Family
Family comes first and foremost in the Gryph culture. Even poor Gryphs have large houses that host large families. It is not uncommon for one house to have three, four, or even five generations living together. The eldest child will always inherit the house, and is considered the head caretaker for both the house and the family living within. The parents are expected to work and provide financial support for their children. The elder children (12 and older), when not in school, work both in and out of the house, keeping things clean, neat and organized. They are expected to cook, clean, do field work, and shop for necessities. They are also expected to take care of their younger siblings, and in many cases are deemed as the ones responsible for their well-being. As a result of this demeanor, many Gryph siblings share a very close relationship. Senior family members, having already worked a hard life, are given a relaxing leisure and are have very little responsibility aside from caring for (both with love and discipline) the younger children (which they tend to enjoy). The only exception to this rule is the eldest senior or house owner, who, as stated earlier, is deemed as the head caretaker for the house and family (but usually this just involves him or her stating orders to give other family members…however if one family member slacks, it’s the eldest senior who receives the offense from other citizens).
The average Gryph family has 5 children. The average Gryph military family has 9 children. Often the role of the military carries on in lineage, and since death is a common outcome of serving in the military, their families are larger. Because work in the military impedes on working to provide money for the family, the military families receive discounts at many stores and receive financial assistance from the Funding Senate.
Marriage, Sex, and Children
Marriage is considered a bond of families, as a way of spreading the couples' joys to one another. Marriage is brought out of love and of hopes for a lasting relationship. This has changed from ancient times, when marriage was most often arranged by parents and arranged unto couples in order to keep prestiged families in the circle of high status. Most marriage ceremonies, though a happy event, are attended by only the respected family members, and very few friends. These ceremonies last for three days: one day to honor the groom, one day to honor the bride, and one day to honor both. On the third day, the ceremony involves a 'handfasting'. That is, the couples hands are bound to signify that while being together can make things easier, it can also bring about hardships that the couple most overcome in the relationship. In terms of name, the final surname that is passed belongs to the family of higher status or of higher income (that is, the name that belongs to the family most likely to be the breadmaker). Because family values are of high importance to the Gryphs, children are expected from a couple. As a result of this, homosexuality is seen as a "flaw" among the Gryph society, and is strongly discriminated against. Premarital sex is illegal, as sex is viewed as personal, passionate, and the final tie in a couple's relationship. Putting children up for adoption, though available, is also discouraged. Adopting another one's child is a lukewarm act of kindness; while on one side the parent/s are trying to form a bond with the child, at the same time they are cutting of what should be the child's "true bond" even more severely. The family bond is the primary bond to establish and upkeep, so any thought of "getting rid of" a child is offensive to many. That being said, abortion (though again, available) is considerded a disgusting act by most.
Religion
For Gryphs, religion is strong and personal. Nearly all the Gryphs have devoted themselves to the worship and servitude to the four Goddesses. School, religion, and law were constructed and are maintained under the rules the four Goddesses made when they ruled over the Gryphs hundreds of years ago. Religion is practiced daily either at home, school, or in the United Guild. More about Gryph religion can be found in the "Gryph Religion" article.
Government
The city of Eudaimonia is governed by a monarchy that is tied in with the clergy of the United Guild. The first emperor of Eudaimonia was crowned after the last Avatar left. Beforehand, the city was governed by the Avatar as well as by a senate. Through the past several hundred years, there have been family assassinations and thus the crown has passed to different families several times.
Men of the royal family hold the title of ruler of Eudaimonia. Women of the royal family become priestesses of the United Guild. The eldest male is crowned Emperor, while the eldest female is endowed as the Matriarch. When the eldest male marries, his wife becomes Matriarch if she is deemed wise and competent enough to take on the role. If not, she becomes a member of the Emperor’s Personal Council or the Circle of Unity. Therefore, it is in favor of the family that the Emperor chooses his wife from one of the priestesses of the United Guild. The former Matriarch is then forced to retire from the United Guild to serve on the Personal Council. (Though the transition isn’t always smooth…)
The Emperor’s Personal Council and the Matriarch’s Circle of Unity are the two highest assemblies of the city. Although both committees require each other’s assistance and approval before laws are passed, the Personal Council holds slightly more authority than the Circle of Unity. However, to avoid heated debates and chances of riots, very rarely will the Personal Council pass a law that is not approved by the Circle of Unity.
The Personal Council is a congress of 20 members that assist the emperor in making decisions in a variety of areas, including relaying information from the Flight Crest and the Senate Crest to the Emperor. With consent of the Circle of Unity, the Personal Council holds final decision in passing, interpreting, or overturning new laws for the city. They have the sole power of approving treaties and declaring war.
The 48 members of the Senate Crest are previous senators who have served the city for at least 30 years and have proven both loyalty and expertise. The regular Senate is a group of 134 personnel who work to serve the city in terms of Agriculture, Natural Resources, Architecture, Industrial Resources, Scientific Research, Funding, Civil Ethics, Magical Ethics, Education, Judicial, Business, and Water Supply. There are four senators for each section, and each senator has two assistants. (There are more workers for each senate beyond the assistants, but only the two are counted as members of the senate.) The Senate Crest is the step between the Senate and the Personal Council/Circle of Unity, and also oversees the Senate’s decisions about certain issues.
When issues and debates among the populous, citizens first report to the Senate where they debate their concern. Each debate must pass with a 60/40 majority in favor before the concern is passed to the either the Senate Crest or the Flight Crest (depending on the issue) before reaching the Circle of Unity and Personal Council.
The Circle of Unity is the Matriarch’s 16-member council and is based from the United Guild. Therefore, most of the issues that reach the Circle of Unity are often discussed in a religious view. Members of the Circle often question the morality of the issue in terms of the Divination (a book of religious history and ethics stemmed from the four Goddesses). In order to become a member of the Circle of Unity, one must usually be at the highest rank in the United Guild (high priest or priestess). However, access to membership is not limited by rank or years served (though both of these serve as an advantage). If a citizen has proven his or her religious and moral worth to the Guild (and there is an open seat on the council), he or she is allowed to become a member. Although this somewhat unorthodox initiation is shunned by some (granted it doesn’t happen very often), it only proves that the voice of common citizens is of high importance to the United Guild.
The Flight Crest is the military committee, made of retired military members. More information can be found in the "Flight and Wings" article.
School
School is conducted at the United Guild, but young mages also take extended classes at specific mage schools (more here). School is sanctioned into four classes: Science, Language, Religion, and History. Science is made of math, experimentations, physics, and observations in nature. Language includes reading, writing, and literature. Religion focuses on reading and learning the morals of the Divination, as well as philosophy. History teaches the monumental events of years passed, mainly focusing on military and exploration history.
For the citizens, school begins at age six and is mandatory until the age of twelve. This is called “basic school”. Students spend six hours per day in class (90 minutes per subject), four days of the seven-day week for ten months. Once a child turns 12, he or she is allowed to join the military. However, if a student does not join, another six years of school is mandatory, and is labeled “advanced school”. Instead of six hours per day, the middle school only lasts four hours per day (one hour per subject) to allow the student to return home and help with chores in the family. At age 18, school is optional and not required and is considered “focal school”. “Focal school” also only lasts four hours per day, but is more specified than the other two levels of school. During focal school, a student must submit one hour per school day serving under a supervisor of a certain profession. In other words, serve on an apprenticeship or internship in hopes of receiving a job in that specific profession. Most often, the apprenticeship served corresponds to either the father or mother’s workplace. After the apprenticeship is completed and the desired profession attained, the Gryph then moves from working at the house to providing the financial securities of the family whether it be his or her nuclear family or the start of a new family.
Holidays
There are two main holidays in Eudaimonia: The Spring Bloom and the Festival of Goddesses. The Spring Bloom is in celebration of spring, and is initiated at the first flower that blooms in the warmer weather (it does not get terribly cold in Eudamonia and rarely snows, but it gets cold enough to kill many plants). The Festival of the Goddesses is an annual celebration held to revere the Goddesses, and also serves as a week of rest from the rest of the year’s hard work. In terms of both holidays, there is much eating, drinking and dancing.
In addition, each Gryph celebrates the day he or she can fully grasp their revered Tradition: The art of transforming into a Gryphon. Normally, using the Tradition is illegal without proper authority, and said authority is granted only to certain members of the Wings Division. However, every Gryph is allowed one time to grasp their true, extremely powerful nature. Both serving as an initiation into adulthood as well as a harsh demonstration of how power can take hold of one’s mind, the Tradition continually serves as a reminder of humbleness.
Food
Because of their high need of protein, meat is a must-have of the Gryphs culture, with horse meat being the most eaten, followed by beef. Pork is considered a delicacy. Poultry and game birds are not commonly eaten (though eggs are). Gryphs also tend to enjoy meals with rice (an inexpensive staple) and locally-grown vegetables. Gryphs have two large meals per day: Once in the morning and one in mid-afternoon. However, they tend to graze several times during the day. The morning meal consists of meat, eggs, and a grain, while the evening meal contains meat, vegetables, and a grain. Common “grazing” snacks are jerky, vegetables, dried fruit, bread, cheese, or crackers. (Another interesting note is that Gryphs can synthesize their own vitamin C, much like many animals, and therefore negate the need of citrus fruits but they till enjoy consuming them.) Alcohol is consumed as much in the Gryphs culture as in any culture, with red wine being the most popular drink.
Lifespan
The average Gryph lives between 100 and 125 years, but some have lived up to 150 and beyond.