The Choosing

Our Tree has blossomed once again... it is time for the wheel to turn, for new blood to flow through our veins and guide us throughout the next obstacles that we will face in this age. Fear not children, for soon any one of you could be the Chosen.

It is said that whenver the Silken Tree blossoms, pure gold flowers shining under the sunlight, it is a sign that a new leader must be chosen for the Zilvran people.
"The Choosing" is the name given to the ritual during which the youngest adults, one from each elder Zilvran family, gather around the Tree in the hope, or fear, of being chosen as one of the 3 leaders that rule over the underground society. And, although it is not the final step to becoming a Zilvran leader, its importance and sacred aspect make it a very serious tradition, one that is still central to Zilvran life.

History

Originally, the Choosing was a religious ceremony during which seers would ask their Gods to point to the most apt leader using the divine tool of communication and sacred symbol that was the Silken Tree. Since the Banishment, this tradition has strayed from its divine roots, but kept its restrictions when it comes to how many families are allowed to participate. However, centuries have passed since the first Choosing, and what was, a very long time ago, a way to choose between 6 potential leaders, can now pit against each other around 15 candidates.

Execution

When the first gold flower appears, the young candidates will be informed that the Choosing is imminent. One night, when the flower has fully bloomed, they will be woken up by the sound of the Esstula, a wind flute made from the Tree itself; it is calling to them.
They will then silently make their way to the Aileris, the sacred grove, dressed only in a purple robe, the color of wisdom. There, summoned musicians play a simple traditional song and the young adults dance on the stone border surrounding the grove's pond until the song's end; some have theorized that this may be an attempt to create the movement needed to make the flower fall from its leaves.
Once the song ends, a wine glass is passed around the circle, each candidate taking a sip of its content, berrywine mixed with a sacred form of hallucinogenic fungi found deep beneath the ground; contact with the Tree is established through this substance.
Then, one at a time, starting from the one closest to the entrance and going clockwise, each potential Chosen places a decorated lantern in the water, lights it, pronounces a small prayer, typically asking for guidance or kindness, disrobes themself and plunges into the pond, which is surprisingly deep. It is hard to know what these young adults might see in the waters of the Aileris, but all those who have participated in the Choosing have a different tale of the mesmerizing sights they witnessed under the surface. Nonetheless, when they emerge from the water, their vow is confirmed; they have offered both their body and soul to the Tree's wisdom, and will now wait for its answer.
Once every candidate has made their vow, they wait for an answer, standing still, hands forming a small cradle in front of them. At some point, like blown away by a nonexistent wind, the flower will leave its leaves and float towards a candidate, landing in their hands. As the flower touches their skin, the same wind that transported the flower blows out all lanterns except theirs; the Choice has been made, they are to be the successor. Soon after the Choosing, the successor will be sent at on a year-long pilgrimage around the world in order to acquire the wisdom and experience deemed necessary to govern responsibly. The Choosing is only the first step...