruption that has to be dealt with, my Lord." Said General Traugott, with evident anger. "Surely, soon they will be spreading propaganda and their wicked ideals will reach more nations! We have to do something before our people..."

"Our people is safe, General. You can be sure of that." Cardinal Thorsten interrupted him, and said to the Emperor. "Our education is strong. And with the dedication of our comrades guarding our borders nothing corrupted shall enter Kovruka. We have happily erradicated those extreme philosophies centuries ago, and they will not return to the Empire."

"Of course, a war is not an option right now. The Krigsmaskine still has problems to solve, and another conflict will not be of help." Said the Emperor. "But it is true that corruption is incubating there. Maybe there is something we can do. Any ideas, miss Judith?"

"Yes, my Lord." Replied her. "First of all, I will designate some of my people to closely study the events on Gloria Regis. And, just to be sure, we could launch propaganda ourselves. Maybe we can change their minds and restore the balance in which God has created us."

The Emperor nodded with a smile. "Very well, prepare some of that propaganda you are proposing and show it to me. For now, until our situation is settled, we will avoid any senseless violence." Then, he dismissed them with a hand gesture. Once they were gone, he sighed. He looked left, where a marvelous portrait of a beatiful, red-haired woman sitting on the throne and wearing the Imperial Crown was hanging. "I am sure you would have wiped them all on a month, Mother." Said the Emperor. "But do not fear, because I will guide Kovruka and accomplish God's commands until my death, as you and all our ancestors did."

[Anathaat]

Simissa

Fair skinned with strawberry blonde hair and scintillating azure eyes, Simissa appeared very different from the typical Anathaati woman. This was for the very simple reason that she was not a native of the nation. She had immigrated to the ancient nation when she was halfway to her eighteenth year and had now spent the last three years of her life there. It had been a difficult choice for her to make, but one that she had made with unabashedly and with no regrets. She had loved her family, what was left of it at least, but her situation had gone from bad to atrocious in such a short time that staying put would have meant torture, violation, and death.

Fortune had smiled on her though when her prospects seemed so bleak. A traveling priestess of Anathit had stumbled upon her being beaten by a group of men in an alley and had planted bullets into each of the men without thinking twice. The priestess had then lifted her on her shoulders and carried her five miles to a temporary clinic run by other priestesses where she was then left. Simissa never saw the priestess that rescued her after that day, but it had made her intensely curious about the nation that had produced her savior.

After a few days at the clinic she had begged to the priestesses to let her stay and help them with their work. They had agreed to let her stay and a month later she found herself aboard a plane destined for her new home, her new life. She was housed at a local temple in Amachal for three months before she met the woman who would become her mentor and guide in her new life, Tanaat. The beautiful, brown eyed woman who worked as a paid pilot in the service of the Temple of Anathit. The woman had who had picked her out of the myriad of other temple wards and made sure she received education, training, and a job as a mess worker aboard the many flights taken by members of the Sacred Band. The woman who had given her a place in her home to rest her head figure out life in a strange but utterly fascinating new land.

Heraclea, Gloria Regis

The city was fascinating place for Simissa. It was so much different than Amachal or any of the other cities in Anathaat, but so much like many of the other places she had seen in her travels. It was vibrant and pulsing with change. She had visited Bountiful Park, the local university and so many other places since she had first arrived with Tanaat and the first Sacred Band contingent. She had also met more people than she could count and made a lot of friends among the locals. Despite the tension across the island though, Simissa could see that the people of Gloria Regis were still friendly and welcoming. They were trying to live their lives and hoping for a safe and secure future.

Simissa waved at small group of people as she neared a bookshop that she had passed on numerous occasions. She had never gone in, but she had been intending to since she had first seen it. “I’ll go in today,” she thought to herself, “See what they have.” She then crossed the street and walked up to the store as an attractive woman with bouncing brown curls and honey colored eyes was stepping out. The woman smiled at her and then continued on her way. Simissa stood for a moment and let her eyes follow the woman as she walked away. There was something about the woman that had captured her attention, but she could not place what it was.

After standing with her eyes fixed on the woman for several moments, Simissa shook herself from the curious revelry that had grasped her, and opened the door to the bookshop. She smiled as she looked at the numerous shelves lined with a healthy variety of books. Reading had kept her sane and from despairing in her old life. Being surrounded by the things that had given her so much comfort in the hell that she had lived in, always filled her with a warmth superceded by few other things.

[United Valik]

Federalist Party Headquarters, Glauconeum, United Valik
February 14, 2016….12:45 pm.


The final votes had been tallied and the party’s General Council nearly came to blows a couple of times, but in the end, the result was approved and the participants opted to stand behind the newly chosen Chairman. He was Janos Magyari, until recently the Vice-Chairman and Director of Electoral Operations, who had engineered the concerted effort to win the 2014 local elections, especially in the DMZ, a push that proved successful on many levels. 49 years of age, he was born on 23 October, 1966, in Ghish in the Empire of Ghant, the son of Lajos Magyari, President of the National Congress of Anti-Communists, and Leia Aldecua, a Ghantish national with ties to now Emperor Albert I of Vorindeum.


His Ghantish ties were held against him somewhat, while some of the Magi were still leery of the sincerity of his conversion, as recent as it was. His father had been a Roman Catholic, his mother a member of the Protestant Church of Ghant. Magyari visited several times during the somewhat more lenient era of Prime Minister Hans Kluwicki (1979-1991), who was also First Secretary and attempted some reforms as well as detente, as part of his “Restoration Initiative,” intended to repatriate Valikan expatriates who opposed the Communist regime by letting them visit now and then on holiday...especially students like Magyari. Magyari was admittedly horrified by conditions in United Valik, even with Kluwicki’s modest reforms, and it intensified his anti-Communist views.


Magyari later spent the next several years among the Valikan expatriate community, writing for their press and agitating increasingly for a more hard-right position than was in vogue back, which led to his central role in helping organize the National Committee for a United and Liberated Valik. This body later organized paramilitary units for insurgency and Magyari helped them invade his father’s native land to liberate it from Communism. He personally organized the liberation of the city of Orzech and served as its first Mayor, prior to helping organize the Fascist Party of United Valik from the Committee’s strongest and most militant cadres. It was during his stay in Orzech that he met and married Marietta Brzechwa, a local Magi convert who won him over to her faith. They married on 2 March, 2010, and have two children, five-year old daughter Janeska and three-year old son Urban.


He has twice served as Mayor of Orzech now, the second time being from 2013 to 2014. He also served as a deputy in the Constituent Assembly from the then Fascist Party (prior to its name change to Federalist). His sister, Barbara Magyari, has openly denounced him and announced that she is gay, much to his distress. Even so, she still condemned the murder of Baukis and repeated her offer to reconcile with him despite their differences (she is a Progressive).

In his first public statement since taking over the Chairmanship of the General Council, Magyari has thanked those giving condolences, but also praising the Imperium of Arbites Materia for its “zeal for regional peace and prosperity.” He also condemned Ewa Jaworski and called for “justice for the great man, Mikis Baukis, who died because he was a patriot of Valik and not a dupe of the international leftist movement. She deserves to die and I am determined that she shall.” He also called for new elections in Gloria Regis or else seating the male deputies, for a repeal of the new constitution there, and for an end to SAEC membership “until Gloria Regis is expelled.” He also urged a total embargo of trade and travel with that nation and the severing of all diplomatic ties with Heraclea. He called for an end to all sanctions against the Imperium as well.

How would this play in Adiron?

[Caelestiam]

"... I mean, these... what was their name again? Ah, yes, these "Guidelines for Male Feminist Collective Party Members" - cute and all, we could take it apart at its seams for the whole evening, but have you ever read point 7? "Challenge male dominated spaces"? Sure, they cutely list men's clubs as examples, but also male exclusive areas. So, will "Male Feminist Collective Party Members" now go around and challenge male dominance on the male toilet now?"
- Alexander Pnévma, Pnévma's Crazy World, TV-21, 11th of February 2016.

To: The Feminist Collective Party.

From:

Alexandra Demertzis, Unofficial Minister of Cabinet-Matters.
Aphrodite Damaskinos, Minister of Social Affairs.
Antigone Venizelos, Minister of Justice.
Athene Zahariadis, Minister of Education and Research.
Field Marshal Sanja Salta, Chief of the Federal General Staff (spokesperson).
General Lena "Sungirl" Bardivilias, Chief of the Federal Air Force.
General Doctor Serafina Klados, Cheif of the Federal Medical Staff.
General Sophia Zervas, Chief of the Federal Staff for Public Affairs.
Admiral Zoe Spetsai, Commanding Officer, 2nd Herodan Fleet (FNS Demos).
+ around 700 high-ranking, female governmental and military officials of the Federal Republic of Herodas.

Subject: Criticism.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Feminist Collective Party,
we are deeply worried about the course you are taking.
We, high-ranking Herodan women, who fought their way up (sometimes metaphorically, sometimes literally) with hard work and determination, know, that our government gave its support to the idea of the communes. We know, that Herodan Strength of Arms pledged to guarantee your independence, should push come to shove.

However, the course suggested by the Right and Honourable Miss Rufina Marcello, member of the radical wing of your party, as well as the "Guidelines for Male Feminist Collective Party Members" have us deeply worried. The acknowledgement of the communes came at our initiative and we would hate to regret this step.
As the case may be: We have a lot of points worrying us.

First. Miss Marcello's proposals, which include new educational guidelines from a feminist point of view and the military's ban on promoting men.
Education, neither in languages, nor in sciences and least of all in social subjects like history, should be taught form any point of view. What is to be taught are cold and hard facts, all of them neutrally and in their entirety. Descending back into the age of teaching points of view, with one main point of view and other "alternate points of view", is a step back into barbary, no matter who teaches like this.
Then, the ban of promotion for men. Many of us are active soldiers, who worked our ways up and up, from conscripts to Admirals, Generals and, in my personal case, to Field Marshal. None of us can imagine an effective military, where a person is not promoted or not given a command because of the position of his (in this case) reproductive organs.
We implore you think thrice before you pass Miss Marcello's proposals, not for our sake, but for your country's sake.

Second, for the "Guidelines for Male Feminist Collective Party Members". To put it in the eloquent words of my beloved daughter Philomena: "I want something of the stuff they smoked to come up with this shit..."
While her terminology used certainly isn't befitting her station as commanding officer of the Presidential Guard Regiment, I can only agree.
Besides the fact, that the notions of guidelines in this case is funny, in the best of cases, we took the liberty of compiling a document, which could be interpreted as guidelines for male and female behaviours in a modern society. We worked closely together with a bunch of colleagues and friends, attached the document at the bottom and are hereby giving you the right to issue it to your people as new guidelines if you wish so.
We cut a bit on the purple prose.

Finally, the ban of men to run for political offices must be lifted. You are robbing your own people and the political process of valueable opinions, perspectives and knowledge with such a ban.

Signed,
Field Marshal Sanja Salta
Chief of the Federal General Staff and appointed spokesperson.

P.S.: We are acting as private persons here, not as Herodan Governmental or Military Officals.

Introduction
A modern society is built on the peaceful, equal and productive coexistence of men and women. To reach this, the parents must believe in these basic principles and pass them down onto their children and the state must give equal rights and equal duties to both men and women.
A good man or a good woman is to be defined by their actions, both against people of the other gender as well as against people of their own. While the principles of gallantry and chivalry are a tad bit outdated, both men and women are expected to fight like Lakediamonians, to live like Lokrisians, to discuss like Mycenaens and to work like Illionians: Fight fearsome, live happily, discuss constructively, work hard.

The Guidelines
1. Listen to the other's opinion. No matter if man or woman, every person has a perspective and something interesting to say. Maybe the new perspective gives you a new idea about the topic?
1.1. Argue factually.

2. Listen to your superiors. If male or female, your superiors are your superiors for a reason. Act like it.

3. If you don't know about a topic, keep your trap shut.

4. Speak your opinion, but try to not insult anyone. Someone will always feel offended, even by the most mundane greeting, but try to limit it to a minimum. Or at least make it a decent sweeping blow.

5. No means no.

6. Gentlemanly conduct and Ladylike conduct include being nice to each other, but don't assume anything.

7. Sometimes, men want to be among men and women want to be among women. Respect that.

8. Law does not opress women or men. Be happy about it and work towards keeping it that way.

9. Herodas is a place, where men and women have equal rights, duties and social standing. That is not the case everywhere. Sometimes men are opressed, many times women are opressed for whatever reason. Make yourself familiar with the why and act accordingly.

10. Violence is a serious problem in our society. If you see violence executed against anyone, be it man on man, woman on woman, man on woman or woman on man, call the police and step in.

With these 10 points, life is made easier in a modern society. It is not the cure-all and the end-all, the simple absurd need for this document proofs this.
Upholding a certain code of conduct, be it the Gentleman's, the Ladie's, the Chivalric, the Hoplite's, the Pirate's or any other code of cunduct, is a way of imporiving the quality of the own life, the qualities of the lifes of others and the way to go to earn the respect of peers.
It also helps to make a good catch.

Speaking from experience and for the editorial team,
Aphrodite Damaskinos, Herodan Minister of Social Affairs.
General Lena "Sungirl" Bardivilias, Chief of the Federal Air Force.

SHINOBI provided an intercepted copy of this response letter and the Guidelines sent by Herodas. After careful review from the Council of Lords, they issued a statement directly to Gloria Regis.

"There is tremendous support for this Herodasian rewrite of your policies regarding men in your nation. It appears that they seem to have a greater understanding of equality, and a strong sense of practicality and perfect simplicity in communication. As Herodas encourages a sensible, centrist viewpoint on the subject and provides insight as to the numerous fallacies of your 'progressive' policies and guidelines, we can only agree wholeheartedly with them, Herodas. I speak for my Council when I say we are deeply troubled by your 'Cultural Revolution' and as we have said before, we lack respect for the extremities called for daily by your revolutionaries. First, the communes. Now, these male guidelines that vilify the male gender, espouse belief in a bogeyman 'patriarchy,' prevent men from achieving in society due to gender much akin to what you once claimed they did to you in the far past... Not to mention, 'slutshaming' and how men are t allow to influence a girl's sexual decisions, yet the revolution seeks to outlaw pornography, exotic dance, and eroticization of women. All sexual things that a woman is capable of wanting to do. While these measures - banning pornography for instance - are actually praised by us Caelestians, there is an air of hypocrisy and a touch of condescending to this revolution we cannot ignore."
~King Mathias Andouin. Male.

"Caelestiam will continue to actively harbor refugees who wish to leave your country to escape your pathetic, vengeful, anti-male policies. Refugee trails and camps will be guarded by members of the Caelestian Army. Paladin Corps if they're special. Any attempts to retrieve refugees or to stop Caelestians from bringing them out of Gloria Regis and into our Kingdom will be treated as hostile actions. If Caelestian blood is spilt, it is an act of war. And as soon as Regisian refugees arrive here, their blood becomes our blood. Figure out the consequences yourself and do not try us at home, bitches."
~Kaziman DuQieng, Paladin-Harbinger and Ministress of War. Female.

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

The Matriarchal Male
A Treatise
by Professor Retlek Yaserra, Mother University

Reading the regional news lately it is clear that matriarchy and feminism, two distinct philosophies which share in common the female as their area of concentration, are the most controversial philosophies in Cornellia, and possibly the world. They are certainly more controversial than patriarchy, which is of course accepted as a standard of civilization, or egalitarianism, which is a system that paradoxically accepts patriarchy as the natural foundation of civilization from which it can then take narcissistic pride in rising above. It is clear that the oppression of women in any form will never create the same level of outrage and condemnation that the mere mention of "matriarchy" or "feminism" evokes in their detractors.

It is a patriarch's world, and the standards of that civilization dominate the discourse. The language of the patriarchs is power, domination, subjugation, and violence, and they encourage this language in their opponents in order to stoke the flames of their patriarchal egos. A patriarch's self-worth is dependent on his patriarchal "male-ness," which he must prove in combat physical or philosophical. To where, then, does the proponent of matriarchy or feminism turn? To engage the patriarch on his own terms demands by necessity that the matriarch abandon her values, and thus lose the fight before it is even begun.

This treatise intends to circumnavigate this problem by addressing the patriarch in matriarchal terms, to exalt the virtues of matriarchy without falling to his often crude argumentations. I can think of no better way to do this than to consider the arch-enemy of the patriarchal male, namely, the matriarchal male. The patriarchal male is terrified of a liberated woman because he fears that she shall treat him as he has treated her, he shouts down the feminist because he knows that her retribution would be righteous. But the matriarchal male knows this to be folly, because he knows that matriarchy is for him far superior in all ways to its alternatives.

The following are the attributes of the matriarchal male. These attributes can be grouped in the natural order of his development, from son to husband to father, in the manner shown:

1. The Son

Respectful - The son is born into this world knowing nothing but his mother. It is within her that he spends the first months of his life, receiving from her all that he needs, and trusting her to protect him and keep him safe. The trust extends into his early childhood, when a son is dependent on the guidance of his mother over the household in order to safely grow into a man. Therefore, the matriarchal man learns to trust and respect his mother, and by extension all women, as a figure of authority. He acknowledges that he will never have all of the answers, and gains the wisdom of humility.

Contributive - As the son grows, he begins to learn about the world outside of his household. He cannot be a passive actor in this world, rather, he must become an active contributor to his mother's household and to society, to make the most of the gift that his mother has given him. Therefore, the matriarchal man must keep his body and mind in good health by striving for an exemplary education and healthy lifestyle, and apply his talents to aid his mother and his community.

Compassionate - Unlike the patriarchal man, the matriarchal man is not taught that his emotions are a shameful thing to be repressed. Rather, he is encouraged to explore his feelings and develop empathy with those around him. As he interacts with other women and men he learns to understand their emotions, what makes them happy or sad or fearful, and to understand how these make him feel. In this way, the matriarchal man learns compassion, and the inner peace that comes with good emotional health.

2. The Husband

Honest - The matriarchal man does not need to present a false front to the world, because he is comfortable with himself and with his needs. Free from the constraints of controlling and conflict-ridden patriarchal sexuality, which pits men against one another at the expense of women, he may pursue his relationships openly and honestly. The matriarchal man is honest in his interactions with women and men because he is valued for who he truly is, and not for chasing a false ideal of masculinity.

Supportive - The matriarchal woman is strong, but only the Mother Goddess can bring life into this world alone. As a husband, the matriarchal man must have the strength and intelligence to support his wife as she goes through the hardships of her time. Even before this, he must be her partner in forming the central unit of any society: the family. Therefore, the matriarchal man must be ready and capable of supporting his wife with his labors, and to offer her his learned advice in difficult situations.

Brave - The Mother Goddess has granted the male a greater physical strength than the female, and has not done this without purpose. Those who fall from the Enlightened Path are capable of any injury, and may seek to harm others. Just as the mother is weakened by Her miracle of life, so to do the weak of society require his protection. The matriarchal male must be prepared to defend his family and his society, and to lend his strength and ability to this defense. Though he may fear for his own life, the matriarchal male knows that he must take this risk for the greater good.

3. The Father

Nurturing - As a father, it is the duty of the matriarchal man to ensure that his most precious gift, his children, have everything that they need to grow healthy, happy, and strong. Whether this means maintaining a safe and clean home to live in, taking care of their daily needs, or obtaining the resources necessary for their development, he is driven to provide for the welfare of the next generation.

Selfless - Once he has seen his children born into this world, the matriarchal man knows instinctively that nothing is more precious. He will gladly and willingly sacrifice his own well being to ensure the well being of his children, and will face any obstacle or challenge to ensure their safety. The needs of his children become his identity, and through them all the needs of humanity become his identity. Therefore, the matriarchal man moves beyond the vanity of the individual and becomes selfless.

Guiding - Having spent his life acquiring knowledge and experience about the world around him, the matriarchal man is eager to pass his knowledge on to the next generation. To his daughters and sons he will convey all that he knows, to help them grow, develop their own abilities, and to promote the fullest of their potential. He will share this knowledge too with any who seek it, in order to spread its merits freely and humbly for the betterment of all.

And so it can be said that the matriarchal man is respectful, contributive, compassionate, honest, supportive, brave, nurturing, selfless, and guiding. Though his virtues, the matriarchal man earns the honor of his mother, the respect of his wife, and the admiration of his children.

But wait, you may ask, are these not also the attributes of the matriarchal female? Is the matriarchal woman not also expected to exhibit respect, compassion, honesty, bravery, and selflessness, and to work hard to contribute to, support, nurture, guide both her children and her society? A rhetorical question, dear reader, for that is exactly correct.

A matriarchal society promotes and celebrates these traits in its women as much as in its men.

That is because in a matriarchal society, the feminine is exalted in all people. Where the patriarch divides his world cruelly into the categories of "masculine" and "feminine," the matriarch promotes the only the "feminine!" Where the patriarch attempts to restrain humanity to fit his own deluded image, the matriarch fosters the natural state of "femininity" in all people, regardless of their gender.

And so the questions must be asked: who is the more unequal? The Patriarch, who's construction of the world forces conflict between man and man, who restricts both his women and his men to an unnatural stereotype? The Egalitarian, who is told that to find its place in society it must suppress and deny its gender, and therefore must fumble for purpose? Or the Matriarch, who promotes the feminine ideal in both man and woman and holds them to the same purpose, the same merits?

True, the matriarchal male is not often required to lead his nation. But this is not because he is oppressed. Rather, it is because his ideals are already embodied in the leadership of the feminine, a leadership to which he already contributes and to which he naturally belongs. And he is always ready, as the Prince-Regent and the Foreign Minister of the Shrailleeni Empire are, to take up the responsibilities of leadership should his abilities be required. In the rare cases that he must do so, his values guard him against the dangers of oppression or abuse of power, and promote in him the compassion and wisdom that are his nature.

I have little doubt that this treatise will be ridiculed by the patriarch, who by his nature cannot afford to understand the virtues of the matriarchal man. But I hope that some will read this and understand the values that matriarchy promotes, values that promote the best in all peoples, that promote peace and compassion. I hope that some will see that matriarchy is not the crude mirror image of patriarchy, but rather its own path distinct in its qualities and aspirations.

I am Professor Retlek Yaserra, and I am proud to be a matriarchal man.

[Caelestiam]

The Matriarchal Male
A Treatise
by Professor Retlek Yaserra, Mother University

Reading the regional news lately it is clear that matriarchy and feminism, two distinct philosophies which share in common the female as their area of concentration, are the most controversial philosophies in Cornellia, and possibly the world. They are certainly more controversial than patriarchy, which is of course accepted as a standard of civilization, or egalitarianism, which is a system that paradoxically accepts patriarchy as the natural foundation of civilization from which it can then take narcissistic pride in rising above. It is clear that the oppression of women in any form will never create the same level of outrage and condemnation that the mere mention of "matriarchy" or "feminism" evokes in their detractors.

It is a patriarch's world, and the standards of that civilization dominate the discourse. The language of the patriarchs is power, domination, subjugation, and violence, and they encourage this language in their opponents in order to stoke the flames of their patriarchal egos. A patriarch's self-worth is dependent on his patriarchal "male-ness," which he must prove in combat physical or philosophical. To where, then, does the proponent of matriarchy or feminism turn? To engage the patriarch on his own terms demands by necessity that the matriarch abandon her values, and thus lose the fight before it is even begun.

This treatise intends to circumnavigate this problem by addressing the patriarch in matriarchal terms, to exalt the virtues of matriarchy without falling to his often crude argumentations. I can think of no better way to do this than to consider the arch-enemy of the patriarchal male, namely, the matriarchal male. The patriarchal male is terrified of a liberated woman because he fears that she shall treat him as he has treated her, he shouts down the feminist because he knows that her retribution would be righteous. But the matriarchal male knows this to be folly, because he knows that matriarchy is for him far superior in all ways to its alternatives.

The following are the attributes of the matriarchal male. These attributes can be grouped in the natural order of his development, from son to husband to father, in the manner shown:

1. The Son

Respectful - The son is born into this world knowing nothing but his mother. It is within her that he spends the first months of his life, receiving from her all that he needs, and trusting her to protect him and keep him safe. The trust extends into his early childhood, when a son is dependent on the guidance of his mother over the household in order to safely grow into a man. Therefore, the matriarchal man learns to trust and respect his mother, and by extension all women, as a figure of authority. He acknowledges that he will never have all of the answers, and gains the wisdom of humility.

Contributive - As the son grows, he begins to learn about the world outside of his household. He cannot be a passive actor in this world, rather, he must become an active contributor to his mother's household and to society, to make the most of the gift that his mother has given him. Therefore, the matriarchal man must keep his body and mind in good health by striving for an exemplary education and healthy lifestyle, and apply his talents to aid his mother and his community.

Compassionate - Unlike the patriarchal man, the matriarchal man is not taught that his emotions are a shameful thing to be repressed. Rather, he is encouraged to explore his feelings and develop empathy with those around him. As he interacts with other women and men he learns to understand their emotions, what makes them happy or sad or fearful, and to understand how these make him feel. In this way, the matriarchal man learns compassion, and the inner peace that comes with good emotional health.

2. The Husband

Honest - The matriarchal man does not need to present a false front to the world, because he is comfortable with himself and with his needs. Free from the constraints of controlling and conflict-ridden patriarchal sexuality, which pits men against one another at the expense of women, he may pursue his relationships openly and honestly. The matriarchal man is honest in his interactions with women and men because he is valued for who he truly is, and not for chasing a false ideal of masculinity.

Supportive - The matriarchal woman is strong, but only the Mother Goddess can bring life into this world alone. As a husband, the matriarchal man must have the strength and intelligence to support his wife as she goes through the hardships of her time. Even before this, he must be her partner in forming the central unit of any society: the family. Therefore, the matriarchal man must be ready and capable of supporting his wife with his labors, and to offer her his learned advice in difficult situations.

Brave - The Mother Goddess has granted the male a greater physical strength than the female, and has not done this without purpose. Those who fall from the Enlightened Path are capable of any injury, and may seek to harm others. Just as the mother is weakened by Her miracle of life, so to do the weak of society require his protection. The matriarchal male must be prepared to defend his family and his society, and to lend his strength and ability to this defense. Though he may fear for his own life, the matriarchal male knows that he must take this risk for the greater good.

3. The Father

Nurturing - As a father, it is the duty of the matriarchal man to ensure that his most precious gift, his children, have everything that they need to grow healthy, happy, and strong. Whether this means maintaining a safe and clean home to live in, taking care of their daily needs, or obtaining the resources necessary for their development, he is driven to provide for the welfare of the next generation.

Selfless - Once he has seen his children born into this world, the matriarchal man knows instinctively that nothing is more precious. He will gladly and willingly sacrifice his own well being to ensure the well being of his children, and will face any obstacle or challenge to ensure their safety. The needs of his children become his identity, and through them all the needs of humanity become his identity. Therefore, the matriarchal man moves beyond the vanity of the individual and becomes selfless.

Guiding - Having spent his life acquiring knowledge and experience about the world around him, the matriarchal man is eager to pass his knowledge on to the next generation. To his daughters and sons he will convey all that he knows, to help them grow, develop their own abilities, and to promote the fullest of their potential. He will share this knowledge too with any who seek it, in order to spread its merits freely and humbly for the betterment of all.

And so it can be said that the matriarchal man is respectful, contributive, compassionate, honest, supportive, brave, nurturing, selfless, and guiding. Though his virtues, the matriarchal man earns the honor of his mother, the respect of his wife, and the admiration of his children.

But wait, you may ask, are these not also the attributes of the matriarchal female? Is the matriarchal woman not also expected to exhibit respect, compassion, honesty, bravery, and selflessness, and to work hard to contribute to, support, nurture, guide both her children and her society? A rhetorical question, dear reader, for that is exactly correct.

A matriarchal society promotes and celebrates these traits in its women as much as in its men.

That is because in a matriarchal society, the feminine is exalted in all people. Where the patriarch divides his world cruelly into the categories of "masculine" and "feminine," the matriarch promotes the only the "feminine!" Where the patriarch attempts to restrain humanity to fit his own deluded image, the matriarch fosters the natural state of "femininity" in all people, regardless of their gender.

And so the questions must be asked: who is the more unequal? The Patriarch, who's construction of the world forces conflict between man and man, who restricts both his women and his men to an unnatural stereotype? The Egalitarian, who is told that to find its place in society it must suppress and deny its gender, and therefore must fumble for purpose? Or the Matriarch, who promotes the feminine ideal in both man and woman and holds them to the same purpose, the same merits?

True, the matriarchal male is not often required to lead his nation. But this is not because he is oppressed. Rather, it is because his ideals are already embodied in the leadership of the feminine, a leadership to which he already contributes and to which he naturally belongs. And he is always ready, as the Prince-Regent and the Foreign Minister of the Shrailleeni Empire are, to take up the responsibilities of leadership should his abilities be required. In the rare cases that he must do so, his values guard him against the dangers of oppression or abuse of power, and promote in him the compassion and wisdom that are his nature.

I have little doubt that this treatise will be ridiculed by the patriarch, who by his nature cannot afford to understand the virtues of the matriarchal man. But I hope that some will read this and understand the values that matriarchy promotes, values that promote the best in all peoples, that promote peace and compassion. I hope that some will see that matriarchy is not the crude mirror image of patriarchy, but rather its own path distinct in its qualities and aspirations.

I am Professor Retlek Yaserra, and I am proud to be a matriarchal man.

"Hoo... Aaalllrriiht. Just because 'ah feel like pickin' arguments. That's just a little thing called embracin' yer feminine side, lad! No matriarchy required, no patriarchy required. Ah' knoo that the rest o' tha world 'as yet tah figure it oot... But it's just called 'not being a dick.'"
~Iola Kamuzu, Ministress of Culture.

"What my colleague means to say is that it is not a necessity to have a matriarchy to encourage feminity, nor is feminity the end all, be all, superior expression. While what you say is wise and idealistic, in the context of Gloria Regis's revolution, succumbing to this ideology makes you just as much of a sheep as the Regis believe our women are to men. You see, Caelestiam is influenced greatly by China, and a lot of us in government subscribe to certain Taoist beliefs. Can't have yin without yang, can't have yang without yin. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being in touch with testosterone, or being 'manly' or whathaveyou. Same goes for feminity. Achieve a balance in all things and you have harmony, which is what we have achieved in Caelestiam."
~Alistan Malique, Minister of Faith.

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

"Hoo... Aaalllrriiht. Just because 'ah feel like pickin' arguments. That's just a little thing called embracin' yer feminine side, lad! No matriarchy required, no patriarchy required. Ah' knoo that the rest o' tha work 'as yet tah figure it oot... But it's just called 'not being a dick.'"
~Iola Kamuzu, Ministress of Culture.

"What my colleague means to say is that it is not a necessity to have a matriarchy to encourage feminity, nor is feminity the end all, be all, superior expression. While what you say is wise and idealistic, in the context of Gloria Regis's revolution, succumbing to this ideology makes you just as much of a sheep as the Regis believe our women are to men. You see, Caelestiam is influenced greatly by China, and a lot of us in government subscribe to certain Taoist beliefs. Can't have yin without yang, can't have yang without yin. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being in touch with testosterone, or being 'manly' or whathaveyou. Same goes for feminity. Achieve a balance in all things and you have harmony, which is what we have achieved in Caelestiam."
~Alistan Malique, Minister of Faith.

Honorable greetings to you, Lady Iola Kamuzu and Minister of Faith Alistan Malique,

It is not usual for me to be addressed in correspondence by foreign government officials. I apologize for any misunderstanding, English was regrettably not my primary area of study, and I rely largely on the masterful translation efforts of my colleagues and assistants for correspondence.

Firstly, I think that we can all appreciate the sentiments of "simply choosing to be a good person" (there appeared to be some hesitation to this translation, I hope that it is accurate). However, this raises the question of what it means to be a good person. Depending on how one is raised, this may prove to mean very different things. A patriarch may, for example, feel that it is "good" to keep the women of his family isolated from the outside world (a sentiment common among certain varieties of the Islam religion). To us, this is controlling and oppression, but for him it is common sense. There are systems of learning right from wrong. I am simply offering that matriarchy is the superior of these systems.

Indeed, it must be mentioned that the use of the term "feminine side" is victim of a logical failing. What you consider "feminine," I consider to be the human ideal.

It is certainly not necessary to have a matriarchy in order to encourage femininity. But if to encourage femininity is your goal, then I would argue that matriarchy is the only logical outcome. I would also argue that there are few to none inherently "masculine" ideals that lead to the benefit of a society.

I know little of the Taoist believes, but I do know something of balance and harmony. These are well known concepts in my homeland, however, I would not ascribe the ideals of matriarchy itself to this balance, rather to aspects within it (compassion balanced by the need for defensive action, for example). I also know something of cultures rooted in the concept of "China," such as the nation Hostillia in our region. These cultures are unashamedly patriarchal, often assigning women to a place profoundly subordinate to men, to the extent that they value the potential for male children over the lives of their existing female children. Caelestiam seems to have risen above this culture, but your ways are your own.

The ways of Gloria Regis are their own as well. As are the ways of we Shrailleeni our own. What I say lies in the context of millennia of our own great civilization, which is at its heart matriarchal in nature. For the revolution of Gloria Regis, I simply hope to offer a path that they may choose to take, but ultimately the choice is theirs. They have experience much that neither of our cultures has, and cannot be judged in the same light. I am no government official, but unless my Sisters in Gloria Regis choose to descend into utterly barbarity I am confident that my Mother Empress will continue to support their right to independent self-government, and I believe that this is right.

I thank you for your correspondence, many the Light of the Mother Goddess shine upon you and upon your peoples,

Professor Retlek Yaserra

[Arbites]

Governor's Office
Cirpi, Krutongo

The capital of Krutongo was Cirpi, an old Cornellian outpost that grew into the province's foremost trading post. It was a study in contrasts. On the outskirts there were farms and huts. Factory workers and recent arrivals lived in new but hastily-constructed housing projects. There were markets throughout the city, with many merchants peddling their wares much the same as they had for generations. There was constant haggling, pushy vendors, and teeming masses with plenty of rough edges. Imperial officials, on the other hand, lived in villas surrounded by lush gardens and greenery, often in an Old World colonial style reminiscent of the upper-class areas of other tropical locales. Imperial officials who had visited both cities often made a comparison to Fineberg. The governor's office was a somewhat nondescript, modern-looking building. Given the threat of war, Imperial planners judged it might be best not to make critical government buildings particularly prominent.

'Perfect timing,' Lieutenant-Governor Corley thought begrudgingly, checking his watch as he advanced through the halls of the Governor's Office. He was a thin man with a long nose and an uncompromising demeanor, and he typically functioned as Rogatus' attack dog and chief advisor. He also knew damn well that Rogatus at this time of day was heavily preoccupied.

There was a muffled rhythmic sound of rocking furniture as he approached. Corley quickly knocked on the door. From behind the door he heard an annoyed "What?!"

"Baukis is dead," Corley reported bluntly. It got quiet fast. There were footsteps inside the room, more than just one person. He thought he faintly heard the sound of a belt buckle being adjusted. After another awkward minute the door opened. Confronted with Governor Rogatus, it was surprising how quickly he always managed to clean himself up, now the picture of professionalism. There was no one else in the room.

"How did it happen?" the governor asked grimly.

"He was shot dead at a rally by a feminist. His assassin was wearing a Gloria Regian flag. Reportedly she proclaimed him a 'stooge of the Imperium' as she shot him multiple times," Corley replied.

The governor didn't react at first aside from shaking his head. He motioned for Corley to have a seat while he went to the liquor cabinet. Pouring them both a glass of scotch, Rogatus rather quickly downed his hoping to calm his mind.

"The Deadorans and Shrailleen will of course deny any involvement, yet this was a victory for them," Rogatus mused. "The Federalists are now headless as we face potentially overwhelming odds on the border and seas. Our list of allies in the Gulf is shrinking by the day. What is happening in Valik?"

"By the Emperor's will, the assassination appears to have turned some popular opinion against the feminists. There are clashes outside the embassies of feminist nations, ironically carried out by communists of all people," Corley replied.

Rogatus took a moment to think while he poured himself another glass. He took his time with this one. "Very well, we should be clear: Mikas Baukis is a martyr. His party and ideals are being suppressed by international feminism. Valik is under attack, just as Krutongo is. Furthermore, the assassination, formation of exclusionary trade blocs, and the blockade speak to the territorial and political ambitions of international feminism, which is blatantly hostile to Imperial interest in the Gulf. After all, one of their adherents was driven to the point of assassinating the leader of a significant political party for his religious and political beliefs."

"So that's our message. What should we do in the more immediate term?"

"We should move to prevent a leadership crisis within the Federalists, lest they squander this opportunity. Bishop Gascoigne may serve us well in that...he was one of Baukis' inner circle, knows the party well. He should be able to rally the party in the wake of Baukis' death, direct their outrage productively, promote a new party leader who will serve our interests," Rogatus said. "The assassination should be viewed in the context of an ongoing feminist plot to dominate the Gulf."

"Understood, governor, I'll contact the party leadership with condolences and His Holiness with a plan of action," Corley said.

To: Janos Magyari, Acting Federalist Party Leader
From: Governor Rogatus, Krutongo
Subject: Assassination
Encryption: Hand-delivered

The Imperium is shocked and appalled at the callous murder of Mikas Baukis. He is with the Emperor now, and will be welcomed into heaven for his faith and dedication to justice and morality. We shall grieve for him, as his leadership will be sorely missed in these trying times. The Order Eidos as I understand it is putting out a memorial piece which outlines Baukis' long service and officially canonizing him as a martyr.

In these trying times, those of the faith find themselves assailed by feminists looking to force their ways of life on Cornellia. Krutongo faces a blockade by the Deadorans which amounts to an act of war, and now they have murdered the leader of the Federalist Party. I fear that we are already under attack. We must look to Baukis' example, who was called home by the Emperor while doing his good work.

The feminists have unveiled their true colors. Now is the time to act. All of Valik must know that this is the face of feminism. This is the true nature of the architects of the SAEC, and assassinations, intimidation tactics, and chaos are ultimately what every party will face at the hands of international feminism.

We are arranging for His Holiness Bishop Gascoigne will provide the Federalist Party with financial and material support in anticipation of feminist aggression. In the meantime, we hope that the question of party leadership will be settled relatively quickly. Baukis would not want his brothers to quarrel amongst themselves for his position, only that they continue to do their duty to the Emperor. Right now the focus is on the undisciplined communist scourge, which means we have an opportunity to carry out more civil demonstrations.

It is the opinion of my government that the Federalists should step up their activism. Advisors can assist the party in planning demonstrations, media coverage, and applying pressure upon those who would give feminist assassins a free pass. We should start with the assassination. As far as I know, there has already been controversy over Gloria Regis in Valik. The assassin was clad in a Gloria Regian flag. This sort of connection cannot be discounted. The murderer of Mikas Baukis was bound to have known associates. They are almost certainly suspect, and the government should be pressured to mount an investigation.

As the Federalists have stood by Krutongo, so shall we stand by the Federalists, for it is written that he who stands with me shall be my brother.

By His Glorious Name,
Charles Rogatus
Governor of Krutongo

[Herodas]

Heraclea, Gloria Regis

The "Herodas Letter" as it came to be called, had a divisive effect on the Feminist Collective Party. While the Protector, Livia Barberina, was more worried about counter-revolutionary sentiment and foreign hostility, she had given a great deal of control of security over to Theodora Ferrovius and her followers. Dr. Servilia Aemlianus, the Vice-Protector, had been more concerned about trying to balance Ferrovius' policies against the vital need to not have the country descend into complete poverty.

While the Protector had thanked the Herodas letter writers politely and told them their suggestions would be taken under advisement, the reading of it aloud by a derisive Chloe Lokris at another Bountiful Park meeting and then by Aemilianus herself at a meeting of the Council of Guardians broke the year long truce in the different factions of the Party.

Admiral Clytemnestra Hortensius, the Chief of Defense Staff, gave a testimony to the Council of Guardians and explained her own views on the matter.

"I think that the guidelines proposed by the Student Union are extreme," she said in her slow measured way. "In our Revolution, women and men worked together. I fought for this country's independence because I believed that men and women ought to be equal and I did not believe we could do that in the colonial system we were under. I saw too much sexual harassment and unfair discrimination against women. However without our male comrades we could not have succeeded in the mutiny which was one of the main reasons why we were able to free ourselves. I am not in agreement with the Code of Conduct. I will not ask my male comrades who are officers and petty officers to resign, and i will not be party to forming our army under those circumstances. If need be I will resign, though I will be unhappy to do so."

Hortensius had been reluctant to speak up about policy. She had strongly been determined to not interfere with civilian control of the military.

Guardian of Justice Theodora Ferrovius spoke in response. "I think that the Admiral is one of our greatest heroes. I will honour her to my dying day. But with all respect to her, she has said herself that her expertise is in military matters. But her advice is well received, and I think that we should keep the Code of Conduct under advisement and review both proposed ideas."

Theodora had no intention of locking horns with Hortensius when the woman scarcely had to buy a drink for herself in the capital. The Student Union had other work they could be focused on, persuading more students and other citizens to join the Party. All good things in good time. The other Guardians in the Council chimed in. The important thing, Theodora later told Julianna Aspen, her right hand and the Guardian of Police, that "we have political control. It's important to test the waters from time to time."

To: Field Marshal Sanja Salta
Chief of the Federal General Staff and appointed spokesperson (and co-signatories)
From: Vice-Protector Dr. Servilia Aemilianus, Guardian of Justice Theodora Ferrovius
Subject: Guidelines

---

Dear Field Marshal and friends,

We are glad that your letter is so supportive of our Revolution. So often 'criticism' is not creative or helpful but simply tells us to surrender all our beliefs and submit to the Patriarchy. I am sure you will be glad to know that our most senior officer, Admiral Clytemnestra Hortensius, supported your views and was a deciding figure in having us table the Code of Conduct for the time being. We will be studying your proposal as well as the Marcello-Lokris proposal thoroughly over the next few months.

It is very interesting to us to hear about your country's background when it comes to equality. Would it be possible to have a delegation visit your nation, and vice-versa, to have cultural exchange, explore trade and possible closer relations?

In friendship,
Dr. Servilia Aemlianus, Vice-Protector
Theodora Ferrovius, Guardian of Justice

The smiles between the two women seemed to Livia to look mutually friendly, but she had a sinkng heart. Her left and right hand probably had never had a more subtle yet more clear declaration of rivalry. She feared it might one day tear their Revolution apart. Ferrovius might control the police and justice officials as well as having mobs of zealous radicals at her becka nd call, but Servilia was more popular among the rather more moderate Navy and Marines, the only regular military personnel the nation had as yet. Livia was the main figure supported by their foreign allies--the Shrailleeni, Deadorans, Jedorians, and Anathaat. Socialist nations which supported Gloria Regis also identified Livia as more of an ally than the other two leaders. She had been a strong ally to the Communist Party when it had still been strong in the country. But she was feeling more and more as though she had to stretch between two extreme positions to keep the Party together...

To:

Dr. Servilia Aemlianus, Vice-Protector.
Theodora Ferrovius, Guardian of Justice.

From: Field Marshal Sanja Salta and company.

Subject: Your reply.

Dear Vice-Protector,
Dear Guardian,
it is good to know, that constructive criticism is appreciated. Too often, even the most well meant criticism is repulsed because it does not work well with established beliefs. We were a bit afraid, that our cut on purple prose might lead to a rejection of the proposed new guidelines.

As for sending a delegation: A civilian delegation will always be welcome. If need should arise, I would be honoured to offer my personal hospitality. Several of my "co-conspirators" signalled their interest in housing such a mission as well.
We are currently budgeoning Mister Demertzis, our Foreign Minister, and President Maximos, our President, to allow an official, governmental delegation, but we do not expect any major problems to arise.

We wish you the best for your future. May wisdom and reason govern your land, may sharp spears protect your land and may rich harvests grace your fields.
Signed,
Field Marshal Sanja Salta
Chief of the Federal General Staff and appointed spokesperson.

[Kovruka]

Imperial Palace - Keveron, Kovruka

A new reunion held on the throne room was taking place. Minister Vivi Judith was proud to present the newest propaganda video recording to the Emperor Eivan. General Traugott, who had the sole purpose of opposing the idea, was also present. He tried to convince Lord Eivan to discard such a soft and diplomatic measure, asserting that Gloria Regis was nothing but a "ticking time bomb that had to be defused as soon as possible". The Emperor simply ignored his requests and ordered the Minister to begin.

The video in question displayed several images and recordings of kovrukan men and women working together in almost every sector of the Empire: the different kovrukan industries, schools, medical instalations, food distribution centers, and the Urban Guard. A march, very popular in Kovruka, accompanied the slideshow. By turns, a pair of narrators, one female and one male, recited the following speech:

"We, humans, have born from the same soil, both men and women. We have been given everything that makes us humans by the same God. And to His merciful eyes, we are all His beloved children. He made us equal, not superior or inferior to one another. The Kovrukan Peace has been acheived by His holy will, because He saw His creation in peril, and wanted to save it from itself. During our centuries of struggle, no kovrukan has been brought down for their gender, as we cannot defy the First Divine Law our Lord has given to us. Men have a main purpose in this world , and women also have one, and to protect this sacred plan we fought corruption until nothing of it was left on the Empire. Now we enjoy a True Peace, on which everyone respects their fellow citizens, without prejudices, without discrimination, regardless of age, of gender, for all of us are equal." After this last sentence, both voices began speaking together. "This world will not have a proper balance as long as a single senseless extremism exists. We must all join under the guide of our Creator and Savior, for He wishes to see His children united! No patriarchy! No matriarchy! Only one whole humanity! True Peace! True Strength!" The video ends with several images of citizens, urban sentinels and soldiers of the Krigsmaskine saluting kovrukan flags.

"Perfect." Said the satisfied Emperor. "Begin the broadcast as soon as possible, and to the highest amount of nations. Also, include it on the normal television programming, it is going to rise some spirits."

"Of course, your Majesty." Replied the Minister. "Although, it might me a bit difficult considering our past international attitude."

"Indeed. These are harsh times, especially for an Empire that has been so closed to the exterior. But we must spread our influence, step by step. It is crucial for us to communicate God's desires and accomplish them. Do what you may consider necessary." The Minister then bowed down and left the room.

General Traugott, who had to remain silent during the slideshow, spoke to the Emperor. "You are being too soft, my Lord. With the proper intelligence and preparation, the Krigsmaskine could have ended this in no time! We could stop this and prevent any damage to our society!"

"My Mother was quite belligerent, wasn't she?" Replied Lord Eivan, confusing the soldier. "I cannot blame her, she had to live through a hard time, and force was the only proper course of action. I also cannot blame you for thinking like you think. You had to obey her orders, right? For that reason you are accustomed to violence. But this is not the time for that, God has a different task for us today. Now that Kovruka is safe from corruption, we have to save other nations, be it by force or by preaching, and for now we must preach. Worry not, the Empire will bring a real model of peace, and all of us must work and fight to acheive that."

The General now had a humbled look on his face. Once the Emperor ended, he knelt down to his ruler for a few seconds, then stood up and left.

"At least, he seems to understand. Sadly, I still have to test him. My Mother is no longer the Empress. Right now, I am the heart of Kovruka, for I am the Emperor." Said Lord Eivan inwardly.

[United Valik]

Magyari was pleased at how things had turned out so far. As always, despite the secular origins of the party and its roots in fascist ideology, the "New Direction" that Baukis had provided with Magyari's and Bishop Gascoigne's influence which led to his eventual conversion was proving more than useful in leading the Federalists onto a more beneficial path for the party and the nation. Sure enough, after consulting with the Bishop (and more than a little prayer), Magyari had, as acting Chairman, been easily able to convince first his fellow Magi, all five brethren, and then the three Christians, the single Jew, and the two Patrians to come around. There had been some rivalry (as noted before), but in short order the sole alternative candidate, Walter Kaplan, withdrew and voted for Magyari.

In the process, he also pointed the single agnostic on the Council, one Stepan Karolski, to the Bishop's spiritual guidance, and the man, who had been going through a lot of anxiety, found solace in faith in the wake of sudden desertion by his wife. By the time that the vote was done, there were now 7 Magi on the General Council, with Karolski their newest convert among the leadership. The Magi takeover of the General Council progressed even as the party remained strong in the DMZ and the feminist menace drew more undecided and disaffected voters to its ranks. Something told Magyari that the next elections would see remarkable gains by the Federalists, due to their seemingly prescient stance against Gloria Regis. It was parties that most fervently advocated for recognition that would be punished at the polls. The sympathy vote from Baukis's murder, angering as that had been, would surely help as well. Even the single atheist on the General Council, Lars Hansunn, was more sympathetic to the Imperium now and convinced that the crackdown in GR had been justified, as had the killing of Nelson Smith.

The rest had been surprisingly basic. With the funding now available to them, the Federalists began organizing anti-GR and anti-SAEC rallies in Glauconeum, Orzech, Herculaneum, Matisse, Rudnik, and Valikgrad, all of them drawing crowds well beyond official party registration numbers. Formally, these were single-issue rallies against "The Feminist Peril," but unofficially, they were also a recruitment drive for new Federalists, including Young Federalists, a new student organization. These were now combating the feminists and other radicals on college campuses, too, along with promoting a variation of the "morality pledge" that was a lot more doable than the "abstinence" pledge favored by some Christian student groups. Many of the Young Federalists were freshly converted Magi, so in spite of the official secularism of the party, they increasingly thought of the movement as a religious bloc one and worked double time on converting fellow members to the faith as well as the party.

The upshot was a 10% increase in positive views of the Federalists and a 5 to 7% rise in sympathy with the Imperium in various polls conducted within a week of Baukis's assassination. And while the Communists continued to heap abuse on the foreign and domestic feminists, albeit verbally, the Federalists kept their distance and simply marched and rallied well away from where they could interact with the Shrailleeni, Deadorans, and Gloria Regians. It was a much more concerted effort to avoid the overt aggression of the Reds, to portray Federalism as a more civilized alternative and a "clean, sober" face of patriarchy.

In the meantime, Magyari was soon able to write back that...

To: Governor Rogatus, Krutongo
From: Janos Magyari, Acting Federalist Party Leader
Subject: Assassination
Encryption: Hand-delivered

Your Excellency,

I am pleased to hear from you and to also inform you that, so far, our efforts are very much on track. Thanks to additional resources made available to us courtesy of His Holiness, as well as new donations from converts to the faith, not only has our party gained positive attention and support for its drive to remove United Valik from SAEC and exact retribution against Gloria Regis and the Feminists for their crimes against the Emperor and mankind, but we have also gained new party members, including among our youth/student wing. We have also seen figures in terms of conversion, largely at the expense of spiritually orphaned atheists disaffected with both the Ruinous Powers and materialistic world-views.

I am also pleased to report that the election internally has gone through smoothly and I am now the duly elected permanent Chairman of the General Council, with the option to co-opt one new member to the General Council (which I will work to make sure is a brother, thus giving us a clear majority for the faith on the governing body at last). I have also managed to steer an agnostic member toward the faith with the Bishop's able assistance, giving us half the members on our side already.

I hope to have further good news in the near future, as we are still working for expanding the faith's hold on the party, making it more totally under our thumb.

In His Glorious Name,
Janos Magyari, Chairman of the General Council

[Anathaat]

Heraclea, Gloria Regis

Panting and sweating, Hōdanathit Zibmuut pulled herself off the body of her exhausted partner with a large smile plastered across her face. There was a reason she had chosen the woman to be her public partner and she had not disappointed. Certainly such arrangements as she had were often strictly business contracts and a means to cement a woman’s social standing in Anathaat. At the same time though, there was nothing saying that you could not fuck your partner and it was not something that was uncommon or frowned upon either. “Issal,” Hōdanathit spoke after taking a deep breath and exhaling, “Once you can get moving I want you to get yourself dressed and let my husband know that we will be dining at six.”

Issal nodded her head panted out her response, “Of course....Hōdanathit...I’ll let...him know.” Hōdanathit nodded and took in the slender, well formed physique of Issal with her deep green eyes. She then leaned over the other woman and straightened her wildly disheveled black hair. “Thank you Issal. I haves some business to attend to right now, but I will be back in a few hours. Rest up a bit and have a bite to eat.” She then smiled widely again, “We might need to go again later and we need to keep our strength up.”

Hōdanathit then bathed and dressed herself in a lightweight cotton outfit consisting of a earthy yellow sleeveless tunic, a pair of matching wide legged pants, and a pair of sandals. She then braided her long obsidian hair and left for her office. She was the government of Anathaat’s military liaison and advisor in Gloria Regis and she had become more busy as of late. Tensions were growing within the island again and that meant that Anathaat might need to further strengthen its position. Protests and other propaganda, difficulties within the ruling coalition, the ever present threat of overt and covert violence, and the recent killing of a blowhard allied with an unsavory nation really had things stirring.

Once she was in her office, Hōdanathit looked over a number of different reports. The Sacred Band was doing a good job of keeping Heraclea secure and training the defense forces of the young nation. They had also done a good job of bringing in the supplies needed to defend the Gloria Regis if the need arose. But, they only had access to so much and while their coffers were deep, they still did not match those of the Anathaati state. What was needed to ensure the security of the Regians was larger and more permanent force with a broad range of capabilities. That was something that the Queen Minister and legislature seemed to agree upon and support.

Once she had finished perusing the documents, she then logged into her computer and typed out a brief message to Livia Barberina, the Regian defense liaison responsible for Anathaat, and parties like the Shrai that had a vested interest in keeping Gloria Regis afloat as an independent and unified nation..

To all those it Concerns:
This is a reminder to all of you that the monthly defense review is tomorrow at 0900 at the usual location. Be prepared for long day and I eagerly await seeing all of you again.

Hōdanathit Zibmuut
Military Liaison to Gloria Regis
The Anathaat Ministry of War

[Gloria Regis]

The Matriarchal Male
A Treatise
by Professor Retlek Yaserra, Mother University

Reading the regional news lately it is clear that matriarchy and feminism, two distinct philosophies which share in common the female as their area of concentration, are the most controversial philosophies in Cornellia, and possibly the world. They are certainly more controversial than patriarchy, which is of course accepted as a standard of civilization, or egalitarianism, which is a system that paradoxically accepts patriarchy as the natural foundation of civilization from which it can then take narcissistic pride in rising above. It is clear that the oppression of women in any form will never create the same level of outrage and condemnation that the mere mention of "matriarchy" or "feminism" evokes in their detractors.

It is a patriarch's world, and the standards of that civilization dominate the discourse. The language of the patriarchs is power, domination, subjugation, and violence, and they encourage this language in their opponents in order to stoke the flames of their patriarchal egos. A patriarch's self-worth is dependent on his patriarchal "male-ness," which he must prove in combat physical or philosophical. To where, then, does the proponent of matriarchy or feminism turn? To engage the patriarch on his own terms demands by necessity that the matriarch abandon her values, and thus lose the fight before it is even begun.

This treatise intends to circumnavigate this problem by addressing the patriarch in matriarchal terms, to exalt the virtues of matriarchy without falling to his often crude argumentations. I can think of no better way to do this than to consider the arch-enemy of the patriarchal male, namely, the matriarchal male. The patriarchal male is terrified of a liberated woman because he fears that she shall treat him as he has treated her, he shouts down the feminist because he knows that her retribution would be righteous. But the matriarchal male knows this to be folly, because he knows that matriarchy is for him far superior in all ways to its alternatives.

The following are the attributes of the matriarchal male. These attributes can be grouped in the natural order of his development, from son to husband to father, in the manner shown:

1. The Son

Respectful - The son is born into this world knowing nothing but his mother. It is within her that he spends the first months of his life, receiving from her all that he needs, and trusting her to protect him and keep him safe. The trust extends into his early childhood, when a son is dependent on the guidance of his mother over the household in order to safely grow into a man. Therefore, the matriarchal man learns to trust and respect his mother, and by extension all women, as a figure of authority. He acknowledges that he will never have all of the answers, and gains the wisdom of humility.

Contributive - As the son grows, he begins to learn about the world outside of his household. He cannot be a passive actor in this world, rather, he must become an active contributor to his mother's household and to society, to make the most of the gift that his mother has given him. Therefore, the matriarchal man must keep his body and mind in good health by striving for an exemplary education and healthy lifestyle, and apply his talents to aid his mother and his community.

Compassionate - Unlike the patriarchal man, the matriarchal man is not taught that his emotions are a shameful thing to be repressed. Rather, he is encouraged to explore his feelings and develop empathy with those around him. As he interacts with other women and men he learns to understand their emotions, what makes them happy or sad or fearful, and to understand how these make him feel. In this way, the matriarchal man learns compassion, and the inner peace that comes with good emotional health.

2. The Husband

Honest - The matriarchal man does not need to present a false front to the world, because he is comfortable with himself and with his needs. Free from the constraints of controlling and conflict-ridden patriarchal sexuality, which pits men against one another at the expense of women, he may pursue his relationships openly and honestly. The matriarchal man is honest in his interactions with women and men because he is valued for who he truly is, and not for chasing a false ideal of masculinity.

Supportive - The matriarchal woman is strong, but only the Mother Goddess can bring life into this world alone. As a husband, the matriarchal man must have the strength and intelligence to support his wife as she goes through the hardships of her time. Even before this, he must be her partner in forming the central unit of any society: the family. Therefore, the matriarchal man must be ready and capable of supporting his wife with his labors, and to offer her his learned advice in difficult situations.

Brave - The Mother Goddess has granted the male a greater physical strength than the female, and has not done this without purpose. Those who fall from the Enlightened Path are capable of any injury, and may seek to harm others. Just as the mother is weakened by Her miracle of life, so to do the weak of society require his protection. The matriarchal male must be prepared to defend his family and his society, and to lend his strength and ability to this defense. Though he may fear for his own life, the matriarchal male knows that he must take this risk for the greater good.

3. The Father

Nurturing - As a father, it is the duty of the matriarchal man to ensure that his most precious gift, his children, have everything that they need to grow healthy, happy, and strong. Whether this means maintaining a safe and clean home to live in, taking care of their daily needs, or obtaining the resources necessary for their development, he is driven to provide for the welfare of the next generation.

Selfless - Once he has seen his children born into this world, the matriarchal man knows instinctively that nothing is more precious. He will gladly and willingly sacrifice his own well being to ensure the well being of his children, and will face any obstacle or challenge to ensure their safety. The needs of his children become his identity, and through them all the needs of humanity become his identity. Therefore, the matriarchal man moves beyond the vanity of the individual and becomes selfless.

Guiding - Having spent his life acquiring knowledge and experience about the world around him, the matriarchal man is eager to pass his knowledge on to the next generation. To his daughters and sons he will convey all that he knows, to help them grow, develop their own abilities, and to promote the fullest of their potential. He will share this knowledge too with any who seek it, in order to spread its merits freely and humbly for the betterment of all.

And so it can be said that the matriarchal man is respectful, contributive, compassionate, honest, supportive, brave, nurturing, selfless, and guiding. Though his virtues, the matriarchal man earns the honor of his mother, the respect of his wife, and the admiration of his children.

But wait, you may ask, are these not also the attributes of the matriarchal female? Is the matriarchal woman not also expected to exhibit respect, compassion, honesty, bravery, and selflessness, and to work hard to contribute to, support, nurture, guide both her children and her society? A rhetorical question, dear reader, for that is exactly correct.

A matriarchal society promotes and celebrates these traits in its women as much as in its men.

That is because in a matriarchal society, the feminine is exalted in all people. Where the patriarch divides his world cruelly into the categories of "masculine" and "feminine," the matriarch promotes the only the "feminine!" Where the patriarch attempts to restrain humanity to fit his own deluded image, the matriarch fosters the natural state of "femininity" in all people, regardless of their gender.

And so the questions must be asked: who is the more unequal? The Patriarch, who's construction of the world forces conflict between man and man, who restricts both his women and his men to an unnatural stereotype? The Egalitarian, who is told that to find its place in society it must suppress and deny its gender, and therefore must fumble for purpose? Or the Matriarch, who promotes the feminine ideal in both man and woman and holds them to the same purpose, the same merits?

True, the matriarchal male is not often required to lead his nation. But this is not because he is oppressed. Rather, it is because his ideals are already embodied in the leadership of the feminine, a leadership to which he already contributes and to which he naturally belongs. And he is always ready, as the Prince-Regent and the Foreign Minister of the Shrailleeni Empire are, to take up the responsibilities of leadership should his abilities be required. In the rare cases that he must do so, his values guard him against the dangers of oppression or abuse of power, and promote in him the compassion and wisdom that are his nature.

I have little doubt that this treatise will be ridiculed by the patriarch, who by his nature cannot afford to understand the virtues of the matriarchal man. But I hope that some will read this and understand the values that matriarchy promotes, values that promote the best in all peoples, that promote peace and compassion. I hope that some will see that matriarchy is not the crude mirror image of patriarchy, but rather its own path distinct in its qualities and aspirations.

I am Professor Retlek Yaserra, and I am proud to be a matriarchal man.

Online Comments
“Thank you for this very thoughtful explanation of the role of men in the Shrailleeni Empire. My Political Studies class discussed this article at university earlier today and we thought it was very interesting. There was some heated through friendly debate. Do you think that this system would work in a country that has not had centuries of development as a matriarchy, where there are generations of social injustice against women and demands on men which require them to fulfill roles that require them to support patriarchy?”
- Doria Canaris, Politics and Economics Undergraduate, Isis-Urania University

“I agree very much with the analysis at the start fo the article about the differences of approach between patriarchy egalitarianism and matriarchy. I have deep respect and love fro the Shrailleeni Empire and its people. I do have a question though: how do you think this approach to matriarchy measures against the approaches of the very different nations of Deadora, Anathaat, the Ali-Zebu Union, all of which have their own ethos about the roles of men and women? How is Gloria Regis to choose between them?”
- Julian Gregorius, History Undergraduate, Isis-Urania University

---

Dr. Eugenia Epimetheus sent an invitation to have the professor give a series of lectures at the university. His words had caused a bit of an excited stir. He would be offered the hospitality of the university which had a couple of guest houses for visiting dignitaries, with a graduate student who would act as a driver and assistant if he required it. It provoked a debate which Chloe Lokris called "Matriarchal Man or Radical Man?"

However the debate was denounced by some students, particularly ETC and pro-Roman students who claimed that it was in effect just about 'dancing on the head of a Feminist pin." There were no traditionalist views apparently invited and thse students said they would protest the discussion unless other views could be aired there.

As Julian, feeling happy about having attended a meeting of the Student Union which voted overwhelmingly to hold the debate and invite the professor, walked across the campus through a park area where students would go to work out, play games, study in the open air or picnic, he was suddenly struck violently from behind. As he fell, stunned, he received vicious kicks against his legs, his buttocks, and then, shocking him, between his legs. "Did you feel that, you faggot?" growled a deep voice. Another voice said, "Probably not, he cut off his balls to join the Party. You don't want this to happen again, start showing up in chapel and stop supporting the witches." The second voice was close enough that he was sure that it was this man who spat on him. Pain flaring redly, he tried to turn over but they suddenly kicked hsi books at his head and he cruled into a ball to protect his face and genitals from them. They suddenly ran off.

Feet pounded towards him, and he was afraid to move from his position, but they were exclaiming over hima nd shouting all at once. "You'd better run, you bastards!" shouted one young man.

"Oh no, are you alright?" said a female voice softly as she put hands on him and tried to turn him over.

"Oh my God, they just attacked him..." another woman exclaimed.

"Hey friend, we're going to help you..." anotehr male voice said.

He was ashamed that they should see him like this, that eh had not been able to act quickly, had been overwhelmed so easily. One of the women wore a whistle and a tank top that read 'S.U. SECURITY' and was blowing her whistle.

It was not the only such incident. Though the police and military had disarmed the population, they could not prevent people from hitting one another, they could not stop tools being converted to weapons, could not be everywhere at once. How many incidents had taken place was not yet known, but Chloe Lokris described it as "a reign of terror' and sent a message to Theodora Ferrovius and Julianna Aspen requesting more security on campus and recommended a curfew for male students not in the Student Union.

[Gloria Regis]

The Palace of the Protector,
Heraclea, Gloria Regis

The Protector, Livia Barberina was a thin woman with long limbs, long brown hair streaked with grey in a high ponytail, a thin and long nosed face with huge eyes. She had graceful fingers well suited to playing the piano or guitar, and often wore flowing classically styled robes in simple colours. While she was in a building styled a palace, it was in fact a place of work and relaxation. It had been decorated with rugs, local artwork, and was the main place of business for the Council of Guardians. Her own offices contained bookshelves, musical instruments, plants, and had access to a terrace gardenw here she liked to work and think.

Livia enjoyed having ordinary families, children, students and workers visit her there and share their views and concerns, and at least once a week would have such a group of people visit her for tea or a meal.

Now, from her terrace, sitting ona stone bench draped with a fringed green cloth, she sat and spoke to a camera.

“My fellow Gloria Regians and people of the world, I have been watching some of the responses from other countries where people are worried about our policies. We have heard from Emperor Eivan of Kovruka who expressed concern lest we not be egalitarian. King Mathias Andouin of Caelestiam also expressed grave concerns and said that we were hypocritical. Kaziman DuQieng, Paladin-Harbinger and Ministress of War gave us a warning: we must make sure that we allow people to leave our country and go to their country, and if we interfere or offer the emigrants or the Caelestiam people any harm, we will answer for it.

“We have also heard advice from Professor Retlek Yaserra, Mother University, who advises that we modify our perspective to suit a Shrailleeni view of what it is to be a man in a matriarch country.

“I want to reassure all people that our intentions are peaceful. We are struggling to maintain our independence, to establish our self definition and liberate our society from patriarchy. I envy those peoples in the world who did not have to do this, I really do. But I hope that people see that our country must find its own way, to pursue a peaceful and lawful way to free our people from centuries long oppression. If that path is through feminism, so be it. If it is through matriarchy,s o be it. But I cannot accept the idea that we must use patriarchal approaches to fight against the oppression of patriarchy.

“We will not offer anyone any harm who does not offer us harm. We will accept that if male citizens want to leave, they can. But already thousands of men have joined the Feminist Collective party. They see the love, the hope that our revolution offers. We will gladly maintain the integrity of our diplomacy. We will trade with nations that do not seek to interfere in our politics and our independence. We will have peace, but we will never accept peace at the price of our independence, our pursuit of freedom. I would like to remind people of the words or our national anthem.

Every boy in this land
Grows to be his own man
In this land every girl
Grows to be her own woman
Take my hand come along
Lend your voice to my song
Come with take my hand
And we’ll run
To a land where the river runs free
To a land of a green country
To a land where the horses run free
To a land of a shining sea
And you and me are free to be
You and me.

“May you all be blessed and at peace.”

[Gloria Regis]

Thea Military Reserve
Gloria Regis

Admiral Clytemnestra Hortensius read the letter from
Hōdanathit Zibmuut. She tapped her fingers on her desk and sent a positive reply, but her private thoughts were very concerned. While the politicians debated and argued about curfews, codes of conduct, communes and whatnot she had to figure out how to defend the country if it came to that.

There were about five thousand recruits training for the Army of Gloria Regis. Roughly a third of them had served in the Feminist Militia during the Revolutionary War. A number of them had died, got PTSD or were wounded during the Revolution. Hortensius was painfully aware of some facts about these recruits. They had actually never really won anything, though they had been full of courage and zeal. They had lost several battles in the streets against the End Times Church Militia, a patriarchal Christian organization who fought naked and as far as she knew had abused and raped female prisoners. This disgusted her but it was a concern. Then when the New Edomite Army had occupied the city, they had done even more poorly. One could make all manner of excuses for this—a lack of military experience on the aprt of their personnel and leaders, lack of equipment, lack of preparation, communications and supply. It didn’t change a thing in her opinion—she was dubious about their value as recruits.

Then there were the newer ones, which she split into two general categories. The most numerous were interestingly woen and some men who had fled the country a few years ago when the new Edomite government had been purging feminists. These had in some cases served as military or paramilitary personnel in matriarchal and feminist countries. By far these were the best recruits she had. They were generally more disciplined and ready for service, and some had been quickly promoted to command training squads and to help guide the more raw recruits in basic military skills. Then there were the last and least numerous quantity of recruits—the ones who had joined after the Revolution. These troubled her. Feminist rhetoric was not exactly pro-military in the country, and most of those who might have joined the military had ended up in police or paramilitary units.

She heard reports of training units riddled with political discussions with challenges to traditional military hierarchies as patriarchal. She heard of some recruits wanting an entire reformation, that they should entirely model themselves after foreign military structures from matriarchal or feminist nations. Hortensius didn’t care as long as they got trained and codl defend the country.

For the Navy, there were 3 frigates, 2 corvettes and 6 patrol boats. There were also fifteen multi-role fighters, three maritime patrol aircraft, six training jets, 3prop driven medium cargo planes, and 11 helicopters. A battalion of marines called the Sea Guards were probably the most efficient and professional infantry she had. They had a single company of mechanized troops; the rest were light infantry with access to trucks. Without the Sacred Band they couldn’t defend the capital even for a day.

As she looked out and watched a platoon of Sea Guards going through rifle drill with brisk efficiency, she had the grim awareness that there were not enough of them. Would her recruits be enough, would the Anathaat advisers demonstrate that they could handle the job?

Only the review would reveal that for certain. She had finished reviewing the navy over the previous week, and was satisfied at least that they could do their jobs. She did want a bigger pool of naval recruits. Right now the nation could not afford a much larger fleet, but she had sent a message to the Council of Guardians that establishing a formal naval reserve was a vital thing to budget for. Right now all she had was an informal one fo veterans who had agreed to serve if required, but there was no funding to provide for their transport or communication with them, or for maintenance of training.

“Pilots, navigators, gunners, weapons officers, machinists, signalers, pharmacists and so on do not grow on trees, “she had written to Dr. Aemilianus. “We must at least have monthly training schedules for reservists in case we require them in future…”

She had requested that the Anathaat, Shrailleeni, Jedorian and Deadoran advisers help the country form the followign units:
- 4 infantry battalions
- 1 armoured battalion
- 1 artillery battalion
- 1 signals company
- 1 engineer company
- 1 NBC engineer company

Nothing too fantastic, nothing too romantic. Where they'd get their own tanks from was anyone's guess though. Maybe one of their allies would donate some or lend them some? She put in a request for that to their trading partners and allies: tanks, APCs, artillery, Infantry fighting vehicles, air defense pieces. They needed so much, she could hardly get by on dash and fire and ideology.

She smiled to herself. Hortensius didn't flatter herself that she was a military genius or great warrior. she didn't look like those beautiful and proud Anathaat Sacred Band warrior women; she was a bit round faced, snub nosed, with glasses she had to wear, with dull dark brown hair in a short bob, a sturdy body, neither fat nor thin, neither graceful nor clumsy but s serviceable as a lug wrench. She wasn't even a dashing naval pilot but a dependable surface warfare officer, trained to make steady cool headed calculations about trajectory patterns, navigational decisions, follow weather patterns and calculate charts efficiently, She knew how to prepare training schedules and operational evolutions. Not romantic, but she'd lek tos ee one of these lovely woman do a complicated refueling at sea in rough weather.

[Gloria Regis]

To: Field Marshal Sanja Salta
Chief of the Federal General Staff
From: Dr. Servilia Aemilianus, Vice-Protector
Subject: State Visit

---

Dear Field Marshal,

First, on behalf of my government and country, i am very honoured that you wuold invite me into your private home, and I will gladly accept the invitation. I would like very much both as a citizen of my country and as head of government to visit yours.

Second, I hope we can work out some of the details of what would be discussed. I am hoping we can talk about cultural exchange, educational exchange and trade first and foremost. I do not know if you are aware but there are former trading partners who have all but put sanctions against us for some of our acts of legislation. Unlike your government which was cool headed and thoughtful, these other governments like United Valik simply slapped enormous tariffs against our country and withdrew their embassy. We are not a monolith though.

Third, I hope it is understood that our government is approaching matriarchy by democratic process. While some seriously complain, our Party achieved a majority in the Assembly and adopted constitutional changes by a process of voting. I am personally wondering how much more radical change we need, and I think that a pause on constitutional shifts might be wise for the time being. however i also don't think you know much about our history. We have had to put up with the most violent forms of patriarchy including fascist movements, assassination and bombing campaigns, and the End Times Church militia, which engaged in a reign of terror in our cities before it was finally put down. It was only the intervention of military units which mutinied against our colonial masters on our behalf that we were not, frankly, all raped into submission. I wish that were only hyperbole.

We do not hate men. We do not want to oppress men. It is for this reason that I hope we can have good discussions and come to an understanding. Face to face meetings are probably best--to see one another as people and not as words and theories.

sincerely,
Dr. Servilia Aemilianus
Vice-Protector of Gloria Regis

[Late Roman Empire]

To: John Ashdod, Council Police Minister
From: Donatus Severianus Comes, Vigilus Primus
CC: Gloria Regis
Encryption: Highest

Ave,

My brother and colleague, this is a delicate matter, which the Divine Augustus had been loathe to contemplate until recent measures forced them upon the conscience of His Eternity. Allow me to be perfectly candid, then. Gloria Regis is not some small island in the middle of nowhere, where the fate of its Christian and Cornellian citizens can be of lesser significance or consequence to the Emperor and Empire. Gloria Regis is a nation with close historical ties to both of our countries, and we owe it to the people there to force the hand of its present, tyrannical regime. The idea of matriarchy being forced on its people, contrary to their Christian and patriarchal history, is an abomination. Democratic process cannot by itself abolish historical privileges and rights, nor should it be allowed to do so.

However, due to the role of the Shrailleeni Empire, our mutual ally, it would not suit either of our nations to intervene militarily. Therefore, some subterfuge is once more called for, I imagine. For this, we need an additional partner, the Imperium of Arbites Materia, I believe. Specifically, their Inquisition and its agents. Would His Majesty's Government be open to such measures, given the desperate times in which the region now lives? I can only guess that we would have plenty of unusual confederates in this, particularly in the Intellectual and Free Congress parties, too, as well as the Monarchists.

What I propose amounts to this: a proxy street war by newly recruited citizens of our three nations, in which they subvert the present Gloria Regian government, along with cyber-attacks and especially denial-of-service strikes. Misinformation, propaganda, etc. are necessary. A concerted effort would be made to get funding to discontented parties in Gloria Regis, including any that are open to such methods in order to restore good government in that land. In this cause, our ends do indeed justify whatever means we deem expedient. At some point, arms smuggling might well be required, as well as the denizens of organized crime.

If interested, please take this matter to His Majesty posthaste, but under the highest possible security protocols. If disinterested, please destroy all records or evidence of this correspondence.

In hoc signo vinces,
Donatus Severianus Comes