The Quenching
Throughout their lives Safreen children are brought up with the knowledge of the dangers of the Sindar region around them, and are taught the skills they will need to survive. As they grow older and stronger they are tested more and more often to ensure their readiness when it is time for them to strike out on their own. The Safreen people sometimes refer to this process as The Forging, where the youths are refined and tempered, and from this way of thinking comes the name "The Quenching." Like the final quenching of a forged blade is a shock to the system, is over fairly quickly, and helps harden the metal, and like the quenching, there is still more to do to finish the blade, representing that there is still more to learn and room to grow after one passes from adolescence to adulthood.
The ceremony takes place every year in Ashamaal and begins with a gathering in an open square in the marketplace of any who are going through the ceremony surrounded by their families. The local elders also gather and they speak to all of the participants and gathered spectators. They talk about how the lessons and trials of youth will soon be behind them, and they will now be now have to choose how they will apply those lessons and become who they want to be. They then give their blessing to the youths and pray for their success.
After the initial part of the ceremony is done the youths say goodbye to their families and prepare for the trial ahead. Each of them are sent out into the wilderness with only what they can carry on their backs and two days worth of food. They are expected to travel to the Asharim Oasis and return with a silver needle from the plants that grow there. The journey takes three days there and three days back and is a test of their survival in the harsh land. They must conserve their water, and forage for any additional food they may want to eat.
Upon a successful return they are accepted as full adults and citizens and given the right to trade and have a say in public meetings. There is a closing to the ceremony where they are given traditional ceremonial robes and presented before the public as full members of society. After the ceremony is complete, they celebrate with a full week of drinking, dancing, and other celebrations in one of the most raucous places in the known world.
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