Clan proving
Now step forever from your cradle, cub. Find glory or the grave.exerpt from a proving poem common in Erchia. Throughout Chiora the many kingdoms, clans and tribes have in common the clan proving. The ritualistic rite of passage where young folk of noble and martial standing put their skills, teachings and courage to the test in order to step out of childhood and become men and women, fully bonded to their clan. It is also for souls unbonded and nameless to be adopted into a clan of their own. By undergoing the ritual young folk put into action their desire to honour, protect and provide for their chieftain and kinfolk.
History
The Cruthi have practiced proving rituals or some variant for as far back as their history can be recorded. Depictions of such rituals can be found in stone paintings and wood carvings from times long faded from memory. They commonly portray young folk hunting dangerous game, or performing feats of courage and skill to return in glory. Over time these rites of passage became a defined ritual, with rules and ceremony that intertwined with spirituality, Regional subculture, and the specific identity of clans. Not only does each kingdom have at least one method of proving relatively unique to them but so do their clans.
Execution
Solitary hunts
If one is not able to fend for themselves then how can they fend for the clan? Working on this philosophy many clans prioritise the individual skill of their fighters and have their provings as such. The royal clan Dálcait and other clans of Breannoch favours sending their youth to venture into bear dens to slay their occupants. The herding clans of Ardoseig send lone youngfolk to the hills and grasslands to slay a wild grazing dragon. While each noble and martial child of the clan Shannon of the Theighnrost confederation must stalk the forests of tall redwood to hund a dreaded tree lion and take its hide as a cloak.Pack hunts
Hunting bands are often referred to as packs by the Cruthi, and are utalised to hunt the bigger game. Clan McNessa of the isle of Runn and clans the surrounding islands have young humans and selkies alike chase great whales across the oceans or dive deep below in teams to haul the giant writhing eels from their reef lairs. In the cold glens of the northern frostlands proving hunting bands use fire, giant wooden stakes and mastery of horses to hunt the great mammoths. And in the fern forrests of Erchia packs of youths of the clan Acallador hunt the deadly coalback axe drakes.Tests of courage
Not all proving rituals are based on the hunt. Sometimes the act of facing down threats or being pitted against the natural world is enough. In the Mathair river delta the wolf like Wulver have a famed proving by which they take a net packed to brimming with fish for the sole purpose of attracting crocodile dragons. A band of young Wulver band together to drive the beast off and save the catch.Trials of battle
A deeply warlike and martial people, the Cruthi raise their children for battle at an early age. In a land gripped by brutal, unending clan rivalries battle is a vital part of the Cruthi way of life. This shows in some clan provings as well. Throughout Chiora clans consider the first slaying of an enemy warrior to be their proving. The most infamous being from Brecheid. Emerging from their dark woods, aspiring war maidens of the deer-like Baobhan sith raid enemy nations not for silver, but for blood. They open the throats of enemy warriors, fill special silver bottles with their blood, bring them home and drink it before their elders.Taming
The Cruthi do not battle the forces of nature. But rather harness it to work with them. Nowhere is this more apparent than the Cruthi tradition of beast taming. Rare is there a beast that walks or flies that the Cruthi cannot tame and bond with. This art is the preferred proving among clans in almost every kingdom throughout Chiora. The best horse tamers are said to be the youth of clan McAddocir who it is said can tame their destined mounts by whispering in its ear. But the finest of dragon tamers are the noble young of clan Muldain who plunder the nests of the fiercest of dragons and raise the hatchling to be a war beast.Herd trekking
The semi- nomadic way of life for frostlanders makes it so unison with animals tamed is a matter of survival. Throughout the Frostlands clans such as McKelsie, Caitha and Lairn drive vast herds of cattle, mammoth and many other such beasts across vast glens and steppe to reach their southerly grazing grounds. For them if their young folk survive and contribute well they have proven their skill.Participants
The ritual is practiced by young folk of sixteen years. They are accompanied by those who have trained them. Usually veteran warriors or huntsman but oft times the parents of the participants. They will follow close behind and observe the ritual, unable to intervene should it go wrong. Upon returning they will recount what happened and should the participant be successful in their trial they are recommended by the witness to be fully embraced by the clan.
Also attending are two shamans. One a follower of Kásti, patron of courage and another of Alcaid, patron of the hunt. They will build a godsfire and assist the youngfolk to make sacrifices of silver, gold, liquor or their own flesh and blood. with this they implore their gods to stand by the participants, bringing them courage, good fortune and to help them on their way.
The proving is concluded by the clan chief or a local Theighn acting on the chief's behalf. It is he who forever bonds the participant to the clan by cutting their hands, joining blood and bestowing upon the participant the name of the clan.
Last is the woadsman. The sacred tattooist who chisels in blue ink a depiction of the deed onto the participant's back so the glory of it stays there forever and for all to see.
Observance
The ritual is conducted within the first twenty days of the new spring. When the winter has passed but just before the new season of hunting and war begins. Though depending on the ritual more time is given.
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