Propaganda.

Writers: Leigh M-F.
Date Posted: 28th October 2017

Characters: Nohria
Description: Spelling it out.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 14 of Turn 9
Notes: Mentioned: Lord Zathris, Lady Benani, Yusanis.
Note: Yusanis' and Benani's offices posed with permission.

This had been a very, very long time coming, but her fellow bandits on the edge of Amber Hills Hold's territory had truly come through for her, writing a multitude of hides copied from notes she had used Malin to send to them. It had taken nearly as long for Malin to collect copies, or for other bandits to smuggle them to her at the tavern, but it had worked. Now, with help from a select few bandits and Malin, the messages had been delivered through the night to every possible place that didn't get them caught. Come morning, the holders of Amber Hills would be greeted by two different messages. One was simple, consisting of the majority of notes and meant for the average holder:

**Amber Hills Hold would be richer and happier if women who want to craft were officially allowed training, rank, and pay.**

A smaller number of messages were left in more exclusive locations, such as Yusanis' office, and even Benani's. The latter had damn near gotten Nohria caught due to the number of guards there. It was unexpected; everyone involved in the banditry had thought the guard presence would have lessened by now, given how long the bandits had been quiet to lull the Hold into a false sense of security. Nohria had barely possessed enough time to give Malin the instruction needed to drop the note on Benani's desk before she had to run. It had taken complex maneuvers to escape the guards, and she had been forced to hide until just before dawn to insure she had lost them. But it was worth it, because surely the letters would cause shock and anger, and hopefully force the rankers to think.

**The Southern Continent is suffering, and it's willfully blind as to why. You see, it's all about economic power and the men who don't wish to share it. They would rather hoard that power for themselves, and trap every single woman on Pern in empty, unfulfilling lives of constant pregnancy, child-rearing and housework, rather than allowing them to learn other skills. That's the most foolish idea they could ever have, and innocent women have suffered for it, even Benani. If Zathris had truly cared about her, he would have let her learn how to defend herself, or given her a guard canine earlier, and then she might not have been kidnapped. At the least, Benani would have been able to hold off the assailant until help arrived. But that's not what happened, is it?

We're not saying no woman should ever be a mother. Those who WANT to be mothers should do so with clear consciences. But those who would rather craft should be allowed to craft. Let us make it even clearer: Amber Hills has a massive workforce it isn't using because women are treated like broodmares instead of people. If women who wish to craft are allowed to officially improve their skills, advance in the ranks and get paid for it, then all you have to do is not say what's done by women. The Marks will come, offering Amber Hills chances to buy and sell more goods, more land to farm, and more beasts to ride, breed, eat, and use. With more Marks, we could erect more buildings, especially for food, drink, and herb storage, and make larger tithes to Dragonsfall Weyr. And with the Amethyst Cliffs survivors contributing their skills and population, the only way it can go is up.

Amber Hills could be the most prosperous Hold on the Southern Continent, and no man in charge cares. They would rather muddle along in a stagnant path that cripples everyone. These men are too old or too inflexible to see how change could bring something magnificent. They have to be made to see the bigger picture, or forced to abdicate to innovative leaders of both sexes who are willing and able to make changes for the greater good. And if they don't step down, or change, or even acknowledge the contributions of Amethyst Cliffs' holders, then they should prepared for a Hold consisting of nothing but men who will slowly die off without a next generation to give Amber Hills new life. Their women will be living happier, more satisfying lives elsewhere, without any trace of guilt for leaving those who didn't love them, didn't appreciate them, forced them to have children they didn't want, and didn't share the full benefits of careers that could make them happy.

And if you think it can't happen, guess what? The women of the Hold are already leaving.**

Last updated on the November 2nd 2017

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Propaganda.