State of the Republic, 110.06.11

The Republic is celebrating yesterday's events even though many are not entirely sure exactly what it is that they're celebrating. All they know for sure is that they gave the Amarr a bloody nose in a straight fight, liberating millions, and that the Elders—whom many never believed even existed—have returned to help restore their tribal roots, so they're generally happy.

Citizens

Finally, the Minmatar people have a reason to be proud again. Nowhere is this clearer than along the streets and alleys of the Republic. Minmatar warships have invaded Amarr space, beaten up entire fleets, and brought back countless liberated slaves. More than that, the Elders are involved, and while everyone has their own interpretation of who and what the Elders really are, pretty much everyone agrees that their return is a good thing. As a result, the mood is both jubilant and pugnacious, with many clamoring for the Republic to press its advantage and wipe the Amarr Empire off the map once and for all. Of course, this combative mentality conveniently ignores the actual scope of the raids and the losses suffered at the hands of Jamyl Sarum, but who wants to spoil the mood by mentioning that?

The events of recent days have also had an impact on the workings of the Republic, generally being viewed in a positive light. The removal of Midular's unpopular and largely corrupt government, the seemingly imminent rise of a warlike traditionalist regime, and Maleatu Shakor's rise to prominence are all seen as long-overdue changes, and any politicking along the way is largely glossed over. Of course, there are still those who feel that getting what you want isn't always a good thing, but they're mostly keeping their heads down for now.

Military

The mood among the military is more introspective than that among the citizenry. They were completely blindsided by the Elders' taskforces, and most sat helplessly by while their Thukker counterparts led the charge and took all the glory. Some captains threw caution to the wind and joined up with the task forces, and their current status is up in the air, with many being classified deserters or mutineers. Most, however, stuck to their orders and held back, and are now somewhat bitter that their own people resent them for not doing something similar a long time ago. This perceived inaction has always been a source of tension between the citizenry and the military, and now the former believe that the Elders have proved them right. The fact that the Elders' fleet was built with money that should rightfully have gone to the Republic and the Fleet has not come into it… at least not yet.

Politically, while most sympathize with Shakor's fiery rhetoric, the military has always been broadly supportive of Midular's moderate stance. However, they're also aware that times are changing and that the Fleet will have to change too. Given the shocks of recent days, the military's position during what is likely to be a lengthy period of government transition is unclear.

Leadership

The various clan chiefs and tribal leaders are still trying to figure out exactly what's going on and where they stand, but most of them realize that riding the wave of tribal patriotism from the masses is the wisest course of action. There's still some uncertainty regarding the return of the Elders, but most are banking on the likelihood that the Elders won't seek an active role in Republic politics.

As a result, the four tribes are each jockeying to find a clear and defensible political stance. With the formation of a new parliament, Keitan Yun, Shakor, the other three tribes, and even Karin Midular represent enough wildcards to make any transition destined for a rough road. But the smart money is a bet on a return to more traditional ways.

The Tribes

The main population of the Republic can be divided up into the four tribes that make up the majority of Parliament.

Brutor

Traditionally the most militant of the tribes, the Brutor are convinced that this is their time. They've always wanted to hit back at the Amarr Empire, and now their wish has been granted. Already there's a certain amount of hero-worship for Maleatu Shakor, whose star has well and truly risen, and most Brutor buy wholeheartedly into his rhetoric. Some older and wiser heads wonder quietly about the military realities of the situation, but most are too caught up in the prevailing sentiment to care.

Krusual

Ever the crafty ones, most Krusual view recent events as an opportunity as well as a cause for celebration. With the help of the Elders the Republic is now in a position to wield some real power, and the Krusual want to be a part of that. Many of them see through the tribal leaders’ rhetoric and understand the situation for what it is, and while they realize that the Republic is by no means invulnerable they also appreciate that now is the time for action. They want to see the Republic integrate the other three tribes where practical, and to use that added strength to expand their influence and territory while they have the chance.

Sebiestor

The pragmatists of the Republic, the Sebiestor have greeted recent events with joy: the Minmatar people might finally be turning a corner. They're worried about the implications of open war for the Republic and the unity of the Minmatar, but the revelations concerning the other three tribes give them some hope that things might turn out well. Eager to distance themselves from Midular’s “appeasement” foreign policy, they're largely in favor of aggression, but worried about the long-term consequences. They're hoping that the other three tribes can be integrated into the Republic, although they're not universally hopeful, and they're hoping that a well-handled war against the Empire will allow them to shore up the Republic and stabilize its position.

Vherokior

The Vherokior privately feel very good about recent events, but generally shy away from displaying this appreciation publicly. They're cautiously optimistic, but at the same time prepared for setbacks. While under-represented politically, they're a silent majority in the bureaucracy and public service sectors; while they don't have much control over legislation, they usually oversee the actual implementation of policy. As such, they're also worried about the civic disruption that would inevitably follow any attempts to integrate the three missing tribes into the Republic. Nonetheless, a war might allow for the liberation of more slaves, an undertaking they genuinely believe to be the most important priority.