Trial of Ascendance
The Trial of Ascendance is a practice done among the mage factions, though the method varies between the differing groups. The core of the ritual is to harmonize a mage's focus into a staff of some kind which serves as a badge of their status among the mages. While any mage can use a staff that has been enchanted, the Trial of Ascendance is about making a staff only the creator can use something linked so profoundly to them that to anyone else it is a fancy stick.
A staff produced by the Trial of Ascendance is deeply connected to the mage that made it, it from then on serves as their focus in addition to whatever other properties are added to the staff. Being that these staves are of such personal connection it has become seen as an honorific to have such staff as it shows your skill and the authority over the craft of magic that you have.
Components and tools
An arcane focus that the mage has used to cast spells throughout their career, the body of the staff can be made by others but oftentimes is made by the mage themselves. Finally, arcane components gathered from different places and creatures the mage must defeat themselves. Those reagents vary based on the kind of staff the mage wishes to create, one with fire spells might need elemental gems as an example.
Participants
The mage creating their staff is the only participant needed, though there is nothing saying they can't have friends or family present as well. Some think of it as an honor to have high-ranking mages come to the revealing of the staff after the trial is completed. If the mage had a teacher or mentor the mage would often have them be there for the final reveal to show appreciation for what they were taught.
Related Organizations
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