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Courtship

With the exception of the galdori, courtship in Mugroba is often simple and quick. The humans, wicks and passives in the Kingdom often agree to date, though it's hardly a formal agreement. Because of the relaxed nature of marriage and relationships in the kingdom, there is not a lot of fanfare for these types of things. Wicks are more likely to have open relationships until marriage, and humans are the only ones whose courtships are noteworthy, in that they actively pursue romance rather than allowing the relationship to develop through more natural means.

Galdori, however, often follow the same traditions as those in Anaxas. Often, the families are involved from the beginning, with many even being arranged, if the families feel it is necessary. Once the couple is together, they "date", in that they participate in romantic events together, often publicly. Dressing up and eating nice dinners, attending balls or going on carriage rides around the cities are commonplace and are considered the more typical "courtship" dates. Some galdori prefer live entertainment like concerts, plays or poetry readings, but those are often seen as activities for those in relationships.

Marriage and Unions

Marriage in Mugroba appears strange to some outside the kingdom. Often, marriages are observed as a sort of 'common law', that is, that the couples willing enter but there is no legal obligation to remain together. The only exception to this is the galdori, who are often married under the gaze of the Circle, and who consider their marriage as much a legal obligation as an emotional one.

More about Gender & Sexuality

Galdori Marriage

For the galdori, wedding ceremonies are extravagant and classy, with large wedding dresses and parties the norm, if not expected. Because of their wealth, galdor weddings are considered some of the finest occasions of the season, sometimes the year, and an invitation is often seen as a deep, personal compliment. Galdori who marry in the hotter seasons often hold their ceremonies indoors, because formal dresswear can be oppressive in the heat, but spring time ceremonies are almost always outside, and sometimes can be held next to the river. If the ceremony is rained on, the wedding is blessed by Hulali, contrary to some other kingdoms.

Wick Weddings

For the wicks, however, weddings are often held as a way for the family and friends of the couple to observe their standing love. Because wicks are passionate and loving as a people, weddings can be held whenever the couple's friends and families decide to do so, rather than at the behest of the couple. Wick relationships are long-lasting, and often the family and friends will wait for a few years before throwing a "natja", or "tying of the cord". The natja is a theatrical retelling of the love story of the couple, with each's family representing their respective partner throughout the stages of their lives. When the play gets to the point that the two meet, the couple themselves are inserted into the story. They are then expected to play out their courtship and relationship, and the natja only ends when they express their desires for their futures together. At the end of this, a special kofi har ceremony is held where the couple host for their families, and the ceremony is dedicated to their futures. Surprisingly, the natja is not open to those outside the immediate family and closest friends, making this one of the few wick rituals that is not open to all wicks.

Other Ceremonies

Humans and Imbali marry much the same, by requesting documentation from the government to acknowledge their marriage. Because the contract is not binding, very little information is required, but also fake marriages are very rare because of this. Once declared, these marriages are can be observed by a feast, or not at all, depending on the couple.

Tyat never marry, being of the mind that all should be able to love freely and without concern. Many tyat have multiple partners, and the tyat consider all partners as their family. Any children borne from these partnerships are siblings, regardless of actual blood relation. The family unit is decided, rather than nuclear or biological.

Divorce and Separation

Divorce, though uncommon, is not unheard of in Mugroba. For those who legally marry—the galdori—the process is much the same as Anaxas. The galdor couple finds a lawyer, preferably an imbali lawyer who market themselves specifically for divorce procedures, which are present in Thul'ka and in some of the bigger towns throughout the kingdom, to annul their marriage. Wicks, humans and imbali simply stop being together, though this is perhaps even more uncommon than galdori divorces.