This document describes a Museurthian Marriage Ceremony. I developed it in 1997 when I needed to run a marriage ceremony during one of my games.
This being a ceremony to join two people in marriage, to be performed by a priest of Argos, the god of Love. Traditionally, flowers, particularly violets, roses and tulips, are arranged about the chapel before the ceremony.
Rings are exchanged between the couple to be married. These rings rest on the altar at the start of the rite. Argos's priest's Priapic Wand must also be present. Also, a sword must rest on the altar.
A Covener must be chosen. The Covener is typically a friend of the GROOM.
Covener: "There are those in our midst who seek the bond of marriage."
Priest: "Let them be named and brought forward."
Covener: "[Marvin Smith] is the Man, and [Talia Wormsroot] is the Woman."
BRIDE and GROOM move forward to stand facing PRIEST across the altar.
Priest(to Groom): "Are you [Marvin Smith]?"
Groom: "I am."
Priest: "What is your desire?"
Groom: "To be made one with [Talia Wormsroot] in the eyes of the Gods and the Creator."
Priest(to Bride): "Are you [Talia Wormsroot]?"
Bride: "I am."
Priest: "And what is your desire?"
Bride: "To be made one with [Marvin Smith] in the eyes of the Gods and the Creator."
PRIEST hands Priapic Wand to BRIDE and GROOM. They hold it between them, each with both hands. PRIEST takes up sword and raises it high.
Priest: "Argos, Creator, Cerdicos, Nikodemes, Orian, Nouis, Varvera, and Nikromolus! Here before you stand two of your folk! Witness, now, that which they have to declare!"
PRIEST lowers sword, and holds the point of it to the GROOM's chest. GROOM repeats the following, line by line.
Priest: "Repeat after me: 'I, [Marvin Smith], ... do come here of my own free will, ... to seek the partnership of [Talia Wormsroot] ... I come with all love, honor and sincerity, ... wishing only to become one with her whom I love. ... Always will I strive for [Talia's] happiness and welfare ... Her life will I defend before my own. ... May this sword be plunged into my heart should I not be sincere in all that I declare. ... All this I swear in the names of the Gods. ... May they give me the strength to keep my vows. ... So let it be."
PRIEST raises sword high, pauses, and lowers it, holding the point of it to the BRIDE's chest. BRIDE repeats the oath, line by line, after him.
Priest: "Repeat after me: 'I, [Talia Wormsroot], ... do come here of my own free will, ... to seek the partnership of [Marvin Smith] ... I come with all love, honor and sincerity, ... wishing only to become one with her whom I love. ... Always will I strive for [Marvin's] happiness and welfare ... Her life will I defend before my own. ... May this sword be plunged into my heart should I not be sincere in all that I declare. ... All this I swear in the names of the Gods. ... May they give me the strength to keep my vows. ... So let it be."
PRIEST lowers the sword. PRIEST takes up the two rings and sprinkles and senses both. She hands the Bride's ring to the Groom and the Groom's ring to the bride. They take them in their right hands, remaining holding the Priapic Wand with their left hands.
Priest: "As the grass of the fields and the trees of the woods bend together under the pressures of the storm, so too must you both bend when the wind blows strong. But know that as quickly as the storm comes, so equally quickly may it leave. Yet will you both stand, strong in each other's strength. As you give love; so will you receive love. As you give strength; so will you receive strength. Together you are one; apart you are as nothing."
PRIEST leads BRIDE and GROOM into private chamber behind altar, for the secret oaths they must swear just before each other and the Gods.
* * *
PRIEST follows BRIDE and GROOM out, usually to cheering.
Priest: "Ever love, help and respect each other, and then know truly that you are one in the eyes of the Gods and of the Creator."
Congregation: "So let it be!"
Traditionally, after the marriage, the BRIDE and GROOM retire to their home to consummate the marriage rite.