Chaos Bond Braids

Chaos being vast; to detail the myriad customs of the endless realm would be impossible. But one of the customs that spans Chaos is the practice of Bond Braids

The custom spans a wide variety of societies and sub-cultures and is recognizable across the range of Chaos and the Black Zone Sway. They are the Ritualistic Mating Braids. These braids have a complex system representing stages of a relationship before marriage. After marriage braids represent the legitimate children of the couple.

While variations exist in certain subcultures and shadows, a basic outline can be shown.

The Braids

The braids are thin and made of 5 tightly plaited strands. The weave and rise, and interlock over three inches is a unique pattern registered with the Chaosian College of Heralds and sanctified by the Church of the Serpent. While not actually a religious practice it has the solemnity of the church. The applicant visits the College of Heralds and chooses a braid pattern.

The suitor, male or female, has 10 minutes to pick a pattern or will be issued one arbitrarily. Many applicants simple request one be issued. Once chosen the Herald affirms it and has the applicant twist the pattern with magical hairs. Afterwards they will automatically twist the pattern upon desiring to do so. It is considered a horrible breach of etiquette to use the braids on an unwilling receiver or force them on them. Although there is a degree of trickery that is allowed, stepping over the line is a delicate thing so usually practitioners of this art take it seriously, even threatening those who abuse it.

Sorcerers maintain that the magical act of twisting is not connected to the Logrus but to a separate initiation belonging to the College of Heralds. There are no other magical connects to the weaver, and the receiver has no magical bind put upon them except those connected to the removal of the braids.

The braids can be removed in several ways; Death of the wearer or the weaver, Marriage of the Wearer, either to the weaver or to someone else. The weaver in front of a sanctified altar of the Serpent or the Unicorn may unbind them. They may be burned off by the will of the High Lord of Chaos.

Customs of the Braids

First Ring – Ring of Innocence 

1^st – Permission

Upon receiving permission for courtship, a single braid is woven in a distinct pattern specific to the person courting.

2^nd – First Kiss

Second braid is received after the first kiss. 

3^rd - Attendance of Court

Third braid is received upon attending a formal court together. 

4^th – Peaceful Sleep

The fourth braid is received when the couple chastely sleeps within each other’s arms. Some families require chaperones.

5^th – Blessing of the Courtship

The fifth braid is received after the couple lights a candle to the Serpent. If the Serpent accepts the union, the braid will remain in place. It has been known for the Serpent to appear and actually bite off the braid if highly displeased by the request or for the braid to simply dissolve. 

6^th – Passionate Kissing

The sixth braid is gained through more passionate kissing. This is different from the first kiss since the second braid can be obtained through innocence. 

7^th – Parents Acquiescence

The seventh braid is gained during a formal meeting of the couple with the parents for approval. Parents of both people are in attendance.

8^th – Significant Sexual Contact

The eighth ring is gained after the couple has engaged in significant sexual contact. This includes anything except intercourse.  

9^th – Sexual Intercourse

The ninth ring is gained upon the couple engaging in sexual intercourse. Need we say more? 

10^th – Commitment of Solitude

This is a time the couple commits to spending time alone together to remove distractions caused by others such as family, friends, and enemies. This braid is put in during this time alone. 

11^th – Acceptance of Longing

The eleventh ring is gained through a test of the couples love for each other. It is put in place at the beginning of a primal year they are required to spend apart without any contact with one another. Trump contacts are not allowed. Accidental, or incidental contact has been known to occur and is allowed as long as no physical contact occurred and the couple is separated immediately. If abuse of this exception is shown, it invalidates the suit. This time is often spent waging war, or servicing the house interests in remote locations, and writing love letters that are reflected throughout shadow as young men try and show their devotion to their lady love.

12^th – Betrothal

This braid is put on upon the intentions of the couple to pursue marriage. Now negotiations and testing may begin. At this time is the Ceremony of Betrothal, where the bride invites all those who she does not intend to become betrothed with, to participate in ritually shaving her head of all hair.

The ritual consist of the prospective betrothed putting in his 12th braid, then all prior suitors cutting off their braids, and lastly the bride has her head shaved. This is usually performed by her father or arbitrator, a member of her house who stands in for the missing father. The bridegroom's braids then re-grow, with the serpents blessing. 

13^th – Terms of Marriage

This is the time couples define the terms of their marriage. If dowries need to be negotiated or spells need to be discussed, this is the time to do it. The braid is woven upon completion of the negotiations by the father of the daughter. Once an agreement has been met, couples move directly onto the Vow of Chastity.

14^th – Vow of Chastity

This is another test of a couples love for one another. This braid is put in place at the beginning of the primal year the couple will spend chaste. No significant sexual contact or intercourse is allowed. Upon completion of this test, the couple is legitimately engaged whereby the engagement braid is placed in the hair.

15^th – Engagement

The fifteenth ring is place in the hair upon completion of a test of chastity. Once in place, this is a legitimate engagement with marriage plans being made. Boys, she is off the market.

Braids at the time of Marriage

At the wedding ceremony the braids are cut off. Part are ritually sacrificed, part are woven in a special manner and saved in many forms. Framed they are displayed to prove that the couple followed an honorable path to marriage. At the marriage ceremony they are re-braided and a Ring of Union is strung on the bundle

Braids after Marriage

An additional braid is added each time that a wife becomes pregnant. If the child comes to term it remains. If it dies before birth it is removed; part ritually sacrificed part enshrined.