Marriage

Marriage is a religious and economic union between two (or in rare cases more than two) people. Traditionally, marriage has always been a very symbolic act; either of love or family merges (arranged marriages), and marriage ceremonies have always been celebrated according to a specific faith. In modern times, the religious aspect has fallen out of favour, and marriage has become more an economic act.

Marriage laws

All countries have their own laws of marriage, either politically or religiously decided. These may restrict who can marry and how, as well as whether divorces are allowed or not.

Ihazon

In Ihazon, marriage is subject to federal law.
All marriages, even when done in a religious institution, must be approved by the state it takes place in--and even then, not all states recognise marriages from other states.

Tinville, Gruvania and New Summerset allow anyone over the age of 17 and who don't already share their last name to marry. This has inadvertently caused issues for people who simply happen to share a common last name. However, in these cases, most offices are willing to make exceptions if it can be proven they are more distantly related than first cousins (consanguinity 12.5%).
West-Ihazon is perhaps the most liberal state in the world when it comes to marriage, however; being unique in not having any restrictions whatsoever, neither for gender, race or relation. This has made it somewhat of a running joke that marriages in the capital are not considered "real"--even if they are recognised by other states. As a result, most people simply go by the requirements of the other states, and some West-Ihazonans are not even aware of the loose restrictions of their state.

The aforementioned states also all allow anyone who is married to divorce freely.

Of course, religious institutions is free to have their own interpretations of what can be considered marriage.

Church of Langenthal, the largest religion in Ihazon, has traditionally had stricter views on marriage. In Devout faith, a marriage is reserved between a man and a woman over the age of 20, but most Devout priests also wed non-straight couples in the capital. This is less common in New Summerset and completely impossible in Trondheim, which is the only state that only recognise Devout marriages. Marriage between some races is also not recognised.
All Devouts agree that marriages cannot happen between family members, including up to third cousins. Divorces are frowned upon, but not prohibited, and have no social stigma in the capital. Arranged marriages are uncommon, but not spoken against; and the church encourages marriages of love, although they are restrictive on intercourse before marriage.

Both Devout Asseculs and traditional Asseculs are more open to untraditional marriages. There's a few differences between the two types of Asseculs: traditional Asseculs, like with Redits, do not prohibit marriage between cousins, while Devout Asseculs do. Traditional Asseculs are also more in favour of arranged marriages, as well as allowing polymarriages, unlike Devout Asseculs.

Radosis

As the official Radosicus religion is Genus Reditus, this reflects the country's marriage laws. Arranged marriages between families is the norm here, and the right to marry of love is not respected. It is not uncommon, however, to have lovers both outside of and before marriage. In this way, love and lust is allowed outside the bounds of official marriage, which is more of a political union or alliance.

There is no age restriction to engagement, but one can only be wed after turning 15, the age of consent in Radosis. When wed, both partaking families swear allegiance to each other and to protect the married couple. Betraying this loyalty is a valid reason for annulment of the marriage, which is the closest to a divorce that is possible in the system. The annulment is handled by the Court of Genus Reditus, the national court of religious matters.

A large portion of the Radosicus population are Asseculs, who are less represented in state matters. Their marriage traditions are not strict on whether a marriage is arranged or not, but many do prefer arranged ones. Asseculs, unlike Redits, also allow marriages between several people, but this is uncommon in practise and is usually reserved to wealthy and influential families. Asseculs are also much more tolerant of marriage annulments, and generally annul marriages to anyone who wishes for it assuming both parties agree.

Some Radosicus' who have strayed from the traditions of their faith, often dubbed Assecula Reditus, believe that annulment may only be achieved through sacrificial ritual. This is known as Divorce by Combat, and involves the married fighting until one (or no one) is victorious.