Arokush

A coming of Age ceremony

The Giantborn of Kathal'Dir trace their bloodline back to the Giants themselves and uphold many traditions in their honor. The most important one is the Arokush, a coming of age ceremony everybody has to go through, once they turn 20.

Today is the day. Today, you are finally becoming a full member of our society. When you emerge from the ruins in three days, you will be a changed person. You'll have proven yourself, like everybody else before you. You will have grown further than you could ever imagine. This is equally a challenge, as it is a chance. May the gods guide your way, and may the Giants bring forth the best within you.

— Maudath Lako

On their 20th birthday, every individual has to enter the ruins of Kathal'Dir and spend three days and nights within them on their own. The deeper individuals venture into the ruins, the higher their status within the society afterwards. Many even try to bring back an item or knowledge from deep within the ruins to prove their courage and abilities.
Not everybody returns from this venture. Some fall victim to the ancient tunnels or creatures living within them. After one week, the village usually sends a group of experienced fighters to retrieve the individual or what remains of them. Those who have fallen gain the honor of a burial as a full tribe member. Those who abort the ritual are seen as lesser members of society and usually have to take on jobs nobody else wants. Should they be able to prove themselves over many years, they might be allowed to do the Arokush a second time.

Preparations

Fighting and physical strength are a big part of the culture of the Giantborn. Kathal'Dir is rather inhospitable and filled with countless dangerous animals, so it's essential for people to defend themselves. Every child learns the basics of fighting and has to at least learn enough to survive the Arokush.
The actual preparations for the ritual start half a year before their 20th birthday. Under the guidance of the village elders, they will learn everything they have to know about the ruins. Additionally, they will have to forge their own weapons and craft anything they might need in the ruins, as in the end, they are only allowed to take what they made themselves. A few days before their 20th birthday, they will even hunt and prepare their own rations.
They do not celebrate the day of their 20th birthday much. Usually it is just a small gathering with close family members, as the big celebration happens once they emerge from the ruins. They mostly use this day for last preparations. The parents give some last advice to their children, check their equipment and just spend time with them, as they know well enough that not everyone returns from this venture. Then, at dawn the next morning the Arokush begins, and the individual descends into the Ruins of Kathal'Dir.

Work in Progress

This article is still heavily WIP and can change at any moment

External Copyright

This article is covered by external copyright, and therefor not publicly visible.

Primary Related Location

Kathal'Dir

Duration

3 days

Kathal'dir is fascinating. The magic of the giants is different, and I don't quite understand how it works, but they created great things. Sadly, the people living on that island are not very fond of outsiders exploring the ruins. I would love to study the ruins at some point, and should you ever find something from down there, I'm more than happy to take it off your hands.

— Namaka Palaea

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A fateful day

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"Fuck!". That was all Ekaos could think about right now. "Fuck". This had not gone to plan, not even close. "Don't let those lights touch you, Ekaos!", they said, "Just keep your distance and you'll be fine".
Yeah, no kidding! Those things were no joke. All he wanted was to get a quick peek at them. "Maybe mentioning that these stupid things are freaking fast would have helped!" he thought and looked down at his completely blackened hand that he could no longer feel.
Two days down here, and everything went perfectly fine. He stepped into the ruins like thousands before him. These ancient runes and strucutures were fascinating and the first day just flew by. Exhausted, but optimistic, he settled down for his first rest.
Then came the night and all that optimism was gone in an instant. He found the scariest thing in existence - a simple voice in absolute silence when you should be alone. This first night was no fun. These voices kept him awake, and he barely got a quick nap in. He moved from place to place, trying to find some rest, until he ultimately had to give up.
The second day was way better than the night, not a high bar to beat. He kept exploring the ruins - a lot more careful this time, as he didn't want to run into whatever was creating those voices. But nothing happened.... until he saw this little orb of pure light floating in the distance.
In hindsight, he had to admit it was a stupid idea to go after it. He should have known better, but who could have guessed that these lights were so hostile? And they were so beautiful and alien. He needed to take a closer look - everything went downhill from there.

The moment he stepped closer, that light stopped moving and dashed in his direction. Before he could react, this thing was hovering only inches in front of him.
In all honestly it looked really peaceful - maybe even divine. How could something this beautiful and pure be that dangerous? It can't be, right? Maybe they just want to scare us! That has to be it! It makes perfect sense! - at least for a couple of seconds.
So he reached out to this divine being of purity and light, and the moment he touched it, the worst pain he had ever experienced shot through his arm. It would be hard to describe something so painful, it replaces everything else in the mind. For a moment, the world stopped existing. The only thing left was the pain in his right arm. His whole existence turned into a single feeling - pain.
As soon as he could form a simple thought again, he just turned around and ran. He didn't care which direction he was going, as long as it was away from this thing! He ran and ran along countless corridors, until he collapsed against a wall.
And so now, here he was. Sitting somewhere in the depth of an ancient ruin, his foot most probably sprained and his arm black like coal, ripped of all life. It didn’t look good for him, as suddenly a deep voice echoed through the ruins.
>>Ekaos, my child. It's been too long. My name is Molgoth, but that doesn’t matter. What matters right now, is who you are. Are you are a coward - a weakling? Will you just give up and die down here? Or are you a warrior? Will you face the dangers, overcome them, and become stronger than everyone that came before you? If you are brave enough, it's not yet over. I have an offer for you...<<