THE RITUAL OF BLOOD

[GoodGuyMatt 7066]

 

DAS RITUAL DES BLUTS

THE RITUAL OF BLOOD

Issued by the Herzog of Minitz

in the year of our Lord 1902

 

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SÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON MINITZ,

 

The prospective who his trials underwent, shall thus be ready to be called a Reinmaren. As they shall accept the culture of our people as their own, so too shall they accept our blood as their own. Before the Herzog they shall emerge, and as such, before all the Reinmaren of the realm. His palm shall be cut, and his blood conjoined with the Herzog’s own upon the warrior’s shake, one traditional to our people. 

 

Thus, after accepting the words and blood of the Reinmaren, a new name they shall be allowed to choose for themselves, one of Reinmaren or Waldenian origin, so that they may emerge anew:

• If so they wish, the newly oathed tribesman may select a new name to be called by, thus embracing the tongue of the Reinmaren. If not, their old name they can hold.
• If the tribesman is willing to join one of the Tribes of Minitz, thus they can change their surname to the tribe’s secondary name. If the Chieftain of the tribe so has allowed, the tribesman will hold this name until they undergo the trials of the tribe and join it.
• The tribesman who wishes not to join a Tribe of Minitz shall acquire the suffix “von Minitz”, to be recognized as one of his motherland.
   

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PREPARATIONS

 

Before the Ritual begins, the Herzog of Minitz, accompanied by two Reinmaren tribesmen shall adorn traditional Reinmaren clothing. The accompanying tribesmen shall assume the roles of the Dolchmeister (Common: The Master of the Dagger) and the Chanter each, and will both wear the traditional tribal clothes, covering their faces and figures from head to toe. The Dolchmeister, shall hold the ceremonial Blood Dagger, whilst the Chanter lightly chants Reinmaren hymns of old.

 

The Herzog shall adorn different clothing from the other two tribesmen. His face, however, must remain covered, for his person will symbolize the Reinmaren people as a whole, a people not bound only by their facial features, but most importantly by their traditions and lifestyle.

The Herzog and those who shall accompany him will stand in front of the Tribesman to be oathed, preferably on a higher podium. The Herzog will stand at the front, whilst the other two will flank him, one holding the dagger. The Tribesman shall remain in front of the trio, standing up with a straight posture. Thus can the Ritual of Blood Begin.

 

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THE RITUAL

 

As the ritual begins, the Chanter begins singing Reinmaren chants of old. The Herzog remains at the front, his head covered. His figure turns towards the Dolchmeister standing to his side. The Herzog commands “Bring forth the Blood Dagger”

 

The Dolchmeister does so, extending the Dagger towards the Herzog.

 

The Herzog turns to the Tribesman in front of him, and, with the dagger, cuts his palm to the point where blood flows out somewhat. He then extends the cut palm towards the tribesman, and speaks “This is my blood. This is the blood of Reinmar and the blood of our people. Through this wound flows the same blood that flowed from Chieftain Theoderic's wounds, and those of Wilheim Barclay. Do you accept this blood as if it were your own? Do you accept it as if it flowed through your own veins from your birth?”

 

The Tribesman replies “Your blood shall be my own”

 

The Herzog continues “Do you accept the customs of Reinmar as your own? Do you accept its people as your own?”

 

The Tribesman replies “With all my heart”

 

The Dolchmeister asks the Tribesman the following questions, one by one:

“Will you respect the mountains and rivers?”

“Will you respect your blood and family?”

“Will you imprint your glory and honor?”

“Will you respect your forefathers?”

“Will you value your grand history?”

 

The Tribesman replies to each one of the questions “I shall”

 

The Herzog then descends the podium going in front of the tribesman. “Then bring forth your palm, [Name], so that you may bleed as I bled. So you may bleed as Reinmar has bled"

 

The Tribesman thus extends his palm, which is cut by the Herzog similarly to how he cut his own beforehand. 

 

The Herzog then extends his hand for a Reinmaren warrior’s shake, gripping at the partner’s wrist instead of their palm.

 

The Tribesman returns the shake, similarly gripping onto the Herzog’s wrist.

 

The Herzog: “Thus has our blood become one, thus have you become a son of Reinmar. One of us. Thus have you been rebirthed. What name do you choose for yourself, son of Reinmar?”

 

The Tribesman: “[New name]”

 

The Herzog: “Thus as you came forth [Name], you emerge a Son/Daughter of Minitz and all of Reinmaria. Keep your oath close to your heart, for it is your first Schwur. Respect it, and it will bring glory to you, break it, and it will break you.”

 

The Chanter ceases chanting, the ritual concludes.

 

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GOTT MIT UNS,

 

His Grace, Leon Brandt Barclay Herzog von Minitz KRE, GMSTSR 

Duke of Minitz, Count of Neu Brandthof, Viscount of Tucay, Baron of Boriënwald and Brandthof, Lord of Durres, Harvest Lord, Protector of the Aaunic Heartlands, High Chieftain of the Reinmaren