Fighter Ceremony

A **fighter ceremony** is performed in which an apprentice finally gets their fighter name and becomes a full-fledged fighter of their Tribe.

## Process

An apprenticeship usually lasts six moons or more. Once a mentor is satisfied with their apprentice's progress and skills, they recommend them to the leader of the Tribe.

If the Tribe leader is satisfied with the apprentice, they call a Tribe meeting and call the apprentice forward. The following words are used, by tradition:

Leader: *I, (Leader), leader of the Tribe of (Name), call upon my ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble laws, and I commend them to you as a fighter in their turn.*
Leader: *(Apprentice), do you promise to uphold the Tribe Law and to protect and defend your Tribe, even at the cost of your life?*
Apprentice: *I do.*
Leader: *Then by the powers of the Tribe of Endless Hunting, I give you your full name. (Apprentice), from this moment on you will be known as (new name). The Ancestors honor your (virtues), and we welcome you as a full fighter of (Tribe).*
The leader rests their muzzle on the apprentice's head, and the former apprentice licks the leader's shoulder. The new fighter must sleep and share tongues with The Ancestors.

Occasionally, these extra lines are added at the beginning:

Leader: *(Mentor), has your apprentice, (apprentice), learned the skills of a fighter? Do they understand the importance of the Tribe Law?*

Mentor: *They have.*

This is only used in some cases, though not under specific circumstances. Usually, it depends on what the leader feels like saying, or how the leader has been taught the ceremony goes.

### Virtues

During the apprentice's fighter ceremony, two major virtues of the apprentice are listed; the first is usually (but not always) courage. Some examples of virtues (and the fighters they described):

* Bravery -
* Courage -
* Cleverness -
* Commitment -
* Compassion -
* Dedication -
* Determination –
* Energy -
* Enterprise -
* Enthusiasm –
* Fighting skill -
* Forethought –
* Honesty –
* Independence –
* Initiative -
* Intelligence –
* Kindness -
* Loyalty –
* Patience –
* Resilience-
* Skill –
* Skill in battle –
* Skill in hunting -
* Speed -
* Spirit –
* Strategy –
* Strength –
* The way they have carefully thought out where they belong –
* Thoughtfulness -
* Warmth -
* Wisdom -

# Hunter Ceremony

  A **hunter ceremony** is performed in which an apprentice finally gets their hunter name and becomes a full-fledged hunter of their Tribe.

## Process

An apprenticeship usually lasts six moons or more. Once a mentor is satisfied with their apprentice's progress and skills, they recommend them to the leader of the Tribe.

If the Tribe leader is satisfied with the apprentice, they call a Tribe meeting and call the apprentice forward. The following words are used, by tradition:

Leader: *I, (Leader), leader of the Tribe of (Name), call upon my ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble laws, and I commend them to you as a hunter in their turn.*
Leader: *(Apprentice), do you promise to uphold the Tribe Law and to feed and defend your Tribe, even at the cost of your life?*
Apprentice: *I do.*
Leader: *Then by the powers of the Tribe of Endless Hunting, I give you your full name. (Apprentice), from this moment on you will be known as (new name). The Ancestors honor your (virtues), and we welcome you as a full hunter of (Tribe).*
The leader rests their muzzle on the apprentice's head, and the former apprentice licks the leader's shoulder. The new hunter must sleep and share tongues with the Ancestors.

Occasionally, these extra lines are added at the beginning:

Leader: *(Mentor), has your apprentice, (apprentice), learned the skills of a hunter? Do they understand the importance of the Tribe Law?*

Mentor: *They have.*

This is only used in some cases, though not under specific circumstances. Usually, it depends on what the leader feels like saying, or how the leader has been taught the ceremony goes.

### Virtues

During the apprentice's hunter ceremony, two major virtues of the apprentice are listed. Some examples of virtues (and the hunters they described):

* Bravery -
* Courage -
* Cleverness -
* Commitment -
* Compassion -
* Dedication -
* Determination –
* Energy -
* Enterprise -
* Enthusiasm –
* Fighting skill -
* Forethought –
* Honesty –
* Independence –
* Initiative -
* Intelligence –
* Kindness -
* Loyalty –
* Patience –
* Resilience-
* Skill –
* Skill in battle –
* Skill in hunting -
* Speed -
* Spirit –
* Strategy –
* Strength –
* The way they have carefully thought out where they belong –
* Thoughtfulness -
* Warmth -
* Wisdom -

## Dying Apprentice Ceremony

When an apprentice is on the verge of death and has proven themselves to be worthy of a fighter or hunter name, there is a special ceremony used so that the apprentice may take a full name to the Tribe of Endless Hunting.

Leader: *I ask my ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have learned the Tribe Law and given up their life in the service of their Tribe. Please receive them as a fighter/hunter. They will be known as (new name).*