Inktober VIII: Matrimony

Due to the eventual conclusion that the Faoilist Gods had died following the Cataclysm, the people that had survived became increasingly secular, referring to later miracles and events suggestive of Faoism as traditions or rewritten history. As such, marriage was also morphed following this consensus, and is seen in different ways according not to religion, but region or faction.

The Unveiled

This group, focusing on the separation as well as the conjunction of science, magic, and religion, treats marriage as more of a trial than a simple union of partners. This test, referred to as pathbinding, measures the aptitude of partners to live alongside one another, bring up children, and contribute to the overall benefit of the group and the overall world around them. The athbinding sets no limit on the number who may partake it, often resulting in groups of 2-4 for those successful. Those who fail the trials, as judged by the local representatives, are prohibited from various functions but may try pathbinding again with a different partner(s) after 2 years have passed.

Bitterfangs

Among the Bitterfangs, marriage is little more than a petty sham designed to make fleshes think they can have true power. Instead, the closest union recognized would be designating sexual partners, which is done either by an Incisor or Truefang if they see a potential couple producing a child of promising strength and power. Otherwise, members are free to take their mates as they please, only being stopped if another overpowers them for their own choice of partner.

Tylotian Empire

In the Tylotian Empire, marriage is only common among the middle and upper classes, mostly based on the cost of licensing. This is because most married couples are evaluated by matrimony officials both before and after marriage for a total period of 18 months, all of which requires additional time and money both from the couple and the government's coffers. However, officially-married couples with full rights are entitled to numerous tax cuts, reduced likelihood to serve, and (informally) a higher social status, with many who receive full marks even going so far as to hang the results up in the entryway of their home. Those deemed by the empire to not be a fully-qualified couple may not gain access to the ability to have a child with full empirical citizenship, and would receive less preferential treatment than those who scored better. Those deemed to be a failing couple are not recognized by the Tylotian Empire as married, and some may even be evicted (under separate cited circumstances) if a married couple wants to move into their neighborhood. Couples too poor to undertake the process will simply live together and might eventually save up to have a small celebration between close family and friends as a mock-wedding.