by Shogeton on Fri Mar 11, 2011 4:31 am
On Chirot marriage.
Chirot society lacks certain things that are involved in many other societies. There is no nobility to pass on titles, nor even possessions, or land to be shared. As such, political or economical motive for a marriage are virtually completely absent. However, there is one important reason why a pairing would wish to be recognized by Sheara and Chirot society. Honour and Glory. A Chirot marriage is a declaration, to both Mother Sheara and to the whole Chirot people, that the two mates share all glory and shame alike, and that one of them does, the other is considered to have made it possible as well, for good or ill. For the honour-conscious leatherwinged people, it is the greatest show of trust they can do to eachother, putting up their very names and reputation.
For this reason, Chirot marriages are public affairs. Of course, not every marriage gathers huge crowds, but they are loudly announced, and the ceremony itself is generally done at a high spot in the tower, spoken in loud voices, so that any that pass mighth hear it. It's always administered by a Shearan priest or priestess, who prays for Sheara to bear witness. The oaths are also uttered loudly, often personalized, but often refer to how the other mate repeatedly helped them in moment's of greatest pride, and made it all possible, and loudly confirm their desire that their mate should receive full praise for any honourable deed they themselves do, and that they themselves would take full responsibility for anything untowards the mate does.
There are no specifications for genders in those matters, the Chirot mostly egalitarian in genders. Pairs often raise children together, but it's not considered obligatory. What will raise questions are strong differences in authority. There is no slavery among the Chirot, but that is not to say some people might not have a tendency towards submissiveness. However, marriage oaths may not talk about one of the partners serving the other. The matter is also considered very intense, and each Chirot can only be said to share their honour with one other Chirot at a time. Then, recently, the question has arisen what to do if a Chirot was to marry a non-Chirot, like a human, a moriel or wolven for example. It is generally considered a somewhatfoolhardy and rash thing to do. As the Chirot is more likely to receive the shame of the non-Chirot acting in ways dishonourable to Chirot, (befriend Torian, own slaves?) while the non-Chirot would not benefit from the Honour of their Chirot partner, being unable to truly enjoy both the appreciation of Mother Sheara, or the admiration of Her children. Still, it has happened, and strikes the right chords for the more romantically inclined Chirot, and some even consider it might be a way to make inroads, and spread Chirot ways to non-Chirot people. Marriages to the featherwinged races are, naturally, considered absolutely anathema by Chirot society at large.
Marriages can end. Sometimes with a bang, sometimes they just peter out. Still, it's a shameful and embarassing thing to do, and some mated couples simply endure it, trusting eachother not to besmirch eachotehr's honour, even after the actual flames of desire and love are gone, but respect and trust remain. Sometimes however, that cannot happen, and a relation is sundered. Like the marriage itself, this is done publicly, in the open, and free to see to any Chirot. The couple to be seperated is kept far apart, with the priest in the middle, and have to shout their repudiation towards eachother. This is often a painful affair, as the nature of Chirot marriage means both are saying they are pulling their hands of the other one's actions, and whatever the other does, it's on their heads alone. Not only that, but both partners also completely distance themselves, in the eyes of the Chirot people and Sheara herself, from all honours that were gained while the couple was married. It's an emotional process. Sometimes couples break down faced with it, sometimes the process can make bitter feuds happen between former lovers. Other times it happens that only one party WANTS the split up. This is extremely humiliating to the 'dumped' party, as not doing 'your part' in such a divorce suggests that you were indeed the less honourable in the pair, and are just afraid to stand on your own. It is consider proper form to properly do your part in such a divorce, even if your heart is breaking with every word.