Skyrunner Marriage and Courtship

Courtship

Courtship is a fairly simple affair among the Skyrunner Tribe. A pair that are romantically inclined will start to spend increasing amounts of time together. Through this phase, they learn more about one another, do tasks together, and overall do all the things that are expected in a courtship. As a general rule among the tribe, though it is not uncommon to break such a cultural code, the two do not fully commit to one another sexually during this time. While physical touch is an important part of this stage that particular step is traditionally kept for the days following an actual Binding Ceremony. Multiple romantic partners on the male's side are also not uncommon but usually frowned upon in a general sense due to the deep-rooted loyalty and commitment that the Skyrunners hold culturally.

Courtships can last anywhere from five to six weeks in extreme cases to several years before a pair might be considered ready to seek the next steps. Though when that time comes the male in the relationship will present his counterpart with a gift. Commonly a kodo or wyvern egg from their own personal creatures but it can be anything of sufficient significance. Because the tribe is not inherently materialistic these gifts are often practical tools or living companions. This gift differed from the usual small gifts because it is also accompanied by an Honor Feather that the male has earned though any Rite or deed. Honor Feathers are unique to the individual that has earned them. From the type of feather to the creature it came from, to the painted marks on it which are used as an identification of who gave the gift, as well as the meaning behind it. Giving an Honor Feather earned at the end of a bloody battle sends a different message than one gained for negotiating a lucrative and honorable trade deal.

Once the gift is given a full moon is allowed to pass without any further forward movement. This allows the female time to consider the option, or multiple options if she has them, to make her choice. If by the end of the following month the male has not received a similar gift with an Honor Feather of hers then she has rejected him and the courtship ends. If she does choose to take him on as a mate then she gives a gift of similar significance with an Honor Feather of her own. These switched Honor Feathers are used to show who is promised to who at a quick glance. Once the gift exchange is complete they are ready to take the next steps towards the Binding Ceremony

Approval and General Cultural Norms

FamilyAcceptance and Approval

Marriages among tribes often were used to create strong alliances with more powerful blood families within tribes and the Skyrunners are no different. This tradition began to change roughly four generations ago though. A cultural shift brought on by a slight change in thinking introduced by Kwasewi Skyrunner. This shift took the father more out of the role of negotiator and allowed pairs to first seek one another out and then come to the father of the female to create the marriage contract. Outside of blood relations being present male suitors would seek out first close friends or other blood family of the mate they wished to take. As a way to negotiate a marriage proposal between the parties. These marriage contracts usually are simple affairs as it is considered common understanding that not only are the two in question being bonded but the families themselves. It is expected that they both care and provide for the other with giving spirits in times of hardship and that the two families will fight side by side in battle that the longevity of their bloodlines might be secured.

Approval of the Elders and the Tribe

Having gained the approval of the female's family the pair then go before the Elders and the Chieftain of the Tribe. Marriage, because it affects the tribe as a whole, is approved by the highest authority the Tribe has at any given time. They both come to these individuals together and make their case for their union. In the past, this usually came with an offering of their teamwork such as a deadly kill that they took down together, the building of a structure created and built as a team, or even woven blankets provided for the tribe that were designed and worked together. This demonstration of teamwork as well as the Elders' and the Chieftain's observations of the pair in day to day life over the period of time that they have known one another is the foundation on which they make their final choice on if the two can be bound as one.

With the approval of both blood family and Tribe the ceremony can continue to be planned out.

When and Who can be Mated

Both parties looking to take the Binding Ceremony must be considered adults of Tribesman Status or higher. This means that both parties need to have completed their Rites of the Earthmother and earned their Spirit Totem. No matter the age of the individual if they do not have their Spirit Totem they are considered more or less half a person, unable to really grasp who they wish to have a future with because they themselves are incomplete. Additionally, as part of new traditions among the Skyrunners, people outside the Tribe cannot marry into it and gain status. If two Allies are already joined together then they must both join the Tribe at the same time but otherwise, both parties must be Tribesman rank at the very least. This ensures that both parties are equally invested in not only their future but the Tribe's future as it is the Tribe that will continue with their children and children's children.

Additionally it is noted that while females are often considered for the Binding Ceremony the moment that they have completed the Rites of the Earthmother when they reach puberty, males are often not considered as a proper suitor unless they have participated in at least one successful centaur raid, formal battle, or Grand Hunt. This may mean that male suitors are considerably older than their female counterparts even as much as fifteen to twenty years.

Divorce among the tribe is allowed as some pairings do not overtime work out; however, this comes with a heavy price. Both parties are expected to remain single for the remainder of their lives. As a result, someone that has been divorced is on a general rule not allowed to be Bound to another individual. In the rare case that this does happen the newly Bound pair are cast out from the Tribe.

The Binding Ceremony

Attire

The Male

During the ceremony tauren males will typically wear a large headdress and harness made of bone and feather. Gathered by the tribe as a whole and fashioned for that day specifically. It represents the Tribe's vested interest and acceptance of the union and typically created by all the females of the tribe. Any other garb is up to the individual in question though typically a simple kilt to match his new mates is worn.

The Female

Females during the ceremony wear a small crown of flowers or leaves and harness made of bone and feather. Gathered by the tribe as a whole and fashioned for that day specifically. It represents the Tribe's vested interest and acceptance of the union and typically created by all the males of the tribe. Any other garb is up to the individual in question though typically a special robe is worn of various colors. The most common colors are white, yellow, teal, purple, and green.

The Ceremony Leader

The ceremony is conducted by one of the following people:

• The Chieftain

• A Member of the Spirit Council

• The most Distinguished Elder of the Tribe

• A Tribe Ritemaster

These spiritually inclined individuals appear in the ceremony unadorned with any clothing other than a loincloth or chest wrappings for decency. Instead of clothing they paint their whole bodies with special ceremonial paint only used for the Binding Ceremony. First, the whole body is painted pure black, then Gold, Silver, Copper, Thorium, and Iron ore are purified and ground up to be mixed into base paints that give them a special metallic shimmer. In addition to these special paints, the color white is also used. The paint usually will depict the families of the two being joined, their histories and their accomplishments with the spirit totems of the two being bound together shown on the chest or belly at the center of the one conducting the ceremony. The paint is usually washed off fairly quickly after the ceremony ends so that the individual can return to the festivities as quickly as possible in their normal garb.

The significance of this particular style of dress is significant to the representation of the past. The full black body paint showing the past, the canvas on which the lives of all of those present are painted on. An empty and perfect, pure void of nothing. The metallic paints shimmer in the light of the rising sun and the firelight which catch the colors and tell shifting stories which is a representation of how things are never as they seem and always changing. Being drawn on the body of the one giving the ceremony they embody the past in that moment and bring the deeds of both bloodlines before the spirits to be judged.

The colors of each metal-based paint are significant for the telling of the histories.

• Gold: Gold is used to catch the eyes of the Earthmother and Skyfather to look down at their children and smile

• Silver: Silver is a color that calls forth the ancestral spirits to guide and bless the ceremony

• Copper: Copper is the closest mineral to the earth and the elements in the eyes of the Skyrunners. Not only does it call on the deep connection to the land that they have but each element and source of magic in turn so that the power of the whole of Azeroth and beyond can be called to the ceremony.

• Thorium: The tealish coloring of the Thorium paint is used sparingly. Partly due to its rarity within Desolace and the surrounding lands but also because of it's representation. Thorium is one of the heaviest metals in Azeroth. Prized by orcs and tauren alike for this quality when it is used in the ceremony it represents the desire for the pair to not only carry their mate's heaviest burdens but also protect them from any harm.

• Iron: The dark grey paint on the black background hardly shows up unless the light hits the shimmering metal flakes just right. This darkness represents the past misdeeds and sins of the pair and their bloodlines.

• White: White paints represent the Skyrunner's unbreakable connection to the air and the freedom that it brings

Guests/Attendies

There is no specific attire for those coming to witness the ceremony. In most cases, the garb doesn't change at all though commonly people will wear colors of soft pale yellow which represents the light of a new dawn and a new era. This shows up in the form of gathered feathers, flowers, cloth, and lightly applied light yellow paints.

Jewelry

Metal jewelry is not something that was brought into the Skyrunner Tribe as a symbol of binding like human rings or necklaces. While jewelry is worn constantly it is usually of a bone, leather, cloth, and feather origin. Lately with increased skills in metalworking the addition of rings has been seen though it is highly uncommon. Most often the adornment of gems, more brilliantly colored feathers, and bone carvings are used as decoration. There is no formal need for such items so in many cases, none is worn in the first place unless they are gifts that the pair gave to one another during courtship.

The Actual Ceremony

The actual ceremony for the Syrunner Tribe is fairly simple and a collection of various traditions through the years. Once all the necessary components for the ceremony are gathered the leader of the ceremony will begin the day well before dawn with a beating of a deep base sounding drum. He beats this drum steadily to call forth not only the Tribe but also the spirits and elements. The drum is set up in the place where the ceremony will take place, which can be anywhere. The drum is struck for the course of near half an hour in a simple and steady song. Near the end the song will change to something more urgent as a warning that something is about to happen.

Around the drum there is a large circle of stones set up with the drum in the center and lines of colored stones moving from the center out to the outer edge of the circle like spokes on a wagon wheel. Before the drum there are three circles of stones painted black. One for the person leading the ceremony, and one for each participant. The circles are set in a perfect triangle to one another with just enough room for each party to reach out and touch one another's hands. At the end of the song, the tribe should be gathered outside the circle while the male stands on the northern circle, the female stands on the southern circle and the ceremonial leader stands on the eastern circle so that the sun is rising behind them.

Once everyone is gathered the Ceremonial leader says a simple prayer as follows:

Earthmother an Skyfather,
We honor all you created as we pledge our hearts and lives together. We honor the Earthmother and ask for this Binding to be abundant and grow stronger through the seasons. We honor the Skyfather and ask for this Binding to be safe and to last through the hardships of life. We honor the Ancestors and ask that their wisdom grace the emotions and minds of this union that they remain true to themselves and their people.
Of Fire, we ask that this union be warm and glowing with love in their hearts.
Of Air, we ask for adventure, playfulness, and joy to forever grace their souls.
Of Water, we ask to clean and soothe this Binding– that it may never thirst for love or healing.
Of Earth, we ask for strength and the unshaking foundation on which to build this family.

When the prayer is complete the ceremonial leader will produce a two mouthed clay vase unique to the pairing. Inside is an enchanted potion created only for this one ceremony. Drinking it will give the two a radiant glow of gold for several hours but it also provides a profound magical connection between the two. While not noticeable at first the elixir helps to align their emotions and give clear insight on their partner and for those few hours they can have perfect clarity about one another. This glimpse into their union as one is a gift from the spirits that they may truly be as one and understand that separate they are whole, but together they are much more. The clay vase is given to the couple and they must attempt to drink from both sides at the same time. Those that can manage this without spilling are considered to have a long a fruitful marriage ahead of them as they chose their mates wisely.

After this a feather is presented to each of them. A pure white eagle feather lined with a single dot of red color running along the center stem near the base. The number of dots shows the number of years that the pair were mated together and their coloring indicates anything important that happened in that year such as children being born or an accomplishment. The feather is nearly a foot long as only the Great Eagles of Stonetalon are used to harvest the special ceremonial feathers so there is room for a lifetime of dots on the feather. It is expected that the feather is worn at all times as it shows that an individual is taken.

Once the vase is drunk from by both of them and the feather given the ceremony is over and the gathered watchers are encouraged to start feasting, playing games, and dancing. Meanwhile, gifts are brought to the couple, intended to be things that are necessary to being in a home together and self-sufficient. New cookware, clothes, tools for hunting and herding, gifts of cloth, leather, feathers, metal, and preserved foods or grain are all commonly seen.

Traditional Meal

Most commonly a whole kodo is used as the centerpiece of the feast. The body carefully cleaned and the cavity stuffed with various spices while the outside skin is removed and replaced with layers of spices and thick leaves. The leaves are then covered in clay. once the whole kodo is wrapped up properly a large fire is built around it and under the rock platform that it sits on. The fire is tended for three days at a low temperature and then allowed to cool for one additional day. The heat within the kodo itself is able to be maintained due to the clay as it cools and by the time the Ceremony is completed and the clay is shattered open the meat on the inside is nearly falling off the bone just looking at it and very juicy.

Games and Song

At the end of the Ceremony when the food is being served the whole tribe joins in a feast and what feast is complete without dancing, games and music? The traditional games of the Skyrunners are played including Wyvern Back Catch, Wild Kodo Sitting, drinking games, and contests of endurance and balance. Additionally, dances are held late into the night. Group dances involving the whole village all the way down to individual dances around the fire. Through all this loud music of drum and flute are played by various members of the tribe. Much like the songs sung before battle these songs are meant to inspire victory, love, and passion.

Other Cultures Represented in the Binding Ceremony

Because of the various cultural differences between tribes every binding Ceremony will be different Tribe to Tribe, let alone race to race. While the core elements of the Binding Ceremonies among the Skyrunner Tribe will likely remain unchanged specific elements of other tribes and races can be added in as deemed necessary by the participating couple. Some changed might include specific pieces of attire, additional ceremonial customs, added prayers, or displays by additional members of family or friends, even specific foods to be served. These additional pieces to a ceremony must be talked about with an Elder beforehand to ensure that they are acceptable for the Skyrunner Ceremony.

Cross-Race Children

Spieces and Races cross Binding in the Ceremony is, of course, unheard of among the tribe from an IC perspective. Of course in World of Warcraft, there are specific instances of different races mating to produce children. Commonly these crossbreeds are shunned in most human and elven cultures. Among the orcs crossbreeds are tolerated but commonly they are shunned as well with the exception of the Mok'Nathal which have previously been seen as abominations, have earned a respected place for themselves through the actions of Rexxar.

There has been no recorded instance of children being born of races that differ from one another, other than among the orcs, humans, and elves. It can be assumed that different tribes and different biologically similar races such as the various troll groups, the four subspecies of Tauren, and other examples, can create offspring together with a split in the genetic material that the offspring will receive.

As a result of this the Guild would consider most cross-breeding between a tauren and any other race that is not a base tauren, to likely be non-cannon. Unless specific cannon examples can be brought forward in this argument this way of thinking also applies to most other pairings when it comes to creating children. It is also expected that participants in such a storyline adhere to common lengths of pregnancy and child growth rates. Unless you want to tell the tribe that you brought in a warlock to make your three-week-old son suddenly fifteen.

Cross-Race Mating and Homosexuality (or other)

Cross-Race IC Relationships

Because other races and even other Tauren of differing tribes were never allowed into the tribe until recently the idea of different races coming together is very very odd to most Skyrunners who hold traditional views. While not uncommon of course, these relationships are still considered strange to the reclusive tribe. In most cases, it is a simple oddity and gets them curious for a time. Most often the reasoning for a pair or how things work together with people of such differing biological and cultural backgrounds. Within the Tribe itself, there has never been a situation come up where two differing races wished to be Bonded in this particular ceremony so it is something unheard of for them but perhaps acceptable over time.

Homosexuality and Other ICly

Traditionally, people of homosexual inclination or other inclination are called two-spirit people and are male, female, and sometimes intersexed individuals who combined activities of both men and women with traits unique to their status as two-spirit people. In most tribes, though not all, they were considered neither men nor women; they occupied a distinct, alternative gender status. Most commonly these individuals who house two spirits within them are not shunned or set aside in most tauren tribes. While these people are not considered for the purpose of creating the next generation because of their unique two-spirit status it allows them more freedom to seek out romantic partners of their choosing as well as other duties and paths not traditionally associated with people that have one spirit.

Spiritual sanction

Two-spirit identity is widely believed to be the result of supernatural intervention in the form of visions or dreams and sanctioned by tribal mythology. In many tribes, two-spirit people fill special religious roles as healers, shamans, and ceremonial leaders because of the idea that they have two spirits residing within them rather than just a single one. That is not to say that they are considered more powerful or special in this role compared so someone else of equal power, they are just more inclined to the spirits than most.

Same-sex relations

Two-spirit people typically form sexual and emotional relationships with non-two spirit members of their own sex, forming both short- and long-term relationships and even taking part in the Binding Ceremony. It is highly unusual and very much considered unnatural for two members that have a single spirit to engage in same-sex relationship practices as it is considered that those with a single spirit have a duty to bear children and continue the life of the tribe.

More on Two Spirit Identification in the Real World

OOC Disclaimer

We are here to RP. We are here to tell good stories. As per our Code of Conduct and RP Pillars we are in no way OOCly inclined against or towards groups that may fall under the LGBTQ or other identifications. What you do in your own time away from the guild in real life is none of our business nor do we actually care that much. OOCly every one of our members understands the difference between IC Relationships and Reactions versus Real Life Opinions and Reactions and we expect that distinction to be carried out in these situations as well. What our characters think and do in any given situation when confronted with these matters is not to be taken OOCly or as a reflection of the player themselves.