Lindwurm is a massive world, inhabited by a plethora of races and different cultures, each one interacting with their environment, understanding the world, or constructing their worldview in their own way.
You're already familiar with several of the major nations featured in our wargame, Warcrow. In this article, we've compiled some of the most famous ceremonies and traditions of three of them: the Hegemony of Embersig, the Sÿenann, and the Northern Tribes. This way, you can learn a bit more about these three nations from the accounts of those who witnessed their rise as nations. We have none other than Rodrigo García and Silvia Pato—the minds behind Warcrow's fluff—and V, Coordinator of the Development Team responsible for the wargame.
Who better than them to show you a bit more about our nations?
Inauguration of New Doctors from the Hegemony of Embersig
The Solemn Inauguration of New Doctors is the most emotional event in the academic calendar of the Faculty of Magic. With this Solemn Act—celebrated on the day of the death of Lhendor (the original builder of the Faculty of Magic)—elves who have successfully passed the test to become Doctors, the highest academic degree one can aspire to, receive the symbols of their new status.
This ceremony takes place in the large open esplanade of the gardens of the Faculty of Magic because, although the number of doctors is usually small, it's a public event that attracts a large number of onlookers, not just their families. In fact, there are people who visit Arkhadja every year just to witness this popular ceremony. Even though it takes place outdoors, the mages of the Faculty of Magic ensure that the sky is clear and the temperature is pleasant.
During the Solemn Act, the New Doctors receive, in this order, the following items: White silk gloves, presented by the Headmaster, indicating the care with which they must handle magic from then onwards. An unvarnished oak staff, presented by a Professor, indicates the strength of their minds after passing this test. A cloak whose color represents their magical discipline is imposed on their shoulders by the thesis advisor of each New Doctor, indicating their commitment to the advancement of knowledge.
What very few know is that on the same night as that event, another ceremony—much more secret and intimate—takes place. This act, held in the Primordial Hall around which the Faculty of Magic was built (in what was once the dual priory of Arkhadja), the New Doctors receive a small medal that represents their service to the cause of the Aestari above any other personal motivation. They must never part with it.
The Sÿenann and their Sacred Trees
As one would expect from a culture that practices dendrolatry, the Sacred Trees, called Sÿena, are at the core of Sÿenann society. At birth, each Sÿenann is assigned a tree to which they'll be bound for their whole life, and which will shelter their soul when they pass away. However, the ceremony only takes place when they reach adulthood, binding the Sÿenann to their Sÿena.
Upon reaching a quarter of a century, each Sÿenann is given absolute responsibility for the care and defense of their tree during an emotional ceremony celebrated by the Grand Druid of their lineage. In this ceremony, the bonded Sÿena throws a gift at their feet, which can consist of a fruit or a branch, among other things. It seems that sometimes the Sacred Tree waits for the Sÿenann to reach a century of age, another significant milestone in the life of the forest elves, to present them with their gift.
Since Sÿena are magic-infused trees, their gifts are also magical. Their fruits can grant fantastic properties, from healing mortal wounds to enhancing the ability to open portals that connect Sÿenann lineages. Branches can be used to craft Lindwurm's lightest and deadliest spears, arrows that return to their owners after being shot, or armor that's immune to the metal weapons wielded by humans. Additionally, the leaves can be used to make cloaks that allow some Sÿenann to turn into shadows.
The bond between the Sÿenann and their tree persists even if the elf perishes. The last ritual in a Sÿenann's life is to be buried at the feet of their Sÿena, so that it may embrace their spirit for eternity. This is why the Sÿena are so valuable to the elves of the Great Forest: they're receptacles in which their ancestors live on. In fact, the loss of a Sÿena is punished with exile, regardless of the cause of the Sacred Tree's death.
Due to their low number, the druids consider the emergence of new Sÿena in the world (which coincides with the beginning of the new magic cycle) as an omen. The Sÿenann strive to locate them, protect them, and annex them to the forest.
Coming of Age in the Northern Tribes
If there's a tradition that reached our day and age from time immemorial in the Northern Tribes, that is the Totem Ceremony, exclusively celebrated by the varank when one of their own reaches the age of twelve. At that moment, the tribe's shaman and tattoo artist perform a ritual under the hypnotic beat of drums, revealing the spirit of the animal that dwells within the young varank.
This spirit will grant them unique features as a warrior. This tattoo, known as the Totem Spirit, will be the most special among the many that they will immortalize on their skin throughout their life. Studying the tattoos on a varank's body is the same as reading their biography.
On the other hand, orcs reach adulthood around the age of fifteen. Tradition dictates that it is then that young orcs must decide their fate. After all, orcish society strongly advocates the idea that each individual should behave according to their nature, fully embracing the present.
While at that age most orcs choose to stay with the tribe, some others' rebellious spirit urges them to leave everything behind. These are called Outcasts, and their decision is fully supported by the rest of the tribe. They depart eagerly to find their place in other families or challenges. Some even become fearless lone warriors, the very ones who'll end up becoming the thing of myths and legends, like the stories told by the varank at night by the light of the fire.
