The Trial of Saint Asera

The Trial of Saint Asera is a traditional celebration of the peoples of The Aserai Confederacy. The purpose of their walk into the desert is to reconnect with their ancestral roots as desert nomads. On the first day of the trials, those who are able make their way out of the cities and into the desert, to set up huge tent cities. During the trials, they take part in activities that their ancestors would have done, as a reminder of how good of a life they have now in the cities. 
Despite the hardships, the people of Saint Asera make the best of it and many thoroughly enjoy the experience, as it fills them with pride in the families and ancestors. To relate it to the modern world, many view it almost like a kind of ceremonial camping trip, with the unfortunate side effects of blazing heat, scarce water, and the occasional dangerous predator.

History

The tradition was started by an unknown Aserai Archon approximately 4-5 centuries ago, who was concerned that the people of Saint Asera were becoming weak and soft as they became increasingly accustomed to their lives in the cities. As a result it was decreed as a mandatory act that all would undertake once a year, or be banished from the city for being a parasitic weakness to all. Over time, such draconian measures became unpopular, and eventually the tradition was made voluntary. In order to encourage participation though, the city itself offered to provide funding for supplies and equipment for all those wishing to go, and the cities promised that the citizens could keep any equipment for their own when they were done. Since this change, attendance has remained almost universal, with many families leaving their estates and businesses under the management of their servants for the week of the trials, enabled by the growth of the indentured servant populations in the cities (see Slavery and Indentured Servitude in Calradia)

Execution

On the first day of the trials, the priests of Saint Asera ring great bells in the cities as the first of the pilgrims leave the gates. On their journey to their site, the Aserai burn incense from censers and sing hymns praising Saint Asera for his blessings of family and prosperity, promising to remember such blessings throughout their journey. This initial trip from the city is often the most dangerous, as the caravans of pilgrims occasional come under attack from Giant Scorpions and other desert predators. Due to this threat, many young men and women of Aserai families train to fight these beasts from a young age, to protect their families during the Trials. 
Once camps are set up, prayers are conducted 3 times a day, at dawn, dusk, and when the sun is at it's highest, led by the priests of Saint Asera. However, the rest of the days belong to the people, and they frequently organize competitive sports, games of intellect, and expeditions into the desert to teach the young ones the secrets of the desert. Then in the evenings, all people gather for a feast before the stories begin. Elders of the families tell great stories of their ancestors around large bonfires in the desert night, that burn from Dusk till Dawn, burning the wood of the Gagwater Vines in the cool dark nights of the great Dune Sea. Because of this schedule, most sleep in the Afternoon, when the sun is at it's hottest. Afternoons during the Trials are sometimes described as the most peaceful moments of people's lives. Rather than surrounded by the sounds and smells of the city, many lay on hammocks in a gently flapping tent in the cool shade, surrounded by nothing but their loved ones and the sound of the wind.  
It is for all this that many have proposed changing the name to something other than "Trials" because of how peaceful it can be. However almost by perfect coincidence, when such feelings emerge it is inevitable that a young one is swallowed by quicksand or dragged under the ground by a Giant Scorpion. This is one of the lessons of the trials, life can be so good and peaceful, surrounded by those you trust, but in a split second you can lose everything if you aren't careful. Such deaths are rare, but still many hire mercenary protection or take turns guarding and patrolling their camps to protect from such dangers, while sites for camps are thoroughly scouted beforehand (ironically by ACTUAL desert nomads most of the time).

Participants

To the Saints of Saint Asera, the Trials are the most holy time of year, and they do not let such times go to waste. Every priest of Saint Asera, even those in other parts of the continent, do their best to attend the trials with the Aserai every year. In addition, many encourage pilgrims to set up their camps near holy places in the desert, as doing so is rumored to provide the chance of meeting the Saint himself or empower your prayers with boons provided by the holy places.

Observance

The Trials of Saint Asera are held from the 8th to the 16th of Hyson, when the blistering desert heat is at it's worst.