Tome'tayl
Tome'tayl is a Khaghate concept which presupposes that some if not all objects retain a spiritual memory of their past that can be imparted to mortals. It is often considered an offshoot of fey animisim and druidic philosophy, though it differs from those interpretations in key ways. Though it is broadly considered among the Khaghate to apply to all objects, in particular it can be seen in certain crafted works of ancestral importance, such as weapons, armor, clothing, and sacred materials. Additionally, while this memory can fade over time or be destroyed if the object is irreversibly damaged, it can also be retained through a ritualistic remaking of the object using the original material.
The Khaghate believe that when an object is used in the performance of an important or consequential action, it retains the memory and essence of the deed as experienced by both the individual using the object and the object itself. This memory survives within the object for as long as it is in existence. Each additional action of import and consequence generates a new memory, adding to a catalogue of experience held within the object.
An object can impart its tome'tayl to a mortal, even if that mortal has been removed from the momentous event by time or proximity. The Khaghate believe this occurs as the mortal internalizes the object's actions as recalled in its nariilaar, or "deed song." A deed song is an epic poem which recounts the actions of a person or object as understood by oral tradition. Overtime and with the continued recitation of its nariilaar, an object's tome'tayl will be infused within the spirit of the mortal who uses it. This grants the mortal not only an understanding of the particular event that created the memory but also imparts physical and spiritual insight into the outcome of that event.
For example, a breastplate that endures a savage gryphon attack may retain that as a part of its tome'tayl. Should another mortal don the breastplate and obtain its tome'tayl, that mortal can not only know what happened during the gryphon attack but can also become both physically and spiritually prepared to better face a similar circumstance. They might miraculously be able to take on a gryphon despite never actually seeing on before or not having the proper equipment to do so.
This belief has led the Khaghate people to not only reuse, repurpose, and reforge objects centuries after their construction; but also to wield and wear these objects at all times in order to have constant access to the tome'tayl. According to their foundational legal and philosophical text, the Ogadinui , it is considered dar'kharga to remove one's helm or mask in the presence of outsiders. This essentially connects the Khaghate to their helm's tome'tayl at all times, and by extension to their ancestors.
The Role of the Goran
To ensure that objects from centuries past retain their tome'tayl while not losing their physical integrity after generations, the Khaghate have become masters of reforging. The gorane, or "armorers," are a sacred caste craftsfolk that fill the roles of quartermaster, blacksmith, and religious specialist. When a young Khaghate has completed their verd'goten, they along with a goran take the armor of the young warrior's ancestors and reforge it to fit and reflect its new wearer. During this process, both the warrior and the armorer recite the object's nariilaar. They do this in tandem with the hammering and quenching of the material, creating a musical harmony from the sound of their voices and the roar of the flames. This recitation is done when a piece requires major repair as well, meaning that a verd and a goran may perform the ritual many times over the course of their lives. The importance of maintaining an object's tome'tayl and the critical role of the goran has made their caste a venerable part of Khaghate society. However, the immense power the gorane wield does cause some Khaghate concern, even when regarding a goran dedicated to their own clan. Gorane are often viewed with a mixture of fear and awe, as they are believed to have supernatural power imparted to them by the many objects they have worked on, even if they do not have access to the physical pieces themselves.The Traan'toran
One example of a particularly potent tome'tayl is the traan'toran. The traan'toran, or "Face of Tor," is a war mask worn by the Khaghatan, the supreme leader of the Khaghate people. Though every Khaghatan is selected through a semi-democratic process and physical competition, the ancestral memory of every Khaghatan is said to be contained within the traan'toran. And while the armor of the Khaghatan is given to his clan after his death, the Face of Tor is passed from Khaghatan to Khaghatan. This creates both an unbroken symbolic and spiritual connection from the present Khaghatan to Khaghatan the First, the patriarch of the Khaghate people and the chosen hero of their patron deity; Oheilion, the Bloodied Lord. In wearing the traan'toran, the Khaghatan gains all of the greatest abilities and wisdom of his predecessors, supposedly making him the greatest warrior in all the realms and the culmination of the past two millennia's greatest warriors. It should be noted however, that this cultural mythology—while believed by nearly all Khaghate—is not entirely accurate. The traan'toran has been lost and remade from scratch no less than three times since it's creation during the First Intermediate Period. However, this reality denigrates the integrity of the title of Khaghatan and so is ignored or dismissed as false by the Khaghate, who view the traan'toran as the physical embodiment of their divine provenance.
Type
Metaphysical, Supernatural
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