First Binding

A coming of age rite for the Yoru clans, the First Binding ceremony has young hunters perform a binding with an animal that will serve as their partner and companion for gathering food for their family.
The First Binding is meant to signify that a Yoru hunter has completed their training in Night magic and act as a final test that, should they pass, will give them a partner while on future hunts.

Execution

The ritual itself is fairly straight forward: the hunter-in-training lays their hand on the head of the animal they wish to bind and allow their magic to flow into it.
Done correctly, the spell will create a connection between caster and beast, allowing for communication and sharing of senses between the two.

Participants

For a First Binding to be considered successful, a family member (normally the patriarch of the home) is required to witness and verify the connection established by the binding spell in addition to the young hunter and their chosen animal companion.
Said animal companion is no less important even when disregarding them as the target of the spell. Besides serving as a graduation exam for their training in Night magic, the First Binding also test the hunter's ability to care and bond with their partner as the emotional connection between the two is often a major factor in if the binding spell succeeds or fails.

Observance

The First Binding is traditionally attempted towards the beginning of summer with the hunter having spent the previous year training with they prospective partner.
Exact dates and how public the ritual is vary between Yoru clans. Some treat it as a personal moment for families with parents guiding their children in greater responsibilities while others mark the occasion with a village feast on the first full moon of the season as the young hunters demonstrate their skills before all.
In years following the Hokubu March, the tradition has become much more of a private, yet no less important affair for Yoru families. For those that are able to share it with their children, it has become a moment of perseverance. Proving that their people and traditions still live even after being forced from their home and across the sea.

Related Ethnicities

• Yoru