Rumours of Ophelion Radicalism

Rumors are surfacing about a potentially radical development from within House Ophelion. According to rumor, children fief-wide are being removed from their families and labor responsibilities in order to be given what have been called "civics" lessons. These lessons, which are delivered at various institutions throughout the fief, are apparently compulsory for all children starting from the age of four. It's unclear what purpose these lessons might serve. However, it is quite certain that they can only reduce the industrial capacity of the Ophelion family's holdings as valuable peon labor is diverted to these institutions.

Some commenters speculate that House Ophelion is experimenting with a liberalizing political programme such as are hinted at in various folk tales and ancient legends. These legends talk of societies in which whole populations are given a "liberal education" and where even the lowest dregs of society participate in political decision-making. Such a radical innovation, if it were truly attempted, would wreck havoc with the political stability and economic success of the Ophelion-controlled fiefs for obvious reasons. Peons who are convinced that they can take an active role in decisions that are too great for them may indeed demand to take such an active role. Widespread strikes and political foment can be the only predictable outcome. Mob rule is the utter lack of order and profits.

Making matters worse are the rumors that this compulsory education programme involves physical education. The peons are thus being led to believe that they have the ability and status to effect political change and the physical wherewithal to implement it. Several anonymous Landsraad sources report that there is widespread displeasure at these rumors. Although the aristocracy is willing to hear House Ophelion's side of the story, it also seems clear that they are willing to hear only one version of that story, viz., a flat denial of the rumors and some explanation for the rumors' existence.