An Ythrian Family

"The Problem of Pain."

Having said that Ythrians live in small groups, either single families or extended households, Peter Berg introduces one single family into his narrative:

Enherrian, father;

Whell, mother;

Rusa, grown son;

Arrach, grown daughter.

These four Ythrians plus the recently married Peter and Olga Berg embark on a sea mission while exploring Avalon. Thus, here are two married couples, one difference being that the human couple have not yet had time for children.

In his narration, Berg refers to one human ideal of matrimony, the Holy Family:

"'At first everything went like Mary's smile on Christmas morning.'" (p. 41)

(Another Biblical reference and also a link to "The Season of Forgiveness," a second Christian story in the Earth Book.)

However, there are differences between the two kinds of marriage. The Ythrians have an oestrous cycle. Male and female are kept together not by regular sexual relations but by shared care of children who cling to either parent in flight. 

In the course of this story, both Arrach and Olga die. There are differences in the ways that the two species mourn.

There has been nothing further as yet about choths.