Lepus Culture

Despite nearly the entire species being united under the Empire, Lepus culture varies greatly on a provincial basis. The following is a catalogue of Lepus culture, sorted by province.

Inner Provinces
Due to their proximity to the capital, the inner provinces of the Empire largely share the same cultural norms.

Architecture
As with much of the Empire, the inner provinces use the same architectural style, with stone and brick being the most commonly used material in major and minor cities. While villages in these provinces will utilizse those same materials, most use wood and bits of stone to build small huts and houses rather than the costly, extravagant buildings of the major cities.

Lepus architecture takes many influences from the late Human Roman Empire.

Clothing
Togas are the most commonly worn clothing in the inner provinces, especially within major cities. Though they are seen as a sign of wealth and power they're rather uncomfortable, and therefore outside of public appearances most will wear more casual garments.

Language
Monti is by far the most spoken langauge, primarily due to the majority of the inner province's population being Lepus. The Nibayr language of Evzazi is spoken commonly in the markets of cities in Calagarrus and Cosium. Aside from this, any other spoken language is rare.

Religion
Rabium is the most practiced religion in the inner provinces. The worshipped gods of the Rabium pantheon differ greatly as with all provinces, but Aquila and Satron are both commonly prayed to by Lepus in the inner provinces. The follower of Rabium that seek to reach a higher plane of existence typically hail from the inner provinces.

Society
As their name suggests, the inner provinces are the backbone of Lepus and Montiac society. While support for Montiac rule varies in the outer and frontier provinces, the inner provinces have near universal support for the Empire. Military service is also deemed important in these provinces, and though service is not required, it's frowned upon to not support the military in some capacity. Generals and other high-ranking members of the military are the most respected citizens, and will usually move into politics following their retirement.

Lepus make up around 90% of the population of the inner provinces. Petrans have a large population in southern Amida, while Nibayr are common throughout major cities in Calagarrus and Cosium. The Empire's capital, Montiacos, is much more diverse. While Lepus still make up the majority, many other species inhabit the city. Canisians, Nibayr, and Petrans are the most common, though small number of Anurians, Scrofans, and Ursidae do reside within the city. Lepus in Isara are particularly hateful to outsiders, though other species are still allowed entry in accordance with the Empire-wide free travel laws.

Gambling is one of the more popular passtimes. Novago games are commonly bet on, along with Acheta pit fights.

Religion
Rabium is the most practiced religion in Avagum with Rhemarus, God of Nature, being the most prayed to.

Society
Avagum is a rural outer province. Aside from Syene, no other major cities are located in the province. The majority of the province is made up of small "villages", which in reality are just large clusters of family and state owned farms and mines, and unsurprisingly the province is the largest exporter of food and materials in the outer provinces. Despite the long laboring hours for farmhands and miners, Avagum is a fairly wealthy state and most citizens can afford to retire at a young age.

Architecture
Constantia is unique in that, aside from Eryx, villages utilize burrows rather than buildings, with entire cities made underground. These cities utilize simple, somewhat primitive designs. Wood planks are used as supports for the tunnels, while grated mats are placed on the ground to prevent dirt buildup. These burrow cities can take years to fully complete and, present-day, newly built burrows are a rarity.

Language
Lepus in Constantium primarily speak Essaric, the traditional language of Lepus living outside the Domunian Peninsula. Essaric is a barbaric language, bearing no similarities to the more civilized Monti spoken by most Lepus.

Religion
The Rabium god Prygar is commonly worshipped in the province. Though Prygar is the god of the underworld, it isn't explicitly evil. Most burrow citizens believe that failure to pray to Prygar will result in the burrow collapsing into the underworld, and therefore prayer ceremonies are frequent.

Burrows in the west are often home to Lugarist cultists. Lugarists will construct hidden chambers, using them to carry out their brutal sacrifices.

Society
As the burrows can be hard to locate for regular traders, Eryx acts as the hub for outsiders in Constantia. Because the burrorws are undesirable for most Lepus outside the province, few choose to migrate here. This means that the streets of Eryx are rather empty compared to other major cities around the Empire. Most of its residence either run and work in inns and taverns or are employed in the local guard. Those that reside in the burrows will occasionally travel to Eryx to purchase what can't easily be naturally obtained.

Though they are apart of it and don't actively oppose it, the secluded nature of the burrows makes its residents extremely dethatched from the Empire on most levels. Laws are officially in place, but the city guard commonly look the other way in exchange for smut and money. Because of this, the burrows have become a popular hideout for smugglers, mercenaries, and criminals alike. Those that aren't will usually be Rabium monks, or folk who wish to escape typical Montiac life. Burrow communities are tightly knit, and outsiders are rarely welcome.

Individual burrows maintain little contact with each other. Most will operate farmland above ground and mines below, making them self-sufficient, and therefore trade is seen as redundant.