Dwarven Weddings

"I never want to see a flagon of ale again..."

— Brottor Dankil, Newlywed

Dwarven weddings represent an alliance between two clans in a Khazaut. Typically they are carried out for financial, political or industrial gain rather than love. This means that usually a marriage is arranged by the head of two clans rather than the couple that is to be wed. Before a marriage can take place it must be approved by a Rune Priest.

History

Like much of Dwarven celebrations, weddings are a deep set tradition, the origins of which have long since been forgotten. It is likely that the first weddings were simply a business transaction officiated with an alliance through joining the two clans, but with the rise of the Rune Priests in dwarven society a number of religiously significant rituals were added to the proceedings.

Execution

Once a courtship has been approved by a rune priest a wedding can begin. The wedding is composed takes place over the course of several days. When guests arrive they throw a number of different metals and ores in a large central fire that causes the flames to burn in a variety of colors. Once the feast is underway the first ceremony to take place is known as The Toolgifting. During this a set of tools representing each of the engaged dwarves clans craft are purchased swapped as gifted by the betrothed, these are then decorated by the guest. The first day of the wedding is usually closed with the opening of a large barrel of ale that the couple share.
The second day is filled with a variety of test that represents the challenges undertaken by the Allfather. First is The Test of Discernment. The bride is given up to a dozen stones and must crack one with a hammer, revealing it to be a geode or valuable ore. Usually, the test is rigged, with every option being precious in its own way. This has led many to use the test as an augury.
Next is Test of Strength, where the grom wrestles their father to prove he is a capable adult now. Regardless of fighting ability, the groom is eventually allowed to win but despite this, gambling on the match is traditional, usually on how long it will take.
This is followed by the Test of Fortitude. The couple must drink a large flagon of a very potent, spicy ale. If any guests have a complaint or unresolved grudge relating to the marriage, they can step up to the table and drink a flagon themselves and forcing the couple to drink another flagon. This continues until all grudges have been stated, inevitably resulting in the friends of the bride and groom forcing them to drink as much as possible.
Finally is the Test of Axes, which takes places immediately after the Test of Fortitude. This task is relatively simple as the couple just have to hit a target with an axe, however, due to their drunkenness it is inevitably very difficult and exciting, much to the amusement of the guests.
The next several days are composed of feasting while the heads of each clan in the marriage negotiate an exchange of various favors, resources and mining rights and other such things until they agree on a fair trade. While these are fairly simple negotiations for hill dwarfs it can last several days with mountain dwarves, particularly those that are particularly affluent. Their oaths are then officiated by a Rune Priest and if they are not followed through the offending party is punished severely.
The final day begins with a sermon conducted by the Rune Priests, blessing the wedding in the name of the Allfather and the ancestors of the married couple. At this point, the oaths taken on the previous day are announced for all the guests to witness. The wedding is then closed with the final ceremony is known as The Runecarving, the bride and groom cooperatively carve each of their clan's runes on a large stone slab, while hymns are sung. This is then fitted to the clan wall of Khauzat, officiating the wedding.

Components and tools

Asides from the large quantities of food and ale required for the general festivities there are a number of unique of items needed in the various ceremonies that make up the wedding. Firstly are the intricate armbands that are awarded to each party once the courtship is approved. These are typically made of silver and gold for hill dwarves and platinum for mountain dwarves. For The Toolgifting, a set of craft tools are of course needed that are decorated by the guests. Finally, for the Runecarving a large two-handed hammer and two-handed chisel are nessicary. Each clan possesses a set of these tools that have been passed down for generations.

Participants

Each of the ceremonies taking place during the wedding is overseen by a Rune Priest With either the bride, groom or their family taking part. Guests will be made up of all the members of the two clans taking part in the ceremony, as well as the heads of the other clans out of respect.

Observance

Typically a wedding will be approved to take place during the first week of a new month. This is due to the first week of a month typically being when dwarven industry resets ist output, thus allowing the two clans to have as much at their disposal to negotiate a trade with.