Enlightened Matriarchy Q&A

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

To Adnan Kurzic, Minister of Tourism,

Honorable greetings to you. I am glad that this letter finds you safe and well, Her Enlightened Majesty and the rest of Court are greatly pleased that the war in your country may soon be concluded and that the people of the Delvian States will no longer need to live in fear and poverty.

There will no doubt be a great deal of rebuilding when the conflict is done, and it will take time before Shrailleeni tourists begin to select your nation as a tourist destination over other, more stable nations. However, I am certain that Shrailleeni contractors and business leaders could be easily convinced to aid in reconstruction efforts, given the recent recession. This could help generate quite a bit of goodwill toward your country and enhance its image as a destination for visitors.

As for the Delvian people, they are most welcome in the Shrailleeni Empire. Those who have selected our land as a refuge are of course already here, but we would greatly welcome to return of pleasure-seekers to our resorts, cities, and natural wonders.

May the Mother's Peace grace the Delvian people forevermore,

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

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

To Asrian Night-Hunter, Lord of Light, and Commandant of the Knights of Latark,

Honorable greetings to you, I am glad to receive your correspondence and your curiosity regarding the Shrailleeni Empire and its culture. The Enlightened Matriarchy knows many liberal democracies, and we have yet to encounter one such nation with whom we cannot establish a friendly accord. I thank you for the information that you have provided regarding the origins of your land and country, it is greatly fascinating.

Given what you have provided about your culture and beliefs, you will no doubt find it pleasing to know that slavery has been outlawed in the Shrailleeni Empire in all of its forms for the last three hundred years. Even before that time, it was a condition imposed only as a criminal punishment. It is our belief that the Mother Goddess created all of humanity equally before Her, our religion and our culture find the notion of imposing bondage upon any Child of the Mother Goddess, by which we mean all human beings, to be not only sacrilegious but also abhorrent. It is the standing policy of the Enlightened Matriarchy to attempt to end the scourge of slavery by whatever means are within our power to do so, wherever we encounter it.

As to the question of serfdom, the swiftest response that I can offer is that serfdom no longer exists in the Shrailleeni Empire. To elaborate, the issue of the peasantry is more complex for us than the issue of slavery. True bondage to the land in the sense that you mean has not existed in the empire for over a century, the landed nobility have for generations functioned more as governors than as true feudal queens. The Shrailleeni people, while mostly unable to own land even today, have always had recourse to the Temple of the Mother Goddess and to appeal directly to the Mother Empress herself for redress of grievances against their local nobility. Indeed it was precisely an attempt by the nobility to repress these rights, violating our laws in order to increase their personal wealth, which led to the uprisings which ultimately broke the strength of the noble houses only two years ago.

Finally, marriage. Shrailleeni culture is one that places strong emphasis on family. This does not mean the nuclear family of many other cultures, but rather the extended household to whom each member contributes their honor or failings. Marriages in Shrailleen are often, and particularly among the noble class, arranged by the families involved for political or economic gain. Whether the intended woman or man are particularly interested in one other may be taken into consideration, but does not have to be.

Now, does this mean that a woman or man can be forced into a marriage against their will? Legally and religiously, the answer is no. Should a woman not like her selection of husband, or the reverse, they are by the letter of the law free to refuse, and no Temple Order that I am aware of would officiate a forced marriage. But doing so could bring about trouble within the family. In the most extreme circumstances there can be grave social consequences, and could even lead to banishment from the family and thus the loss of one of our culture's most vital 'social safety nets.' Therefore arranged marriages are still quite common, and the couples involved simply learn to love one another over time. It is simply our way.

I hope that I have answered your inquiries to your satisfaction, and I sincerely hope that I shall hear from you again.

In the Mother's Light,

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

[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 Continuing Dialogue to Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minster of the Shrailleeni Matriarchy

I appreciate your swift response, and am happy to report that the President-Imperial has designated the Shraileeni Empire worthy of further communication, and has expressed their hope for future diplomatic exchanges. With those formalities now conducted, I have aggregated a selection of questions from human rights organizations, my fellow Lords, and the President-Imperial.

• As you are doubtlessly aware, there are many nations across the world that are not so enlightened as our own, and many people suffer persecution based on such immutable characteristics as race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and many others. What part does the Shraileeni Matriarchy play in helping alleviate the humanitarian crises of the world? (This question was crafted based on the concerns of various human rights organizations within our Federation, some of whom have expressed a hope of working hand-in-hand with their Shraileeni counterparts, if they exist)
• More generally, how has the Shrailleni Empire approached global stage? Does your nation have notable allies or enemies? If so, who are they? Has the Matriarchy engaged in conflict with other nations in modern times? (A few of my fellow lords have expressed interest in the Shraileeni's geopolitical situation.
• A question from our President-Imperial, of a more curious character: What etiquette surrounds meeting with your Mother Empress? Are there different rules for commoners, nobles, and foreign dignitaries? Indeed, are there any restrictions upon who might meet your Mother Empress?

Good Fortune to You,
Lord Asrian

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

To Asrian Night-Hunter, Lord of Light, and Commandant of the Knights of Latark,

On behalf of Her Enlightened Majesty the Mother Empress Chella Resyanna fe Shrailleen, I welcome your continued correspondence and interest in our nation and culture. I honored to receive further questions, and I shall continue to answer them to be best of my ability.

The suffering of the world is not something that Her Enlightened Majesty nor the Shrailleeni people can abide quietly. Although the Enlightened Matriarchy continues to develop its economy and infrastructure, our government and people have been quite active to the best of our ability in humanitarian missions across our immediate region, known as Cornellia. The primary Shrailleeni humanitarian organization is the Order of Comfort, a Temple Order devoted to bringing basic necessities, medical care, and education to war refugees, the internally displaced, and vulnerable communities. The Order of Comfort has been quite active in every conflict zone that has arisen in our local region for the past ten years, and continues to provide aid to at-risk communities long after a conflict has ended.

Shrailleen is also a founding member of the Cornellian Peacekeeping Organization (CPO), a regional organization devoted to conflict resolution, international justice, and human rights. Shrailleeni military forces acting under the CPO have been essential in ending at least two major regional conflicts before they could escalate further in the last three years alone. In addition, the Enlightened Matriarchy maintains a policy of openness and asylum to the refugees of conflicts, and has accepted many exiles and the displaced into our nation over the years.

The Enlightened Matriarchy approaches the global stage first and foremost with the goal of promoting understanding, compassion, and peace among nations. However, there exist many nations and powerful states in the world which, as you have so well stated, do not share our enlightenment or our peaceful intentions. Confronting this reality is the primary drive behind the modernization of the Shrailleeni military currently being undertaken, and has led the Enlightened Matriarchy into a few conflicts in modern times.

In the last twenty years, the Caliphate and then Fascist state of New Othman was a primary enemy, declaring war against our very culture. Alongside our allies, Shrailleen participated in the defense of the small Republic of Dengali against Othmani aggression, and skirmished with New Othman at sea. However, New Othman was eventually defeated by a regional coalition, and the current New Othmani government is a friendly democracy. Another historical adversary of Shrailleen has been the Imperium of Arbites, a regional great power locked in perpetual struggle with its sister nation and bitter rival the Republic of Adiron. Relations between the Imperium and Shrailleen soured in the 1990s with the formation of the Arbiter Inquisition, and began a series of proxy conflicts which lasted until very recently. However, always seeking peace, Her Enlightened Majesty recently made a gesture to thaw relations with the Imperium which has gone very well. Shrailleen has also been briefly at war with global superpowers, but these conflicts usually resolve quickly once it is apparent that the Enlightened Matriarchy is not an easy target.

Most recently, the Enlightened Matriarchy has been forced to declare war against the mad king of Gavinium Magnus, who among other crimes murdered and dismembered his predecessor and distributed him throughout the region, seized the assets of Shrailleeni citizens, and began a program of public execution against Mother Goddess Worshippers and feminists. A regional coalition of our allies and indeed all civilized nations has formed to our aid, and it is hoped that this conflict will be over swiftly and many innocent lives saved.

As for our allies, our oldest ally is the Allied States of New Edom, with whom we have maintained a military alliance for over a century since before the Cornellian Great War. The New Edomites have aided Shrailleen many times, and we highly value their friendship and aid. We are also allied with the Empire of Ghant, who played an integral part in dissuading an invasion of Shrailleen by an extra-regional superpower, and with the Empire of Deadora. The latter alliance has recently been tested, as Deadora has a less than honorable record of human rights and aggressive policies, and Her Enlightened Majesty is currently attempting to use Shrailleeni influence to bring about a series of sweeping reforms. While not formally allied, Shrailleen has also developed close relations with the Republic of Adiron.

I hope that I have not written too much here, but these subjects are necessarily complex and difficult to swiftly describe.

As for the message from the honorable President-Imperial, Her Enlightened Majesty the Mother Empress has traditionally refrained from meeting with foreign dignitaries personally. However, the current Mother Empress Chella Resyanna fe Shrailleen has broken with ancient tradition to meet with many foreign dignitaries and heads of state, and has even become the first Shrailleeni Mother Empress to undertake journeys outside of Shrailleen. There do exist rules of etiquette which are traditionally followed, but it is the habit of Her Enlightened Majesty to soften these rules when dealing with commoners or foreigners. Her Enlightened Majesty would be greatly pleased to one day meet with the honorable President-Imperial, should the Goddess will it.

May the Mother of All smile upon the people and government of Latark, and upon the people and government of the Free Federation,

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister,
On behalf of Her Enlightened Majesty the Mother Empress Chella Resyanna fe Shrailleen

[Palmyrion]

"What do you think of the Royal Palmyrian Commonwealth as a nation-state collective? Would you consider, even be interested in, establishing diplomatic and economic ties with the Royal Commonwealth?"
-Lakán Alexander II
Sovereign Monarch and Supreme Warden of the Royal Commonwealth

[Purpelia]

Velociraptors in your nation? Extinct beast or extant creature? Bellowed pet or hated pest? Protected, destroyed or ignored?
And how many woodchucks can a velociraptor eat before they give up on chucking wood?

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

To Sovereign Monarch and Supreme Warden of the Royal Commonwealth Lakán Alexander II,

Your Majesty,

The Royal Palmyrian Commonwealth may be a nation-state collective, however it would appear from documents provided by your government that there remains a strong sense of collective unity not the least of which is centered upon the person of the sovereign, in this case yourself. This is in our view a positive thing, as it is difficult to trust nations which are themselves divided and prone to internal conflicts. Certainly the Palmyrian system of government is somewhat unique in its structure, but not so much so that it could described as unusual from the perspective of our own experience.

I have read that Palmyrians value personal honor, friendship, and a sense of communal responsibility. These are values to be commended, and values that we Shrailleeni share. I can see no reason that formal diplomatic ties should not exist between our two nations, and I have recommended to Her Enlightened Majesty that this be prioritized. As for economic ties, you will I hope forgive some caution in this regard. The Enlightened Matriarchy is a developing economy, and some protectionism is necessary to ensure the growth of our native industries. This being said, there is ample room for economic agreements to be made with a variety of economies, and this is something that could certainly be discussed.

May the Mother of All smile upon the people of the Royal Palmyrian Commonwealth,

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister,
On behalf of Her Enlightened Majesty the Mother Empress Chella Resyanna fe Shrailleen

[The Shrailleeni Empire]

To Whom It May Concern Within the Nation of Purpelia,

If you refer to the species known as Velociraptor mongoliensis, there are no living specimens in Shrailleen. There is also no evidence within our fossil record of the species ever having been present on the lands that form our home islands, and it is known only from other nations. It is therefore considered to be extinct by our scientists, although this is a large world and with the Goddess all things are possible.

In that regard, it can be safely said that the velociraptor is neither pet nor pest, and there are no current Shrailleeni policies toward this species, though it would certainly be considered an invasive species and its entry into the islands tightly controlled under our current environmental laws.

Finally, although I am not a paleontologist, I would estimate that given the nature of woodchucks the consumption of just one individual would likely be sufficient to scatter the remainder and halt the chucking of wood until the predator had retreated.

May the Mother of All bring light to the people of Purpelia,

Zattem Resbruck, Foreign Minister,
On behalf of Her Enlightened Majesty the Mother Empress Chella Resyanna fe Shrailleen