Coming of Age

Although it originated with the Elves, this soon spread to both Dwarves and Men. When an Elf, Man, or Dwarf (note: this was a tradition exclsive to Irëduin) came of age (seventeen for Men, forty-nine for Elves and Dwarves, due to their longer lifespan), they were sent to one of the wellsprings of magic all over Irëduin. Such places included Dol Niya, Gu Táturhó, and Mount Telxzerakûd. There, the individual was tasked with simply sitting and thinking. Thinking about what they hoped to accomplish in their life. Thinking about what they hoped to leave behind. And thinking about who they were.
The individual meditated for twenty-four hours, at which point their guardian brought them back to where they were from, and they had to complete seven trials. The trials were designed to test strength, speed, agility, stamina, wisdom, honour, and tenacity.
Those who passed the tests where then considered 'grown-up', and were allowed to take part in many different parts of life that had been off-limits before. These included enlisting in the army, having a profession, and .
Those who failed the trials were given a choice: they could either spend a week on one of the islets located near the centre of the Sea, or they could become an outcast. Irëduin was a harsh world, and most didn't accept weaklings. The Elves were slightly more relaxed with this part of the tradition, as they believed that all life was valuable, and to simply throw it away would be an abomination.
The khud'zarak had different views on coming of age. When a khud'zar had survived the first fifteen years of life, they were sent to raid a village. Whether the inhabitants were Men, Elves, or Dwarves did not matter, but the khud'zar was required to be part of the raid, and to act accordingly to the raiding laws of the khud'zarak: show no mercy, steal all valuables, and don't die. If they met the approval of the raid leader, then they were considered khud'zarak in full. If they failed, then they could either be executed on the spot, or have to spend a year and a day among the floating peaks of Gu Núvilvor. Those who survived the time span were accepted back into the clan, and were awarded the privileges of a adult.

Primary Related Location

Gu Táturhó