The Karo-Ta (KAY-row tah)

Until this point, the children have been coddled. They have been fed twice a day, for instance, and adequate shelter and clothing was provided to them. They have only ever hunted for either fun or family. They have never had to dig for water solely to live. Until such time as the Karo-Ta, the child has been virtually pampered. This is, of course, because children will only grow into adults with Wisdom if they are allowed to be children. Once the Karo-Ta is completed, the boy has become a man. The girl, a woman. The person, an adult, responsible for their own actions and consequences. To be an adult here, in these wondrous climes and times, is to be truly free. Free to make one's own decisions, and to build and defend one's own home. Free to marry whom one wilt. Free to defend oneself and one's family from the predators hiding everywhere one turns. The two-legged kind are especially fearsome. Our own kind are the worst predators yet.

Transcription of an interview with
Gog Boggen Danke, Chief of the
Clan of the Snow Bear.
circa 5384NG

History

The Karo-Ta is a 'blooding' ritual the Beast Cults of the northern plateau call sacred. It is meant to symbolize times of great duress, when very few able bodied people were available to help hunt and gather food. The northerners have a tale about a winter that lasted five years; that the sky was blotted out by dark clouds, and soot and fire were apt to rain down upon folks randomly. Many of the beasts of burden were already dead, or in the process of starving to death, unless they were very lucky. Snow and ice choked the land for hundreds of miles around. Only the most determined could provide for their family and clan, and in that time of great hunger, many a boy took the mantle of man upon himself far too early. Girls became women in the space of a single decision: "I will fight to survive. I must fight to survive. I must kill to survive." 

And so, a tradition was born. Nowadays, it is celebrated by a day out ice-fishing with friends on some nearby lake, unless one is more devout. Fanatical. Whatever. They are sent to hunt reindeer, and drag it back to the domicile alone.

Execution

The child-become-adult will gather food for their family and clan. They must gather or hunt at least their fair share, with great honor and prestige falling upon those who bring in the most during the ritual. An actual reindeer kill is rare, dangerous, and considered totally fucking cool.

Most people fish for perch, pike and trout in nearby lakes. It is much, much easier.

Components and tools

Gear to hunt and gather food; for instance if one is to go ice fishing, they need the proper equipment with which to do so. Traditionally, the adult-to-be makes their own implements in the leadup to their day. Lately, though, the gear is usually purchased or handed down. 

"This was my grand daddy's fly-fishing rig. I give to you, son, in solemnity and honor. Use it well." Yep.

Primary Related Location

The City of the Lights

Related Organizations

• Nordic Gods and mythos

Related Ethnicities

• Humanity