The Beardling Trial

When a young Dwarf (or "beardling" as they're known) comes to their fortieth year, they taken the Trial to prove their worth to kin and hold.
An important moment in a young dwarf's life, it isn't until they pass the trial that they can truly call themselves a dwarf amongst their Hold. Their performance in the trial can set their way for life, depending on how they conduct themselves, they can be put on the path that they will follow and the contributions that they make to the Hold. 
Those who fail the trial are not allowed to call themselves dwarf, and must wait another year to retake the trial. If they fail five times, their are shaved and asked to leave the Hold, their failure seen as proof that they are not willing to dedicate themselves to the Hold.

History

Like all dwarvish traditions, this dates back thousands of years to the earliest recorded days of the Dwarf Holds, as they're meticulous record keepers and resistant to change, its clear that the trial as it exists today is much the same as it ever has been.

Execution

The Beardling will stand before a council of Elders of the Hold, in front of them will be a forge and anvil, the beardling with first create a link to be added to the great iron chain of the Hold, the council will asses this, seeing if the young dwarf will be a strong link that will help support their Hold.
The next task, the dwarf will chose a weapon from a rack of traditional dwarvish weaponry, they must then demonstrate their skill with their chosen weapon against one of the council, to see if the young dwarf will be a fierce defender who will keep the Hold safe. 
Lastly, the young dwarf must sing the funerary dirge of their line, which contains the names and deeds of their ancestors stretching back thousands of years. The council will listen to their singing to see if the young dwarf will have proper respect for their family and their Hold.

Components and tools

• The forge and anvil, for the first rite
• A weapons rack with a sword, axe, maul, warhammer, spiked shield, greataxe and poleax for the second rite

Participants

The Beardling coming of age and a council of five elder dwarves of the Hold who will judge the worthiness of the young dwarf,

Observance

The trial will normally take place on the day of the beardlings fortieth birthday, or as close to as possible.