Lepus

The Lepus are a species of Rabbit-folk. Residing primarily in Calast, the Lepus are the founding and primary species of the Montiac Empire. A number of Lepus also live in Montiac colonies in Meridian and Calor. Though much of Lepusian culture and history being based around the Empire, nearly each Montiac province has a distinct culture and therefore Lepus culture as a whole is only a generality with only a handful of universal cultural norms.

History
Main article: Montiac Empire

Origins
Released during the first Awakening, the Lepus were one of the first species to begin repairs on ancient Human ruins. This gave them a greater understanding of Human technology than other species, which would be vital in the eventual creation and expansion of the Empire. These ruins would also serve as the foundations to numerous Lepus city-states.

In the final decades of the Awakening Era these city-states began clashing across the Domunian Peninsula, though no single state would go to control a significant amount of territory until years later.

First Century
Montiacos quickly became the dominant force on the peninsula, and its conquering of the Atronius clan led to the start of the Montiac Era. Originally only conquering small local clans and cities, Arruns Montiaco's rise to the throne in ME 33 saw Montiacos rapidly expand. In just 15 years, under Arruns rule, Montiacos became the sole surviving state on the peninsula save for Isara. The two states would eventually war, and a further civil war in Montiacos led to the establishment of the Montiac Empire. Though initially struck with widespread poverty and famine, the Empire would eventually become the chosen home for the majority of Lepus as it expanded across Calast.

Second Century
The 2nd century saw the spread of the Lepus into Central Calast, as the Empire sought to extend its territory. This migration across the continent contributed heavily to the large cultural differences between the Lepus, with distance from the capital and general development of a province affecting life in that area.

The first other species that integrated into the Empire were the Petra, which were encountered in ME 123. the Nibayr followed in ME 140, and the Scrofans were forcefully integrated after the Portan War.

The 1st century saw Lepus reach Nix and Viridi, though this exploration was stopped after the disappearance of Vel Agorix and his crew. A small number of Lepus also migrated to the newly encountered Shanorin Dynasty, though their status after Abdiel's rise to power is unknown.

Fourth Century
Present-day, the Lepus have the highest population of any other species in Calast.

With the beginning of the Second Emergence in recent weeks, the Empire and its provinces has been overrun by the Lyrac, unable to form a proper frontline against the overwhelming number of the bats.

Description
On average, Lepus stand between 5'5 and 6'2, though rare outliers have grown up to seven feet tall. Their size largely depends on their diet and local environment. Despite having a frail body, rarely acquiring any muscle mass, they make up for it in their speed and agility. An average, untrained Lepus can run up 30km/h and jump upwards of 11ft. As well, Lepus are light on their feet and if trained properly, can be deadly covert soldiers. This was most prevalent during the late stages of the Northern War, when the Empire deployed small groups of specially trained soldiers to take out Ursidae encampments. These soldiers would later become the Pugiones, in direct service of the Emperor.

All Lepus possess the same physical characteristics, with only small differences between them (i.e. fur color, ear length, size, etc.). There are also some Lepus born with blue, green, or red colored fur. These Lepus are considered ugly in some provinces, and are outcast. Lepus stay virtually the same for most of their lifespan. When a Lepus gets close to the end of their lifespan, they begin to wither away at a slow rate, and usually die within two years of that. As Lepus wither, they lose most if not all of their agility by the time they die, and it is sometimes seen as generous to end their life when the withering begins. The average Lepus lives to be around 36 years old, with their physical peak coming between ages 18 and 24.

Lepus possess a high intelligence, being one of the first species to make use of ancient Human ruins and technology.

Anatomy and Physiology
Lepus smell with the use of two nostrils, each slightly in front of and below the eye socket, though their sense of smell is fairly underdeveloped compared to other species. the Lepus have tetradactyly feet and pentadactyly hands and, like most species, evolved a thumb sometime between the storing of embryos in Habitats and the start of the Awakening Era through unknown means. Their legs are digitigrade, and they posess hairy soles on their feet to improve grip. Lepus also have distinctive, elongated and mobile ears, and they have an excellent sense of hearing.

Lepus have leathery skin covered in hair, which they quickly grow after being born. Their coats can take on a variety of colors, but will generally keep the same color over their entire lifespan. Sexual dimorphism exists, with females being smaller and more frail than males. All Lepus have either a brown, black, red, or blue sclera and Iris.

Society and Culture
Main article: Lepus Culture

Despite nearly the entire species being united under the Empire, Lepus culture varies greatly on a provincial basis. For example, in Olkuzium, a majority Scrofan province, many Lepus have adopted the warrior lifestyle of the boar-folk. However, there are some generalitys that apply to all Lepus.

Architecture
Provinces around the Empire use the same architectural style, with stone and brick being the most commonly used material in major and minor cities. While villages near the heart of the Empire will often utilize those same materials, most use wood and bits of stone to build small huts and houses. Due to the structure of their legs, Lepus don't use stairs or ladders. Ramps are used in place of stairs while ladders are seldom used, with most Lepus simply jumping up to higher platforms.

The province of Constantia is unique in that, aside from a few major cities, villages utilize burrows rather than buildings, with entire cities made underground.

Clothing
Togas are the most commonly worn clothing in the inner provinces, while more casual garments are worn in the outer and frontier provinces, even among the elite. Most Lepus remain barefoot, with the few that use footwear using sandals.

Food
Lepus primarly eat only vegetables, as their teeth are too weak to regularly chew meat. Celery, Broccoli, and Basil are very popular meals for any time of the day. Bread is eaten on the side with most meals, covered in grass spread. Carrots are a delicacy, eaten every third night as a dessert and given to soldiers before battle.

While eating meat is possible, it's seen as barbaric and tehrefore usually only occurs in the outer and frontier provinces of the Empire. Acheta meat is the most commonly eaten.

Holidays
Adunatio Day is celebrated across the Empire, both by Lepus and the other species of the Empire. Held annually on the 13th of Callanius, Adunatio Day celebrates the end of the Montiac Civil War.

Influence of Humanity
Many Lepus in the 1st and 2nd century had a fascination for the Roman Empire, an ancient Human state. This included attempts at imitating their architecture, language, clothing, and occasionally even physical mutilation to achieve the look of a Human. This mutilation mainly focused on cutting off the majority of ones ears and tail, but some individuals would go as far as to flatten their face with a blunt object. These mutilations were so widespread that Lars Bellicus, Emperor from ME 156 to 174, was one of the individuals who carried out a self mutilation. Ironically, Bellicus would be the one to outlaw these mutilations.

Though less prevalent than in the past, the Roman influence can still be seen across the Empire in many forms. Though self mutilation is outlawed, it's still sometimes practiced in remote areas of the Empire.

Language
Monti is the most commonly spoken language by the Lepus. Lepus in isolated areas may speak Essaric, but even then will use the Monti language in some way.

Monti is heavily derived from the Human Latin language, which the Lepus found in the codex's of various Habitats around Calast. As the codex's are thousands of years old, much of the language was pieced together and is therefore not entirely faithful to Human Latin.

Religion
The Lepus are unique in that their religion, Rabium, doesn't include a creation myth as the existence of Habitats largely disproves any. Instead, the Lepus believe that a pantheon of gods control the flow of the world but all species simply came from natural evolution. Although Lepus pray to these various gods, most believe that their fate is out of their control and simply go about their lives. Although no afterlife exists in Rabium, it's believed that several planes of existence exist, and they can only be reached by the living with a lifetime of effort, or by accomplishing some great task. Because of the great deal of effort required, it's rare to see individuals attempt to reach these other planes, and those that do are usually extremely devoted followers.

Other religions exist, usually province specific. As well, Lugarists can be found in the far reaches of the Empire.

Relationship with other Species
Unsurprisingly, the Lepus are mostly cordial with the other species in the Empire. This includes the Nibayr, Canisians, and Petrans. Scrofans are seen less favourably due to the Portan Wars, but are still treated fairly well.

The Ursidae are seen as barbaric, but due to the low number residing in the Empire, many Lepus have never physically encountered one. The few Anurians that reside in the Empire's major cities usually operate market stalls, and because of this many Lepus see their species as nothing more than devious merchants. Most Chasa are seen as arrogant, though again, they are rarely encountered.