Family Relations

Family relationships are carefully guarded and watched in the Rihannsu Star Empire. Most other cultures do not understand the amount of care that the average Rihannsu must take in dealing with family and how the family is seen. On any day a drastic change could occur to change the structure of the family in unforeseen ways, including the new 'non-existence' of some the family due to a banishment or dishonor. Therefore it is best to let them talk about family first, so that there are no mistakes made or painful memories brought to the service in front of a guest (or enemy).

When a couple marries, there are three options for a family name. The can follow tradition and take the name of the wife, if her family agrees to take him in as a member. They could also take the name of the husband, under the same restrictions. The third option is to form a new family name, with them as the progenitors, starting from scratch, as it were. This is the least often pursued course, and the most dangerous for the new family, having to work from the first to establish their honor.

Also causing differences in family structure is the uncommon occurrence of banishment. A person may be banished only for committing an extremely serious crime, such as treason or spying. Those banished are considered dead and are given the right to suicide. If they choose not to suicide, the punishment is either slavery or death, depending on the feelings of the court that particular day. If slavery is the case, the new slave is sent to a military slave camp on either the other planet or a base away from the Homeworlds. The life of this new slave is such that they often wish they had taken the suicide option rather than decide to beg mercy in court. The banished person's goods are sold, at state auction with the state receiving the bulk of the profit, or burned if they contain the name of the person on them.

The study of genealogy, called Sad'onna by the Rihannsu, is an art as well as a science for the above reasons. Each time a couple marries, or a person is declared banished or dishonored, the structure of the family must reflect the change, or face further dishonor. It is the job of the family's Sad'onnav to insure that the changes are made in a timely manner and sent to all members of the family that are off-planet or otherwise unaware of the change. Each change, whether good or ill, can affect the family in unseen ways, a thing that, for good reason, frightens many Rihannsu.

The family is run by the hru'hfrih and his or her word is considered law. This person, generally male, is the authority figure of the family and is the only one allowed to offer members of the family to the court system for non-capitol crimes. This act of denying the courts rarely occurs, since there are ways to find out about anyone and their habits and arrange an 'accident'. This is merely a token power left in place from the landing, in order to assure that a person not be killed for a crime that was committed by another.

The family members, translated in to Standard, follow below.

d'hei - grandmother

d'hai - grandfather

hru'hei - mother

hru'hai - father

ta'hei - aunt on father's side

ta'hai - uncle on father's side

lh'hei - aunt on mother's side

lh'hai - uncle on mother's side