Patron

Patrons are the big moving forces in Tairnadal culture. Every elf is given a patron when they turn 60 years old

So the patron ritual thing which I may actually come up with a name for (I have now, uh it’s the Choosing because I’m uncreative) happens on the first of Therendor every year. It is an event that takes place in what may have normally been a welcoming of spring and it lasts about one week. In this ceremony, they take everyone who has turned 60 (which is the only birthday they really celebrate since 750 celebrations is a lot. I’ll explain what they do though in a bit) since the last of these festivals and bring them together. It starts out with a large feast of a mix of berries and any meat from recent hunts. There is always a speech given by the elders explaining the importance of a bond between an elf and their patron. That every elf has a duty to fulfill and that is to live like their patron did because they brought honor to the elves so living like them would bring honor and glory again. The festivals go well into the night though those receiving their patrons tend to head to bed early because the next four days are the recipients showing off so that the patrons can make their choices, even though most believe they have been watching since the moment they were born. So the first day starts with a large hunting game, the older guards and rangers act like prey and hide in the woods hiding and attacking recipients as the recipients run into these fake hunting grounds trying to each take down their own ranger or swords person to impress any patrons. The next day is more formal than the last, the next day is a show of swordsmanship. There is a large championship held where slowly everyone is eliminated until one is left, the idea is to catch the eye of an old swords person. The next day is a day of archery, a competition of accuracy and precision to catch the eye of an old ranger. The next day is a day of hand-to-hand combat to prove even when weaponless they are a fierce warrior. The day before the actual choosing is a day of prayer to both the patrons and the gods that they may be chosen by a patron who may help them fulfill their greatest potential, there is also a cleansing bath that is traditional to take in their own home right before the dawn of the final day. So the day of the Choosing everyone puts on their finest armor with regalia of their highest ranking immediate family member in an attempt to both impress and show their lineage. One by one each one comes up and kneels before the elders as they pray over them. They wait for a patron to present themselves. Once they do each one goes home to celebrate in their own homes.

Let’s talk about the 60th birthday celebration. It marks a readiness to begin to take on the true responsibilities that every elf must carry. They have been trained to the best of their teachers’ abilities and understand the duties that they are expected to now carry out. Now birthday celebrations are more a familial matter but they generally follow the same traditions. They start the day with a presentation in front of the elders stating that the elf has now reached their 60th year. The elders then welcome them and once again reiterate the responsibilities this now means they have and duties expected of them. The elf must acknowledge this but then they return home. The celebrations at home include music and storytelling. The closest family and friends are invited to celebrate with one another. It ends with the retelling of the story of the old elves journey to what we know as Aerenal.