A male character will usually need to pursue a traditional path of courtship. Marriage requirements will be different for males and females. Marriage is not necessary for a player to rise in power and stature, but it does provide players with an opportunity to improve their relation with lords (by helping you host a feast), help prevent vassals from defecting (by offering you a special quest that allows you to resolve a dispute between nobles in your faction), and establish a claim to the throne. Players may wish to marry into one of Pendor's noble families.