During the winter solstice, warm ashes from the hearth are used to write runes above the door. This old magic ward deters creatures of the night from knocking and requesting entry.

A late winter tradition practiced by fae who have had trouble getting pregnant. Males and females keep a pocket filled with black snakeroot for a day, gifting it to their partner or mate afterward. Human birthrates are much more robust than fae, resulting in far less participation in this tradition.

During late spring, the first emergence of glowflies is known as the Festival of Lights. People wander at night to watch the insects as they come out of slumber.

Offering a gift of silver indicates a fae has found and accepted the mate Nektos has chosen.

Once each mate has accepted their gift of silver, they are considered married and ready to be soulbound via the Joining.

The expectation fae will dedicate their lives searching for their Nektos-chosen mate. In many cases, participation in the Hunt ebbs and flows over time, as many grow discouraged the longer it takes. The large majority of fae never find their mate.

Once a mate is found, the bond grows stronger. There are instances of fae stating it takes on a physical form in their mind—often a rope, thread, or chain.

Sovereign Kings are required to hunt for their mate.

A ritual in which Fated Mates exchange slivers of their soul, making the promise to find one another in every subsequent life. Fae become soulbound. It is the ultimate agreement between fae and breaking it results in death for both.

It is not uncommon for a god or goddess to appear during the ritual, offering a blessing to the couple. While mates are a design of Fate, Nektos herself has never made an appearance.

During the summer solstice, a large bonfire is lit and kept burning for a full day. As it burns, people cast small slips of paper or parchment into the fire with written wishes.

Eldoterrans (both fae and human) can and do choose to marry. If the pair are not mates (or a human is involved), marriage proceeds as humans have established.

For humans, marriage is considered the apex of recognition for romantic relationships. Similar to the Joining, vows made are taken very seriously despite the lack of enforcing magic. Humans in marriages lasting longer than twenty years become known as heartbound to their partners.

The marriage process is modeled after that of the Joining.

The Trial is the period in which interested parties “test” compatibility. This period can last anywhere between six months and ten years. At the end of the Trial, a pair may choose to become exclusive or part ways. In place of a gift of silver, humans in Eldoterra opt for a gift of gold. Once gifts have been exchanged, they’re viewed as married.

Couples commemorate this event by hosting a gathering of their closest friends and family.

Unmated fae can also choose to marry following the same practice. Marriage between unmated fae, while accepted, does not carry the same significance as the Joining of mates.

Bathing in the light of the full moon is fabled to attune a fae with Aether.

While incredibly rare, a fae may choose to reject their Fated Mate for any reason. The window for this is small—it must occur before or during the initial Gift of Silver.

Rejection may result in madness for either party. It is fabled the pair will never encounter one another again in future lives.

Following the acceptance of the initial Gift of Silver, rejection is no longer an option.

Old fae custom of refraining from viewing one’s reflection prior to life-altering moments (e.g., marriage, the Joining, throne ascension, becoming a devotee, etc.). It serves to reinforce the notion steadfast confidence is borne within. Rarely practiced in recent centuries.