Lore - Feet Republic / Comradeship

“One toe is easy to break, but the bundle of legs is unbreakable!”

Grazhdaninship equals respect, but both must be deserved. Not a single person living on the lands of Feet Republic was born as its Grazhdanin, but earned the right to be called one through the sweat on their brows. By proving one’s moral, you are guaranteed liberty; by proving one’s loyalty, you merit respect.

The only change introduced by Chancellor Vulga Sugrifa, who harbors compassion for children, especially orphans, concerned them specifically: by her decree, every juvenile bears the right to live freely in Feetalnd under the care of official guardians, or the Orphanage, and provided with all the necessary free state benefits during these years. “Kids should live as kids” – the first precept signed by the Lord High Admiral. During these short years, they are unconditionally ordered, under penalty of punishment, to enjoy peaceful carefree days of childhood, for they will not be able to return to this springtime of their lives once they grow up and assume responsibility of protecting harmony for the younger generations born after them.

On the summer of coming of age, every person is drafted for the Comradeship – a National Service of their choice: either the Motherland Army, the Fleet of Feet, the Internal Order, or the Administrative Office. Upon completing their patriotic duty, a person becomes a full-fledged Grazhdanin of the Feet Republic, forever provided with national benefits and public respect. Along with the other new Grazhdanins, they will parade through the streets; millions will march in perfect synchrony, and the sound of their footsteps will echo across Feetland like a rainstorm that waters the gardens of our future and washes away corruption.

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It is not obligatory to serve right away, or at all; one can postpone their service indefinitely, and live an ordinary life without any pressure, until finally deciding to contribute to the Great Nation… it is just that during this time of voluntarily resting, one will no longer have access to free national benefits, and lose many liberties, protections, licenses, opportunities, equalities, permissions, immunities, exemptions, exclusions, freedoms, securities, rights, and support, just like any other heel-kissing non-Grazhdanin.

Of course, the average lifespan of the various tribes is not taken into consideration, and each patriot serves for eight years with their new comrades regardless of the chosen assignment, for this indifference shows the true equality of Meora’s children within the Great Nation of Feetland, who contribute to the great future of the world.

During these eight years, the sistren are bound to the motto “If I’m walking – I’m serving”. And the one who pledges own life to this motto is by definition considered a highly moral person and loyal patriot. Most of the young comrades will be appointed to support positions, and in the case of a military service, to the safest non-combat work, or under the protection of responsible superiors. Meanwhile, every patriot can receive free education, training, and internship for a workplace closely associated to their chosen Comradeship, with a vast range of options covering virtually every registered profession in the Republic: those who serve in the Crusian Guard can obtain a degree in agriculture and biology, service in the Coastal Infantry will provide enough experience in construction work, shipbuilding, or railway maintenance, including management positions, and the Administrative Office graduates many future engineers and scientists. That is, of course, if the individual does not plan to continue her patriotic service to the Nation in higher positions, which may even be recommended by their superiors.

Furthermore, young people, especially futales, are encouraged to form close personal relationships among their peers as early as possible and nurture them into potential families. “Marry and have children, make the Allmother happy!”, the Chancellor said. She even decreed that for each child, the family has the right to housing equal to the size of the family, so that their happy laughter would echo even louder.

One need to remember that the age is neither a limit nor an excuse for a true loyal patriot to refrain from contributing to the prosperity of the Meority and the safety of its kids: the principle “If I am walking – I am serving” is for life, for hard work is a virtue. Once you become a Grazhdanin, the Republic and your fellow patriots expect you to follow the “seven-two-repeat” system to prove your continued loyalty and extend your Grazhdaninship: seven months of honest labor for the betterment of the Feet Republic, awarded with two months of a fully supported retirement worthy of a loyal Grazhdanin. The cycle repeats continuously for as long as one lives. Only the most grievous reasons can exempt you from any service and work, granting a permanent retirement.