The Dreaming
The Dreaming is the ritual undergone by all aspirants to a Senary clergyhood before they can take final vows to their respective orders. In the current day and age, most Dreamers to into their Dreaming well-prepared and emerge successfully, or emerge only feeling a little under the weather and with the knowledge that a lifetime of religious service is not for them, but that was not always the case.
Additionally, there are strict recipes and rules in each order now for the preparation of the hallucinogen that drops each Dreamer into the comatose-like state from which they will face their trial and commune with their Deity. Incorrect preparation of this substance is just poison, and there was a time when it was unclear whether Dreamers were truly failing their trials or just falling victim to negligent preparations.
Each Dreamer's ritual takes place when it is determined they are ready. With the exception of the Nakhtim, they cannot undergo the Dreaming until they have turned 20, or the equivalent age of adulthood for their species.
Moon Cycle
There is a soft preference within each order for the Dreaming to take place under a full moon of the moon which is most associated with their Diety, but for followers of Fella especially this can be impractical; waiting a full year is sometimes just not feasible. While the Neferim have been known to wait until the full moon for good luck, the younger and sometimes time-pressed Nakhtim will often do away with this practice. The other orders, who have only to wait 12 or 40 days at most, will rarely perform rituals outside of full moon days.
Nefere
The Dreaming for the Neferim is a straightforward affair. Novices who are deemed ready on or after their 20th birthday or the equivalent wait until the next full Fella moon. On the day of the full moon they spend the day in silent reflection, eating only the simplest of meals. After dinner, they take a ritual cleansing bath and don simple undyed sleeping garments before retiring to cots or beds that have been set up in a common area of the temple, where any other clergy can stop by at any time or observe or pray over the Dreamers. They are given the Dreamdraught by an Archmother or Archfather whose role it is to prepare and care for it, and then the temple's Firstmother or Firstfather will sit attendance upon all Novices until all Dreamings are complete. The Neferim tend to be some of the oldest of the Senary clergy at the time of the Dreaming.
Nakhta
Most peculiar amongst the six orders are the Nakhtim, who are the only order to undergo the Dreaming before they come of age as adults. Nakhtim Fledglings are eligible to Dream once they have turned 15, and as clergy of a child-god must Dream before they turn 20 (or the nonhuman equivalent) in order to remain Nakhtim. The Nakhtim also do not prepare or hold Dreamdraught. When it comes time for them to Dream, the Archmother or Archfather of the nearest or adjacent Neferim temple comes to administer the hallucinogen, alongside a Third Flight Nakhtim of the Fledgling's choice. In order to show readiness to give up their "true childhood" and enter into "second childhood" and responsibility within the order, Fledgelings are asked to demonstrate three things on the day of the Dreaming. First, an act of devotion, which is usually prepared or completed beforehand and simply described or presented first thing in the morning on Dreaming day; this may include a work of art or music, a newly written prayer or poem, reading some new religious text, teaching a prayer or ritual to younger students, or anything that demonstrates their devotion ot Nakhta. Secondly, an act of service, which is completed before lunch; the Fledgling may choose any that serves their temple, community, or even another nearby temple, according to their own skills and interests. Thirdly, an act of discipline, which must be completed on the day of and before the Dreaming begins. The act of discipline begins first thing in the morning with the Fledgling making a confession of past shortcomings and failures to the Third Flight adult of their choice, and then the pair discuss and decide on an appropriate act of discipline so that the Fledgling can enter their Dreaming with a fresh start and guilt-free; depending on the individuals involved, this can be anything from a day of fasting, to extra chores all afternoon, to spending the afternoon writing lines or an essay on how they will do better, to a spanking before the ritual begins.Once all three things have been demonstrated, it proceeds much like the ritual of the Neferim; the Fledgeling takes a cleansing bath, perhaps with some final reflection or discussion of what is to come with their chosen adult, dresses in simple undyed sleep garments, is administered the Dreamdraught from the Neferim Archmother or Archfather, and proceeds to Dream.
Meret & Moseni
The Meretim and Mosenim share a Dreaming process as they share so much else. When their Novices have both reached an appropriate age and finished their required training, they are simple eligible to Dream. The Novice must have a sponsor, a full Meretim or Mosenim who has experienced or overseen their training and deemed them ready, who will appeal on their behalf to the highest-ranked clergyperson in their temple for permission for their Novice to Dream. If that person has no objections, the Novice is added to the list for the next full Dimmen moon. On the morning of the next Dreaming, the list of eligible Novices is read to all present at a communal breakfast, and there is a period of time for any full clergy to lodge an objection or raise a point of discussion. If any objections are raised, then a vote is held by simple majority, with the Novice's sponsor getting two votes. If the Novice is rejected by the order, they cannot appeal to Dream again until either a set goal has been met or the number of moon cycles has passed for each "no" vote that outweighed a "yes" vote (for instance, if a Novice was rejected in a 10-6 vote, they would have to wait 4 moon cycles before they could re-appeal). The Dreaming process itself is rather straightforward and utilitarian; the Dreamer spends the day as they would like, released from all duties, and retires to their own bed with their sponsor after dinner. The clergy in charge of the Dreamdraught and the highest-ranking clergy in the temple then make their rounds to each of the Novices' rooms to administer the hallucinogen and give any final directions, and the Novice's sponsor is left to monitor them while they Dream. Because the Mosenim and Meretim do not Dream until they are considered fully trained in their crafts, no matter what that entails, they have the most variable ages at time of Dreaming. Some are just barely 20, some can be in their 70s or even older. This is also the order most likely to be joined late in life.
Sekhay
The Sekhaim have perhaps the strictest rules for who is allowed to undertake the Dreaming; they are not only restricted by age and mental readiness, but by meeting the order's very stringent rules for being the best of the best for fighting-fit at all times. Cadets who reach the age of Dreaming and have not washed out still might still be simply deemed not good enough. Amongst those who are, generally, a Cohort of Cadets is kept together despite their technical ages until the entire Cohort is ready to Dream. The Dreaming day for the Sekhaim Cadets consists of simple breakfast and small cold-food lunch, and a grueling and exhausting demonstration of their skills. By the end of the day, when they are mentally and physically exhausted, they are taken to whatever the nearest source of fresh water is and chivvied through a quick wash and another fasting meal, and then put to bed in the open around a campfire. Their Dreamdraught is included in their supper, usually in tea prepared over the fire, and is less potent in content than most other orders, with a makeup similar to that made for teh Nakhtim, because at their level of exhaustion it doesn't take much to put them out. They are guarded during their Dreaming by an honor guard of adult Sekhaim chosen by their temple Commander or General-in-Residence. The Sekhaim tend to be the youngest of the Senary clergy, other than the Nakhtim, to undergo the Dreaming.
Shadi
The Dreaming of the Shadim can occur any time a Shadim Novice and their Guardianatus decides the Novice is ready once they have reached the appropriate age. The Shadim are unique in that the order is the only one is which Dreaming does not confer full clergyhood; the Novice becomes a Shadimalis who is still under the authority of their Guardianatus for some time as they finish their training. In this case, the Dreaming truly is a religious "final vows" rather than a finish of training. The Shadim Dreamer spends the morning demonstrating their skills for the full Shadim of their temple, and their afternoon doing as they'd like, returning to the temple to dine with their Guardianatus, the Shadim in charge of the Dreamdraught, and the First Shadim. After dinner, during which they will consume the Dreamdraught in some form, it is expected that their Guardianatus will put them to bed and stay with them while they Dream.
History
The Dreaming is recorded as being part of the rites of the Senary for as long as the religion as been practiced. However, it has certainly evolved over the years. One major change is the age limit - due to the number of unsuccessful attempts, with sometimes tragic or fatal results, it was slowly determined that only adults should be able to attempt the ceremony, with some few exceptions.Additionally, there are strict recipes and rules in each order now for the preparation of the hallucinogen that drops each Dreamer into the comatose-like state from which they will face their trial and commune with their Deity. Incorrect preparation of this substance is just poison, and there was a time when it was unclear whether Dreamers were truly failing their trials or just falling victim to negligent preparations.
Components and Tools
The hallucinogen given to each Dreamer for the ritual is created from the toxic berry that grows on the Sunny Bitterbush. Senarians refer to this hallucinogen as Dreamdraught, while those who use it outside of religious purposes call it other things.Participants and Key Roles
The most important person in attendance is, of course, the Dreamer. Other attendees varies by order. It isn't much of a spectator ritual; as most of it occurs within the Dreamer's mind, any bystanders are simply observing the comatose body of the Dreamer. Other key players are usually the person responsible for administration of the Dreamdraught, at least one authority figure though the level of said authority will vary by location and order, and a mentor or close teacher of the Dreamer.Observance
AgeEach Dreamer's ritual takes place when it is determined they are ready. With the exception of the Nakhtim, they cannot undergo the Dreaming until they have turned 20, or the equivalent age of adulthood for their species.
Moon Cycle
There is a soft preference within each order for the Dreaming to take place under a full moon of the moon which is most associated with their Diety, but for followers of Fella especially this can be impractical; waiting a full year is sometimes just not feasible. While the Neferim have been known to wait until the full moon for good luck, the younger and sometimes time-pressed Nakhtim will often do away with this practice. The other orders, who have only to wait 12 or 40 days at most, will rarely perform rituals outside of full moon days.
Execution
While there is variance between the six different branches of the Senary as to the specifics of how this ritual is completed, there are some key things which do not change. No matter the other small differences in how the ritual is carried out, each aspirant ultimately is given a dose of a hallucinogen. This causes the aspirant, known as The Dreamer, to fall into a drugged coma-like sleep in which they experience a trial set forth by their Deity. Successful Dreamers are awakened healthy, with the approval of their deity, to join the ranks of clergy. Unsucessful Dreamers may awaken unharmed, seriously ill, or not at all. For some Dreamers, this will be the only time they will come face-to-face with their Deity.Nefere
The Dreaming for the Neferim is a straightforward affair. Novices who are deemed ready on or after their 20th birthday or the equivalent wait until the next full Fella moon. On the day of the full moon they spend the day in silent reflection, eating only the simplest of meals. After dinner, they take a ritual cleansing bath and don simple undyed sleeping garments before retiring to cots or beds that have been set up in a common area of the temple, where any other clergy can stop by at any time or observe or pray over the Dreamers. They are given the Dreamdraught by an Archmother or Archfather whose role it is to prepare and care for it, and then the temple's Firstmother or Firstfather will sit attendance upon all Novices until all Dreamings are complete. The Neferim tend to be some of the oldest of the Senary clergy at the time of the Dreaming.
Nakhta
Most peculiar amongst the six orders are the Nakhtim, who are the only order to undergo the Dreaming before they come of age as adults. Nakhtim Fledglings are eligible to Dream once they have turned 15, and as clergy of a child-god must Dream before they turn 20 (or the nonhuman equivalent) in order to remain Nakhtim. The Nakhtim also do not prepare or hold Dreamdraught. When it comes time for them to Dream, the Archmother or Archfather of the nearest or adjacent Neferim temple comes to administer the hallucinogen, alongside a Third Flight Nakhtim of the Fledgling's choice. In order to show readiness to give up their "true childhood" and enter into "second childhood" and responsibility within the order, Fledgelings are asked to demonstrate three things on the day of the Dreaming. First, an act of devotion, which is usually prepared or completed beforehand and simply described or presented first thing in the morning on Dreaming day; this may include a work of art or music, a newly written prayer or poem, reading some new religious text, teaching a prayer or ritual to younger students, or anything that demonstrates their devotion ot Nakhta. Secondly, an act of service, which is completed before lunch; the Fledgling may choose any that serves their temple, community, or even another nearby temple, according to their own skills and interests. Thirdly, an act of discipline, which must be completed on the day of and before the Dreaming begins. The act of discipline begins first thing in the morning with the Fledgling making a confession of past shortcomings and failures to the Third Flight adult of their choice, and then the pair discuss and decide on an appropriate act of discipline so that the Fledgling can enter their Dreaming with a fresh start and guilt-free; depending on the individuals involved, this can be anything from a day of fasting, to extra chores all afternoon, to spending the afternoon writing lines or an essay on how they will do better, to a spanking before the ritual begins.Once all three things have been demonstrated, it proceeds much like the ritual of the Neferim; the Fledgeling takes a cleansing bath, perhaps with some final reflection or discussion of what is to come with their chosen adult, dresses in simple undyed sleep garments, is administered the Dreamdraught from the Neferim Archmother or Archfather, and proceeds to Dream.
Meret & Moseni
The Meretim and Mosenim share a Dreaming process as they share so much else. When their Novices have both reached an appropriate age and finished their required training, they are simple eligible to Dream. The Novice must have a sponsor, a full Meretim or Mosenim who has experienced or overseen their training and deemed them ready, who will appeal on their behalf to the highest-ranked clergyperson in their temple for permission for their Novice to Dream. If that person has no objections, the Novice is added to the list for the next full Dimmen moon. On the morning of the next Dreaming, the list of eligible Novices is read to all present at a communal breakfast, and there is a period of time for any full clergy to lodge an objection or raise a point of discussion. If any objections are raised, then a vote is held by simple majority, with the Novice's sponsor getting two votes. If the Novice is rejected by the order, they cannot appeal to Dream again until either a set goal has been met or the number of moon cycles has passed for each "no" vote that outweighed a "yes" vote (for instance, if a Novice was rejected in a 10-6 vote, they would have to wait 4 moon cycles before they could re-appeal). The Dreaming process itself is rather straightforward and utilitarian; the Dreamer spends the day as they would like, released from all duties, and retires to their own bed with their sponsor after dinner. The clergy in charge of the Dreamdraught and the highest-ranking clergy in the temple then make their rounds to each of the Novices' rooms to administer the hallucinogen and give any final directions, and the Novice's sponsor is left to monitor them while they Dream. Because the Mosenim and Meretim do not Dream until they are considered fully trained in their crafts, no matter what that entails, they have the most variable ages at time of Dreaming. Some are just barely 20, some can be in their 70s or even older. This is also the order most likely to be joined late in life.
Sekhay
The Sekhaim have perhaps the strictest rules for who is allowed to undertake the Dreaming; they are not only restricted by age and mental readiness, but by meeting the order's very stringent rules for being the best of the best for fighting-fit at all times. Cadets who reach the age of Dreaming and have not washed out still might still be simply deemed not good enough. Amongst those who are, generally, a Cohort of Cadets is kept together despite their technical ages until the entire Cohort is ready to Dream. The Dreaming day for the Sekhaim Cadets consists of simple breakfast and small cold-food lunch, and a grueling and exhausting demonstration of their skills. By the end of the day, when they are mentally and physically exhausted, they are taken to whatever the nearest source of fresh water is and chivvied through a quick wash and another fasting meal, and then put to bed in the open around a campfire. Their Dreamdraught is included in their supper, usually in tea prepared over the fire, and is less potent in content than most other orders, with a makeup similar to that made for teh Nakhtim, because at their level of exhaustion it doesn't take much to put them out. They are guarded during their Dreaming by an honor guard of adult Sekhaim chosen by their temple Commander or General-in-Residence. The Sekhaim tend to be the youngest of the Senary clergy, other than the Nakhtim, to undergo the Dreaming.
Shadi
The Dreaming of the Shadim can occur any time a Shadim Novice and their Guardianatus decides the Novice is ready once they have reached the appropriate age. The Shadim are unique in that the order is the only one is which Dreaming does not confer full clergyhood; the Novice becomes a Shadimalis who is still under the authority of their Guardianatus for some time as they finish their training. In this case, the Dreaming truly is a religious "final vows" rather than a finish of training. The Shadim Dreamer spends the morning demonstrating their skills for the full Shadim of their temple, and their afternoon doing as they'd like, returning to the temple to dine with their Guardianatus, the Shadim in charge of the Dreamdraught, and the First Shadim. After dinner, during which they will consume the Dreamdraught in some form, it is expected that their Guardianatus will put them to bed and stay with them while they Dream.
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This is cool I'm very detailed ritual is awesome . This is inspire me to try to think of some ideas to for my clerics andpaladins how they go through trials buffets to get there power
Thanks! I had the name inspiration a while ago and it was a stub floating around in other articles, and I was finally inspired to actually finish it this Worldember. :)