Rituals,
Pugna Sceleratus (Fight with blood) -
A simple way to solve arguments within the pack is fighting and this is no different for heirs. If another offspring to the Sire and Dame wishes to be heir they can challenge the current heir for it. There are no rules, but typically the fight will be stopped before one party dies. Evello Cauda (To tear out the tail of a animal) - Loyalty and worth are important things to the pack and proving it can be a challenge. This is one of the ways to do just that for a Grunt and rarely prisoner. Grunts are usually given their rank for being worthless and they need to prove their-self in order to rank up. A day will be set and the tribe gathered to watch. The Grunt or Prisoner preforming must grab their own tail with their teeth and rip it off. Failure to do so will require a higher ranking to step in and finish the job with no rank upgrade as a reward. Tails must be given to the Dame and Sire. Ortus (Rise, Birth) - When a novice's mentor feels they are ready to be promoted, a Ortus is held. It's a trial and passing is required to be promoted onto their actual rank. It's typically done in a span of a week and has two parts to be assessed on. The first is a spar with someone of their future rank; if successful they'll go onto the second and last part. The novice will be blindfolded and given a item to protect, often a feather, bone or tail (varies on rank). They'll be led at least a couple days journey away from the pack's territory. They'll be left and must find their way back home with the item un-damaged. |
Deus Susurro (Diety Whisper) -
Since some Renegades have begun to try to please the Celestials; the spiritual beings have begun to communicate with the pack. Dues Susurro is typically done by the Shaman or the Sire/Dame. Bones, feathers, shells, stones and shards of crystals are normally used and deemed sacred once used within the ritual. The one preforming this will take the objects held inside a upturned top of a skull and drop them on the ground. The placement of the objects will be read into and determine what message is being shared. Audro Vita (Set fire to life) - After one of their own has died a ceremony is held. One that is said to help guide the deceased to the other-wordly plain of the Celestials. The pack is gathered after those close to the deceased have had their final moments to say farewell. It's common for those of higher rankings and ones close to the deceased to paint designs on their-self. Those interested in sending off the individual are gathered and their remains are set on fire. Those gathered will sit around the fire in vigil as the smoke reaches into the sky and their comrade joins the Celestials. Occasionally their ashes will be gathered from the fire and used in the paints for battles. |
Placeo Inferi (To please the dead) -
In order to please their ancestors and the deities they follow, select individuals make sacrifices to the Celestials. A prisoner is normally chosen or it can be a recent victim from hunting. One of these happen once a month normally, but may happen more frequently. The sacrifice is held down as pieces of their skin are torn away into strips. The flesh is given to those participating to eat and blood is used to pain patterns on their pelt. Finally after watching on and enduring the pain; the victim is slaughtered. Their heart is removed and set out as a offering to the Celestials and the pack devours their latest meal. Usually the remaining bones are used by the pack or Shaman for armor or wear. Later the heart is burned to send the smoke up to the Celestials. Proventus (A Growing Up) - After their reveal ceremony is finished announcing the novices and mentors the Proventus occurs. When a pup comes of age to be a novice they are taken out on a hunt with the pack. As the prey is subdued and killed. The novice-to-be may be given the final blow, but it is not needed.. As the pack dines on their kill, the novices' selected mentor will paint on their face or pelt with the blood of their first kill. |