Honour ------ While most Imperial/Regency worlds are known for taking Honour and Tradition seriously, Efate is unique in the extent that it reveres these concepts. One of the things that the Efate can't get their heads around is human laws: they simply cannot comprehend how they act. What they *do* understand, however, is Personal Honour. Each individual Efate is responsible to make his portion of the universe as fine and noble as possible. And each Efate's life is governed by his own personal Honour Code, which is held as sacred. Each Efate is expected to uphold the Code individually, rather than depend on a government to maintain it. If an evil occurs, the Efate that witnesses it is to correct it: he *cannot* pass on that responsibility to someone else. The Efate nobility's main purpose is to provide living examples of what honour means, to set an example for the nation and the race. The local nobility has shifted over the centuries from a priesthood to a democracy to an oligarchy of noble families, but how they govern - the source of their authority - remains the same. The Code - basically the obligation to be and live the truth as best as ability allows - is the foundation of trust on Efate. Because it's taken so seriously, the system can continue to be the only known high-pop world without any formal laws at all. Of course, every Efate's individual Code varies, but all strive towards the same goal, and tend to have many similiarities. One of the more common manifestations of the Code is Paterfamilias: that is, the eldest male is assummed to be the lord of his household. While he doesn't officaly have the 'right' to kill anyone in his household that he wishes - the Efate only believes in duties and responsibilities, not rights - most Efate will not interfere or ostracise a father who does, even in public. Other common traits of the Honour Code is a willingness to take the law in your own hands; a very strong fear of shame before others; love of family, home, and empire; and contempt for those who challange the Code.