Marlinism: A Primer - Unofficial Codex Entry
“The NMLA’s hatred of the Imperial Family explains why it has targeted starports under the Duval banner. But its use of portable military-grade explosives is unprecedented, suggesting an increase in resources.
- Terrorist Attacks on Imperial Starports - GalNet - 10 SEP 3306
IMPERIAL DIPLOMATIC CORPS INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT
Though well-known among Imperial circles, knowledge of Marlinism, its origins, precepts, and coexistence with Imperialism, is not as widespread beyond the Empire’s borders as one might expect. Therefore, renowned historian and champion of peace, His Excellency Imperial Ambassador François-René de Chateaubriand (Marquis of Vequess, forty sixth of his name, recipient of the Laurels of Peace & Tranquility at the magnificent hand of His Most Exalted Majesty Emperor Hengist Duval (15th Emperor of the Galaxy, Defender of the Truth, Chevalier of Justice, Rod of Might, Fount of Mercy and Upholder of the Forty Two Unbreakable Laws, may his memory reign forever)) has deigned to provide a primer suitable for distribution among Imperials and those who are not Imperial yet, on the subject of the movement colloquially referred to as “Marlinism”. It is the sincere desire of the Imperial Diplomatic Corps that this primer may find purchase among the hearts of the uncouth and ill-informed masses subject to anti-Imperial propaganda and the pitiable prejudices spawned thereby.
SHARED ORIGINS OF MARLINISM AND IMPERIALISM
It may be said that within the breast of every Imperial there dwells the seed of Marlinism, and conversely, that within every Marlinist there dwells the seed of Imperialism, for they are our shared heritage. Indeed, the idealistic yearning of Marlin Duval (may peace be her companion forever) provided the spark that blossomed into the wondrous Empire of Achenar, within which we bask to this day.
To better understand our shared heritage and to trace it back to its roots, we must turn back the pages of history to the year 2240. It was in this year that the true tyranny of the Federation, a tyranny that has only grown more procrustean through the ages, was wholly unmasked. The Federation, corrupt even then, cared little for mankind itself beyond bending mankind to its will. Its entire Constitution was founded on justifications by which their collective conscience could be eased in their quest to subjugate and dominate their fellow men. Layer upon layer of bureaucratic proceduralism, regulation, taxation, and military might were their nefarious instruments. Woe did, in fact, betide any who wished to free themselves from the imposition of their vaunted and perverted Democracy.
The year 2240 was a time of grievous conflict. The Tau Ceti colony, weary of the oppressive regulations foisted upon them by the space-borne robber barons who controlled Congress, voted for independence from the government of Sol. Mere hours after the vote, Earth’s fleet arrived to bring their errant subjects to heel. The swift arrival of the fleet betrayed the fact that it had been sent before the vote had been cast, attesting to the fact that their mission would have been the same, even if the vote had gone contrariwise. In the ensuing conflict, both sides failed to gain an advantage, and so they turned to the peace table. Tau Ceti, arguably, would have been better served to have stayed the course in asserting their independence. Nevertheless, they were cowed, and submitted to their overlords under the most unfavorable of terms. So eager were the Federals to impose their will that they failed to recognize that the seat of Federal power, Earth, would be subject to the authoritarian statutes of the Federal Accords, and that Earth was not in compliance with the mandates. The minor details of their hypocrisy were of little consequence to the ruling corporations and their puppet politicians, for their true goals had been advanced.
And so, our intrepid forefathers hazarded the decades-long voyage to the Achenar system. At the conclusion of their great journey, they founded the Republic of Achenar on the moon that became our beloved Capitol. From among our forefathers, leaders were chosen to sit in council and resolve all matters via peaceful dialogue and fairhanded application of justice. These administrators were given the title “Senator”. The colony thrived under their leadership, secure in the knowledge that the Federation could not molest them in their remote paradise, naive though the sentiment proved to be.
Marlinists of today will point back to the distant memory of these blissful early days of the Republic of Achenar and wistfully wish for a return to those simpler times. In that colonial council they envisage a utopia-like pattern for governance, though no great conflict tested it to its limits before its dissolution and subsequent reconstitution as the Imperial Senate.
PRECEPTS OF MARLINISM
Marlinism places tremendous value upon the ideals of individual liberty and accountability, with the object of peaceful coexistence with all mankind. Marlinists are of the persuasion that self-governance is the key to achieving these ideals. They are, in general, a fair-minded, generous, and amicable people. They seek to resolve disagreements through dialogue and compromise. Where no agreement can be reached, they seek first to coexist, then to withdraw and remove themselves from conflict. Only in last resort and in defense do they take up arms. These were the ideals espoused by Marlin Duval, the beloved founder of Achenar, which she exemplified through her deeds.
These prevailing mannerisms and beliefs have led Marlinists to gravitate toward the periphery of our ever-expanding Empire. They comply with Imperial law in these remote systems, and they live under the rule of like-minded patrons and senators. They can be credited for the establishment of a great number of our far-flung colonies. Many renowned and articulate senators through the Empire’s history have been Marlinists. They are likewise well represented among the ambassadors of the Imperial Diplomatic Corps, where they are prized for their natural peacemaking talents.
COEXISTENCE OF MARLINISM WITH IMPERIALISM
In the year 2296, a scant four years after the founding of the Republic of Achenar, tragedy befell the exalted Duval family. Marlin, the architect of peace, perished in a calamitous shuttle accident with her husband and children. It was with a heavy heart that her celebrated and noble brother, Henson, assumed leadership among the ruling council in her place.
Meanwhile, warhawks among the Federation, citing spurious reports and patently untrue accusations made by jealous enemies of Marlin Duval (founder of our hopes), fabricated a pretext by which they justified the naked use of force to conquer the distant Achenar colony. They based their casus belli upon the accidental extinction of the semi-sentient native species of Capitol, the mudlarks, which was caused by otherwise benign microorganisms carried by the colonists. This, they declared in the echo chambers of Federal Congress, was a deliberate act of genocide and a heinous atrocity. And so, using the unfortunate demise of the semi-sentient mudlarks (for whom their declaration of war did nothing) to further their agenda, Congress approved the murderous conquest of Capitol’s non-native sentients, the colonists.
While the majority of colonists understood the need for decisive action via centralized executive leadership, some still clung to the dream of what had been during the lifetime of Marlin Duval, whose light was snuffed out before her time. These colonists held out hope that reliance upon peaceful communication would avert the coming conflict. On the other hand, the followers of the new Emperor understood the ancient adage, Si vis pacem, para bellum, and acted accordingly. Thus, a schism was formed, the Marlinists on one hand, and the Imperials on the other.
The differences between the two schools of thought ultimately counted for little during The Great Battle of Liberation in 2325. Marlinists and Imperials alike fought shoulder-to-shoulder to rebuff the Federation fleet’s invasion of Achenar. Together they drove their mutual enemy back, and from that day of decision down to the present, Marlinists have always sided with their Imperial brothers in times of crisis, with few exceptions worthy of note.
Though generally pacifist in disposition, some radicalized Marlinists have regrettably been known to disregard core beliefs held dear by mainstream Marlinists to foist their desires for a reforged Republic of Achenar upon all other citizens of the Empire. This militant subset of Marlinists have come to be known as Neo-Marlinists. Recent Imperial insurrectionist movements, including Emperor’s Dawn, and Nova Imperium were, in part, supported by Neo-Marlinists in hopes that they would serve as a vehicle to achieve their own ends. It is notable that mainstream Marlinists again stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Imperials against these insurrectionists in the interest of preserving the peace and unity of the Empire.
The recent starport attacks allegedly perpetrated by the Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army has sent shockwaves through the Empire as a whole, including predominantly Marlinist systems. While some have responded to the news with a measure of petty jubilance, others are more somber in their reactions. The deliberate premature termination of life through murder and terrorism is abhorrent to Marlinists, as it violates almost every principle for which they stand. Worse, the attacks have served to breed distrust and ill sentiment toward the entire Marlinist movement due to misunderstanding and lack of experience with true Marlinists. As a result, fear of reprisal is growing in Marlinist systems nearest to the Imperial core worlds. Fear that their children may be radicalized into Neo-Marlinists is similarly on the rise.
In these troubled times more than ever, it is vital for Imperials and Marlinists alike to remember our common roots and the struggles we have endured together for over a millennium. We cannot allow the so-called Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army to drive a wedge within our great Empire, which shines as a beacon to all mankind. Allowing misunderstanding and a spirit of hostility to fester between us serves only to advance the cause of terrorists, external foes, and the shared enemies of mankind. We must stand together against our common adversaries as we have since the first colonists set foot on Capitol.
I plead with all citizens of the Empire to hearken to the words of our forerunners when I say, Hic manebimus optime. Here we will stand [together] most excellently.
Hail to the Emperor! Bask in Her Greatness!
Links to most lore cited above may be referred to in this thread: “The Empire Should Remember Where it Came From”
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