Humans live for the moment, passionately attaching themselves to ideals and goals, but they also tend to give up easily. This is especially true in relationships. Hasty, passionate marriages are far more common among humans than among other races, but the same goes for unfaithfulness and jealousy. Isenvor humans The Isenvor humans often meet potential partners at the tribal meetings in the spring. Beautiful pelts are common betrothal gifts, and lovers make passionate promises to reunite after the summer wanderings. Weddings are held in the autumn, when tribes reunite to prepare for the hardships of winter. The couple's palms are cut with a ceremonial blade, and as they mingle their blood the shaman bids the spirits to bless their joining. The straps used to bind their wounds are kept as a token from the wedding, and are often worn visibly to signal ones martial status. Isenvor children are left much to their own devices, but as they reach adolescence they are fully accepted into the adult world and their parents hearth. In reality they have long since contributed to the tribe, with minor hunting and gathering, but now they mantle they full responsibility of carrying their own weight. The Isenvor humans burn their dead on pyres. The ashes are scattered in the wind, as a shaman encourages the spirits to carry them to the safety of afterlife. Odar humans Prearranged marriages are common among the Odar humans, and young ones are often betrothed to someone of another tribe in order to strengthen the ties. The betrothed meet sporadically at tribal assemblies or trading posts, where they are always under the supervision of their parents. Weddings are conducted by a shaman, and usually take place in the summer. A shaman bestows the blessings of the gods and spirits upon the couple, while they tie amulets around one another's necks. After the wedding ceremony the newlyweds are given horses and a tent of their own. They are then considered adult members of the community, and will be treated as such by their peers. Infants are carried on the back in special backpacks, and children are taught to ride as soon as they can walk. A child's upbringing heavily emphasizes survival skills, such as archery and foraging. At puberty a youngster is expected to fully bear their own weight in society. The deceased are brought to special burial grounds where they are placed on a high point, such as a rock, hilltop or a wooden stretcher, and are left for the birds to feast upon. This ritual is said to free the spirit from material coils, and it is often said that the voices of the ancestors can be heard in the winds of the grassy plains. Some keep relics made of bone or hair from their forefathers, to draw the spirit of the deceased closer to themselves. Remains from renowned leaders and other potent ancestors are especially popular as relics. Arwondel humans The common people of the Arwondel kingdoms often seek potential partners at social events, such as taverns, feasts, weekend fairs and jousting tournaments. The procedures surrounding their engagements and weddings are usually informal, and do not require the parental consent to the same degree as among the nobles. The nobles and ambitious burghers of Arwondel usually find the advantages of political weddings too sweet to be easily dismissed. Alliances can be solidified, status increased and finances secured. Such weddings are usually surrounded with much pomp and splendor, as the families seize the moment to display their success and riches in order to impress rival families. The Arwondel humans seal their engagements with the exchange of rings. The wedding ceremony takes place in a temple with a priest officiating, who reminds the couple of the sincerity of their pledges. With the gods as witnesses, they vow to honor and love each other in both good and bad times. The ceremony is finalized with another exchanging of rings. Poorer people usually re-use their engagement rings, while nobles and burghers often acquire new, luxurious rings for the occasion. After the ceremony the bystanders throw raisins at the newly weds, and escort them to the celebrations. At the feast the couple receives gifts from the guests, usually in the form of money. Children are important to the family, as they will carry on the family lineage and care for their parents in their twilight years. The young are taught to respect their elders and work hard to make them proud. Those who can afford it place their children in schooling, granting them an academic education and more choices in careers. In poorer circles it is more common to enter into an apprenticeship to learn an occupation, often with a parent or relative as a mentor. The Arwondel humans bury their dead in cemeteries, and the spot is marked with a tombstone. The design of the tombstone may vary from a grand monument to a simple tablet of rock, depending on the vanity and wealth of the deceased and her family. Emerald humans While marriages are seldom prearranged among the Emerald humans, families have a strong influence in the choosing of a partner and it is rare to go against the will of the parents. During the time before the wedding, the suitors spend much time together in the company of their families. The elders take responsibility of organizing the wedding, and come to an agreement regarding funding, cooking and guest lists. The ceremony is lead by a priest, and there are usually many guests attending. The spouses pledge love and loyalty to each other and give a set of rings to each other. Storms are considered bad luck, so weddings never take place while a storm rages. Children are taught to help their parents with household duties, and many learn to swim at an early age. As they reach adolescence they commonly enter into an apprenticeship with a parent or relative in order to learn a trade or other occupation. The Emerald humans keep special burial grounds for their deceased. These are often located at the outskirts of a settlement, since the dead are to be honored but not interfered with. The graves are marked with simple tombstones, often depicting boats, fish or sea serpents.