The Awakening: Mythfrond
Within the Tempest exists the city of Thalatesh. In the city lives a society known as the Imberhollow, which is comprised of those who are descended from the water genasi who originally constructed the city beneath the waves as well as those who have chosen to bear the burden of protecting the Precipt Rift and moved to the city over the years. An important ritual to any born in the city when they turn 13 is what has been referred to as the Awakening. Near the rift is a plant that can be ingested without issue when properly prepared. When eaten raw, it paralyzes the eater and renders them unconscious, providing them with an amazing, sometimes frightening, out of body experience.
The process of the Awakening involves first having the initiate --with the help of seasoned warriors of Thalatesh, typically the initiates loved ones or friends -- dive to the bottom of the ocean where Mythfrond grows near the Rift. There they must gather a plant while defending themselves from any small creatures that manage to make their way out of the Elemental Plane of Water and to the Material Plane. Once the plant is retrieved, they return to the city and steep the plant in a pot of tea, which they promptly drink. The effect is almost immediate, and their eyes roll back into their head as they slump over. The helpers will carry the initiate into the Awakening Chamber, a rather small, nondescript room near the Empress' Throne. The floor of the room is open to the waters below save for a tight net of corded rope that they are placed on to allow them to be in contact with the water without fear of falling in.
Once in, the initiate finds their soul projected into the Elemental Plane of Water. Where they end up is different for everyone, but the result is always the same: They see the monstrous creatures that lie within the Plane, the ravaging nature of water as it tears apart whatever structures are present -- natural and those made by creatures. They see what is at risk if they are to ever let down their guard when defending the Precipt Rift, and why they must maintain their constant vigil to ensure nothing manages to make it through.
After an hour, they awaken enlightened and exhausted, rising just long enough to be properly anointed by the Algusbound. They are branded with a personalized rune on their forehead, one that will stick with them to rest of their lives, before being dismissed to rest, where they typically sleep for nearly a day straight. From there, their life continues mostly as normal, with the exception that they are expected to answer the call to battle should it arise.
Outsiders to Thalatesh are welcome to participate in the Awakening at any age, though this is not a requirement like it is for those born in the city. Those who choose to participate are treated just the same as any initiate who undergoes it at the age of 11.
The process of the Awakening involves first having the initiate --with the help of seasoned warriors of Thalatesh, typically the initiates loved ones or friends -- dive to the bottom of the ocean where Mythfrond grows near the Rift. There they must gather a plant while defending themselves from any small creatures that manage to make their way out of the Elemental Plane of Water and to the Material Plane. Once the plant is retrieved, they return to the city and steep the plant in a pot of tea, which they promptly drink. The effect is almost immediate, and their eyes roll back into their head as they slump over. The helpers will carry the initiate into the Awakening Chamber, a rather small, nondescript room near the Empress' Throne. The floor of the room is open to the waters below save for a tight net of corded rope that they are placed on to allow them to be in contact with the water without fear of falling in.
Once in, the initiate finds their soul projected into the Elemental Plane of Water. Where they end up is different for everyone, but the result is always the same: They see the monstrous creatures that lie within the Plane, the ravaging nature of water as it tears apart whatever structures are present -- natural and those made by creatures. They see what is at risk if they are to ever let down their guard when defending the Precipt Rift, and why they must maintain their constant vigil to ensure nothing manages to make it through.
After an hour, they awaken enlightened and exhausted, rising just long enough to be properly anointed by the Algusbound. They are branded with a personalized rune on their forehead, one that will stick with them to rest of their lives, before being dismissed to rest, where they typically sleep for nearly a day straight. From there, their life continues mostly as normal, with the exception that they are expected to answer the call to battle should it arise.
Outsiders to Thalatesh are welcome to participate in the Awakening at any age, though this is not a requirement like it is for those born in the city. Those who choose to participate are treated just the same as any initiate who undergoes it at the age of 11.
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I'm curious, what would be the proper method for preparing mythfrond in order to avoid the side effects? You mentioned when it's raw, it paralyzes and causes the out of body experience, but when it's prepared into tea it still seems to do that, so I assume it must be some other method?