Coming of Age - Horned Whiptail Kobold

History

The second generation of kobolds lacked the ability their parents held, the ability to see spirits. Guided by the Great Spirit, the first Speaker began to experiment to awaken the ability within their offspring. After many failures, a concoction was devised to meet the conditions necessary to awaken the Death Seer abilities.
Over the years, the dosage changed, utilizing height and approximate weight. Age also became a factor when the older offspring survived the process more often than the younger. All of these changes came from the Great Spirit's advice to the speaker.
Finally, the tradition became a ceremony. When enough come of age the tribe makes a pilgrimage back to the cavern where their race originated and where their dead are laid to rest.

Execution

The concoction is prepared by the speaker as the tribe makes their way to their death grounds. Once they arrive, offerings are given to the dead in forms of trinkets and food. Their camps are set and the tribe exchanges tales of their ancestors passed down generation after generation at dinner. Those undergoing the ritual are given more food and water than the rest of the tribe. 
Early the next morning, the juveniles undergoing the ritual enter the cavern with the Speaker and Voices to ingest the potion. The whole tribe will fast for two days as their young linger between life and death. Those who die are given their rites and laid to rest with their ancestors. Once the fever breaks, the young who survive are given rich broths to recover their strength and introduced to the Great Spirit. The tribe will linger for a mass funeral if needed before resuming their wanderings led by the Great Spirit.

Components and tools

Physical components consist of a broth of several poisonous plants stewed over a week, resin, linen bandages, and fortified broths of meat and bone.

Participants

The ritual is overseen by the Great Spirit, lead by The Speaker, attended by several Voices, and participated by the tribes Juveniles that have reached the age of fifteen.

Observance

The rite is observed every other year when there are enough juveniles to participate, at least ten.

Primary Related Location

The World's Scar

Related Organizations

• The Keepers of Silence

Related Ethnicities

• Horned Whiptail Kobold