[I started this thread as a reference thread to anyone who wishes to post ideas and/or developed ceremonies or festivals that can be used in role playing.]
Joining of the ways (A clan wedding)
Circle of Joining - A circle made up of various items in which a marriage will take place.
Joining of the ways - a marriage, joined through a mix of clans, race, or culture. of different backgrounds
Seer of Ceremony - the designated individual who is to perform a ceremony
Guards of Honor - a maid or man of honor for a marriage ceremony, They are responsible for the welfare and protection of the bride and groom for the day of the wedding
Clans Honor - the protection of the wedding and their responsibilities to see it through.
Clans - Different races, village, guilds, family, or represented group
Law of Steel - an unwritten law among clans that forbids a married couple to wield steel or to do battle on the day of joining
Over the ages, the different races of Yliakum struggled to exist among the other. Many cultures and clans fought against each other. The Joining of
the ways came about as a political ways to establish peace, and alliances through marriage from each party involved. As Imperial rule brought some
resemblance of peace throughout the regions the ceremony became more common in it's use. It is still used as a diplomatic measures, but is relished by most
as ceremony of acceptance to another's way or culture.
The circle of joining started out as a simple drawing of a circle within the earth. A center point of focus for two rival clans. It later developed by
the use of swords. (With is still used by many warrior clans) As peace settled over the land it became more political and was refined to be made up of more
valuable items. The circle itself was open on two opposing sides allowing for the wedded couple to enter with their guards of honor who would see the circle
closed for the ceremony.
The Law of steel became an unwritten law by the clans to help protect their interests and future by protecting the wedded couple for at least a day.
Forbidding that couple to wield steel on the day of joining in the event hostilities continued between members of the clans. It helped to serve for the
wellbeing of the couple and sometimes the existence of a clan. In some instances the law was extended by the clans until a child was produced from the
joining. The law of steel was a negotiated issue before the ceremony.
The Guards of Honor and the Clans Honor are simply put. It was the guards responsibility to protect the life's and welfare of the married couple for
the period designated by the clan leader. They were selected however by the bride or groom, either for their fighting skills or out of trust. The clans honor
was its responsibility to uphold the joining under the terms of negotiation and agreed upon issues of the treaty
order of the Ceremony(in general by common use)
The gathering - the clans gather from opposing sides and the circle is drawn.
The Approach- The selected individuals and a small party of individuals approach the circle' openings
Guards of Honor - The predesignated Seer of Ceremony warns of the Law of Steel, the party stop and the bride and groom select a guard of their choice. The individual is asked to except. Upon selection they are given a dagger as a gift which is their's to keep.
Closing the Circle - The bride and groom enter the circle after selecting their guards and handing over their weapons. The guard then follow and place the gifted dagger into the openings of the circle closing it to all by the wedding party. They then draw their swords and post themselves beside the bride and groom.
Challenge of the Joining - The Seer of ceremony then announces the closing of the circle. He adds that any who opposes the joining may remove one of the placed daggers. He also remind the clans of their honor to the joining. The removal of a dagger is an insult to both clans and the joining couple. As only few ever dared it is seldom done. The clans usually see to the issue in number rather quickly so that the ceremony is no longer interupted. In such few cases only the clan leaders were permitted to stop the joining from being made. Often resulting in further fighting between the rival clans.
Purification - The Seer woulds ask the joining couple to kneel. At which time He/she would cast a spell of purification on those within the circle.
He/she would then follow in a prayer to the honored gods of the assembled clans. Afterwards the couple is asked to rise.
Submission- The couple is asked to join hands by crossing their arms. This is used as a sign of submission to the other. The crossing of arms
without weapons being a sign of peace or proof that one means no harm.
The washing - The seer washes first his hands, then the joined hands of the couple. This represent the washing or cleansing of all bonds or oaths that the couple may have had prior to the joining. By doing so it allows them the freedom to pledge themselves to each other first above all others. It is a matter that is respected by all clans.
Pledging by cord of binding- A cord that is used for the joining ceremony. It is wrapped around the couples joined hands and allowed to hang freely on
either side. The groom is asked for his pledge, and the bride asked if she accepts it. If she does the cord is tied into a half knot. Then she is asked for her pledge, and the groom asked if he accepts. If he does the cord is tied into a knot. The cord represents their plrges or oaths to each other and is used
so all can see that they are bound to the other first by the binding of the cord.
Sharing of water - Water is the essence of all life. The Seer offers a cup of water to the lips of the bride and groom to share. By sharing the water they
except to share each others life together, and the differences they have as their own.
Cutting the cord - The Seer indicates to the Guards of Honor in some manner. The guards then sheath their swords and retrieve the daggers from the circle. They return and post themselves on either side of the Joined couple. The Seer announces them as man and wife or as a joined couple. The Guards then cut the cord freeing the couples hands.
Joined - The couple then embrace and kiss at their leisure, often presenting each other with gifts of jewelry.
New Blood - The final act of the ceremony. The bride and groom leave the circle with their designated Guard of Honor through the opposite opening in with they entered. Allowing for clan to welcome them as their one of their own. After the greetings are finished the clans greet each other to celebrate the
joining and the new period of peace.
