Marriage and Romance
Marriage in Isstia is a relationship between two individuals, be they man and woman, man and man, or woman and woman. The majority of the population consists of man and woman, but particularly strong-minded lovers of the same sex can, and do, wed before their friends and family. The only stipulation is that the two parties may not be blood related, and that both parties are consenting of the union.
In Isstia, marriage is a religious bond, most commonly solemnized before the shrine of Ysmera, Wife of Adros and Goddess of Peace, Families and Protection.
Marriages in the Royal and High Families are typically arranged shortly after the 13th birthdays of the future-bride and groom. Marriages in these two social groups are seldom for love and instead are arranged to strengthen alliances, bring wealth into a family or to resolve enmity. For this reason a marriage in which the bride and groom have never met one another is relatively normal. Despite a tradition and culture steeped in arranged unions, particularly strong-minded young men or women can derail proceedings by simply refusing to consent. Though this is always honored it tends to result in social backlash and damage to the refusing patties reputation and influence in the community.
Commoners typically marry for love, which will sometimes explain why a member of a high family will forsake their wealth and status for a commoner. Since Isstia culture 'follows blood', the wealth and status of a family also follows the blood. This means that should a male member of a high family take a commoner wife, she will rise to the status of the high family (albeit slowly and with bad looks), while should a woman of a high family take a commoner husband, she will forsaken her wealth and status and join the commoners. This is due to the fact that a woman always customarily takes the husband's name.
Marriages normally last until one spouse dies, though very crafty and creative people have been known to find a way to wriggle out of burdensome alliances, however, it is a difficult procedure. To simply abandon a spouse and run off will result in intense shame thrust upon the family of the individual, as well as substantial damage to their influence, social standing and wealth. Marriages may not dissolve without approval of the Tribune of the Clan's district.
Women are typically married at the age of 'blooming' which is roughly 18 years of age. This is not always the case, but it is uncommon for a woman to remain unmarried beyond the age of 25. Men can manage to remain single for longer, but by the age of 30, they too will likely feel the pressure of their families to take a wife and 'set roots'.
Marriage ceremonies include three main elements. The first is the religious ceremony in which the bride and groom swear their vows, and the priest blesses them. The bride enters in before the wedding guests wearing a cloak of her clan's colors. Dresses tend to be beautifully adorned in a complimenting shade. White is no more appropriate than any other shade. The cloak is removed and replaced by her husband with a cloak in his own clan's colors. If the bride is wedding someone of the same clan, the groom merely replaces the cloak with a new one, offering the old clock back to her father. The second element is a feast, where the bride and groom eat and drink with their friends and family. There is often music and dancing as well.
Finally, there is the bedding. There is really no need for a detailed explanation of what happens here.
Inheritance & Title
In Isstia, the inheritance of a line always follows blood. When a head of house passes away, the house and family's wealth always passes to the eldest born, be it son or daughter, and never to the spouse. This is because wealth belongs to the bloodline, and the spouse has no blood relation to the head of house. It is tradition and expected that the eldest of the line will continue to care for and support the spouse of the deceased, keeping them in the lifestyle they are accustomed to.
Bastard children retain no rights of inheritance.
