Paramours

Marriage in a traditional sense is somewhat rare among Au'Kael. Two birds in a long term relationship are refered to as Paramours, and this is usually seen as the main bond-pairing structure. These relationships tend to be monogamous, but polygamrous relationships can happen. And the relationships can be open or closed to various degrees, depending on how each partner travels in their wanderings, and the preference of the individuals involved.

It is not uncommon for a paramour to leave their band and join the band of their partner. Or partners may remain paramours even at long distances, only seeing each other on sporadic occasions. Or individuals may become paramours for a season, or a year, or even longer depending on how long a band may reside in a particular place, then separate and end their relationship. Paramour relationships can end at any time, by either partner, and for whatever reason, as soon as one partner declares it to be over. And these relationships can be between same or opposite-sex pairings, as it does not matter who the partners are. It is also fairly common for paramours to be in very long term relationships, have children, and raise families together, even without a formal legal or ceremonial marriage structure. As such, things like wedding parties are not seen much in Au’Kael culture, but instead paramour couples tend to celebrate birth of children, and milestones in family lives.

There is no real social change or exclusive benefits to being a paramour or not. Except that it may make it less likely to get another lover in the immediate sense if an individual is already in a relationship. If a paramour couple has children, however, it is the general practice and expectation in Au'Kael society that even if the parents are far apart, or end their relationship, that they maintain interest and concern for the children, and are expected to take active hands in raising and caring for their wellbeing, even if their offspring are being fostered. With such strong focus on support of the Band and the extended family groups, there seems to be a sense that so long as children and cared for and nurtured, that the main emphasis of the relationship should be to fulfil emotional and physical satisfaction and to mutually help and support one another.