Rites of the Earthmother

The Tauren culture is deeply reliant upon the ideas of Rites, Trials, and Rituals. It is through these highly ceremonial events that the Tauren people gain status in their society. Young Tauren performs the Rites of the Earthmother in order to become braves and gain the respect of elders in Thunder Bluff and within their particular Tribes. Without the completion of these basic Rites, youngsters will find it difficult to do much of anything as far as participating in Tribe Life. More respected positions, mates, and even the ability to live within some tribes can be jeopardized for those who have not proven themselves. Once all the Rites have been completed a celebration is held among the Tribe to commemorate the event and to welcome the youngster in as a full member of their Tribe. These Rites consist of the following:

Rite of Strength

This will be your Rite of Strength; the first ceremony of a tauren brave.- Grull Hawkwaind

The Tauren have known the world over for their raw physical strength. Arguably one of the strongest races in terms of simple physical power this mark of their kind has been venerated through the generations. Young Tauren of both sexes must prove their physical strength to their tribe. This proves to the Elders that the individual has the raw power to protect the tribe from their enemies and thus ensuring the longevity of the tribe as a whole. This Rite is highly dependant on the tribe and the current situations surrounding them. Some Rites of Strength involve climbing tall cliffs or lifting heavy stones for hours on end, and some are to kill a tribe's enemies. The Tribe Elders and leaders are the ones who dictate such a thing and it makes the experience of each young Tauren unique.

Rite of Courage

One of the first lessons you should learn, <name>, is to never underestimate your prey.- Adana Thunderhorn

Courage is not just about beating one's enemies over the head with a club. One can use their fear to act in horrible ways in the name of courage but the mastery of fear is what this Rite is about. The fear of physical harm in the face of your enemies or in service to your Tribe. While not intended to teach young Tauren to throw away their lives needlessly by getting into tough spots unnecessarily, the Rite of Courage is instead meant to teach that despite one's fear it is still their duty to act. The Rite is usually put against an enemy of the Tribe but is highly variable depending on the Tribe in question and the situations going on at the time.

Rite of Honor

You've proven yourself as a brave defender of our people. Kill Thornmantle and bring his mane back to Chief Hawkwind, in honor of our Greatmother!- Adana Thunderhorn

The world is full of those that wish to take from the Tauren people. Some take supplies, some take lives, some take lands. In all cases, these losses reflect poorly on the Tauren and strip them of their honorable place among the world's inhabitants. Who would honor a people that can not avenge their dead? Who would respect a tribe that let centaur take their winter supplies? Such questions gave birth to the Rite of Honor. Almost always set against an enemy of the Tribe that has given some recent transgression, young Tauren are tasked with upholding the Honor of both Tribe and Earthmother.

Rite of the Winds

Your journey will take you far beyond her sheltering arms, to the farthest and cruelest regions of this world, and beyond.- Dyami Windsoar

Being a Nomadic people the Tauren embrace change and the unknown even if they are set in their ways about other things. The reality that things always change and that only through change can positive growth occur is well known to the Tauren people as a whole. The Rite of the Winds is usually offered to youngsters in two forms. Being sent physically to a distant area to find an item, usually to a place unknown by the individual. Or taking a spiritual journey under the guidance of a tribe elder which takes them to an unknown land for a time to complete a quest or witness an event. This is more dependant on what the Elders wish to teach the young Tauren in question.

Rite of Vision

Once you have ingested the holy waters, your eyes will be opened, and the spirits will guide you.- Zarlman Two-Moons

Spirits are the lifeblood of Tauren religious culture. In addition to the worship of the Earthmother tauren believe that nearly everything has a spirit of its own. It is through this idea that the Rite of Vision came to be. To demonstrate a willingness to follow the voice and guidance of the Spirits a young Tauren must take on this rite which comes in two forms. The first is to gather the regents for a potion for the Elders and under their guidance drink of the potion which will allow the imbiber to see a vision of the Spirits. This can also be referred to as entering the spirit world. The second is for young Tauren to be sent out into the wilds stripped of any clothing or belongings and away from any civilization. Over the course of many days surviving on their wits and meditating on the Spirits, they are granted a vision. This can sometimes take weeks though is a method oftentimes more preferred by Tribes that have a more waring nature as it serves two purposes.

This Rite is arguably the most important one as it guides young Tauren to a meeting with the individual's totem animal (Spirit Guide) and being told cryptic messages of their future path. These Spirit Guides are individual and unique to each Tauren that completes their Rite of Vision and will often attatche themselves to their new charge to offer wisdom, guidance, and insight whenever called upon. When in the Spirit Realm the form of their Spirit Guide that an individual will often take and the Spirit Guide can often change how an individual acts or perceives the world.

Rite of Wisdom

To gain acceptance amongst the elders of Thunder Bluff you must next complete the Rite of Wisdom. Now that you have passed the Rite of Vision, the ancestral spirits of Red Rocks will give you the blessing of our ancestors. Only those who have drunk from the Water of Seers can gain the blessing.- Lorekeeper Raintotem

Red Rocks is a sacred burial ground for the Tauren tribes, where fallen heroes of the Tauren are sent to the Earth Mother and Sky Father via cleansing flame. Only the most valiant tauren are laid to rest at Red Rocks. It is an honor bestowed upon the great warriors who helped found and defend Thunder Bluff and those who have given their lives for the greater good of their tribes and chieftains. It is here that the Rite of Wisdom takes place for every Tauren in recent times. One must seek out Lorekeeper Raintotem or an Elder within Thunderbluff to drink of the Water of Seers and venture to this sacred site. There a young Tauren will be able to speak with the great heroes and guardians of Thunderbluff as spirits and gain wisdom from them.