Towateke

(t-oh-wAt-eKy)

The title of Towateke is an honorific title among the Tribe. It simply refers to those among the tribe that has earned the respect and honor of their people though skill and deed. Individuals who earn this title must pass the challenge of the Skypath as a representation of their dedication to the Skyrunner way of life and bond with the natural world through their Wyvern. They must also earn a Fear of Honor. Feats of Honor are unique to each individual and range in their scope but at their core, they are deeds or actions taken by the individual that uphold the greatest and most noble traditions and values of the Tribe. Towateke is used for those that embody the heroic spirit of the Tribe.

"From childhood, I was consciously trained to be a man; that was, after all, the basic thing; but after this, I was trained to be a warrior and a hunter, and not to care for money or possessions, but to be in the broadest sense a public servant. After arriving at a reverent sense of the pervading presence of the Spirit and Giver of Life, and a deep consciousness of the brotherhood of man, the first thing for me to accomplish was to adapt myself perfectly to natural things — in other words, to harmonize myself with nature. To this end I was made to build a body both symmetrical and enduring — a house for the soul to live in — a sturdy house, defying the elements. I must have faith and patience; I must learn self-control and be able to maintain silence. I must do with as little as possible and start with nothing most of the time because a true Indian always shares whatever he may possess.” –Charles Alexander Eastman

Requirements

Must have passed the following Rites:

From Previous Ranks-

• (If not born into the Tribe) Offering of the Blooded Feather

• Rites of the Earthmother If you are a Tauren

• Judgment of the Wyverns

New-

• Feat of Honor

• The Skypath

Duties

Individuals that have gained this title have a responsibility to the culture and traditions of the Tribe. Not only the protection of their people and the supply of excellent goods but also in safeguarding their ideas and traditions. Passing them on to others in the form of stories, mentorship, and by example. In some cases, this responsibility comes about in a harsh manner as old customs are protected and made safe, while in others a Towateke may choose to allow the adaption and growth of a custom.

Responsibilities

A Towateke is the highest authority on skills throughout the Tribe when it comes to simple tasks such as combat, healing, crafting, and tribal histories. They spend long days teaching their craft to others and providing excellent goods and care to those under their charge. To a Towateke perfection is the highest goal in their work as it is through the work they serve the traditions and culture of the Tribe.

Benefits

Towateke receives the full protection and benefits of the Tribe as a whole just like Tribesman or Windwarrior. From the rite of trial and voice in tribe meetings to the equal distributions of food and bounty from supply gatherings and hunts to the rite of spiritual guidance and social rites of marriage and education. Towateke also gains a higher amount of respect as they have completed the The Skypath run to an acceptable degree of completion without serious injury or death, and they have also completed at least one Feat of Honor. These ambiguous Feats of Honor are true displays of Skyrunner culture and ideals made manifest in the actions of a single individual. These two things make Towateke highly honored and socially powerful individuals.

Grounds for Removal/Dismissal

The title of Towateke is permanent and nothing but the highest crimes against the Tribe can remove it from an individual. Though in these cases the person in question is almost always executed or exiled for whatever caused them to lose their title in the first place. Those that have been removed from the Towateke title often do not have their name spoken at all when referred to in story, song, or history and instead are given the name 'Dishonored One'.

History

The word 'Towateke' is a Tauren word referring to the highest of the heavens, the plane between the world's atmosphere and the Great Dark. The use of this word as an Honorific among the Skyrunner Tribe began sometime in its early generations to refer to the high and honorable deeds of the heroes among the Tribe. It has been used since then as a cultural means to identify members of the tribe that are worthy of honor and praise due to their actions which uphold the traditions and values of the Skyrunner Tribe.

Type

Civic, Honorific

Alternative Naming

Elite Windrider, Skymaster, Honored

Equates to

Blood Guard, Stone Guard, Legionnaire, Honored Craftsman, Seer, Holy Strider, High Healers

Source of Authority

Earned Rite

Length of Term

Indefinite

Reports directly to

Sky-Reaver

Related Organizations

• The Skyrunner Tribe

Rank Privlages

Cultural

• More renown and respect within the Tribe

• May lead parties of combatants no more than five total though most commonly three is seen

• Second pick at loot gathered from adventures

• Priority on tasks completed by Craftsman such as the smith or the leatherworker

Equipment

• A highly decoraited tabard of the Skyrunner Tribe to wear is they choose

Mounts

• Same as Windwarrior

Decorations

• A totem of the Winds

• An Honor Feather representing the achievement