Sex, Gender, and sexuality

Like all cultural norms, sex, gender, and sexuality can play a role in the make up of the Halruaalan Empire. The following are examples of some of the general cultural norms of the island country, but it does not encompass everything. Different regions could have varying practices and norms. If that interest you, you can check them out as to different regions, different ethnicities, and different Noble Houses and their vassals.

Sex and Gender

Sex in Halruaal refers to one's to a person's biological characteristics, like chromosomes and reproductive organs, but in a world of magic, these can be subject to influence and change. Gender refers to the social and cultural roles and identities associated on the spectrum of male or female, which can be influenced by personal perception and societal expectations.

Women

Women in Halruaal make up 52% of the country and 25% of the political power in government. While they have achieved soaring heights, in several regions they are discriminated against - namely under House Petrov. Yet in other regions they are held as revered leaders and skilled champions.

Under House Romanos, women hold almost all the power. All members of the Nobility are women, Senate positions are reserved for women only, and the Church doesn't allow any men to serve over the position of priest. In House Udaku, they are some of the most skilled wizards. In Clan Oni, all measures go through them for their opinion before being implemented. Under House Odinson, woman are powerful warriors and shield-maidens. With House Aetius, they are skilled diplomats and tacticians. House Hanover and Petrov host exceptional women who are inventors and shrewd businesswomen (while at the same time limiting the general population).

While the majority of the Halruaalan pantheon host the most gods of incredible power, the goddesses are beyond measure. This fact is obvious to nearly everyone in Halruaal.

Men

Men make up roughly 48% of the population of Halruaal. At the same time, they make up nearly 75% of positions of power within the government (i.e. the Senate, the Nobility, and the Church of the Seven). However, in particular regions males are in fact a political minority - namely under House Romanos. Outside of House Romanos, Aetius, and Udaku, lineage and power are primarily pasted down through male heirs.

Non-binary, Transgender, and Androgynous

Nearly 5% of the country of Halruaal identify as gender-non conforming, transgender, or non-binary. In a country of magic, anything is possible and available to people in these positions. Due to the nature and the magical conflux within Halruaal, there are those who are born outside of classification of male or female, or may have varying identifiers of both. These individuals are known and accepted by a majority of the old Halruaalan families, while newer houses such as Hanover and Petrov are still coming to terms with the shifting forces (despite having 500 years to integrate with the other Houses).

Certain races are more prone to instances of these births. Races such as changelings and shifters have higher instances of people who fall somewhere on the spectrum of sex and gender. None more in House Kamose realize that this is an extremely natural occurrence. In the south, viewpoints and expression are free-flowing and welcomed by the god of death, transition, and undeath. Alphleatay themself is a deity not pertaining to classification of a particular sex and is widely seen as asexual.

Sexuality

Typically, one's sexual habits are considered natural and separate from matters of procreation, and only among the nobility, where procreation involves issues of inheritance and the union of powerful families, is it considered of vital importance. Yet, even there, a noble who has done their duty to the family are allowed to pursue their own sexual interests without raising eyebrows.

The view on indulging lusts with a member of the same sex or gender varies from House to House. House Kamose doesn't have strong opinions either way. House Aetius, Udaku, and Odinson, it is considered a quirk of character. For House Hanover and Clan Oni, it can be a matter of scandal if done indiscreetly but otherwise nothing noteworthy. In Petrov, it is considered a relatively selfish and deviant behavior. For them, it is considered scandalous - especially for men - and improper for women; however, it is oddly encouraged among Petrov's favored staff and servants.

Nowhere is it forbidden, and sex of any kind is only considered worthy of judgment when taken to awful excess or performed in the public eye. Even the Church of the Seven recognized that several god are members of the LGBT community.

Sexual Identity	Percentage of the Populations
Gay or Lesbian	1-20
Bisexual	21-50
Straight	51-95
Pansexual	96-98
Asexual	99-100