Intergalactic Summit

EDITed to add: I am extremely hesitant to speak about such things. Minmatar Ways are varied, and it is very easy to offend by describing as "the way" a custom that someone of a respectable clan does not follow, and possibly even considers wrong. What I talk about below is based on my obviously limited knowledge of the myriads of clans; no offense is meant if I do not do justice to yours. I encourage others of the tribes to also share their understanding.


There is no one single answer to these questions.

Would the outsider become part of the clan? That depends on that clan's customs. It is common that you marry "into" a clan, becoming its member - and for this reason, many clans do not marry outsiders, not even members of other tribes, because they feel it is impossible to accommodate for a member of a clan that is not of the tribe. Some clans like this do marry from other tribes and even from among foreigners, but such relations are rarely happy, as the people leaving their tribes find it difficult to settle into a new one and are rarely completely accepted. In clans like this, there is a marriage ceremony that also takes care of forming the new kinship, after which traditions and rituals apply, and the clan usually considers the person also a member of their tribe.

When a clan says that someone is their kin, other clans rarely argue, though they might roll their eyes and decide to never marry into or from that clan, due to considering them tainted by the association. Membership in the tribe would be similarly decided by consensus: officially, if a Matari clan claims you as a member, you are part of their tribe, but that does not necessarily mean everyone in the tribe will accept the claim on anywhere else but paper.

There are also clans where you can marry without either party joining the other. I am less familiar myself with such customs, but I believe that some such clans are even stricter about the other party being of the tribe, on the basis that the marriage forms an alliance with the kin of the spouse and they do not wish to be diluted by such associations, while some of them do marry clanless and foreigners, on the basis that the kin of the outsiders would not be a valid party to place demands anyhow.

In interclan marriages, which clan children are counted in is usually specified in the marriage contract - or in any case, it should be, because if it is not, it will lead to quarrels and feuds and a bunch of really unhappy kids. Most clans have traditions specifying the position of children born outside of marriage, which can work out if the father of the child is not aware of the child or his ways are compatible with those of the mother's. I might be mistaken in this, but I believe at least the local law where I come from on Matar has it that if you take it to court, in the absence of a contract the children belong to the mother's clan (this being the one you can be certain of).

Most established clans that I know of marry inside their own tribe exclusively. Generally, I'd guess that for most, for a spouse, someone with a high status clan would be preferred to someone of a lower class, and a clanless person of one's own tribe would be preferred to someone of another Matari tribe. Some clans prefer a higher-status clan of another tribe to a clanless person. Foreigners would come only after that. The lower you are on that scale, the harder it would be for you to fit in your new clan.

Do note that most Matari are rather relaxed about premarital sexual relations, and even discrete relations in parallel with a marriage, which have a much wider scope of "targets", given that they are not considered an alliance between two clans, but rather just a temporary arrangement between individuals. Of course, in reality, things are not so simple - falling in love with someone who can never become kin is a recurring theme in our stories and holovids. It is interesting to note that in Gallentean stories on the theme, love usually prevails, while in the traditional Matari stories that I at least know, the dilemma is usually resolved by the person returning to their kin.

What shaman would do that ? Isn't it a little naive to believe that all individuals think the same and all respect the traditions to the same degree ? Especially if offered something invaluable in return, like the money of a capsuleer, for example. Also, the Voluval formula may be well kept by Vherokior mystics, but it does not mean that the product itself is.



I can not speak for them, but it would seem logical to me that these individuals may be curious and willing to learn. If people get offended over this and do not want to teach and guide instead, it is their own problem : they can still do like captain Gotti said and consider that this is not a Voluval, if it makes them feel better. Bluntly said, I would be the first to tell them "deal with it".

Overall, an extremely good summary, a "glimpse" of some of the facets of the myriad beliefs that comprise Minmatar "religion". It was a good read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The idea of Fate, as Elsebeth said, is important to many of us; this is, after all, part of what the Voluval reveals to us, the ultimate destination our paths will take us in.

The Path, something I speak about often, and have spoken with you about, Ura, is, for many of us, the "core" of our belief. To walk one's path well is do do one's duty, as directed by your Mark, and to do so is to honor one's ancestors, clan, and family. The spiritual component that some Clans, including my own, believe in is not as universal, but still very, very common. However, just what those spirits are, where they come from, and what their role is varies widely among the Tribes, and even within the Tribes, at the subtribal and Clan level, variation will be found.

A small tattoo to honor a lost friend will not be seen as anything other than what it is; a tattoo, in a minmatar style, on a non-Matari. Some will find it offensive, some will appreciate the gesture, most wont give it much thought. I remember speaking with you on the matter, and still stand by what I said; I study the Scriptures, this does not make me Amarrian, nor do i intend to pretend that it does. I believe Uraniae's intent was similar; a mark to honor a friend, not to attempt to "claim" any connection to which she has no right.

I look forward to your next installment. Bravo.

Avlynka Surionen

For many years I resisted and ignored the scriptures, in no small part as an act of rebellion, and it is only in recent times that I have returned to them. But during my adventuring days, I ran across many different beliefs and ways of life, and I concur; there is enlightenment and wisdom to be found in much of God's creation.

An interesting story, thank you for sharing it. I do believe I see the point you are making but I still don't believe it applies to me specifically. I seek knowledge and enlightenment, not for any sort of power or promise of salvation, but simply to enjoy the process of seeking spiritual knowledge. It occurs to me that some might consider enlightenment and salvation to go hand-in-hand but in my personal belief, they do not. In a way it is more than likely a bit selfish of me to seek spiritual knowledge simply because I enjoy the process, but I long ago gave up on the hope that any god would accept my soul or spirit or essence and provide me with salvation in this life or any possible one after it.

I'll continue my little quest for enlightenment for the foreseeable future. It will more than likely earn me just as much enmity as it does respect. I can only apologize so much to those I might offend and I can only offer so many assurances that I mean no disrespect. In the end I will continue to learn and experience what I can, regardless of how the seeking might make me appear to others.

Funny. I'm still early on in my studies but what that legend speaks of, Elsebeth, sounds a lot like something I've learned a bit about: Nidhoggr.