First Shot of Adulthood

When a Relen turns fourteen they are considered an adult and learn their fate the same way the fate of the sovereignty is determined, divination. As they are not the sovereign, the new adult's fate is determined through archery .

Execution

In the early morning the new adult is lead to the outskirts of the settlement or to another archery range where the target is set up. They are led 70 paces from the target and allowed to shoot four arrows. The arrows are designed so that its impossible to see their design before pulling them from the quiver. After it is pulled from the quiver the arrow cannot be put back.

Interepretation depends on both what arrows are pulled from the quiver and where they land. Naturally most interpretations lead to farmers but all occupations are possible, including sovereign. The arrows also show much more than simply what a person's proffession will be. The also supposedly show their life's general outcome, provide insight into challanges they will face, and can even show a change in career later in life.

Afterwards, the new adult begins their first day of work and offers a sacrifice to the deities in thanks for surviving adulthood. Finally they enjoy a large meal at home with their family; for more prestigious proffessions a larger feast is often held and friends of the family and other more prestigious members of the community are invited.

Components and tools

A quiver of fourty different arrows, a bow, and a simple target are used in the ceremony. All of the arrows are specifically for this ceremony and like other divination arrows have patterns on their shafts near their tips. Unlike most divination arrow sets, there are several designs that have multiple arrows of the same design in this set.