Post
by World of Aserra » Tue Nov 11, 2008 10:46 am
Something I wanted to add, but I'm just going to cover all races in general for now.
Marriage
There are many forms of marriage throughout the races and cultures of Adun; arranged, monogamy, polygamy, same-sex, or even no real form of marriage at all.
Humans
The most varied and prodigious race has a myriad of customs. In most cultures, arranged marriages are the most common. Among the upper class, most arranged marriages are national or political alliances, but amongst the commoners, marriages are often arranged by career matchmakers who pair youths of marriageable age based on astrology and assessments of the potential spouses' personalities. In some cultures, parents seek a matchmaker for their children in their late teens to mid-twenties. In yet other cultures, even marriages amongst commoners are based on monetary gain as parents seek girls with the highest dowries for their sons, and prosperous young men for their daughters.
Other human cultures allow polygamy, especially among the upper class. This can include taking two or three wives, or an entire harem of concubines. In polygamist cultures, the nobility often have their harems, while the commoners may take two or more wives.
Amongst humans, those in monogamous relationships have a high percentage of adultery, especially the males. In many cases, this leads to divorce, though this also depends on the taboos related to divorce, and subjugation of women in the culture. In strongly male dominated cultures, women aren't allowed the opportunity to speak out against their husband in cases of abuse as the culture deems it the wife's "fault" if her man strays. However, in cultures where the genders are equal, or near equal, women can divorce on the basis of adultery. In yet other cultures, because of the high percentage of adultery, flings on the side are deemed acceptable for both spouses; as they realize that passion tends to burn out over the years.
Acceptance of homosexual relations varies between cultures as well. Some cultures find it to be an abomination, while others accept it as a fact of life. In some of the latter cultures, it may be allowed for homosexual couples to wed, or marriage may be reserved for heterosexual couples while homosexual couples merely live together. In the now female dominated society of Ertia, lesbian relationships are highly regarded and women marry each other on a regular basis, often raising children together that were conceived through the use of male slaves to impregnate them.
Zaedyn (Avians)
The Zaedyn are monogamous and loyal; unlike humans, they have extremely low rates of adultery and find happiness in a long pair-bond with their spouse. This echoes the mating habits of many bird species, which mate for life. Their passion is rather mercurial as air elementals however, but as the whole culture has the same general personality traits, couples can find joy in a partner who understands them better than one of another race.
Zaedyn are left to find their own mates, and most chose a partner in the thirties, after having decided their career path and finishing their training or apprenticeship. As their passion can be rather lackadaisical, they rarely have more than two or three children throughout their lifetimes. They are not known to have exceptionally high libidos, but they have their moments.
Homosexuality and bisexuality accounts for a small percentage of the Zaedyn population, and those who are completely homosexual generally do not marry, and due to the small percentage, may not find a suitable mate without traveling great distances to other clans—or they may even seek love in individuals of other races. The actual marriage bond and ceremony is only done for heterosexual couples, but it is perfectly acceptable for a homosexual couple to reside together as lovers, but they rarely raise children. In rare cases of Zaedyn children being orphaned, a homosexual couple may adopt if their clan approves of them as parents. As for female couples, it can be hard to find a "donor" to help them get pregnant, due to the strong sense of monogamy, but they at times can find an unwed male, or a couple that is willing to assist.
Mariel (Merfolk)
In general, the Mariel are polygamous. Usually, this is polygyny, where one male takes several wives, but there are some females who desire the same privilege and become polyandrous, taking several husbands. In the case of bisexual individuals, they may marry partners of both genders as they like.
Brech'mar (Dwarves)
The Brech'mar are monogamous, and steadfastly loyal to their spouses. Adultery is rare, and most find comfort in the security of having a single spouse always there for them. Most Brech'mar marry in their late twenties to late thirties, often after completing an apprenticeship and finding a trade. In most clans, marriages are carefully arranged, considering the interests of both potential betrothed. A matchmaker is often hired to chose suitable spouses for a young man or woman and presents the options to the family. If a couple falls in love on their own, they may marry so long as the family approves. Parents are often very picky about their children's potential mates.
Homosexuality is somewhat rare in Brechan society as well, and frowned upon. Most parents idealize a male-female relationship that bears many grandchildren, and so, having a gay child is a hindrance to this ideal. Most gay Brech'mar are secretive about their interests and may even leave their clan to find a more welcoming society. Others may chose to repress their interests and focus on a career, going unwed, or marry only to please their families. If they do find a lover in their own gender, it often becomes a secret affair, and if discovered, the clan will banish them in most cases.
Asath (Naga)
A passionate and lusty people, the Asath are polyamorous and polygamous. Before marriage, most Asath sexually experiment and have brief affairs until they find a partner that they can find a lasting affection for. Once they find this person, they will marry and proceed to begin a family. Due to the extended periods between estruses, female Asath rarely become accidentally pregnant, but when they do, they will usually marry the father, or another man. The Asath believe strongly in having at least two parents to raise children.
However, over time, passions will dull and married partners may lose interest in each other sexually. When they do, they will seek a new partner, while still remaining honest and amicable with their first. In many cases, after some time with someone new to refresh them, they can rekindle their passion with their first spouse. When a another partner is brought into an existing marriage, the previous spouses must approve of the new one before anything can happen. Due to their open marriages, divorce is rare unless a partner feels severely mistreated.
Complete homosexuality is rare, but bisexuality is quite common among the Asath, especially the females. Both, however, are readily accepted. Homosexual couples are allowed to marry, and enjoy the same polygamy that straight couples do. Homosexual Asath sometimes end up marrying bisexual individuals and entering their extended family.
Ocha'nafod (Shapeshifters)
The marriage customs of the Ochae'nafod depend mostly on the mating habits of the animal they have bonded to, and closely resemble them. In the case of more solitary bonded animal species, the Ochae'nafod traditions sometimes differ, such is the case of the Ursus clan. Bonded to bears, normally a solitary animal, the Ursus instead live in small communities together. Whereas bears find a seasonal mate, then leave after mating, the Ursus clan actually practices monogamy. Those bonded to more sociable species, however, do often echo in their animal's mating habits. Monogamy is a common theme with many species, but so are harem systems. There is generally no actual form of marriage though; a couple privately agrees to make a commitment to each other and cohabit together.
Homosexuality is rare, and when it occurs, a gay individual has the same relationship rights as straight individuals do, though they may face some ostracism in certain clans.
Dra'nafod (Dryads)
Dra'nafod practice polyamory, though they have no recognizable form of marriage. With their long lifespans, love tends to wax and wane. Usually, a Dra'nafod will chose a mate with whom they have fallen in love and conceive a child, but by time the next estrus comes about, they may find that the romance they had with their first love isn't so easy to rekindle. That is why after the conception of a child, both parents are open to seeking a new mate. There is still a commitment between their first mate, and their passion may last for many years more, but they may fall in love with another. If they do, the first mate generally must approve of sharing their beloved with another. This leads to extended, yet close-knit families of friends and lovers. Over the course of their lifespans, their relationships with their partners may favor one as a lover over another, but once the novelty wears off again, they can focus their romantic attentions on the other. Elder Dra'nafod may have three or four mates who each have three or four mates of their own, and so on. However, the Dra'nafod are not especially sexual, their idea of romance includes a combination of emotional, spiritual, and physical love.
Dra'nafod couples may not live together, but each will have their own space, while their partners live nearby. During periods of child rearing or when a couple is in that "honeymoon" stage of the relationship, they usually share a home for awhile.
Homosexuality and bisexuality occur rather often in Dra'nafod society, and their relationships are much the same as straight couples, only with less children. Completely homosexual individuals may often enter a relationship with a bisexual and become a part of their extended family.
Marfod (Sea Nymphs)
Marfod are rather independent, but still seek companionship of their own kind or Mariel. When it comes to mating, females seek out a male if they wish to have a child, and they have little interest in sex beyond what is necessary for reproduction. After conception, the male usually leaves and the female raises a child on her own. They sometimes take Mariel lovers, but these relationships are often without commitment.
Due to the low libidos of the females and their independence, lesbian relationships are rare. Amongst males, whoever, who often go without when there are no females seeking to bear children, will at times have intimate relations with their own gender, either that, or turn to Mariel females for sexual release. Complete homosexuality is simply not an option for male Marfod, as each male has a duty to his race to impregnate females when they ask for it. Those who do seem to only have an interest in other males will fulfill their duties to the females when asked of them.
Idayn (High Elves)
The Idayn are monogamous and chose their own spouse when they feel they are ready. They don't often live together, except for brief periods of romance and to raise a child, and they believe that space is necessary to maintain love.
When homosexuality occurs, they may chose to marry in the same way. As the race is immortal, reproduction is not a big issue for them.
Fayl'Idayn (Wood Elves)
Due to their often mixed background between Nafod races and Idayn, their marriage traditions are sometimes hard to define. As a default, they follow the Idayn example of forging a strong bond with one individual and marrying them, though those with Dra'nafod blood may decide to be polyamorous.
Eain'Idayn (Centaurs)
Monogamy and sometimes harems.
Aeul'Idayn (Winter Elves)
Monogamy
Ery'Idayn (Desert Elves)
Polygamy?
Oir'Idayn (Grass Elves)
Monogamy?
Ur'Idayn (Wild Elves)
Harems?
Danaij (Dark Elves)
Danaij relationships can be complicated, and they are a highly sexually deviant people. There are some who are openly polyamorous, and others who claim to be monogamous. However, especially among the higher classes, it isn't uncommon to claim to be monogamous while having numerous adulterous affairs, which are all and elaborate game between partners. They try to create intricate plots to avoid being caught so that they may find pleasure in doing something perceived to be wrong. The cheated spouse often fools themselves into thinking that their partner is monogamous, and try to uncover the truth. However, they may also be having their own affairs. These relationships can be tumultuous, but divorce is rare and they enjoy the subterfuge, whether they admit it or not.
Others may chose to be open about their relations, becoming polyamorous and sometimes polygamous. It is more common for partners of high social standing to marry, then take concubines from the lower class, who effectively become their slaves.
Homosexuality is rare, but bisexuality is extremely common amongst the Danaij.