Post by Alpha Almandine (Admin) on Mar 26, 2017 9:43:25 GMT -6
No demon can harm a mortal during a ceremony.
Each ceremony begins as follows by the Shaman -
"I, Shaman ___, call upon our numerous Ancestors to gather in the skies over the living pack, which also comes together for another sacred ceremony."
There is a full ten heartbeats of silence as the pack awaits the ancestors to gather.
"I also call upon our Guardians to banish the demons away during this sacred time, and to gather with us and wrap their protective wings around {whoever the ceremony is dedicated to}."
There is another ten heartbeats of silence before the ceremony begins.
Each ceremony begins as follows by the Shaman -
"I, Shaman ___, call upon our numerous Ancestors to gather in the skies over the living pack, which also comes together for another sacred ceremony."
There is a full ten heartbeats of silence as the pack awaits the ancestors to gather.
"I also call upon our Guardians to banish the demons away during this sacred time, and to gather with us and wrap their protective wings around {whoever the ceremony is dedicated to}."
There is another ten heartbeats of silence before the ceremony begins.
The Naming
Leader: Shaman
Leader: Shaman
The first ceremony of a young Rebel's life is the Naming. For the ceremony, when a pup is one moon old, the parents decide on a name. They are not obligated to tell anyone of the names chosen for their litter until the ceremony, not even the High Fangs. On the day of the ceremony, the pack gathers, forming a path between them from the nursery leading to the freshly skinned pelt of a white rabbit. The white rabbit is chosen because white represents purity and the softness is soothing to pups. The Shaman sits at the end of the path, behind the pelt. The parents then coax their pups out from the nursery and down the path, following behind as the pups meet each of their packmates. They may take as long as they wish to traverse the path. Making it all the way down this path is the first test a Rebel must face. During this ceremony, a pup is never to be called a 'Rebel', for they do not become a Rebel until they take the Life Oath.
Once all the pups are touching the pelt, the parents announce their own full names. The Shaman then states,
"Pups shape our future, not necessarily the future of the individual, but the future of the Rebels who Reign upon the lands of Tanisawa and Genten. Today we name {#} pups."
The Shaman then places their nose on the head of each pup in turn, blessing them, and steps back. The parents take over the ceremony and announce the full names of each pup in turn.
The Quarter Moon Howl
Leaders: Alphas
Leaders: Alphas
Each quarter moon at moonhigh, the entire pack and any wanderers staying within their borders head up the cliff to the lakes. They howl and screech to the Ancients and thank them for what their ancestors left them. If a single claw or tooth strikes another's pelt, the ceremony is ceased. There are no spoken words either, and at the end of the ceremony each Rebel and Outsider laps once from the spray of the falls at the top of the cliff to take some of the sacred water home with them.
The Feasting
Leaders: Alphas
Leaders: Alphas
Each night the pack gathers around the kills for the day and feasts according to The Order of Feasting.
The Life Oath
Leaders: Beta, Shaman
Leaders: Beta, Shaman
When the time comes for a pup to become a Trainee and begin their education, The Life Oath ceremony is held. It is a blood oath to the pack and a promise to uphold The Law. The Shaman will ask them to nip their pad deep enough to bleed. The blood is then dripped onto two feathers, one black and white, (which the Shaman brings) and the other corresponding to their branch (chosen by Beta)*, (which the Beta brings) as the the pups recites the following -
"I vow on my life that I will uphold The Law of The Ancients to my final dying breath, as a {branch} of Rebel's Reign. All is for the Rebels, and peace be upon the lands."
*Warrior: Red
*Scout: Yellow
*Healer: Green
*Hunter: Brown
"I vow on my life that I will uphold The Law of The Ancients to my final dying breath, as a {branch} of Rebel's Reign. All is for the Rebels, and peace be upon the lands."
*Warrior: Red
*Scout: Yellow
*Healer: Green
*Hunter: Brown
Initiation
Leaders: Beta, Shaman
The Initiation Ceremony is the equivalent of The Life Oath, but for Outsiders wishing to join the pack. First, they must show the Beta that they have potential in one of the four branches, or they will be placed into Omega (The Beta will give them a test). The Shaman will again ask the Outsider to nip their pad until it bleeds. It is dripped onto the same feathers as The Life Oath. (For Omega, there is no second feather). If the feathers break when hit once with a rock of pure quartz, then the Outsider is chased away, they do not have the blood of Canidae. Otherwise, they recite the same life oath. They will also be given their full names.
Leaders: Beta, Shaman
The Initiation Ceremony is the equivalent of The Life Oath, but for Outsiders wishing to join the pack. First, they must show the Beta that they have potential in one of the four branches, or they will be placed into Omega (The Beta will give them a test). The Shaman will again ask the Outsider to nip their pad until it bleeds. It is dripped onto the same feathers as The Life Oath. (For Omega, there is no second feather). If the feathers break when hit once with a rock of pure quartz, then the Outsider is chased away, they do not have the blood of Canidae. Otherwise, they recite the same life oath. They will also be given their full names.
Claw Ceremony
Leaders: Alphas
Leaders: Alphas
When a Fang decides that a Trainee is ready to become a Claw, they give them a test, overseen by the Beta. The Alphas lead the ceremony following, announcing their full name and new rank.
Fang Ceremony
Leaders: Alphas
Leaders: Alphas
When a previous Fang passes on, after their Passing ceremony, on the next dawn, a new Fang will be chosen from their corresponding branch. The Alphas will choose an experienced Claw to take the place, (sometimes with a test) an announce their full name, similarly to the Claw Ceremony.
Beta Ceremony
Leaders: Alphas
Leaders: Alphas
When the Beta falls, a one of the Fangs takes their place. The Alphas decide which of the Fangs is most qualified and announce them by their full name at a ceremony, they must do this before the same time the next sun. The Alphas will then train the Beta in other branches besides their own for about one moon. A new Fang is chosen to replace their old position.
Alpha Ceremony
Leader: Alpha
Leader: Alpha
When an Alpha falls, the remaining Alpha must announce the ceremony before the next sun transition. The Beta will take their place, and a new Beta is chosen. The ceremony is conducted like any other and they are addressed by their new full name before the pack.
The Mateship
Leader: Shaman, possibly Alpha
Leader: Shaman, possibly Alpha
When two Canidae love each other very much....they get married, duh.
A mateship ceremony is a very happy ceremony where the Shaman showers pink feathers upon a couple, and bless them as they proclaim their mateship, and groom each other's pelts. The pack then feasts, Hunters have to work extra hard on this day. The mates are then allowed to do whatever they want for the rest of the day, they are excused from all regular duties. Any rank above Trainees can have a Mateship. If the Shaman takes a mate, they can choose one of the Alphas to lead the ceremony.
A mateship ceremony is a very happy ceremony where the Shaman showers pink feathers upon a couple, and bless them as they proclaim their mateship, and groom each other's pelts. The pack then feasts, Hunters have to work extra hard on this day. The mates are then allowed to do whatever they want for the rest of the day, they are excused from all regular duties. Any rank above Trainees can have a Mateship. If the Shaman takes a mate, they can choose one of the Alphas to lead the ceremony.
Senior Ceremony
Leader: Alphas
Leader: Alphas
Once a Canidae becomes too old and weak, or gets permanently injured, they can retire. It is entirely up to a Canidae when they retire, the Shaman or High Fangs cannot decide. They are again addressed by their full names and asked if they wish to retire, before the gathered pack.
The Passing