The Hunters' Sojourn
Across the Uklidnit tribe there is a long-standing and vital tradition of capable hunters who have honed a special talent - the ability to 'feel' and track familiar quarry. This can be learned to a limited extent by nearly anybody with the will to practice, however it is massively enhanced by a traditional, alchemical, and alcoholic beverage that is consumed at the successful end to their hunter training. Hunters' Wine is only made once an individual completes their practical training and the entire clan votes to elect them as a hunter, which means not everyone who's trained as a hunter becomes a hunter.
Much like an apprentice in any field, the first step to begin the Hunters' Sojourn is to declare your intentions and find someone to teach you. Usually a hopeful hunter will discus it with their immediate family or close friends before requesting that the clan gathers. Once all hunting parties have returned and the clan is together; then they announce their desire to become a hunter. It's the most active and dangerous role you can take in the Uklidnit tribe so some parents don't want their children to be hunters, especially if their child is still quite young or lacking obvious physical talent.
At the end of the extensive training, practice, testing, and education the entire clan once again convienes in the evening to celebrate. If they are successful in their training they are given the wine at the end of a feast. Depending on the resources available, the 'feast' may be an extravagant buffet of sweet breads, meats, and fruit but is more commonly a lovingly made meal of simple grains and pheasant or vole. Every member of the clan participates in some small way, however it is expected that the other hunters do the majority of the work as a small guesture welcoming them as a peer.
If the person decided to quit training or the clan decides they can no longer train, they are given an equally energetic party. The tone of this celebration is usually bitter-sweet; most people who choose to train as a hunter are driven and want it vehemently. When they fail to achieve their goal the clan celebrates with them that they've found a new path - changed their course. Change is revered and welcomed in all forms by the vererant clans and going from 'apprentice' back to 'clan member' is perceived as a good thing. One more path traveled.
Components and tools
The final major rite of passage to becoming a clan hunter is to consume a specifically prepared type of plant-based alcohol refined from stormweed that the participant personally harvested.
This usually produces several litres of the beverage which is served to the new hunter during their celebration for completing their training. The other hunters use special amphorae made from clay and glass If the hunter should fail or quit after this stage, the liquid is added to the clans' resources and used at a later time or for other purposes.
Participants
Aside from preparing the 08 - Hunters' Wine ahead of the festivities, the other hunters are expected to attend the celebration and are treated nearly as well as the new hunter. Everyone acknowledges that no hunter trains themselves and their new family of hunters will be thier closest companions for the rest of their lives.
Observance
It can be a long process to become a hunter and many folks who announce their desire to become a hunter step down for various reasons along the course. Changing your mind is never seen as negative or a failure of its own, but changing course or being indecisive is seen as such a sin that clan leaders may decline someone from asking to train a third or fouth time based on the individual.
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