Honor The Beast

The First Kill

In the land of sleep, Ealdè, the manlings have many different traditions that vary amongst the clans but the most common by far is known as "Honoring The Beast". Whenever a child takes its first kill, they are expected to remove the heart of the animal and feast upon it whilst it still beats. The blood of the beast is then used to paint the child's face. Shamans amongst the clans see this as a spiritual gesture to consume and gain the traits of the beast they killed. If they slew a rabbit, speed and tenacity; a deer, bravery and fortitude; a bear, strength and wisdom. The child is the one to choose the beast they track and kill with little to no sway from their parents or other members of their clan.

"No one shall shame ye for choosing a small beast, my daughter, for size has no intrinsic merit. The size and power of the soul far outweighs the strength of a bear"

- Malek of Andris

Many of the leaders of clans have slain a bear, for it is by far one of the most difficult beasts to slay at a young age. Even fewer have slain monstrosities that plague the forests of Indrs, raising high above their kinfolk. Some of the shamans or seers are the ones to decide what the child is to hunt as foretold by the Father of Sleep or another lesser deity.

Variations

Not all of the clans observe the tradition in this exact way, as many believe the tradition can be a lot for a child. As such, many agree to first cook the beast and then feast upon it with the rest of their clan in a celebration of coming of age.