Day of Ascension
Stand before us now, and stand firm. We are here to judge your worthiness to become a part of Clan Stonefist. As stone itself, you must break before you yield. The clan stands together, as stones do in the walls of our homes. We know strong stones can create a foundation which lasts the test of time.Dwarves live in loose associations of families collectively called a "clan", and this organization is very important to them. A clan is not a monolithic entity, with only one type of person within it, but they all adhere to a similar code. Thus members of the clan tend to hold similar ideas of ethics, ideals, and purpose. And yet, each member of a family might not share those concepts - they are generally encouraged to explore whether or not the clan is 'the right fit' during their years growing up. However, this all changes when a dwarf reaches sixteen years of age - this is called "the age of ascension", when their place in a clan will be determined. Once this age arrives, the clan begins to set a series of trials to allow the younger person a view of what the clan will expect of them on their ascension.
Who here speaks for the candidate, to attest for their strength?
This culminates at a day when the clan formally inducts their new member, or this young dwarf departs to find another clan which suits them. This particular ceremony is also used when an outsider earns the right to become part of the clan, in full. However, this is not quite as commonly done; most dwarves who leave their clan tend to find a "clan" elsewhere among other people.
Execution
Once the candidate has agreed to join the clan, the clan enacts several trials in order to test the candidate's resolve. These tests are determined by the clan elders, often as a traditional set of trials which rarely change. However, in some cases, the trials have been altered to suit the candidate's particular skill-set. To outsiders, it is easy to assume such matters can cause the trials to be "only a formality", and a candidate is already approved before their trials are finished. In practice, this is never the case, and the clan elders are quite intense about the trials. Whether a candidate is acceptable or not is ultimately up to the clan elders, influenced by their conduct within the trials. Thus there are some cases where a candidate demonstrates considerable success at the tasks set before them, but their conduct is unbecoming and not at all what is desired from a member in the clan. The trials are not strictly a part of the Day of Ascension, but the trials are no less important.
Should the candidate win the approval of the clan elders, a day is set when they will be fully inducted. A number of things must be prepared for this, such as a ceremonial location and tools unique to each clan, and garments appropriately formal in the style adopted by the clan. Any expenses are paid by members of the clan who act as "Advocates", taking a later role in the ceremony.
After everything is prepared, the ceremony is held in front of the community at a time when it will not disrupt daily operations. Usually this would be during the evenings, or on a day when no work would otherwise be necessary. The exact procedure is different from clan to clan, but there is often some form of an oath to be taken and a process to add an indelible mark which will easily allow members of a clan to find impostors.
Should the candidate win the approval of the clan elders, a day is set when they will be fully inducted. A number of things must be prepared for this, such as a ceremonial location and tools unique to each clan, and garments appropriately formal in the style adopted by the clan. Any expenses are paid by members of the clan who act as "Advocates", taking a later role in the ceremony.
After everything is prepared, the ceremony is held in front of the community at a time when it will not disrupt daily operations. Usually this would be during the evenings, or on a day when no work would otherwise be necessary. The exact procedure is different from clan to clan, but there is often some form of an oath to be taken and a process to add an indelible mark which will easily allow members of a clan to find impostors.
Participants
Clan Rimeheart, I challenge the right of the candidate to join us. Have they seen the bitter winter through to the end? Are they committed to stand with us in peace as well as to die with us in battle? I, Caskel Rimeheart, survived the rule of the white wyrm Hrakura when others fell. This one knows nothing of the sacrifices demanded for clan and hall.Candidate: The candidate is an individual who has been accepted into the clan, the center of attention for this particular time. Often they are young dwarves who are taking their first step into taking adult responsibilities. Other times, they can be allies of the clan who have earned sincere trust from the elders. The candidate is not permitted to interject during any part of the ritual, only speaking traditional lines or answering direct questions posed by the Elders. Failure to observe this tradition is grounds for immediate refusal of the candidate in many clans, on the grounds of "gross disrespect".
I call them coward, and demand proof their heart is ready. Advocates, what say you?
Advocates: Since it is not expected for every candidate to have their own proper garments available, there are the Advocates who must provide the various accoutrements for the ritual. These clan members thus step forward to shoulder the expense and difficulty of acquiring the necessary items, and in doing so show their belief the candidate will become a worthy addition to the clan. During the ritual, they are required to present the candidate, present their own credentials for the clan to approve, and then list reasons membership into the clan has been offered to the candidate. On the occasion of a challenge to the ascension, they are expected to defend the candidate's worth.
Witnesses: Often overlooked, the role of Witnesses is an easy one to understand. The clans require a minimum number of people present for the ritual to be binding, and the number varies depending on the clan. Furthermore, these Witnesses cannot be Elders or Advocates. The sole purpose of the Witnesses is to give legitimacy to the ritual so the Elders simply cannot make someone a clan member without wider approval. The function of Witnesses is a simple one - during a specific time in the ritual, there are opportunities for objections to be raised by Witnesses gathered there. The Advocates are expected to offer counter-arguments to these objections, and the Elders adjudicate the matter. Thus, not having Witnesses present suggests the Elders were aware of the candidate's unsuitability.
Elders: The Elders have roles and purposes outside of this ritual, naturally, but during the ritual of ascension their roles are much more narrowly guided. Their function is to challenge the candidate and make certain they are a fit for the clan, to adjudicate any objections to the addition of the candidate to the clan, and to receive the oath (if applicable) for each candidate's ascension. Certain smaller roles are handed to Elders, such as those who apply the distinctive marks for a clan member to the candidate or those who offer the opening and closing benedictions. A minimum of three Elders are required to participate in the ceremony, a rule almost all clans share as a means of controlling whether or not a candidate can simply be "swiftly inducted" without the chance for others to do anything.
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