Sex is a major theme in the book. In Chapterhouse: Dune, Frank Herbert continues the more graphic treatment of sexuality begun in Heretics of Dune, which includes many of the same characters and basic challenges. Following Leto II's long, peaceful reign as God Emperor, and a terrible Famine Time, humans scatter throughout the universe, far beyond the Million Worlds of the Old Empire, and deal creatively with their new realities. Although undocumented, it is believed that two groups of powerful women united: Leto II's Fish Speaker guards, shown in God Emperor of Dune to have strong sexual undertones, and Reverend Mothers in extremis, whose training to control every muscle in their bodies does not exclude the erogenous zones. Many times, it is mentioned in passing that Reverend Mothers summon males for sexual gratification on demand.