Enlightened Matriarchy Q&A

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

The Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire

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This thread is a part of an outreach program by the Matriarchy of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the Matriarchy of State, in order to promote the ideals of Shrailleeni culture abroad by providing information on a variety of topics to the curious. It is hoped that this program will help to inform the people of the world about the Enlightened Matriarchy and to showcase the many things that Shrailleen has to offer to the world stage. All responses will be the official government position on whatever is asked, but certain questions may also be outsourced to civilian comments.

Rules of Conduct:

1. Please ask at least one question, which may be from a government official or private citizen.
2. Please provide a name with each question.
3. All questions should be about Shrailleen in some way.
4. Please do not ask what the Shrailleeni Empire thinks of your nation. Rather, select an unique or interesting characteristic or trait regarding your nation, and ask about that.
5. Please only post In-Character, detailed posts such as letters are encouraged.
6. Naturally, the right to refuse to answer a question is reserved.

Note: The Shrailleeni Empire is an MT nation. Posts regarding fantasy or science-fiction aspects will be received and treated as if such concepts are pure fiction, or ignored.

What is the Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire?

The Shrailleeni Empire, also known as the Enlightened Matriarchy or the Empire of Shrailleen, is a tropical island archipelago located in the Cornellian Empire region. Developing in relative isolation, these islands boast a unique ecosystem featuring many species found nowhere else. The islands were united centuries ago under the single political authority of the Shrailleeni Empire, a matrilineal feudal monarchy. Most cultures on the islands are matriarchal, passing inheritance and property through the female line and celebrating maternity and feminine values. About 320 years ago, the predominant religion of Mother Goddess Worship led a movement known as the Great Enlightenment, which reformed many aspects of Imperial rule.

Today, the Enlightened Matriarchy is a regional power based in the Tempesta Ocean of Cornellia. It also controls overseas territories, including special economic zones and colonies, and is active in regional peacekeeping missions. Several years ago the current Mother Empress initiated a number of reforms, including greatly weakening the power of the nobility and creating a new Constitution, which promises a transition to a more democratic system of government.

The Basics:

Nation Name: The Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire
Common Name: The Shrailleeni Empire / The Empire of Shrailleen
Government Type: Matrilineal Monarchy
Current Head of State and Government: Her Enlightened Majesty the Mother Empress Chella Resyanna fe Shrailleen
Capital: Imperial City
Population: 271,635,840
Nationality: Shrailleeni
Official Languages: Railti, Vangar, Fromat, Navaretta
Total Land Area: 473,067 square miles
Religion: Mother Goddess Worship Additional Information Available

[Shogunate of the Uzumaki Empire]

"What is your Opinion about the Emperor?"
Prime Minister Aoroza Yoshisada

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

Dear Prime Minister Aoroza Yoshisada,

I am familiar with many emperors, and know them to be greatly diverse. I have known some of them to be men of great political aptitude, some incompetent, some of them wise and kind and others cruel to the point of being unfit for rule. Our own nation does not look kindly on the emperors of our distant past, but today considers some of other nations to be among our greatest allies.

However, I know little of the Emperor of the Uzumaki Empire save for that he is indeed the emperor of your land.

Thank you for your correspondence,

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister
The Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire

[Shogunate of the Uzumaki Empire]

"What is your Opinion about me?"
Prime Minister Aoroza Yoshisada

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

Dear Prime Minister Aoroza Yoshisada,

You appear to me to be, in short, the sort of person who is greatly desirous to acquire information, but apparently loathe to give any out.

Thank you for your correspondence,

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister
The Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire

[Shogunate of the Uzumaki Empire]

"How strong is your Military?"
Prime Minister Aoroza Yoshisada

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

Dear Prime Minister Aoroza Yoshisada,

Since ascending to the throne in 1985 CE, the current Mother Empress Chella Resyanna fe Shrailleen has made the revitalization of the Shrailleeni military one of her higher priorities in keeping with the philosophy of preparedness for the defense, as well as to allow the empire to serve in peacekeeping missions abroad.

The Imperial Navy boasts a fleet of five aircraft carriers, one of which is nuclear powered, around which naval operations are centered, as well as extensive surface and submarine assets. The Shrailleeni Imperial Army consists of in total 21 Armored Battlegroups, 40 Mechanized Infantry Battlegroups, and 72 Motorized Infantry Battlegroups. For reference, a Shrailleeni Battlegroup typically contains anywhere from 12,500 to 15,000 total personnel. The Enlightened Matriarchy also claims a modest but robust Air Command containing 25 squadrons based throughout the empire's territories.

These numbers do not reflect the inclusion of the Black Wing of the Imperial Guard, which functions very much like the National Guard of other nations.

In short, the Shrailleeni military is powerful enough to deter most threats to the empire, its sovereignty, and the Children of the Mother Goddess. However, in all things the Enlightened Matriarchy favors peace over war.

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister
The Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire

[Shogunate of the Uzumaki Empire]

"What is your Sexuality?"
Prime Minister Aoroza Yoshisada

[The Land of the Ephyral]

To the esteemed Foreign Ministry of Shrailleen,

In our wishes to learn more about the nations in our reality, we propose this line of questioning.

In what circumstances did the Empire of Shrailleen opt for matriarchal leadership? As demonstrated within our own nation and our observations elsewhere, matriarchies tend to be more unstable than the political norm, and often end up causing an unappealing and detrimental role reversal in the male-female dichotomy, ignorant of the biological predispositions of either sex. Male towards the systemic, thus making them more capable leaders, as well as being more likely to be of greater ambition and possessing less agreeable personalities, and female towards the empathetic, giving them significant advantages in social circumstances and the management of home and family.

The Neo-Ephyral Empire embraces the roles of man and woman as nature has decreed, and embody these traits within the gods Nalarion and Veleys. As a result, we have a remarkably propserous civilisation. Both men and women of our empire report happiness in marriage in virtually all spheres, from day to day activity, to the joint raising of children, and the quality of their sex life.

Therefore the linked questions I put forward on behalf of my government are as follows. How did Shrailleen become a matriarchy? How do you reconcile this political reality with the biological one you must necessarily ignore? What are the happiness ratings of your men and women in married circumstances? And what are your views on the reverse, more biological-leaning systems such as our own, where our monarchy runs on male primogeniture, and men and women conform to their natural, biologically tuned roles that have been developed by evolution for a third of a billion years?

- Galaelon Syzeon Velitheos, Predarys of the Neo-Ephyral Empire's High Council, of the Sphere of Diplomacy

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

Prime Minister Aoroza Yoshisada,

If you are, as they say, "coming on to me," I must inform you that I am neither especially interested nor available. That being said, Shrailleeni culture does not draw the same kinds of rigid distinctions of gender and sexuality that some other cultures do.

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister
The Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire

[Hamidiye]

Devlet-i ʿAlīye-i ʿHamidīye
Padişahım çok yaşa! Devletinle bin yaşa!

Maşallah, Maşallah, behold, the words of the Sultan:

"What tragedy befell your nation that it came to this? What happened to your poor husband, my dear?"

The Sultans will be done.

Kimdir bin Ahmed
grand vizier

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

To Galaelon Syzeon Velitheos, Predarys of the Neo-Ephyral Empire's High Council, of the Sphere of Diplomacy,

Honorable greetings to you Predarys, in the name of Her Enlightened Majesty the Mother Empress Chella Resyanna fe Shrailleen. Your interest in the culture and origins of our nation is highly appreciated, and this is indeed the sort of question that this program was founded upon answering.

Simply put, the culture of our islands has always been to some degree matriarchal, possessing either matrilineal or matrilocal elements. This is not especially unusual, there are theories that many ancient societies were founded on such ideas, and other cultures in the world today express similar traits. Our religion developed along these matrilocal lines, we of course believe in the Mother Goddess as the absolute Creator of all things. The decision to transform these cultural leanings into a political system of matrilineal primogeniture was made about 1,300 years ago, when the Imperial Matriarchy was founded and made Mother Goddess Worship the official religion of the realm.

We are therefore not one of the unstable cases that you have likely observed, indeed, we too have watched other matriarchal nations destroy themselves with sadness and concern. We attribute this to the following fact: many nations which experience an overthrow of government from patriarchy to matriarchy do so under the political philosophies of "feminism," which changes only the politics of the realm and does not change the culture. Such women then labor under the old patriarchal mindset, which dooms them to certain failure. Our truth is that matriarchy is not the crude reversal of patriarchy, but rather a unique culture which must be understood on its own terms, rather than by comparison.

You must understand that for we Shrailleeni, matriarchy is the biologically natural system. After all, the father merely plants the seed of life. It is the mother who grows and nurtures that seed into a new human being, something that she is capable of doing with or without his continued assistance. When inheritance and property are passed through the female line, is this not the more stable and safe method for tracing descent? A child after all is always of its mother, we do not have a word in our language for "bastard." And even you have admitted that it is in the nature of woman to most ably manage the home and family, is it truly so much of a difference to extend this ability to the state and its people? Our idea of a capable leader is an empathetic one, though just as a mother must make hard choices for what is best for her family our leaders must often do so for the good of the state. And Goddess help whoever is foolish enough to threaten a mother's children.

Indeed, is it not true that patriarchal societies are often torn apart by the unchecked aggression and competition of men, whose systemic minds so artfully contrive methods of destroying each other? Our empire has stood much as it has for a thousand years, while we have watched patriarchal cultures war with others and within themselves, experience revolutions and inhumane exterminations, and change the hands of power sometimes several times within one lifetime. Which system, then, can truly be said to be the more unnatural and unstable?

This is not to say that we see all patriarchies in the same light, several of our most honorable allies labor under patriarchal systems of culture and government. And we do not deny that patriarchal cultures have produced truly marvelous works of philosophy and science. But we do find it fascinating that our system is viewed as the backwards and repressive one, when the body of evidence by virtue of sheer numbers would seem to weigh to the contrary.

I believe that this has covered everything save for the nature of our marriages. Naturally, valuing the virtues of motherhood as we do, the family is extremely important to Shrailleeni culture. Our husbands and sons and brothers are loved and valued, indeed perhaps even more so than women in more patriarchal societies as they are free from many of the same restrictions. Working a career and the raising of children are divided between the husband and wife more equitably, our laws allow for both maternity and paternity leave at different stages of child raising. The ability of a man to provide for his family is prized. And what is more, our culture is free from the unhealthy patterns of competition, aggression, and the notion of the "expendable male" that plague other nations, men are encouraged to embrace feminine values and to apply their considerable talents and natural energies to constructive, rather than destructive, endeavors.

In short, Shrailleeni marriages are often quite happy and joyful. We adore children and place high value on the family and upon monogamy. And these values are applied throughout our culture.

I do hope that this has answered your questions satisfactorily, and do let me know if you have any further questions,

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister
The Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire

[Elykyellek]

Where does the Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire fall on the political compass?

-Anika Millward, Political Science Student, Kelley City University

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

To the Honorable Grand Vizier Kimdir bin Ahmed, representative of the Sultan of Hamidiye,

Peace be upon you, or as my people say, greetings in the Light of the Mother. I am not sure to what tragedy you refer, the if you refer to the recent economic recession then rest assured that Her Enlightened Majesty's leadership has already assuaged much hardship and that things may soon return to normal. If you refer to the tragedy of the war with Gavinium Magnus, know that the Shrailleeni threatened in that country will soon be rescued.

As to the second question, I am unmarried and do not have a husband. I am also a man and, although that does not preclude me from having husband in our country, my predilections fall toward a female partner. If you refer to the husband of Her Enlightened Majesty the Mother Empress, the Prince-Regent is in excellent health under the Mother's Light. Your concern for his welfare is greatly appreciated.

May the Light of the Mother smile down upon the people of Hamidiye and upon its most honorable sultan,

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister,
The Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

Dear Anika Millward,

Thank you for your correspondence. As of the last time that this office completed the "political compass" survey, our responses ranked the Enlightened Matriarchy near the center of the compass, slightly on the side of the "authoritarian left." It is believed that this is due to our belief in protectionism but only in certain sectors, coupled with our believe in absolute authority unless that authority should violate our moral principles.

I hope that this is of use to you, and I wish you good fortune in your continued studies,

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister,
The Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire

[Shogunate of the Uzumaki Empire]

"Would you like to ally with the Uzumaki Empire? If so, why?"
Prime Minister Aoroza Yoshisada

[The Land of the Ephyral]

To the esteemed Foreign Ministry of Shrailleen,

Your swift response is appreciated. Though the insight into the nature of your society and culture is most intriguing to my people, I feel you are mistaken on the conclusions drawn from that. Though it is the mother who is adept at the home and the family, this does not translate into leadership. In Ephyra, our wives are trusted fully to the management of our households, yet we retain the role of leadership, both as head of the family and the nation to men. A woman's behaviour alters upon childbirth, she necessarily becomes more predisposed to caring, compassion, empathy, and agreeableness, more than the female sex is already predisposed to. This renders the leadership capabilities of a woman, whether she has given birth or not, in severe question. Indeed, the women who have ruled best in history have ruled more like men, sacrificing the common feminine traits by force of will or simple nature. On the matter of a woman's defence of her children, we could not agree more. Yet this is biological imperative. When it comes to decisions outside of the benefit of the child, the woman finds herself in a more vulnerable position.

All nations inevitably end. There is no doubt of this, yet it is a testament that the grandest empires the world have seen were built by men as well as the least impressive. You are right again that the woman carries the child, and the man is initially just a contributor. Yet this lack of carrying permits the man to maintain his systemic line of thought, and direct his activities unimpeded. This is not to say that in either of cultures men are entirely separated from the upbringing of a child, or that they are incapable of loving their offspring. It's simply a matter of reality that the woman is predisposed to caring for the helpless infant, a predisposition which necessarily renders her vulnerable to virtually everything not encompassed within this task.

It may be key information to state here; Ephyra permits polygyny. Tracing lineage through the female line is more complicated as a woman may only be one wife of the man. Such relationships are uncommon to be sure,
but are prevalent amongst the nobility especially. We find tracing through the male line to be far more reliable.

It is simply our understanding that nations ruled by women never stay as such, because it takes an exceptional kind of woman, the kind that cannot simply occur through simply wanting to be, to rule over any nation.
She is simply not predisposed to it, and requires the more masculine systemic and aggressive traits to do so. Competition breeds success, not instability. A woman may rule, but history has demonstrated that upon her death it is a man who takes the throne, not another woman. Any such woman who did would almost certainly be far less able and competent than her predecessor, and find herself quickly removed.

I understand that I have rambled without posing additional questions, as your request suggests. Therefore, moving on from the topic of matriarchy but staying within aforementioned sub-topics. What is the opinion of your empire upon such cultural facets like polygamy, be it a man with many wives or a woman with many husbands (the latter being biologically unsustainable, but given your own unique biology, I am open to correction). Furthermore, it may be of great interest or revulsion to you to know that the old blood, our ancient noble dynasties, engage in the practice of incest to retain their blood purity. This is more common across our people than polygamy, and through the protection of our gods, we are spared physical defect. Does your nation have an opinion on our specific circumstance of incest? And finally, the Neo-Ephyral Empire is a hierarchical state. We accept the reality of the human condition, that there will always be a few to lead and many to follow. To this end, nineteen million of our empire's population currently live as slaves. What are your thoughts upon this?

It should be noted that the opinion of other nations upon our practices does not in the least affect our utilising of them. We are simply curious. Additionally, the incest is primarily between siblings or cousins. A niece and an uncle, or a nephew and an aunt, should they be of comparable age, is viable. Parent-offspring incest is thoroughly abhorred however. This is merely to clear up any misconceptions you have about our practice.

Your reply is most eagerly awaited.

- Galaelon Syzeon Velitheos, Predarys of the Neo-Ephyral Empire's High Council, of the Sphere of Diplomacy

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

Dear Prime Minister Aoroza Yoshisada,

Historically the Shrailleeni Empire has been slow to enter into alliances with foreign nations. Those few nations who we do consider to be our allies are those of indisputable honor, who have shed blood alongside us, or who have proven beyond question their friendship with the Enlightened Matriarchy and our principles. With no offense intended to the Uzumaki Empire, your nation has yet to prove to us any of these things, and so an alliance is unlikely.

That said, the Enlightened Matriarchy is always open to establishing formal relations with other nations and to the opening of trade. These are all steps that might be taken, but this is hardly the forum suitable to pursue such action.

With the Light of the Mother,

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister,
The Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire

[Skyhooked]

From: Hydra labs biological and sociological division.
To: Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire

We would like to know opinion of your people and your religion on following things, which are loved by our population. If you want, you can give a short explaination.

-Alcohol.
-Unrestricted guns.
-Marijuana and LSD
-Smutty TV shows
-Equality
-Brothels

Also, you can give us a short opinion on our population, if you like.

Besides, I would like to ask, what do you think about technologies, such as cloning, genetic modifications and stem cell researches.

Sincerely, your Doctor Ashton Klein. Head of Hydra labs biological division.

[AHSCA]

Given you are a tropical nation, does your nation experience seasonal tropical cyclones?

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

To Galaelon Syzeon Velitheos, Predarys of the Neo-Ephyral Empire's High Council, of the Sphere of Diplomacy,

I am honored to provide further information of our culture to you and your people, and further honored by your curiosity. Allow me to enter forthwith into a reply to your new questions.

Firstly, I fear that we may need to simply disagree on the abilities of women in the roles of leadership. Our society is not alone in having leadership of women, indeed of mothers, and examples can be found throughout the world in democracies and republics of various types and organizations. It would appear to me simply too generalizing to paint all of these capable women and mothers with a single broad brush, or to simply brush off their leadership abilities as "unfeminine." Suffice it to say that our society has functioned quite well for many dozens of generations of female leadership, and having born children is in fact a prerequisite of ascending to the throne of the Mother Empress. Her Enlightened Majesty sees all of our people as her Children by extension, and will do anything necessary to see to their continued safety and welfare.

And although you may find it odd, it is precisely the aid in caring for his children that defines the Shrailleeni father and allows he and his partner to run a loving, functional household. The Mother Empress is no exception to this, and as we Shrailleeni say, beside every great woman is a great man. Our experience with male rule is similar to what you describe, for on occasion in our history a Prince-Regent has had to step up to lead the nation in the absence of a female heir of age. But always a capable woman will rise to take his place, as is the natural order of our land.

As for polygamy (and I do not think that polyandry is biologically unsustainable, but certainly impractical), it is both frowned upon in our culture as well as illegal. It is the common opinion that such a situation is both inherently unstable and ultimately dehumanizing for all parties involved. The idea of a man having multiple wives is alien to our culture, as our women are the keepers of all family property, and no mother would consent to her son becoming a second husband, throwing into doubt the inheritance status of his progeny. Furthermore, our religion strongly stresses monogamy in general.

I do not mean to cause offense in my response, but incest of any kind is highly taboo in our culture. First cousins are the closest relations who may marry in Shrailleen. The idea of blood purity is abhorrent and frankly heretical to our beliefs, for the Mother of All created humanity in a state of equality before Her. Further, in our observations of incestuous monarchies among foreigners the end result has tended toward the eventual loss of all reason toward madness, and delusions of mortal divinity, which are obviously sacrilegious.

Finally, on the subject of slavery. We Shrailleen would agree that human society is of necessity organized around those who lead and those who follow. But to rob another human of their Goddess-given rights is frankly a horrific concept for us. The Goddess created human beings to be the caretakers of Her Creation, not to violate and oppress one another. Slavery has been illegal in the Enlightened Matriarchy for hundreds of years, and we regard it as a scourge upon the planet and a gross violation of the Goddess's teachings. It is our standing policy that wherever it is within our power we take measures to end this vile practice.

But we are not an omnipotent power, and so it shall suffice for the time being to inform you that you are committing a grave violation of the Enlightened Path, one which will some day threaten your ruin if it is not reversed. May the Goddess grant the Light for the government and people of the Neo-Ephyral Empire to see the wisdom in these words.

And with that I believe that I have answered all of your second round of questions. I hope that this reply has been satisfactory, and I look forward to any continued correspondence that you might offer.

By the Light of the Mother,

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister,
The Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

To Doctor Ashton Klein, Head of Hydra Labs Biological Divison

I thank you for your correspondence and curiosity regarding our nation and its culture. I would be happy to provide information on how the Enlightened Matriarchy and its people regard the subjects that you have supplied.

Alcohol, marijuana, and LSD are all legal to possess, sell, and use recreationally within the Enlightened Matriarchy. Additionally, opium and several hallucinogens native and unique to the Shrailleeni Empire are legal as well. There are licenses issued to sell all of these substances in an official capacity, and selling without a license will incur a substantial fine. Additionally, operating a motor vehicle or any heavy machinery while under the influence of any of these substances is subject to criminal penalties, and penalties for violent crimes may be increased if the influence of any of these substances is found.

In short, we do not begrudge the Shrailleeni people or our foreign guests their enjoyment of these substances, but we do demand social responsibility for them. Since you enquired, I would add that abuse and even simple use of these substances, particularly opium, marijuana, and alcohol, are frowned upon by the Temple of the Mother Goddess and are not commonly utilized by the most devout.

Firearms of all kinds are tightly regulated by our government, and an uncommon sight to most Shrailleeni. Our people are not accustomed to the open presence of firearms amidst the population, and neither are most of the tourists who make up a significant part of our economy. We are a peace-loving people, and find such weapons distasteful.

I shall address smutty television and brothels together, both are restricted within Shrailleen. Being a culture that is devoted to children and the family, sex work is seen as a violation of our principles and is illegal. As for “smutty television,” I would offer a qualifier: we are a culture that has no qualms about nudity, and partial or total nakedness in public is a common sight throughout our lands. We also do not regulate public displays of affection, although preforming sexual acts in public is strongly taboo. However, we do prohibit the creation and distribution of pornography in all mediums.

Cloning, genetic modification, and stem cell research are hotly debated topics in Shrailleen. Suffice it to say that most Shrailleeni are entirely against all three of these sciences, and they are considered deeply sacrilegious by the Temple of the Mother Goddess. Research into cloning and stem cells is prohibited by law, but our government has allowed research into genetic modification despite the reservations of most of our people.

Finally, equality. The Mother Goddess created all human beings equally, first Woman in Her own image and then Man as the companion of Woman. We Shrailleeni therefore do not believe in inequalities of race, ethnicity, or other biological circumstances of birth. We also believe the sexes equal before the Mother Goddess, if perhaps separate in their duties and responsibilities. This latter belief, however, I know to be controversial to those of other cultures.

I believe that this concludes most of your questions. You have also asked for perhaps an opinion of your own people, and I confess that I should scarcely know where to begin. But I should say that there are aspects of libertarian philosophy that we agree with, and others that we do not, as my above responses hopefully illuminate.

I hope that I have answered your questions to satisfaction, and I again thank you for your interest in the culture and people of Shrailleen.

By the Light of the Mother,

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister,
The Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

Given you are a tropical nation, does your nation experience seasonal tropical cyclones?

To whom it may concern,

Thank you for your question. Yes, our islands experience seasonal rains every year. Many times these monsoons are mostly just torrential downpours rather than serious storms, but cyclones are a hazard. Only two years ago a major cyclone struck the islands and caused considerable damage to outlying islands in the north.

Even when the rains do not progress into dangerous storms, the empire experiences yearly difficulties with flooding, erosion, and infrastructure damage. Great care must be taken in our industry and agriculture to ensure that our topsoil does not wash away each year, which is a great concern in those areas of the islands which do not depend on rice as a staple.

I hope that this answer has been of use to you,

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister,
The Enlightened Matriarchy of the Shrailleeni Empire

[Delvian States]

"What are your thoughts as to tourism in the Empire of Delvian States, now that the civil war is winding down, and also about the admission of Delvian tourists to your country?" -

Adnan Kurzic, Minister of Tourism of the Empire of Delvian States

[Goldsaver]

Official Communique from the Latark Holy Order of the Golden Dragons
Disclaimer: The views represented here are of the private views of the government officials who have authored them, and do not represent the position of the Federation.

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A Letter to Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minster of the Shrailleeni Matriarchy

It is with cautious optimism that, on behalf of the power invested in me by the President-Imperial, I offer this first contact to your prosperous nation. Firstly, while I might at times use harsh language, I intend no offense to you or your empire; my goal is to learn about your nation, and if your values are aligned with our own, extend a hand for further cooperation and cultural exchange.

I will begin with a personal introduction. My name is Asrian, my title is the Lord of Light, and my role within the Free Federation is similar to that of a Duke, or a Governor. With the consent of my people and the President-Imperial, I administrate over the state of Latark, and the order of holy knights who protect it. It is traditional for the honor of first contact to be bestowed upon one of the nine lords who rule the Federation together, and in the case of your Shrailleeni Empire, I was selected for that honor.

Our Federation was forged in the fire of war, upon a great promise made by our first holy Emperor: “None Shall be Held in Chains!” Emboldened by the Emperor Akait’s words, nine lords rose up to throw foreign oppressors into the sea. A millennium later, our esteemed emperor long dead, the Free Federation stands as a bastion of liberal democracy, ever-seeking to fulfill our Emperor’s first promise and bring an end to the scourge of slavery, genocide, and oppression.

With that understood, I have compiled a list of questions so that we might learn more about you Shrailleeni, in the hope that we might be friends and in the fear that we might be enemies.

The most important question is that of the status of slavery, forced labor, and civil rights in your nation, as we can only engage in true diplomacy with those who hold high our principles of freedom. Below is a thorough set of questions on the matter.

*Does your Empire permit slavery of any variety?
*We understand you are transition from a Feudal system to a more modern democracy; does your landed noble class still hold serfs? If so, what legal protections, if any, do these serfs hold?
*Among your noble class, or any people in your empire, can an individual be compelled to marry? For example, as your Empire proudly proclaims itself a Matriarchy, could a young male be legally compelled to marry another based on the command of their head of household?

I will leave you with those questions, and will based further correspondence with your Empire based on the answer.
For the Glory of the Federation,
The Lord of Light, Asrian Night-Hunter, Commandant of the Knights of Latark