Seers come in different types and shapes. One of the most well known and respected seers in Alven is the Matchmaker. The matchmaker, usually female, is employed by clan families to study the lunar horoscope of couples who are intent on tying the knot. No one in Alven will marry someone without making sure that the moons and the stars align.
In the well-to-do and growing cities of Alven, Matchmakers usually have a workshop where they can be consulted throughout the year. Powerful and rich clan families rely heavily on reputable and established Matchmakers for finding spouses for their sons and daughters. Young men and women of Alven are meant to marry in their early twenties, and parents are anxious for a good marriage to be made. The Matchmaker has scrolls and scrolls of data on all the eligible young men and women of a region, categorized by rank, wealth, and status. She will talk to the families of the person to be married and propose a range of suitors to choose from. The dates of birth are all important as it is used to draw complicated charts of both future spouses, and find out if their union will be prosperous and fruitful.
Even when two young people have promised themselves to each other without the help of the Matchmaker, charts will be sought to confirm that the marriage will be acceptable to the gods.
Itinerant Matchmakers
In remote areas of the Clanlands, Matchmakers are itinerant and will pass by the same locality three or four times a year. They travel the country within their colourful wagon and are fervently expected by all young people in love throughout Alven. Intendeds will not be able to marry without the confirmation by the Matchmaker that their promised is the right person to join them and the clan. Itinerant Matchmakers' fees are not as expensive as the more established Matchmakers in the city. However, people can be very generous to the 'Good Mother' as they espect a favorable reading of their horoscope.
The itinerant Matchmakers also provide young men and women who do not find a suitable match in their village the opportunity to find and meet someone from another village or farm. The Good Mother carries her all-important scrolls with her and for a modest fee, will allow any would-be bride or groom to peruse her research. Many have found a perfect match through such a system.
The Wagon
The Matchmaker's wagon is usually brilliantly decorated and children love to see it trundling down the main street when it appears. Traditionally, they follow it until it stops (usually in the market square) chanting this very ancient rhyme to the Maiden: 'Maiden. bring us love, bring us sons and daughters, gives us joy and we will drown you with silver.' If the Matchmaker is in a good mood, she will throw a few silver coins behind her in a gesture of good luck.
The wagon is a romantic symbol throughout Alven, and many young maidens dream of spending some time with their intended in the secrecy of its backroom.
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