Well, let me tell ya somethin’ ’bout this here Shrine of Mara. Ya see, it’s this place folk go when they wanna get a blessin’ from Mara, who’s known as the Goddess of Love. Now, if ya don’t know who Mara is, she’s real special in the world of Skyrim, an’ folks look up to her when they want a bit of love, or even healin’. Ain’t nothin’ fancy about it, just a small place, but it sure does have its charms.
The shrine, it’s usually sittin’ in some of them cities, like Riften, where you’ll find it near them big houses like Riftweald Manor and Black-Briar Manor. It’s got its own little courtyard with some stairs, and them stairs got fire pits on each side lightin’ the way up, like it’s invitin’ you right in. If ya go there, you can get yerself a Blessin’ of Mara, and I tell ya, it’s real good for folks who do a lot of healin’ magic. Makes it so that castin’ them spells costs 10% less for about eight hours. Good bargain if ya ask me. Plus, if yer feelin’ a bit sick, the blessin’ can cure what ails ya.
Now, if yer thinkin’ about tyin’ the knot, the Temple of Mara in Riften is where ya wanna go. There’s a feller there, one of them priests, who’ll tell ya all about how folk get married. But it ain’t free, ya gotta have one of them Amulet of Mara hangin’ ’round yer neck. Don’t worry none, if ya don’t got one, the priest can sell ya one, or if you’ve been explorin’ around, ya might’ve already found one somewhere. Ain’t too hard to come by if ya keep yer eyes peeled.
Once you got that amulet, it’s like tellin’ folk you’re lookin’ for a partner, and if someone’s sweet on ya, they might just say somethin’. After that, ya go back to the temple, say yer vows, and just like that, yer married. It’s simple as that. I reckon gettin’ hitched ain’t for everyone, but for some, it’s nice to have someone to adventure with or just share a home with. Mara, bless her, she looks after them who want that kind of life.
Another thing worth mentionin’, if ya got yerself into the Elder Scrolls Online, the shrine works a bit different there. Ya can do what’s called a Pledge of Mara with someone. It’s a special ritual where ya and another player make a kind of promise to each other, and it gives ya some benefits, like gettin’ more experience when ya go adventurin’ together. Now, it ain’t exactly marriage, but it’s somethin’ close to it, I reckon. Kinda like two folk promisin’ to look out for each other while they’re off fightin’ them monsters or explorin’ caves and such.
Folks sometimes have trouble findin’ the shrine ’cause it’s small and ain’t flashy like some big ol’ castle. In different places, like Vulkhel Guard or Davon’s Watch, ya can find it, but ya gotta keep an eye out ’cause it blends in with them other old stone places. Look fer somethin’ small with carvings an’ maybe some candles or fire pits ’round it, and ya might just stumble on it.
The Shrine of Mara might not be the fanciest place, but it’s where folk find a bit of love, a bit of healin’, and sometimes a bit of happiness. So if yer wanderin’ around them Skyrim lands or even further out, and ya see one, it wouldn’t hurt to stop by and get yerself a blessin’. Ain’t nobody ever said no to a bit of good fortune, after all.
Tags: [Shrine of Mara, Temple of Mara, Blessing of Mara, Skyrim, Elder Scrolls Online, Amulet of Mara, Marriage in Skyrim]
