Social Issues for Nobility

Although experiences vary from House to House, there are universally understood and agreed upon approaches to different **social situations** Noble Houses may face.

#### Marriage

Although children of the main branch of the House are expected to marry to further the house's political standing, Heirs of a given house are not permitted to marry other heirs without first being disinherited or receiving consent from the Empress to merge each house's sector. Although arranged marriages are common, most individuals are given a choice from a potential pool of suitors and may also be permitted to find love within a small group of "acceptable" matches. So long as there isn't an active blood feud between Houses, families are not likely to object to marriages for love.

#### Children, Heirs, and Bloodlines

Heirs are expected to have children. Although a married couple may have no desire for a sexual relationship, they may choose to conceive children in a "non-traditional" way. As genetics are more important than "legitimacy," little care is given to how a child may come into the world as long as it is born from a political match. Surrogacy, "artificial wombs," implantation methods, and wedlock matter little: if the child is born from two Noble Houses, they are viewed as a legitimate Heir to that House. Should a child be born outside of wedlock but only one parent belongs to a Noble house, that child will still be raised as siblings to the Heir.

Children born outside the confines of marriage, either through affairs or open marriage arrangements, may be viewed as genetically legitimate for one side of the Noble parent, but not both. By way of example:

* Nobleman A has a long-standing relationship with Boyfriend B.
* Due to familial pressure from the head of their House, Nobleman A marries Noblewoman C and have a child together.
* Meanwhile, Nobleman A and Boyfriend B have a child through “non-traditional“ means.
* The child between Nobleman A and Noblewoman C would be genetically legitimate for both Houses; however, the child between Nobleman A and Boyfriend B would be viewed as genetically legitimate for Nobleman A’s House, but not Nobleman C’s House. That child could still live in the same household but would be viewed as a non-Heir sibling to Nobleman A and Noblewoman C’s child.

#### Adoption of Children and Adults

Adopting children is a common practice. Although adopted children are regarded as family members, they cannot be an Heir to the House. Instead, they are typically married into cadet branches of other Noble families.

It is also common for adults to be adopted into a family; however, it is not done as a method for taking in individual in need of a home. Instead, it is a reward for long-standing service or as a way for Quad members to become siblings off the battlefield. Adults adopted into a Noble House will be issued a Noble title and name, but they will not be considered part of the main branch family and cannot be an Heir. Instead, adopted adults are often the origination of cadet branches and married into other Noble houses to further establish one another.

#### Education

All children receive education through their parents and private tutors. As outlined in Education in the Empire of Lethe, non-Heir children are free to pursue subjects other than politics should they be so inclined.

#### Careers

Heirs and their siblings have a hand in their family's business, though to what extent varies from House to House. Some Houses’ Heirs are deeply involved to the extent that they are an Heir in name only, while others are completely hands-off. It is ultimately up to the House-ruling parent to determine the level of involvement their Heirs have in the family's business affairs.

#### Security

Levels of security vary widely depending on wealth and attitudes of a given House. Each child of the main branch can expect to have at least one personal guard, but may be assigned more depending on a given House's resources. Houses with more inclined toward misogynistic perspectives may decide to place greater security on their daughters over their sons.

Biometric and genetic locks are the most common method of security throughout the galaxy. Although people who are not blood-related can be added to these locks, a blood-related Heir is preferable.

#### Sexism and Misogyny

Gender matters little in interstellar politics. Transitioning is understood as a personal matter between the individual and their medical team, and is a quick and easy process.

Although every person shares the same rights and Houses typically operate in line with that understanding, some Houses are worse than others regarding gender dynamics. As such, daughters of a House, whether they are cis or trans, may be sequestered to ensure their 'purity' and will be given a harder push toward marriage than their siblings.

#### Money

Although there's a black market that uses the dollar as its primary method of currency, money is completely digital.