Wemic Wedding

The Marriage of Mhog'ar and Kish'ti

	Introduction
Priest of Balgar:	We are gathered here to join in marriage Kish'ti of the Mist Mountain Pride and Mhog'ar of the Golden Pride. In fact, we should point out to the people gathered here that this is a special marriage, because not only do we marry the two wemics here, but this is also a linking of their two Prides. This is a slightly different wemic wedding because Kish'ti and Mhog'ar met each other away from their Prides and so their marriage has not been arranged and agreed by the Elders. They chose each other and decided to get married all by themselves! *Looks surprised* Today, Kish'ti's Grandmother represents her Pride ... of which she is also Matriarch. Mhog'ar's mother is here to represent his Pride. *Bows and smiles reassuringly to the female wemics* Looking at these two youngsters who would not want to welcome them into their Pride?
	A View of the Marriage at the Rooftop Garden, Elysia Towers
	Duties of Marriage
Priest of Balgar:	Let us read of the duties of Wemic Marriage. *Reads from an ancient scroll* Lord Balgar did create the strong and lusty wemic to roam the plains. To sustain their life by the hunt, to extend the Pride and to live in harmony with those neighbours who would uphold justice and equity. In due season, a female will mark her male and they will come together and their lives shall be joined. Let no trouble or tempter part them, at the risk of Lord Balgar’s wrath. *Looks solemnly at Kish’ti and Mhog’ar* It is the duty of every wemic female to take a suitable mate, strong and healthy, to bear cubs for the continuance of the Pride. It is the duty of every wemic male to give support to his mate and to protect her to the death.
	Prayer to Balgar
Mhog'ar:	*bows his head and closes his eyes* Let us ask Balgar, The Son, for strength and guidance. Balgar … after wandering around away from my Pride, most years without much interaction with my kin, I thank you for sending such a fine mate across my path. I ask you, Balgar, to bless this marriage and that there will be a strong Pride in the south some day soon. Give me also the strength to keep my family safe. *looks up* Amen, *looks at his mother* Mom ... will you recommend me?
	Mother commends Mhog'ar
Mhog'ar's Mother:	*looks at Mhog* Mhog ... my little one. 15 years ago I worried for you. What would become of you? Getting beaten up all the time by the other cubs. I was worried when we sent you away to learn things none of us ever think about, but I am now glad we did. Because look at you now, you are almost the Ivory Archmage. So hereby I vow to all gathered here that Mhog'ar of the Golden Pride knows all his duties in marriage and will fulfil them.
	Prayer to Aryeh Gidol
Kish'ti:	Let us Pray to The Great Mother, Aryeh Gidol *bows her head in worship* Great Mother ... thank you for providing me with a fine mate. Please watch over our family, keeping Mhog'ar and our cubs safe from harm. Help me to guide our family as faithfully and wisely as if it was a Pride of a thousand wemics. We bless you Great Mother because you give us good hunting and provide us with our needs. We bring our thanks to you, Great Mother. Amen *raises her head and smiles around at the guests* Now, I invite my Grandmother to recommend me as a suitable mate for Mhog'ar.
	Grandmother commends Kish'ti
Kish'ti's Grandmother:	*Looks at Kish* Kish’ti ... the naughty one. Running away from the Pride because we said you must get married - and see where you are today … almost married! I always knew that, because you are destined to follow me as a great Matriarch, you would need a strong mate. But, Kish'ti, you have chosen well *smiles at Mhog'ar* a handsome mate with surprising, magical skills. Not perhaps what I would have ... *coughs lightly* … yes, a good mate. I hereby vow to all gathered here that Kish'ti of the Mist Mountain Pride has been trained in all the duties of marriage and in the skills of hunting and wise leadership and will fulfil them.
	Prayer to Mikon
Moira:	*smiles to each* Kish'ti, Mhog, I ask in the name of the Father, that your lives be filled with joy, with happiness, with love. May you be friends, lovers, helpmates. May you comfort each other in sorrow, support each other in strife, and celebrate together each day, every day. This I ask, as friend, as sister May Mikon be with you always... In the Father's name, Amen
	The Vows
Priest of Balgar	Let us hear Kish’ti and Mhog’ar make their Vows. Do you Kish'ti and Mhog'ar promise to live an ordered and fruitful life together. To strengthen each other and the Pride. To oppose the oppressor and to honour Lord Balgar and the Great Mother in all your ways.
Mhog'ar and Kish'ti:	I do promise.
	The Marking
Priest of Balgar:	Kish'ti, perform the Marking.
Kish'ti:	Please kneel before me, my love. *She carefully bites a small piece of flesh from his ear* Mhog'ar of the Golden Pride, I mark you this day as my mate to love you forever with joy and contentment.
Mhog'ar:	Kish'ti of the Mist Mountain Pride, I take you as my mate to love and honour you and father your cubs.
	The Binding - the couple clasp hands
Priest of Balgar:	*Wraps a gold ribbon around their wrists* Kish'ti and Mhog'ar are now joined. May Balgar bless their union.

Mhog'ar Kish'ti