Marriage rituals
- Thread starter JoeyD473
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Mark CMG
Creative Mountain Games
While not speaking to that specifically, a lot of marriage rituals revolve around that fact that two persons are being bound as one. Many say that the wedding ring is a symbol of this and in some rituals the two person's hands are bound together with a length of cloth, string, or rope as part of the ceremony.
delericho
Legend
Dragon #279 had a long article on "The Secret Lives of Elves". Here's what it had to say:
"Elven marriage ceremonies are stately and beautiful, often lasting for weeks. Poetry recitations, musical performances, and theatrical events all retell the great love stories of elven lore. Non-elves often find the protracted dignity of these occasions unbearable. The wild debauchery that begins after the husband and wife have retired to the nuptial bed might surprise them."
By contrast, in my campaign elves do not practice marriage at all, as befits their chaotic nature. Instead, a couple will informally agree between themselves to live as 'man and wife' for an undetermined spell, generally about a century, after which they will amicably part company. Children in elven society, again IMC, are raised by the community as a whole, rather than exclusively by their parents. (This may also explain why elven children take so long to mature - without clear and obvious authority figures, the lessons are learned in an ad-hoc manner. Therefore, it takes longer to teach everything that is needful.)
"Elven marriage ceremonies are stately and beautiful, often lasting for weeks. Poetry recitations, musical performances, and theatrical events all retell the great love stories of elven lore. Non-elves often find the protracted dignity of these occasions unbearable. The wild debauchery that begins after the husband and wife have retired to the nuptial bed might surprise them."
By contrast, in my campaign elves do not practice marriage at all, as befits their chaotic nature. Instead, a couple will informally agree between themselves to live as 'man and wife' for an undetermined spell, generally about a century, after which they will amicably part company. Children in elven society, again IMC, are raised by the community as a whole, rather than exclusively by their parents. (This may also explain why elven children take so long to mature - without clear and obvious authority figures, the lessons are learned in an ad-hoc manner. Therefore, it takes longer to teach everything that is needful.)
Odhanan
Adventurer
That depends heavily on what kind of setting you use, what elven and human cultures are like, and so on. Even if they are based on the RAW, I think it is up to you, with your DM, to make that moment a memorable one that suits your imagination's needs.CHornJr said:
Don't be afraid to come up with stuff of your own. That'll make the moment more special.
frankthedm
First Post
Wedding vows in D&D have to be carefully considered since there are creatures that were literally made to lethally enforce vows such as Until death do we part.
Herobizkit
Adventurer
I'd say do some real-world research into pagan/Wiccan weddings and festivals, especially the ritual of handfasting. Such rituals would seem a propos of rangers and druids.
Elder-Basilisk
First Post
frankthedm said:Wedding vows in D&D have to be carefully considered since there are creatures that were literally made to lethally enforce vows such as Until death do we part.
Which would make a pretty rockin adventure idea. A kolyarut shows up in town to punish an adulterer.... Ouch!
Stormrunner
Explorer
Some guidelines:
Marriage ceremonies are almost always public, very much so. One of the purposes of having a ceremony is to let it be known far and wide (or at least within the local community) that "These two are now married - hands off, all you other would-be suitors." It's also a good excuse for a big party afterwards. And having the vows be public means the couple will be publicly shamed if they break those vows.
There is usually some sort of "binding" ritual - sacred vows, exchange of rings, tying the hands of the couple together with string in a ritual cats-cradle, having both drink from the same glass (which is then shattered so no other may drink from it), wrapping an oversized cloak around both of them simultaneously...
The proceedings are usually presided over by the local priest, showing that the gods approve of the union. Often the ceremony will also be attended (or presided over, or co-conducted by) the local Mayor/Baron/Big Chief, to show that the secular authorities also approve of the marriage. (This is especially likely if the marriage has political implications - alliance of two powerful families, marrying into the nobility, cross-racial marriage, etc.)
"Till death do us part" - but what about Raise Dead/Resurrection? Can an adventurer annul a marriage (voluntarily or not!) by dying and being brought back?
Marriage ceremonies are almost always public, very much so. One of the purposes of having a ceremony is to let it be known far and wide (or at least within the local community) that "These two are now married - hands off, all you other would-be suitors." It's also a good excuse for a big party afterwards. And having the vows be public means the couple will be publicly shamed if they break those vows.
There is usually some sort of "binding" ritual - sacred vows, exchange of rings, tying the hands of the couple together with string in a ritual cats-cradle, having both drink from the same glass (which is then shattered so no other may drink from it), wrapping an oversized cloak around both of them simultaneously...
The proceedings are usually presided over by the local priest, showing that the gods approve of the union. Often the ceremony will also be attended (or presided over, or co-conducted by) the local Mayor/Baron/Big Chief, to show that the secular authorities also approve of the marriage. (This is especially likely if the marriage has political implications - alliance of two powerful families, marrying into the nobility, cross-racial marriage, etc.)
"Till death do us part" - but what about Raise Dead/Resurrection? Can an adventurer annul a marriage (voluntarily or not!) by dying and being brought back?
Angel Tarragon
Dawn Dragon
I have a Vow of Matrimony feat that you may wish to peruse.
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