Lifemates

The term “Lifemate” was created purely from the imagination of mortals in a fairly recent way. A concept based on the love that one individual had for another, to the point of wanting to unite with them. Usually for life.
 
When Shaggy returned to the land of Prehistoria, this concept immediately caught his eye and his curiosity pushed him to learn more. He learned that the term “Lifemate” was universal and used by all, regardless of their species. The ways of proceeding differed nevertheless, and the flamboyant demigod was ecstatic about the ingenuity of the mortals. Some would unite before sorcerers or shamans, others would simply take vows, or go to a sacred place.
There were many ways to do this, but all were done with the same goal of being with their loved one.
 
Shaggy, with his benevolent heart, was moved. Feeling that indirectly, he and his Valentine Event had inspired mortals to create the term “Lifemate” to describe their other half.
He decided to do something to bless these unions in his own way, no matter what they did to formally unite.
 
From his mother Umbru, he had gained some magical powers that he hardly ever used to better blend in with mortals. So it was without the slightest hesitation that he detached the magic from his being, storing it in the bracelets of beads that were universally used in these unions. The ”Lover’s Bond”.
Thus, in his own way, Shaggy blessed the couples already formed as well as those to come.
 
When the God Arwii awoke from his long sleep, one of the first things he did was to take his beloved mortal companion, Kala, as his Lifemate.
This ceremony was grand and attracted many people, curious and happy to finally see their creator after being gone for so long. But during this ceremony, a peculiar bead was shared between mortals. It was looking the same as the beads adorning Arwii’s beard and, since it was given during the God’s Lifemating ceremony, was given the name of “Bead of Devotion”. Following that, some mortals started to put Beads of Devotions in their own Lover’s Bond.
 
Nevertheless, sometimes things could change between couples and the best thing to do was to separate. Although this upset Shaggy, the demigod understood.
So he offered his services to break Lifemate’s bonds, freeing them from their marital bond. After that, they both had to wait 3 weeks before they could take another Lifemate.

The Lifemate status
While giving your beasts a lifemate status has a great value for stories, it also brings some gameplay bonuses for your bonded pair! Once your beasts are officially lifemated both will gain a small Milestone on their Import and a trait called “Lover’s Bond”, increasing the chances for all markings and mutations to pass in breedings as well as finding rarer items in activities when pictured together.
 
Of course, it is also possible to break the bond later on, it is not permanent! The specific rules and requirements of becoming Lifemates and revoking the status can be found towards the end of the page.
 
Basic rules / requirements:
– Lifemates can belong both to one (1) player or each beast to a different player
– NPCs, Primals or Gods cannot be chosen as partners for your beast
– Only beasts that are not related to each other (no shared beast(s) in their lineage) may become lifemates
– It is allowed to have Lifemates of the same sex or different species
– Same-sex breedings between Lifemates still need the correct items to make these breedings possible however!
– For different species couples only the activity bonus of the Lover’s Bond is active, breeding will not be possible in any way!
– The Lifemate status can and will be revoked by the Admin team if we notice abusive behaviour or a misuse of this status

Bead of Devotion
The Bead of Devotion is a special item used to decrease the amount of images needed in order to become Lifemates. Using it for your request you no longer have to draw the required five (5) activities featuring both beasts. The Harmony Prompts / Themes still have to be drawn however!
It can be gained through the Seasonal Adventure “A Godly Union” or through the Rahutu Trading Post where it might be offered as Special Item from time to time.

Special Cosmetic Item
Since the bond between Lifemates is very strong and their status something special, they also have the opportunity to use a special cosmetic item: the Lover’s Bond item.
This item can be used for free on any lifemated pair! There are two (2) options to pick from: a normal one with a large, cream colored stone in the middle and a more special one with a Bead of Devotion as center stone. However, the second option with the Bead of Devotion may only be picked by couples who used the Bead for their Lifemate request. If you did not you have to use the normal version!
You can find more information, rules and examples in our Cosmetic Item Guide.

Becoming Lifemates
 
Basic rules / requirements:
– If each beast belongs to a different player, the person not posting the request has to reply to it and confirm, that they also want their beasts to become Lifemates
– Five (5) activities have to be done
– Both beasts have to be featured together in all entries
– The activities can all be from one type or a mix of different types
– Allowed types of activities: Hunting, Fishing, Discovery, Foraging, Expeditions, Monthly Quests
– Two (2) Harmony Prompts or Themes have to be done
– Both beasts have to be featured together in all entries
– Special Case Seasonal Adventures: Due to their requirements, Seasonal Adventure Entries can count for the Activity total as well as the HP total. However, one (1) Seasonal entry can not count for Activity and HP at the same time. The choice is yours to decide where each Seasonal entry will count.
 
Where to submit the request:
– Simply head over to our Rank and Progression Cycling page and submit a comment under “Lifemates” in the Other category.

Revoke the Lifemate status
 
Basic rules / requirements:
– If both beasts belong to different players, it is enough for one (1) player to submit a request and have the status revoked
– After the Lifemate status was revoked, both beasts have to wait three (3) weeks before they are allowed to become lifemates with another beast
 
Where to submit the request:
– Simply head over to our Rank and Progression Cycling page and submit a comment under “Lifemates” in the Other category.