Courtship

Marriage in the DeSades is just as sacred and all involved as any other, save we are mature enough to understand the deeper meanings, and what is truly important.  When two DeSades decide to Wed, they are wed in heart and soul.  To Ensure no mere infatuation exists, and that both parties are truly devoted too each other, during the rights of courtship several tests shall be implemented.

The Night of Temptation test:

This test involves the demonstration, that the Love of the two is more then just physical, and something deeper, more meaningful. While the DeSade’s are a very sexually liberal Family, and many do not require monogomy, we do not rut like animals, we do know the meaning of restraint, and it is to your credit if you can forgo all temptation for the love of your bethrothed. On this Night each will be met with every temptation thier imaginations could conjure..every desire ever fantasized by them shall be brought out and made reality. You must resist. To succumb would mean forfeiting your marriage.

The Trial by Torture Test:

This is where we shall test the strength of your love and your willingness to endure extreme pain on behalf of your betrothed. You will each be tortured to the point of almost death, though you will not be killed and once you successfully complete the test you shall be healed. To beg to be spared will cost you the right to marry. Only by suffering the torture will you be granted permission to marry your betrothed.

Once Permission has been granted, each couple is granted the right to undergo the Pleasure Festival. Though it is not a requirement that they do so. It is a gift, not a requirement.

Length of Courtship

The time spent in courtship may be as much as the couple desires, BUT, must Last for at LEAST two months. (two weeks, irl.).  It is during this time that the couple is advised to think about their choice, their hearts, and to determine whether or not this is really what they wish.  It is during this time that the courtship rites and tests may be performed.  Marriage can not happen unless all tests and rites are completed.  Courtship begins at announcement of engagement.

Marriage

There is but one requirement to the Ritual of Marriage. The Wedding Cuffs. (They are not like hand cuffs, they are like jewelry bracelet cuffs that connect and lock with a small key, leaving the wrists unattached from one another but the bracelet locked around the wrist.) The Marraige Cuffs shall bear the Crest of the DeSade Empire, and any other Crests or symbols the couple wishes, and shall be made from whatever metals/materials and adorned with whatever embellishments the couple wishes. Each couple shall retain the key to the other’s cuffs. Beyond this, each Marriage Ritual may be of whatever faith,structure, etc as the couple sees fit.

While it is not strictly forbidden to marry outside of the Empire, it IS frowned upon and you must gain Imperial Consent to marry one not of the Empire.

As 2 DeSades become married, a set of rules must be followed to ensure each marriage is given full opportunity to fully bloom into the union it was set out to be.  Understand to protect this union from tempers, and misunderstandings, these laws have been established, and we ask you abide by them or suffer what consequences may befall you.

Divorce

Divorce, like Courtship, has a set time limit to be sure this is what the couple truly wishes.  It has its own rites, and tests, but most importantly, from the announcement of wishing to be divorced, too the actual divorce, is 2 months. (2 weeks irl.).  During this time, it is hoped that what tempers have flared, will cool down, and perhaps marital bliss be found NOT beyond the reach of the couple.  At the end of the 2 months, the person who requested the divorce must then petition the empress herself for her blessing upon the Divorce.  When it is given, the union is dissolved.

Abandonment

Alas, our realm is a dangerous place.  Full of many dangers and hidden agendas.  Although rare it is not uncommon for one partner to up and vanish without word or trace.  During this time, if the remaining partner feels they will not come back, they may request an annulment on their marriage that they may search for happiness once more.  The person must be gone for 2 months, (2 weeks irl.)

(ooc note.  This law is due too the fact that irl can end up taking a big wet bite out of someone and leave them unable to even give a word of farewell.  To free a character from obligations IC, and allow them to continue having their character grow, this clause allows a natural divorce to be acquired when someone, for whatever reason, is unable to RP that nic anymore.)

The Courtier D'Amour shall over see the Tests and Requirements be it for Marriage or for Divorce. Once the engagement has been announced, the couple must meet with the Courtier D'Amour and they shall begin the tests of Courtship. The Courtier D'Amour shall be responsible for seeing that all requirements are met to marry, and to divorce. Once requirements are ment, The Courtier shall obtain Imperial Approval, and the couple shall be free to Marry or Divorce.

Children/Birth:

To have a child is a blessed thing, and it is no less among the DeSade's. However, there are requirements for the RPing of having a child. If you wish to RP a pregnancy, the pregnancy can last no less then 1 month IRL time.

Should the child be born in a marraige, and the parents become divorced, if the couple can not decide who shall get custody then the parents shall go before the Imperial Court and obtain a ruling. Should the parents not be married it is assumed that the child belongs to the mother unless the Father wishes to exert his rights. Should the mother refuse him his rights he has the option of petitioning the Imperial Court for the rights to his child. If you wish the child to be played as a member of the DeSade's, you must speak with the Empress or one of the Imperial Court, and inform them of who will be playing the child. If it is not someone who is a member of the family already they must fill out the form for the sake of age verification.

Death:

When you die among the DeSade's SL wise, you have the option of bringing the character back at a later date, though you must keep the Empress and her Court informed and go through her before popping back up with DeSade Tags on. This will alleviate confusion.

If you die by Imperial Decree at the hands of the Empire, then you are dead. Period. No coming back without aid of the Empress.