Gnorrid the Warrioress - Background Fantasy - Long - 3 of 4

The Age of Empire

After the defeat of the desert invaders the Regency enjoyed a golden age of approximately two centuries before it began to collapse and break apart. This golden age was sometimes referred to as the Age of Empire.

After the declaration of the exclusive primacy of Dhradumus the few surviving priestesses attempted to hide among the general populace. Many were discovered, turned in, and executed by the Regency (often by burning or other horrible means). Even for those who remained successfully hidden, the new rules imposed by the priests of Dhradumus made it extremely difficult to pass on teachings and knowledge to another generation of underground priestesses. Women were not to be taught reading or writing or allowed to work in any save the most menial labor. A woman discovered to possess skills of literacy would be put to death - after a period of torture to ascertain who had taught her and whom she may have taught.

The surviving priestesses hid themselves as best they could. Some remained in the cities and some went to dwell among the peasants. More than a few families risked their lives by discreetly taking in fleeing priestesses as servants. It was here, however, that much secret knowledge was passed on the daughters and even the sons of these families.

One stronghold of underground priestesses was the profession of midwives. A most necessary function, men found it quite unpleasant and were more than happy to turn this duty over to women. Looked upon with distrustful scrutiny, men had little choice but to tolerate them.

Although the installment of Dhradumus as the one and only god in the Regency was hailed as a great day among men, this sentiment was by no means universal. Secret brotherhoods and fraternal orders sprang up. (Many were started by surviving eunuchs who had served the priestesses.) It was easier for men to pass on their knowledge as literacy was not forbidden for men, and many intellectual pursuits were open to them. Also, such orders became clever at disguising the ancient knowledge of the Sisterhood in terms and symbols that were compatible with the worship of Dhradumus. It is said that there were even Dhradumian priests, officiators at public rituals and held in high esteem by the Regency, who were secret worshipers of the Goddess and curators of her ancient knowledge.

In public buildings and statuary all artwork reminiscent of the Sisterhood and their Goddess was destroyed. Gone were the gala festivals presented by the priestesses on the great feast days. In their place were great somber gatherings. Statues of Dhradumus now frowned down upon throngs of groveling followers in the streets and city squares. Subdued and dutiful, the worshipers dressed in dark cloaks, robes and hoods, concealing as much flesh as possible. Dhradumus was usually depicted wearing the traditional garb of the patriarchal nomadic herdsman. With a full beard, Dhradumus held a scepter in one hand and a sword in the other. The scowl of Dhradumus was said to send a cold chill down the spine of the bravest of men. He was the ultimate symbol of male authority and dominion.

Gone were the wonderful athletic contests and exhibitions where naked or scantily-clad oiled bodies of young priestesses inspired crowds with their beauty. Exposed flesh was now greatly restricted among men and absolutely forbidden for women. Women were no longer allowed to appear in public without their heads covered and their faces veiled. No more did men and boys congregate in the market places on warm days just to enjoy the grand show of young women dressed in short skirts, thongs, and skimpy halters scurrying among the vendors. Now women could not share as much as a smile with the world.

Girls were the property of their families until they came of age. Then they were transferred to a master, either through marriage or other consignment, and became his property. There were no independent women in the Regency. That social classification simply did not exist.

Concubines and courtesans who once enjoyed a respectable place in society, were now mere property of their masters. Harems of concubines were often nothing more than private brothels where wealthy noblemen entertained and rewarded their friends by letting them sleep with picks from their harems. Prostitution per se was strictly forbidden, however, and punishable by burning or stoning. Free roaming prostitutes in the streets would potentially open the possibility for a woman to gain some semblance independence. Pursuit and patronage of whores would be an admission that women could hold power over a man by cultivating his lust. Women were to be purchased, not employed.

Dhradumian theology asserted that women were temptresses and seducers of men. Women inspired men to think unwholesome and unclean thoughts, and were the primary cause of men being led astray from the will of Dhradumus. In Dhradumian society women had to be strictly contained and controlled.

During the chaos of the conflagrations and razing of the temples it is said that some groups of priestesses escaped the Regency altogether and reestablished themselves in lands far beyond the known world. Centuries after the collapse of the Regency travelers from the wilderness would occasionally bring tales of matriarchal "kingdoms" guarded by fierce female warriors. Although such stories were generally given little credence, on more than one occasion Dhradumian leaders organized military expeditions to seek out and destroy such enclaves. For centuries they found nothing.

Continued in Part 4