Mating | Breeding
Without procreation a bloodline cannot continue and the pack cannot prosper. However there is a time for everything. Developing bonds with other pack members is strongly encouraged within Sangilak, even if these interactions stir romantic or even lust derived feelings. However members are encouraged to exercise control when deciding to advance their intimate relationships.
Sangilak is unique in that it allows for a single member to take multiple romantic partners (provided all parties are consenting), but members are still required to follow this single, mandatory rule; No one may breed WITHOUT the Alphas consent. To monitor proper growth of the pack and help the Family prepare, any members intending to breed are required to bring this to the Alphas' attention. Failure to comply will result in the consequences found (link to the law thread) here. It is well known that passion can cloud anyone's judgment and if it is realized that this law has been violated, the sooner it is brought to the Alphas' attention, the less severe the punishment will be.
Courting
Various packs have differing outlooks on courtship. Some would view the path before mateship unnecessary while others consider the time spent before a test to appraise the merit of the would-be mate. Sangi’lak’s views are more toward the latter.
Courtship is a time for the intended couple to learn of each other and gage how the other works in various circumstances. A member seeking a mate either within or outside the pack is encouraged to find a complement to their abilities. If one is a musician, why not seek a dancer? A diplomat to an ambassador? Although these beneficial pairings are preferred, by no means will a courtship be encouraged to disband unless either shirk their tasks within the Family or are putting the Family at risk by their relationship.
- Nomad Courtship:
The female Nomads of the North were often paired without word from their Shepard, meaning the males had to be creative in expressing their intentions, as well as making the intended female comfortable with their pairing. Despite the word from their Shepards, many that did not see the benefit in pairing with a particular individual would contest the arrangement, if not all out refute it. It was up to the male to put the female at ease, most often by helping his intended mate with her tasks and allowing the bond to flourish on its own.
Gifts would come in the form of not rare, but useful items. Thick pelts for the winter, stones to absorb heat from a fire, a kept den where the pups would be born. Preparations usually taken by the whole pack would be taken over by one to show his willingness and dedication. But with the changing times, some females have taken to receiving rare and unique gifts to hold as a memento from their courtship.
But courtship to the Nomads is not only about benefits and compatibility. Having fun is a major part of the bond as well. It is a time when adults can play as pups with each other, exploring the full range of excitement and possibly experiencing emotions thought lost to the Nomads over time; love.
It is up to the pair to decide when they want to come to the Alpha about their union, if they were not already arranged. After their announcement, the pair will be separated for up to a week to create a longing with the intentions of fortifying the relationship with the pair are together again. If both of their feelings remain to each other and their desires to join are still strong, then they will be announced as mates and allowed their breeding rights.
Mating | Breeding
Since the Family is the priority of all members, some aspects such as breeding might be overlooked by even the most social members, and because of this, X'yrin has brought into the Family the breeding practices of the Nomads.
Among the Nomads the Shepard (Alpha) has the right to pair compatible members together for the sake of furthering pack prosperity and strength. This may seem forceful, but for the sake of adaptation for this smaller sect of the Nomads, this pairing may be disputed as long as there good reason. The Alpha may not always know the personal relationships between one member and another, and is open to understand any reason why a pairing shouldn't happen.
However, if both parties agree to a pairing and there is a third party that does not wish this to happen, the third party is allowed to state their refute the pairing.
- For Example: S'lara and Dane are paired and set to mate in the spring. Unknown to S'lara, another member, Vann, has always had a dear place in his heart for her. Vann is allowed to try and talk S'lara out of the arrangement and they may go to the Alpha and arrange for a change to the arrangement. But if Dane disagrees with this interference and wishes to keep the arrangement to have S'lara for himself, both males have the option to compete for their right to breed. The form of contest is determined by both males and presented to the Alpha for approval. If no agreement can be made, an Alpha will decide. This contest can range from sparring to expressing creativity. (ie, fight for her or make her the best gift) The competition is to be viewed by the pack and they will choose the victor. If all three consent to a polygamist arrangement (this is allowed to happen) then they would discuss among themselves how to go about it. *All consenting parties in a polygamist relationship are required to care for the pups regardless of which partner brings about pregnancy or carries the child.
Inversely, females are allowed to contest for their mates as well.
Note: Any member can take part in this structure at anytime, but are required to send a PM to the Alpha to be added to a private roster. Remember this is an OPTIONAL mating/breeding situation and may be used at anytime for plotting.:D