House Aquila Culture

Aquilan society is, as with many other aspects of the noble house, a highly regimented and controlled system, purpose built to maximise contributions and benefits to theImperial Legions. Many aspects of noble and non-noble life alike are determined well in advance, the most critical and obvious of these being Education, Career, and Marriage in the case of noble families. This regimen was created to strive towards one goal: Creating and maintaining the greatest fighting force known to humanity.

Loyalty and devotion to the tenets and teachings of the High Church of Messiah-as-Emperox are pervasive across all strata of House Aquila; however, in the years since the War Against the Artificials, small minorities have turned to the ideologies of the now splintered Church of Humanity Repentant. While rejecting the views many within the CHR proper held for non-humans, the ideas of ‘another way’ resonated among the survivors of the synthetic and corporate conflicts. Supporters of this ideology question why House Aquila sacrifices so much for what seems to be an uncaring Empire, but there are some rumored to harbor doubts about the Cygnus Plot, the once close attachment to the former House Cygnus still lingering among some Aquilans. The actions of the CHR during what would become known as the Conflict of 3200 did little to help what few supporters existed within House Aquila, but they have yet to disappear entirely.

While the Imperial Legions recruit from across the Empire, and as a result maintain a significant degree of multiculturalism, Diomikatens are still surprisingly insular and exhibit a near pervasive apathy and distrust of outsiders. While a number of theories exist, the most popular traces back to the initial colonization of Diomikato. Those who could survive and thrive in the harsh, unforgiving world began to see themselves superior to those of other Houses. Many others cite this behaviour as a byproduct of the focus and preparation taken by Diomikaten recruits over others who choose to serve in the Legions.

This insular predisposition coupled with the general aloof nature of the House’s mandate has contributed to a number of stereotypes forming across the Empire. The most pervasive are that of the ‘stoic sentinel’, the ‘vicious warmonger’, and the ‘xenophobic fanatic’. Others include the ‘mindless soldier’, the ‘gun-toting frontiersmen’, and the ‘heavily oiled athlete’. Furthermore, Aquilan nobility are often looked down upon by their peers oinother houses, as the elevation of non-nobles through the Constitutio program is viewed in many circles as an affront to tradition. These caricatures typically build upon anecdotal evidence, as most interactions between Aquilans and the broader Empire are during times of strife and discourse. All of these, however, fail to see the close communal ties, the camaraderie of those who serve together, the mourning of those lost, the elation of a victory won, or the lust for life from those who willingly offer it up in service to the Empire.

The last, nearly three decades of conflict have stretched many Diomikatens to the breaking point. The loss of life, material, and political institutions has left House Aquila with little options and even less support. While the Convocation works tirelessly to reverse the situation the House now finds itself in, discontent and a sense of abandonment from the Empire has crept its way across Diomikato.

## Art

*For important relics, see Relics of House Aquila*

Aquilan arts typically depicts famous battles, heroes, or legends of the past. In the modern era these depictions take the form of marble sculptures, large elaborate murals, or tapestries in the Aquilan-classical style adopted since the reign of the Blood Eagle. For the performing arts, plays, dramas, orchestral performances, and choirs are often performed in the open-air theaters found throughout the Greenbelt.

Many of the theatrical performances depict the tales and legends of the various heroes of House Aquila from throughout history. The great epochs from the War for Human Prosperity are among the most popular.

The large public spaces of Aquilan towns and cities are often filled with elaborate sculptures depicting both local and historical figures and events. Many of the more prominent metropolitan centers on Diomikato have histories stretching back to the earliest days of colonization, and display that grand history with pride.

One of the most unique Aquilan activities is known as the Haka, a ritualistic dance and chant performed by members of an Aquilan legion before a special event. No two legions share a Haka performance. The origins of this ritual are lost to the ages, but evidence suggests that the tradition has been with Aquila in some form since the earliest days of human colonization.

### Battle Trophies

The act of taking items, wreckage, or remains of a fallen foe as relics and trophies is said to date back to the earliest wars against the non-human occupants of Acheron Rho and has continued, with some alteration, into the modern era. Specifics of the tradition vary from legion to legion, and alterations and interpretations of said traditions can vary down to individual units and legionnaires, but a more common example includes unique ornaments, medallions, or commemorative items with markings or symbols to celebrate a battle or achievement. Others choose to retrieve objects, debris, or rubble from a battlefield and fabricate a token or charm out of the container. Kill markings or tallies is yet another popular method.

This tradition is nominally on a person to person basis, however a number of legions maintain an archive or repository of relics and other historic artifacts on Diomikato. Many of these items celebrate a battle, campaign or individual of great renown. The most illustrious of these are often taken to the Grand Forum to become relics of the House itself.

### Record Tablets

Finding reliable sources of Aquilan history from before The Scream, as is common among all societies in Acheron Rho, is incredibly difficult. In an instant almost the entirety of the Aquilan information database was irreparably damaged; furthermore, there was minimal action taken towards reclaiming what was lost in the chaotic era of warlords which followed, and in some cases there was even purposeful destruction of records like during the burning of the Colonial Museum. Though Diomikato’s technological infrastructure was kept largely intact, record-keeping on primitive stone tablets was seen as a way to preserve future information that was both safe from the failures of technology and cheap to make.

#### The Red Tablets

The now traditional practice of creating record tablets started in the early years of the warlord era of Diomikato, in the planet’s once largest city, Amiheim. The great warlord of the Shining Guard, Iván Obregón, recorded the names and short bios of himself, his family, and some treasured advisors on a marble wall in the capital. The simple practice of having artisans record this information with all the pomp and circumstance befitting nobility, grabbed the eye of the warlord Anaïs Obruchev following their occupation of the city. Out of respect to their predecessor, the previous tablet was left undisturbed, and a section of Obruchev’s own was constructed adjoining it. The now established tradition was continued upon Empress Alejandra Ari’s ascent to the throne, but in the fashion of her reign, the space previously used for family was replaced with descriptions of the regime’s top lieutenants.

Unfortunately for historians and artists (but not a key loss in the mind of the average Aquilan), large sections of the tablets were completely lost during the Siege of Diomikato.

#### The Golden Tablets

Following the Second Imperial Civil War and the destruction of the Red City, the Aquilan capital moved to Infernum, and so did the tradition of keeping record tablets. The newly formed Convocation decided to retain the practice for it’s elected speakers: Engraved in the marble walls of a specially designed memorial hall and inlaid with gold leaf, the Speakers of the Convocation are carved alongside the influential members of society of their time. Who is recorded alongside them in their section is determined at the discretion of the Speaker. To be chosen to stand alongside the leaders of the house in perpetuity is viewed as an incredible honor.

A special department is in charge of creating and maintaining these monuments, headed by the convocationally appointed Keeper of the Golden Tablets.

#### Family Tablets

Record Tablets are not limited to the upper echelons of house leadership. Immortalizing themselves in stone has become very popular for the families of House Aquila. Although they are seldom comparable to the great tablets of the Speakers, having an impressive display for your family is a monument of pride for their creators, and a showy display for impressing associates.

## Ceremonies

### Coming of Age

For Aquilan nobility, adulthood begins at the age of fourteen, and requires an individual to complete the coming of age ceremony in front of their family, public witnesses, and a representative of the High Church. Traditionally the ceremony takes place in a place of worship - a church or private shrine - but it is not unknown for noble families to designate specific locations of great importance or significance for the ceremony to take place.

During the ceremony, the new adult is presented with a banner depicting the family crest, along with embellishments meant to signify this individuals personal identity within the family and house, a weapon of some distinction symbolizing the martial pride of House Aquila, and a trinket or piece of jewelry to symbolize their entrance into Aquilan nobility. At the presentation of these objects, the young noble swears total and complete fealty and allegiance to the Imperial throne and the Empire before the assembled witnesses and a representative of the Divine.
In ages past, the trinket was to identify those who had gone through the SIGNET genetic identification and verification process, while in the modern era this entry is typically done following childbirth or at the child’s baptism. Now the item is used to distinguish those who have matured into full adulthood.

Once a noble has completed the coming of age ceremony, they typically enroll into the Academia Ardenti Arbitrium, otherwise known as Triple A, for officer training into the Imperial Legions; however, as the academy is not limited to military students it is not uncommon for members of the nobility forgo enlistment and choose to serve the Empire and the Legions in the civilian sector such as administrators, industrialists, or diplomats.
Though not an official ceremony, Aquilan serfs also enter adulthood at the age of fourteen. Many have come to see the final ASCE grade, and accompanying identification certificates as the mark of adulthood. While varied in intensity, many families and communities hold small gatherings and celebrations for those who have earned high marks, or for those who will be enlisting into military service.

### Marriage Customs

#### Nobility

As is the case of nobility, arranged marriage is a common practice within House Aquila. While titles play a factor on whom to marry, enlistment status plays a more important role because only military nobles can inherit land, and arranged practices dictate that civilian children should be married off to other families, preferably to another enlisted heir. Marrying off one's military child has been known to occur, but doing so brings the risk of land passing outside the family.

Aquilan weddings contain a variety of traditions across the different regional culture groups of Diomikato, but throughout them all six themes are commonly found. These themes include a feast, a purification of the body, an officiation with an exchange of possession, a sound of triumph, and deployment in that order.

All weddings begin with a large feast hosted by the more powerful of the two or more families. When the feast begins, all involved families arrive at the chosen grounds from separate directions to symbolize armies meeting on the field of battle. Once each family is in position an ancient game of strength known as “Tug of War” is played with the winner of the soon-to-wed given the privilege of being catered to by the others. Today this usually means a feeding of the first bite of the main dish, however in original tradition this would signify who would be the head in the marriage. After the game, the feast officially commences with plenty of barbecue and wine, usually with the meat having been freshly hunted by members of the host family. Live music and other competitions are also common.

Once the feast has concluded, the ceremony for the purification of the body begins. The soon-to-wed are escorted, traditionally in a palanquin or atop a fire newt in Ashwaster custom, to a sanctified hotspring. A member of the clergy will then perform the purification ceremony while the soon-to-wed bathe naked in the springs together - their families remain outside. The ceremony represents a cleansing of body and soul after the indulgence of the feast and any other past vices; the springs are also said to fill the soon-to-wed with new vitality.

Once the purification ritual is complete, the wedding takes place usually at a church, though since its creation some weddings take place in the Legio Terminus to allow fallen friends, family, and comrades to take witness as well. The ceremony is then officiated by a member of the clergy, with the soon-to-wed often married under the banners of their families or houses in the case of inter-house marriages. During the ceremony it is custom for an exchange of possession to take place, the chosen possession can vary as long as it holds significant sentimental value. For those enlisted, the exchange of one’s holo tags is a common but extremely special ritual that signifies a trusting of life. When the ceremony is completed a sound of triumph is performed often while the wedded kiss. Traditionally the sound of triumph is a gun salute however more pompous nobles have been known to use even artillery.

The final theme of an Aquilan wedding is the deployment. Immediately after the wedding ceremony, the wedded leave their families behind by riding away on fire newt - a tradition originally used by Ashwasters. In the past it was custom for the wedded to then camp together in the wilderness with only the supplies the fire newt could carry. Today, however, it is more common for the wedded to spend that time vacationing instead.

#### Serfdom

Following the doctrine of the High Church of Messiah-as-Emperox, House Aquila puts no restrictions on marriage between serfs despite the ASCE system. Courtship between the various serf grades is common, although tradition dictates that those of lower grade or status are to ask permission from the partner-to-be’s family, and unlike noble marriage, serf marriage is often not arranged.

While traditions vary between the various regions of Diomikato, one custom is almost always present: serf weddings are large, open affairs where everyone is free to come and participate. This is an expected tradition among communities because special rations are given during weddings to help facilitate the festivities and feast. Thus weddings are a chance for serfs of even the lowest grade to experience a more extravagant lifestyle for the day.

Besides the communal wedding tradition, serf marriages follow similar themes to noble ones with some exceptions: the Tug of War between families is usually performed by the whole community, the purification ceremony is far less common due to travel restrictions, there are no family banners for the marriage ceremony to be performed under, the sound of triumph is usually limited to trumpets or other instruments due to gun restrictions, and deployment is also far less common with further feasting usually in its place.

### Funeral Practices

*For futher reading, see Imperial Funeral Tradtions*

Diomikato provides many remarkable and silent cemeteries and mausoleums for the resting. It is practice for the living, when visiting their fallen family members and/or comrades, to lay an eagle’s feather on their grave. These are usually given out in front of the cemetery in exchange for a small price which is used to finance and maintain those places of the fallen.

Aquilans are a people who highly honor and respect their dead, especially those fallen in battle. Because of this, vandalism and other mischief in and around Aquilan cemeteries is seen as the highest disrespect and is punished severely.

Many Aquilans also treat the holo-tags of those who fell in the line of duty as charms or talismans, carrying them on their persons or as part of a shrine within a home. Others chose to decorate the memorial of a fallen soldier with the holo-tag, while still others donate them to the larger memorials, such as the Legio Terminus, for safekeeping.

## Cuisine

*For more on Aquilan cuisine, see House Aquila Cuisine*

Food and drink is an important part of Aquilan culture, known to incorporate influences from many different cultures across Acheron Rho due to the cosmopolitan nature of the Imperial Legions, it was not until receiving Diomikato as their homeworld that Aquilan cuisine truly developed its own style. Modern Aquilan cuisine largely focuses on using native Diomikatan flora and fauna in their dishes, alongside general imports for more staple food stuffs.

## Dueling

It is the right of all nobles to be able to call for a duel when slighted; however, House Aquila has unique cultural pressures that affects dueling within the House because it is believed that the Imperial Legions must always come first. This pressure has resulted in traditions for Aquilan duels that differ from the rest of the Empire:

The general expectation of the House is that a duel should never be detrimental to one’s legion. This generally discourages dueling between different ranks, as it lowers the higher ranking officers position of authority. Dueling while on active duty is also taboo, especially if a duel is used to circumvent the chain of command. Dueling to the death is equally discouraged, as it is seen as a needless and unnecessary waste of a legionnaire. Finally only one type of duel is forbidden within the legion military: dueling for rank.

Breaking these expectations can place a severe social stigma upon the perpetrator which will almost always hinder their advancement within the Imperial Legions. For that reason, duels are rare among the officers of House Aquila. There have been cases of individuals attempting to bait others into declaring duels that breakin the expectations of an Aquilan officer, but the suspicion has often been that individuals attempting this are paid for their attempts by enemies of the victim. For Aquilan civilians, dueling is mostly free of these traditions.

As for the duels themselves, the use of hired Reticulum duelists is common as with the Empire at large, even for a martial society like House Aquila. Reticulum agents are not just hired for their skill, knowledge, and etiquette, but also because their use can sometimes allow for bypassing the stigma brought from breaking any of the traditions. If Reticulum wielders are not employed then most commonly duels are performed through oil wrestling as the sport is considered both honorable and safe.

## Education

### Nobility

Early childhood education among noble Aquilan families is typically conducted at home through a private tutor or tutors, or in small private academies. As is tradition, each family determines the nature of the educational program for their offspring, that being said the breath of education is typically broad and all-encompassing. History, mathematics, science, politics, and culture are touched upon, though many families focus their attention on matters and topics aimed at a career within the Imperial Legions.

Once an Aquilan noble has come fourteen years of age, they are typically enrolled in the Academia Ardenti Arbitrium, the famed and prestigious military academy. The core program focuses on training career military officers, however the academy does provide an array of courses for those not seeking enrollment into the Legions. Programs nominally last four years, and in the case of the officer regime, graduates are immediately entered into the Legions at the rank of Tribune or Centurion based upon their performance during the program. During states of war or emergency, cadets have been allowed to postpone their academic program and final examination and enter the Legions at the rank of Legionary. Many utilized this option during the War Against the Artificials.

Options for further education are nominally found outside of Diomikato through various other Noble Houses or corporate sponsored institutions. Those who seek these supplementary programs are often working towards a unique role or position within Aquilan nobility, or simply demonstrating the breath of their family's connections and wealth to their peers.

### Serfdom

For the serf population, early childhood education is performed in approved and certified ASCE training centers. The education programs focus on team building and problem solving while evaluating student capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses in preparation for the final ASCE evaluations and scoring conducted at the age of fourteen.

Upon completion of the educational program, a serf will have a number of options available to them dependent on the ASCE grade they have earned during evaluations, but enlistment into the Imperial Legions is open to any serf, regardless of assigned grade. Serf recruits from across the Empire are sent to Camp Martius for legionnaire training. For those who wish to serve the house in other ways, apprenticeships and employment opportunities will be available to them based upon the ASCE grade the individual has been assigned.

Some individual nobles or institutions sanctioned by the Convocation offer opportunities for continued private education. These programs come at great out of pocket expense, but offer an opportunity for reevaluation of an individual’s ASCE grade upon graduation.

#### War Child Project

A program initiated by the Convocation during the rebuilding of Diomikato and House Aquila in the aftermath of the Second Imperial Civil War. Non-noble children who, for one reason or another, lacked a family or caregiver would be relocated to one of a number of facilities around Diomikato and Aliya. There they would become charges of the House, and given room, board and education befitting this status.

The goal of the program is to ensure all resources available to the House are utilized to their fullest. While the level of care is far from luxurious, it is far better than what can be found in the wilderness of Diomikato.
The care and education programs typically include a number of opportunities to experience work in a variety of fields. The goal being to attempt to emulate the natural acquisition of skills a serf would experience in a typical settlement upbringing.

Once of age, the orphans complete the same ASCE evaluation examinations as every other Aquilan serf. Once an ASCE grade is assigned they are free to pursue employment opportunities granted to them by the earned ASCE classification.

## Entertainment

Aquilan entertainment typically focuses on group or team based physical sports or competitions, although individual displays of prowess or skill are still celebrated. For sports, Psiball is one of the most popular followed closely by activities more unique to House Aquila: oil wrestling, fire newt riding, firearm marksmanship, decathlons, and mock skirmishes/gladiatorial fighting.

### Lorica Piloting

Though using striped down, altered and otherwise inferior models to the legendary engines of war and destruction used by the Imperial Legions, competitive pilots compete in a series of games to display their skill and prowess. The most popular events are races through both void and terrestrial courses, and non-lethal combat scenarios. Events are typically team based, with crews and pilots always looking to push the limits of what is possible.

### SIM Leagues

Combat simulations are an essential component of training and combat readiness within the Aquilan Legions. What started as unofficial events, soon became a Convocation sponsored effort to foster creativity and innovation, as well as identify legionnaires with valuable leadership qualities. These events and competitions take many forms, but typically involve combat units competing against each other in various scenarios. Success and achievement in these games is a mark of pride for many within the Legions.

As the SIM Leagues rose to prominence within the Legions, smaller scale operations using less powerful or complex systems began to spread across Diomikato and Aliya. The majority of these establishments have been founded by retired Legion personnel and the SIM Leagues have grown into a treasured pastime within House Aquila.

### Legion Scrip

A tradition born in the chaotic Warlords period immediately following the Scream, Scrip was a form of Diomikatan currency used by the various warlords and independent fiefdoms at the time. Manufactured from the slugs of magnetic rifles, the currency came in a variety of shapes and forms. While Scrip quickly fell out of official use once contact with the rest of the sector was reestablished, it continues as an impromptu and unofficial reward and commemoration system within the Legions to this day. As a bonus for joining, several legions provide an initial amount of Legion Scrip alongside the acceptance of Dio’s Dimes.

Most legions when not on active duty facilitate informal bars, entertainment clubs, and shops for use by their legionnaires during R&R. These establishments are largely paid for by legionnaires using Legion Scrip, the actual expense being taken care of by the legion itself. It is common for Legion Scrip to be exchanged outside of these establishments between legionnaires in exchange for favours, luxury goods, and as part of wagers - Gambling for actual credits being banned within the Legions.

## Fashion

In keeping with the rigid rationing of the ASCE system, standard issue clothing for non-nobles is typically plain and utilitarian, constructed of durable materials. Studies have been conducted over many decades to determine the minimal style differentiation that produces the maximum amount of psychological benefits. The higher serf grades have access to better quality clothing options, as well as various imports from across the sector although typically at inflated price ranges.

For the nobility, the only limit is their wealth and connections. Traditionally, officers of the Legions wear their dress uniforms to formal social gatherings. Veterans have been known to continue this practice even after they have left active service, although others simply display a mark, badge, or medal to indicate service.

## Holidays

### Marsalia

Corresponding with the annual oil wrestling championship, the Feastival of Mars celebrates the first Aquilan Arhat and all he embodies: martial prowess, honor, chivalry, and fierceness.

While the Oil Wrestling Championship is the prime event many participants look forward to watching, the holiday is a feast day where many families and communities come together to break beard and compete in friendly sports competition.

During Marsalia, participants are also expected to give gifts of chocolate to those less fortunate than them. Parents give chocolate to their children, nobles to their serfs, and even Legion High Command to all enlisted legionnaires. This tradition is believed to have been started by Arhat Mars himself.

### Fête-dame

Fête-dame or Fête de la dame is the annual feast day that celebrates the Lady of Diomikato, Arhat Lyon and all she embodies: faith, perseverance, community, and domestication of nature.

The Festival of the Lady usually lasts a weekend, and is a time to reflect on the past and admire nature. During the holiday, participants will often go camping and or hunting in the spirit of the planet’s first settlers; but before these excursions, many will visit her cathedral in Infernum to leave offerings and to receive spiritual guidance.

Because Fête-dame occurs at the end of traditional harvest season, as Aquila transitioned from the period of warlords to a unified House, the holiday has also incorporated many regional harvest festivals. While the camping practices has often catered more towards the nobility of House Aquila, the harvest feasts are derived from peasant custom as serfs are allowed to keep a portion of the year’s final harvest. These feasts are always helped funded by the ruling liege because, like with most holidays, on Fête-dame serfs are excused from rationing.

### Publicae Feriae

Uniquely held every five years to coincide with convocational elections, Publicae Feriae, often called Convocation Day, is a holiday celebrating the founding of the House's republic and the escape from the former dictatorship.

The holiday's primary festivity is the massive military parade that starts in Infernum, travels through all the major cities along the InterTrine Causeway, before returning to Infernum where the Convocation is sworn into session a final time by the incumbent Speaker. Once in session all Legates and Praetors vote for the new Speaker and Decemviri. On this day, the election is the only business the Convocation is allowed to conduct.

Convocation Day is suspended during wartime, though this has so far only occurred during the War Against the Artificials when it was suspended four times.

### Copialia

Copialia (literally troop festival) is the annual day of remembrance for House Aquila and the Empire. While respect and reverence for military service and the fallen is ingrained in Aquilan culture, Copialia was created to spread this belief across the Empire as many non-Aquilans have served and died in the Imperial Legions as well.

Copialia is a time for friends and relatives of fallen legionnaires to make pilgrimage to the many war memorials on Diomikato and around the Empire. The Legio Terminus, being the largest military graveyard and primary resting place for legionnaires, is a routine pilgrimage destination during the holiday.

During the holiday, every church on Diomikato and all the legion forts across the sector continually toll bells for the entire day. The ceaseless bell tolling signifies the uncountable number of people who have fallen in service to the Imperial Legions and the Empire.

Copialia often features a sector-wide mass recruitment drive by the Imperial Legions. "Remember the dead, respect the living," is a common recruitment phrase during the holiday.

### Awakening of the Phoenix Mons

Held on the anniversary of Diomikato's rediscovery by House Vela, the Awakening of the Phoenix Mons is named for the event's fireworks display that simulates the dormant volcano's eruption. The fireworks display, which functions as the holiday's closing ceremony, uses special explosives that artificially simulate a volcanic eruption including plasmic effects, pseudo lightning storms, and smoke. The display is so powerful that it registers on seismographs.

Before the closing ceremony, the festival is celebrated around the Phoenix Mons, with thousands of travelers from around the planet gathering to partake in personal and communal feasts. The Awakening of the Phoenix Mons also has a special oil wrestling tournament that uses the team variant of play, and is independent of the normal championship held during Marsalia.

Traditionally the festival would have Velan dignitaries as guests of honor, however with House Vela's exigo, many believe this tradition to no longer be appropriate. Some have wondered if other guests of honor could be chosen as replacements or if the tradition should be abandoned altogether.

### Tullium

Tullium is the newest state holiday in House Aquila, and has yet to be solidified with tradition or planned festivities. The Festival of Tullia is the feast day of the recently ascended Arhat Tullia, celebrating all she embodies: loyalty, determination, forgiveness, and self-sacrifice.

Several ways to observe the holiday have been proposed by the Convocation, the High Church, and other Aquilan nobles:

* Anti-corporate factions have proposed making Tullium a holiday celebrating House Aquila's victory over ACRE Corporation and the Sector Trade Organization. During this time, people would burn trapezoid effigies to spite the company's memory and Fizzy Cheese would be banned from sale. Some do worry that using Arhat Tullia's holiday to promote anti-corporate sentiment would alienate the corporations with good relations to the House.
* Arhat Tullia's family have offered to open her estate during the festivities as a pilgrimage site. They have also proposed the holiday be dedicated to the spirit of reconciliation, where people can set aside differences and remember our ultimate purpose. This custom is thought of as a legacy to Arhat Tullia’s “A Rallying Call.”
* Members of the Convocation have also put forward many potential practices including a presentation of the Praetorian Guard, animal sacrifice in honor of her own, a third feast day, a theatrical play of her life story, or wearing of a phoenix pin or other paraphernalia for solidarity.

Whatever becomes of her holiday, the Convocation has planned to unveil a statue in her image on Tullium's first celebration. The statue will be placed directly outside the Grand Forum, on the spot where she died.

### Regional Festivals

Outside of official House holidays, many regions of Diomikato and Aquilan holdings observe smaller regional festivals. Many of the regional holidays relate to the varying weather patterns and local natural phenomenon that occur in the region. While others are merely the whim of local nobles or community held celebrations, these regional differences go on to separate the culture groups of the Diomikato.

For example, in the White Trine a meteor shower known as the malleo ruinam can be observed throughout the month of November. On the 18th of November during the peak of the shower, celebrations are held under the dark skies across the Hinterlands and Beacon Spur. The festival is a celebration of the unique culture of the White Trine, symbolised by the phenomenon that is unique to these regions.

The Greenbelt, being the most populous region on Diomikato, has many local festivals, ranging from larger trine festivals like the Greenbelt Derby, to those held by individual villages and settlements. As the trine that is responsible for the majority of agriculture on the planet, there are many festivals that relate to the beginning of the planting season. Local communities gather to break ground on the various fields and orchards of the Greenbelt, in celebration of new life and renewal. Another unique celebration in the Greenbelt is the arts festival held in the Villa Artifex in Infernum, the home of Aquilan arts and culture floods every year with artists and performers even attracting Lyran interest.

The Red Trine has very few organised festivals due to its population being the smallest of the three trines. However, one of the most widely celebrated holidays coincides with the end of the annual ash storm cycle. Throughout the year ash storms ravage the Red Trine and the edges of the Greenbelt, though these storms occur more frequently towards the months of June and July until, in the first week of August, the storms abruptly cease. Communities gather in those first weeks of August to celebrate their survival through the storms, and great feasts are often made of leftover emergency supplies that are then shared between the local communities before preparations to survive the next years storms begin.

## Language

*For common sayings and slang, see House Aquila Colloquialism*

*For naming conventions and Legion ranks, see House Aquila Naming Conventions*

Members of House Aquila are known to speak a variety of languages, as the House recognizes four official languages.

The first language, like the majority of Acheron Rho, is Imperial Standard. This is the main language used by most Aquilans and has been spoken the longest of any language in the House. It is taught to all Aquilans at a young age and is of course used when interacting with the Empire at large. The heavy use of Imperial Standard, even in private, is a showcase to the cosmopolitan nature of the Aquilan Legions; various words and phrases from different cultures around the Empire are often adopted into the common parlance of the House.

The second language is Latin (officially Aquilan Latin to differentiate it from other forms in the family such as Fornax Latin). Latin is the official language of nobility and government in House Aquila, though the serfdom is not forbidden from learning it. The language was artificially developed and adopted after the death of the Blood Eagle during the period of Aquilan Reformation. During this adoption, intensive latinization took place and the names of government institutions and even people changed as part of embracing the reformation.

The third language is Diomikaten, which is a Romance Creole that naturally developed during the colonization of Diomikato beginning in the year 2417. As an unified culture for the House solidified, Diomikaten eventually became the first officially recognized language of House Aquila and Diomikato. Today the language is still taught to all Aquilans but is mostly spoken among the serf population as they take special pride in their cultural roots.

The fourth and newest recognized language is Leorene, which is spoken on Leorgioly. Linguists have yet to pinpoint the foundational language that formed the basis of Leorene, but the language appears to be a creole that developed from the founders of Davnishnigrad and has overtime incorporated words and grammar from a variety of languages brought in by the rare settler since. Though Leorene is not widespread in House Aquila, the Convocation has - as part of the integration mission statement - recognized the language as Leorgioly’s official language, will have it continued to be taught on the planet, and will offer classes for Aquilans not native to the world.

* Infernum
* Amiheim, The Red City)
* Leorgioly (Flore and Fauna
* Aliens)
 Organizations
* Imperial Legions
* Quaestionarius Corps
* Umbra Protocol
* The Chosen
* Téng Shé
 Culture
* Colloquialisms
* Military Awards
* Relics
* Oil Wrestling
* Fire Newt Riding
 Related Groups
* Broken Eagle
* Neo-Eagleism (Children of the Blood Eagle)
* War Machines
* Navalis Equipment (Ship Classes)
 History
* Second Imperial Civil War (White Legions)
* Aquilan-Cah Binn Conflict
 People
 Alliances
 Faction Turn