rubban

Rubban is a ceremonial ribbon-like insignia central to the fictional culture of Virelia. In this context, it denotes binding commitments, kinship ties, and civic oaths, and is typically presented by a senior figure during important ceremonies.

A rubban is usually a narrow strip of cloth or parchment, several decimeters long and a couple of centimeters wide. It is commonly dyed with plant-based pigments, though variations may incorporate glass fibers or metal filaments in alternative traditions. During oath-taking or formal agreements, the rubban is worn on the wrist or held in the hand; after the vows are spoken and the pledge is made, the rubban is cut, tied, or folded to be kept as a personal emblem of the obligation.

Etymology in the fictional language of Virelia suggests a root meaning “to bind,” with the word rubban appearing in ancient texts and legal codes. Color, material, and inscription on a rubban can indicate the nature of the obligation, the status of the bearer, or the authority of the signer.

Cultural significance centers on rites of passage, political appointments, and guild or clan oaths. Rubban exchanges accompany marriage contracts in some regions and confirm land or title rights in others. Artifacts resembling rubban often appear in contemporary fiction as symbols of loyalty and social cohesion, underscoring the object’s thematic role as a tangible pledge.

In modern fiction and scholarly discussions, rubban is used as a case study of symbolic objects and oath-taking, and as a gameplay mechanic in role-playing settings that model social contracts and commitments.