Ulndi Voth

Now then my fine youngins which one of yee wants to get take a swing at that rock over there. - Dwarf Elder

Ulndi Voth roughly translates to the Day of the Stone Crushers, another word for children who have reached puberty once a year from the ages of twelve to nineteen. During that time, competition is given to those who reach their teenage years to prove their mantle as Dwarves and help them understand where their strengths and weaknesses are so they can improve upon them. It involves no honor or glory is generally nothing more than a friendly competition as Dwarves do love to play games on their off time.

History

To Be a Dwarf

by Wylly Suhendra

According to the old texts, it is said that the festival was made due to the fact young teenage Dwarves were losing their way and forsaking their heritage for trivial things such as parties, pranks, and not wanting to take up an apprenticeship to their future occupation. It was soon decided to put these children back on the right path to help them reinvigorate themselves of what it truly means to be a Dwarf by helping them understand through friendly competition and all the things they can look forward to when they become adults. Which became quite the success when many young children found themselves learning about themselves and the proud heritage they came from. From here, the generation would never forget what it was meant to be themselves for it was in their blood in who they were meant to be and nothing would ever take that away from them.

Nessacery Changes

by Chris Lawton

Originally Ulndi Voth was called Yug Makon with translate Echo of Remembrance as a day of learning and understanding for young Dwarves to academically learn their heritage and traditions through scholars and members of their community teaching them important things such as mining and stone masonry. Though none of them were thrilled, to say the least as it was just boring to hear some older Dwarves spout on about why rocks are their friends and why you shouldn't oil your beard when working near a furnace. At this point, the elder came up with more physical activities to make them more involved to better acquaint what they are going to do later in life and see where they want to go job-wise if they ever want to change their caste if they get the chance. Making the day similar to a sports festival in some ways and an event the whole hold can enjoy as their youths are challenged to face tasks to see what they are made of.

Execution

Competition Opening

It all starts with the sound of a Great Horn echoing through the hold to tell everyone to come to the sacred grounds to attend. The teenager is often sent in first to prepare for the event. But there are often those who refuse to go at times and parents are often forced to put them in a sack to carry them off to it often being referred to as emotional baggage due to the teenager trying their best to get out of the sack any way they can, but to no avail. Once everyone arrives and the teenagers are present they are often presented in front of the hold’s leader or elder as they give the usual speech of honoring their ancestors for being here and the culture that they cherish. Once that is over the teenagers say their family and clan names to let everyone know they are participating and representing their clan and it's a sneaky way to find out if everyone is present as they often keep a list to ensure no one is tardy. If so then a pack of angles will be set loose to find them as they have a very keen sense of smell and once they pick up a smell there is no escape. Then once it is everyone is present the competition begins.

Events

by Hisham Zayadnh

When the events begin the arrangements of which ones going first often differ from hold to hold. Often have to do with a certain history that it is known for and so on. It is from here that all competitors will be trying their best to prove themselves as Dwarves. This can get out of hand of course as teenagers tend to be emotionally troubled when dealing with pressure. Often leading to them to take their stress out on other contestants and will often be in the bleachers with spectators as they will start to get overexcited or aggressive with the parents of other competitors accusing them of having their child be aggressive with their and any other ridiculous thing. Once each challenge is over those who were the best will receive rewards later on. From here, the day will become a blur as they go on until everything is over with.

Closing Ceremony

At the end of the competition, all who participated will be presented on top of a stand with the leaders of the hold and congratulating them for their participation. It is here that each of them will receive their first alcoholic drink as children are unable to drink alcohol before puberty. It is here that accepted as Dwarves. From here, more speeches will be given and rewards for the best competitors of the games. This will often be something that represents the game, such as a hammer or a drinking horn, as something practical for late use.

Participants

All Dwarves both male and female who reach puberty are required to participate in the festivities. Both will participate in all events as a Dwarf can do anything no matter what gender they were born into and can do as much as the other.

Observance

Ulndi Voth only comes around once a year during the summer the steam rises from below the mountain from volcanic vents. Which they call the Steam Season that allows the dwarven holds to be more productive to the warmth that it brings.

Challenges

Shahadat Rahman

Rock Smashing: There is nothing like some good old rock breaking to show off how strong a Dwarf is. The amount of strength that one can put into a hammer or a pickaxe can really show how what they are made of. Everyone is given a decent-sized rock that they will try to break first before anyone else win.

by Miguel Bautista

Sing-Off: If there is one thing Dwarves love to do is to sing as they always have a go song in their heart to help them along when working or relaxing. It is often a group competition as more voices will often show more heart in the singing than just one. It is through their teamwork that they show the unity of a people.

by Tamara Bellis

Hair Grooming : Dwarves are known to keep their hair in good shape to keep up their appearances as good hair will always please their ancestors. While the hair of teenage Dwarves is starting to grow longer it is up to them how they can best keep it well-groomed and the best-looking hair is the winner.

by Lukus

Digging: At one point in a Dwarfs life they just have to dig a hole. The name of the game is speed as they should be able to dig a hole much faster than anyone can imagine in a short amount of time. Once they reach the required depth they must try and get out of it on their own to prove that no hole will trap them to win.

by Tima Miroshnichenko

Smith Work: The forge is something that calls every Dwarf deep down and to craft in something natural to them. So it should be natural for any of them to work with metal and craft something with some metal they are given. The craft and quality of the metal being made into something will determine the victor.

by Dan Burton

Tussle: A Dwarf needs to know when they have to let loose when in a fight. It is a battle royal in a tournament with the last one remains winning. No weapons or killing are allowed and those are the only rules so everything else goes from leg biting to hair pulling.

by Geralt

Debates: Stubbornness is in the heart of every Dwarf that ever lived and arguments are common amongst them. This is why debates are held to avoid conflict. The winner is often the one who thinks fast and has strong evidence backing them.

by Gardie Design & Social Media Marketing

Munching Contest: Dwarves have always been known for their large appetites that are hard to satisfy. What better way to deal with it than to eat as much food as you can. Whoever eats the most is considered a true Dwarf at heart as they enjoy their food and can't get enough.