Entrance to Adulthood

Overview

Most Laku species have some variation of a celebration for those young that enter adulthood, and in nearly all cases, this rite involves eating magic boosting foods. While each species that has this rite differs in how they celebrate it, the premise is the same, making this one of the few commonalities that Laku have, regardless if they are a dragon, a Dragon Friend, a Dragon Foe, or Non-allied. For dragons, this rite is separate from the more formal Rite they undergo earlier in life.

The Ceremony

For all creatures of magic in this day and age, it is a major accomplishment to reach adulthood, as the dangers involved in growing and learning while hiding from humans are many and serious. The Entrance to Adulthood rite that is most documented is from the dragons, and their rite is a simple affair, meant to congratulate the youngling and aid them in living away from their clan if they should ever desire. For dragons, it is also a time where they are finally granted the freedoms all dragons cherish and work to keep all through their lives. As younglings, their rights are severely limited out of protection for their peers and because young have not yet earned the respect needed to gain full freedom. Other Laku give their rite similar meanings, for the challenges faced by dragons are faced by all.
For dragons, the rite involves the youngling being able to hunt outside of specific boundaries set for it all through their young life. The goal is to catch a prey animal and bring it back to the clan for an older dragon to smoke. The youngling then eats the meat, briefly gaining the magic boosting properties of the smoked flesh and from then on, is no longer considered a youngling. As simple as the ceremony is, few dragons talk or think about it until they reach adult hood, for this ceremony is far less important than the Rite they endure when they first find their magic. Some smaller clans may have a larger celebration because the youngling would be known by everyone, but this is never the case in larger clans.
Other Laku do not have access to dragon smoked meats, and thus must use other magic boosting food for their ceremony. Spicy peppers are common, especially in modern times when hotter than hot chilis are readily available in human grocery stores and other places. Those species that utilize spicy peppers do so not only because extremely hot chilis are the best magic boosting food, but because the pain symbolizes the responsibility an adult Laku has in maintaining invisibility when living around humans. Some species, particularly those that are capable of using inverse magic such as the Coga-vals and Lucoras, feed on eggs or other Laku as part of their rite. These magic boosting foods work better on the opposite type of magic.

Importance Through the Ages

No matter the species, the weight given to this rite, or the food used, the Entrance to Adulthood rite has been around long before the Joining and the resulting retreat to invisibility of all Laku. However, as humans continue to advance and populate the entire globe, Laku of all species are finding it more difficult to remain hidden and safe. Raising young is an added complication but is necessary for the continuation of the species. To see these young reach adulthood alive and healthy is a great accomplishment not only for those who raised them but also for the young Lakis. Though the dragons have not placed any additional weight to this rite, other Laku who do perform this ceremony have, making it comparable in importance to the Rite of young dragons.