Trials (Wundrous Society)

**"Step Boldly!"**

This article is about **the general background of the trials**. You may be looking for **a specific trial that occurred during Year of One, Third Age of Aristocrats**.
The **Wundrous Society Entrance Trials** were an annual event that consisted of a set of four extremely competitive tasks, three of which changed every year. They were held as elimination-style events to allow only nine children to become Wundrous Society members and study at the Wundrous Society campus.

## Rules and Customs

To have the right to compete in these events in order to attend the Wundrous Society, there were a few conditions that had to be met:

* To be presented as a candidate by a patron (a member of the Wundrous Society)
* To be 11 years old at the beginning of the year
* Have a unique skill (known as a knack)

Each year of trials consisted of three tasks designed to test the candidates' bravery, tenacity, cleverness, resourcefulness, and honesty. These tasks differ from year to year. A fourth task showcased the candidates' special talent. One trial would occur each season in order to give candidates to prepare appropriately for the next, with the Show Trial taking place in the winter.

Some trials, such as the Show Trial, would have candidates perform for a panel of judges, consisting of the current High Council of Elders of the Wundrous Society.

Cheating, though harder to do in some trials, was frowned upon, though it had been known to take place during the history of the trials, usually with a patron giving major 'hints' or 'suggestions.'

The Wundrous Welcome, held before the First Trial, was a traditional part of the Entrance Trials. As a garden party, it allowed patrons and candidates to mingle and make alliances, friends, or even rivals.

## Entrance Trials

### First Three Trials

The first three trials changed from year-to-year. These trials would weed out candidates who may not have possessed qualities that the society deemed important, as well as to cut down on the vast amount of candidates before the final entrance trial. Some known trials include the following:

 Treasure Hunt Trial | Candidates went on a treasure hunt; fun. May have shared aspects with the Chase Trial

### Fourth Trial

The final entrance trial was the Show Trial. This trial is where the candidates got to show off their knack—a talent that made them special. The Wundrous Society High Council of Elders were the judges who decided who would or would not make it into the society. Top scored candidates ranked on a leaderboard of nine placements, showing who may have potentially made it into the society, though lower ranked spots changed frequently throughout the trial, especially early on in the event.

## Final Trial

A fifth and final trial occurred after the nine chosen candidates began attending the Wundrous Society. Known as the Loyalty Trial, this trial was never mentioned until the new unit of nine passed or completed the trial in order for them to remain unaware that it was occurring. As the name suggests, the Loyalty Trial was a trial that showed member's loyalty, not only to the Wundrous Society at large, but more importantly to their own unit of nine. The specifics of the Loyalty Trial changed from unit to unit, year-to-year.

## Appearances

* *Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow* (First appearance)
* *Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow*
* *Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow* (Mentioned only)

## Notes and References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow* Chapter 8 (*Interesting. Useful. Good.*)