6.4 Avalon weddings, bonding one character to another.

In order to illustrate the touches of realism which Avalon possesses, it is worth mentioning two of the less regular events in the land; the weddings and the divine gift of pregnancy. Weddings take place, as one might expect, between two Avalonian adults - often cementing ties between cities or uniting powerful individuals. Traditionally they used to be held in the Mercinaen cathedral or one of the temples in Thakria but in modern times patron deities and patron temples tend to be the chosen venues.

Pregnancy is often a by-product of a wedding, though more often it is a gift bestowed upon mortals unknown to them by the benevolent deities. Pregnancy lasts over a period of nine months, at which point the pregnant mother-to-be will be able to give birth. She will find herself experiencing labour pains and eventually going into labour fully - all will be described - where typing BEAR CHILD begins the birthing process. The child which is born will be helpless and dependent on its parents to defend it against the bitter, cruel world. It will grow through childhood and eventually, upon reaching maturity, will fly the nest and become an independent adult in his/her own right.