R Is For...

Well, let's see. R could be for lots of things, but in my case it will be for Rituals and Rulers.

Let's start with Rituals. Not writing ones, mind you, but ones I've created in my world. Rituals are very important and have not strayed very far from the original in hundreds of years.
Marriage: My marriage rituals begin with a Kissing Stone. As simplistic as it sounds, it is still a ritual held in high regard. A man who is interested in courting a woman would first find a small stone. More often than not, the man would scour riverbeds looking for ones shaped like a heart. He would then present it to the woman he had his eye on. If she kept it, her answer was yes. If returned, it was no and the man would throw the stone back to the river. Or where ever he discovered it. Over the years, of course, the Nobles used the ritual and would sometimes use gems instead of stones.My Alabassin, heir to the throne of Relavia, is a sweet, simple man. He actually went out to find a stone to give to Kayta, daughter of the king and queen of Paridzule. When she accepted, he let her choose her own wedding ring. Another ritual he followed. Most of the men later on would buy the ring for their intended rather than let them choose their own. By allowing the woman to choose her own ring, it showed she still maintained her independence and was not insulted by the man who chose for her.
Rulers: The ruling families of my world are stuck in the Feudal society, apparently. The throne is passed down from father to son or mother to daughter in some societies. I may have to break the mold somewhere and have a kingdom vote upon their king or come up with some other method. I've always felt that fantasy should follow Feudal society rules, but then again, rules are made to be broken. Right? Right. (Look lots of R's!)
That's just a small taste of things I have worked on. Hope you enjoyed it. :D

Favorite Band: Rage Against the Machine. Favorite Movie: Raiders of the Lost Ark.