Ce. Zerai 

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The “Universal Symbol”

On Earth, the symbol of marriage across nearly every culture is the wedding band. Each member wears a nearly identical ring to symbolize their commitment to one another and their unification under God. It is universally recognized that when someone gets down on one knee with a box in their hand, they are asking their partner for their hand in marriage. 

 

In the world of Aphenterra, this universal symbol is what’s called a “Unity of Hearts,” often shortened to a “Bond.” The Bond is special to those seeking a marriage, as it goes beyond what the world might expect or force upon someone. The Bond is something personal, something special that represents the relationship seeking marriage. It sees their hearts and unites them under one common thing. For some, this Bond may look like an expensive piece of jewelry, since riches and glamor define their relationship. But for most, it might be the tattoo of a poem written in braille from one to the other. It might be a crown made of flowers found by the riverside where the couple met immortalized on their heads. It may be a strip of clothing tied around their anklets from a race they once ran and won together. Whatever might represent the bond shared between those in the relationship, that is what this Bond becomes. Because of the nature of these Bonds, there is no limit to what someone might do. No limit in ability, no limit in finance, no limit in feelings. The Bond is something that exceeds all other ties of the world and focuses truly on the matter of the heart. The only requirement is that it be something that could either be worn or attached to one’s body.

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Proposal

To propose is a vulnerable thing. The one who wishes to propose must first design or decide on which object represents their relationship best. Then, they encase the object in a clear box- glass is customary, but not vital. (There are those that choose to skip the box step, such is each unique love story, but most consider the box a vital part of the proposal process.) After this, they find a place and a time to propose. Most do so in private, given how vulnerable proposals are. No friends, no family, no one is there for most proposals. However, it isn’t unheard of (nor is there any bad rumor attached) to propose in front of others or even in front of a crowd. Many will propose at sunrise to symbolize the start of a new relationship, while others might propose at sunset to symbolize the end of what was old. It’s considered bad luck to propose at night in most cultures, since the relationship is then encased in darkness, but some choose to test their luck and propose under the stars.

 

After finding the box, choosing a time and place to propose, and actually getting their partner/s in a position for proposal, the one who wishes to propose gets down on both knees and holds the glass box out to their partner. This is a position of full submission, one where the proposer bows like that of a servant to their partner. It is a sacrifice of pride to raise their partner up.

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Then, the decision is in the hands of the partner. Should they reject (or are undecided), they push the box down to the proposer with the lid still on. If the partner was undecided, they can choose to state that to their partner before they separate, but there is no expectation for an explanation. Should they choose to accept, however, they lift the lid off the box and take the object out. They place the object where the couple decides it best. No matter the decision, the proposer is expected to set the glass box down and thank the one they proposed to for their decision.

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Preparing for the Wedding

Each culture has a different standard for how the wedding should go and how to best prepare for it. In nations such as Secteria or Weborgh, the custom is that the bride and groom’s best friends work together to plan everything while the couple only provide taste and preference input. Nations such as Frohndor and Carto leave the planning solely to the fiancees, while nations like Buhltact and the Jaenzi Empire leave it to the families to plan together with little to no input at all from the ones to be wed. Some nations have parties before the wedding, some have parties after, some celebrate before and after, and some consider the wedding itself enough celebration.

 

The location of the wedding is different, too. While there are plenty of cultures that expect the fiancees to be wed in a destination location, in a temple, or in a fancy, expensive area, there are just as many that believe the wedding should happen where the fiancees feel their love is strongest. Because of this, there have been weddings on mountaintops, by small creeks, in people’s homes, and even in unconventional locations like government buildings or market squares.

 

No matter the culture, there are universal customs that every nation follows. 

 

First is a week of prayer to Dercys, the deity of Love, both to gain her blessing over their marriage and to be sure that they are the ones meant for each other. While proposers will often pray to Dercys for months before proposing, this is considered necessary for a relationship, since this is a combined prayer with each member of the relationship praying with their partner. They give Dercys offerings and pray for guidance, courage, and love from her. Should there be any telltale signs that something won’t work, this is when those signs arise. Dercys will reveal to the fiancees that their relationship wasn’t meant to work in one way or another. If she gives her blessing, the week goes by smoothly and the couple falls even more in love.

 

Next, each must choose an outfit for their wedding. No matter the culture, this is done with the fiance/e and one other person only. While others can give their input to the outfit, only one person is allowed to be there when the fiance/e tries it on. The outfit standards vary from place to place, but having one person alone with the fiance is standard. It’s considered bad luck if anyone but this chosen person sees the fiance trying on their wedding attire.

 

In the days leading up to the wedding, a follower of Dercys will go to the wedding spot and bless the land so that Dercys may bless their wedding. While it often only takes at most a couple hours, some devout followers or those close to the couple might spend an entire day on this task.

 

If anyone were to object to the wedding, it must be said before the actual wedding takes place. Because weddings are so serious, it is considered a criminal offense in some cultures to object to a wedding while present at its occurrence, while others consider it a civil offense. Because of this, it is customary for those who object to either visit in person or send mail to the partners describing their woes and worries. The last day someone can visit them for this reason is the day before the wedding, otherwise it must be sent as mail in order to provide the partners peace before they unite.

 

The day before the wedding, the partners must separate and spend one last night apart. This is both to prepare them for the wedding and to mark that day as the last day of separation from the one they love.

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The Wedding

When the guests arrive, they will often have gifts for the newlyweds stored in a shared space. Some cultures expect the newlyweds to open the gifts after the wedding while others see to it that they do so before or during. Regardless, nearly every culture has the custom that if one is attending a wedding, they should bring a gift.

 

The partners arrive last, and each partner arrives separately. They are each greeted with music and with praise from the guests as they walk down the aisle toward the officiant. When the partners reach the front, the “best” will take their seat. Only the partners and officiant should be standing. (It should also be worth noting that this should be the first time the partners see each other in their wedding attire.)

 

Once everyone has arrived, the officiant will say a few words, including responsibilities that each must hold in their marriage. Once the officiant has said their piece, the object will be presented once again, this time open to each of them. Each partner will place a hand on the object and speak their mind. Usually, the partners do not write or prepare anything, and instead speak what is truly on their mind at the moment. Some might practice the night before what they intend to say, but few couples will bring prepared statements with them. This is because, in that moment, their love should take over. With all the preparation leading to this and with the blessing of Dercys, the partner will find clarity in what they want to say to their partner, no outside help needed. It’s extremely common for partners to lose their train of thought, to stammar, and to get anxious in the first few moments of speaking, but nearly all have reported that once they started talking and looking at their partner, the words “come out naturally.” This is the most emotional moment of the wedding, since each partner is giving their true, raw feelings for one another in that moment.

 

Once each partner has spoken, they remove their hands from the object. The officiant will say a few more words as the object forms a perfect replica of itself. The enchantment on the bond ties the life of the bond to the life of the partner, meaning objects such as flower crowns or tattoos cannot and will not fade unless the partner passes away (or if forcibly removed, but we aren’t here to talk about divorce. The hassle of marriage is so extreme anyway that divorce rates are quite low.) The enchantment also keeps the object permanently bound to the partner, hence the shortened word “bond.” For this reason, written or 2D artistic pieces are typically tattooed onto the partners unless the paper itself holds meaning to the relationship (and if it does, the planners will have known ahead of time, as tattoo processes are different from object processes.)

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Once the object has been duplicated, each partner is handed one to place on their partner. With a final word, the partners place the object on the other person, adjusting it to each’s liking. The moment it’s placed, the object fuses to the person’s skin with a slight burn. (If the object is meant to be a tattoo, each partner is given the paper of what is to be tattooed on their body. The partners exchange papers, and the tattoo forms where each person wants the tattoo to be. It does burn just the same as with the object, but it heals quicker. It also provides the same benefits as the object.) Magical runes appear on each partner’s skin in a flash, then disappear just as quickly as they came. The moment is celebrated with kisses, hugs, or any other form of affection as those in attendance cheer.

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Benefits of a Bond

Because of this bond, the married couple is quite literally bound to one another. They can feel when the other is close, and should that person be nearby, the partner can easily empathize with any physical or mental malady the other is going through. They can share in joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health. Some believe that having this bond brings a sense of peace to each interaction with one’s partner/s while others chalk it up to healthy communication and admiration. It’s also said that tasks done with one’s bonded partner/s are easier to do, and that too is chalked up to healthy admiration and love. 

 

Those who have longer bonds claim to have other benefits, but most don’t believe these claims.