PeachLova

Caerme’onn is a Seed of predominantly Mali’ame of what is wildly accepted as the Irrinite culture and people of that race. Split apart and scattered for many years being caught up in the events of the dissolution of the Dominion, the rise and fall of Gladewynn and its successor Alderyn and finally a scion of the Clan settling once more in the lands of the Forest Realm of Irrinor. The scion in question being Artanis Sa’roir of Caerme’onn the son of Abelas Sa’roir of Caerme’onn the Elvenking and High Prince of the Dominion of Malin, in an attempt to gather the remaining members of the Seed together and induct new initiates. 

 

Caerme’onn has a history of producing many leaders and notable elven figures in recent history be them born from the progenitor bloodline of Camoryn or from the later bloodlines of the Clan known as Sa’roir and Kriswynn. Names such as Artimec Caerme’onn the founder of the modern faith and High Prince of the Dominion, Abelas Caerme’onn a famed Druid, Priest and later High Prince and even named a King among the Elves in the Dominion, and now in modern times Chieftains Artanis and Allora Caerme’onn. With such a pedigree of the seed it has seen its highs and lows of membership both in blood and individual members. 

 

The name Caerme’onn itself is derived from the Bloodline of Camoryn which itself is the founder of the Seed but in modern times there are three bloodlines that are attached to the Clan with their own Elder representation, the Bloodlines being Camoryn, Sa’rior, and Kriswynn. 
 

 

The real origins of the Caerme’onn seed are shrouded in mystery, like the history of all seeds. However, what is known is that the name itself as born of a unity between two clans of proto-elves during Malin’s time. A band of elves from the far away continent of Aeldin had migrated away from their homeland for unknown reasons, they landed in the forests of Aegis and soon came into contact with their racial cousins, a Seed whose name is lost to time.

 

This nameless Seed had been close to Malin while the forefather still walked the earth. They held his teachings very closely and revered the Aspects over all else. They took the Aeldinic pilgrims under their wing and taught them how to live by Malin’s code and the Aspect’s teachings. 

 

The Aeldinic elves adapted to the Aspectist faith, they bred into and adopted the traditions and lifestyles of Seed life, they learned to hunt and to plant their own ame’lie. In return, the nameless Seed adopted parts of the Aeldinic elven language. A new seed was born of this union, Caerme’onn. ‘Caerme’ being Aeldinic for ‘destiny’, and ‘onn’ translating into ‘born of’ in Malin’s ancient tongue. 

 

This new seed of Caerme’onn, born of destiny, flourished in the ancient Aegisian forests, the golden age of the ancient seeds. They traded, married and occasionally fought with other ancient Seeds like Beloun, Chirr, and Aureon. During this time they grew to be master hunters, felling the largest and most ferocious of beasts in the name of the great god Cernunnos, the Aspect of the hunt. All the while, they held onto a shred of their Aeldinic roots, speaking a dialect of ancient elven influenced heavily with Aeldinic words. Names such as ‘Caedwen’ and ‘Faeinn’ were commonplace (white forest and flame, respectively in the Aeldin tongue).

 

Like with all Seeds, Caerme’onn made the great migration to the first city of Malinor: Laurelin. It is unknown why this great migration occurred and why the culture of the nomadic Seeds came to an end. Caerme’onn soon faded into obscurity, like all the Seeds did. However, even as its descendents grew more accustomed to city, stationary life across the lands of Aegis and Asulon, they never forgot their roots. Oral tradition was passed down from elf to elf so they would never forget the proud tribe they had once been.

 

The oral tradition became more strained as the wood elves suffered through Anthos and Athera. The race had almost lost all of the culture and traditions they once had, forgot Malin’s true teachings and forgot the Aspects. The same was true for the many descendents of Caerme’onn, who had assimilated into the general elven crowd, their bloodlines diluted into the sea.

Except for one.

 

Artimec was ‘Camoryn’. He was lucky, unlike most descendents of Caerme’onn, his family at least kept the bastardized name that Caerme’onn had gradually evolved into as the elves began speaking the common tongue exclusively. 

 

Artimec was a patriot and a nationalist. He had clung onto the decrepit nation of Malinor in its dying days, trying to salvage something of a respectable elven homeland even as individualism and voidal horrors ruled the streets of its rotten cities. He had founded Lenniel, a town meant to be a rebirth for the wood elven people, only to watch it be flooded by outside races and made into another melting pot, his people and their culture lost again to time. 

 

Failure after failure occurred. Artimec was kept down under the regime of Kalenz, when wood elves lived under high elven oppression, unable to shape his people’s culture in any way. Malinor before that had been far too individualistic, filled with mages and selfish men who cared nothing of nation or culture, plagued with constant raids from humans, spooks and orcs. 

 

Artimec took up leadership of the newly founded nation of Laureh’lin after it was formed in the fires of a rebellion which overthrew high elven power. A few more wars passed, mostly fought against the high elves of Haelun’or. Finally, under the stability of the Orenian Empire, Artimec found the peace he needed to finally bring Malin’s way and the Aspect’s teachings back to the wood elven people. 

 

It took patience. Patience, persistence, blood, sweat, and tears. Eventually Artimec developed a core group of acolytes willing to re-learn ancient Seed culture. This group grew until eventually a majority of the elves of Laureh’lin were Aspectist, following something close to what Aspect worship had been in those tribes of old. Artimec himself became a druid and formed a druidic order dedicated to being priests of the wood elven people- the Naelurir.

 

The religion had been reformed. Artimec was content, but now he had to revive the seeds themselves. He encouraged wood elves everywhere to rediscover their roots, remember their oral traditions, revive their Seeds they were descended from. Of course, not before his own. 

 

Artimec knew his seed had once been proud. His father had passed down the oral traditions to him, after all. He knew his ancestors had once bore the mark of the crimson stag, the icon of Cernunnos. So, he inked his own skin with the jagged scarlet patterns of a stag’s antlers, and did the same to his children. He formally founded the Camoryn Seed. Symbolically, Caerme’onn had been reborn.

 

The Camoryn seed spearheaded the revival movement, with many other elves following its example and reforming their own ancient seeds or forming their own, such as Torena, Calithil, Terin, Aureon and Athri. Despite this, the Camoryns true name had been lost to time. 

 

This would not be forever though, as the man from the seed born of destiny met the hawk-eyed elfess Salhassan by fate. Salhassan was a seed-elf, one of the few descended from those who kept to the forests and did not give up their traditions over the millenia. The pair fell in love, and Salhassan taught Artimec of many old traditions lost to most elves, but still known to her and her kin. She spoke of old tribes such as Beloun, Chirr, and of course, Caerme’onn. The connection was made fairly quickly. 

 

While glad to know his now flourishing seed’s ancestral name, Artimec was reluctant to abandon the surname he had been born with. Tragedy would soon strike with Salhassan’s untimely death. In mourning, the Camoryn seed fell into decline and its members dwindled as even blood-relatives like Toren- Artimec’s son found their own names and own paths. 

 

With the great migration to Axios, the revival movement of the Wood Elven people was now near complete. Artimec had been given the title of Prince for his longstanding leadership of Laureh’lin and the new wood elven city was a shining example of a home built in accordance to the Aspect’s way. The old ame’lie of the seed way. 

 

An elf named Valor had been a longtime friend and comrade of Artimec. His own seed, To’las, had recently been disbanded. This was the catalyst which led to the final rebirth. Taking Valor under his wing, Artimec decided no longer to sit complacently as his own Seed dwindled while others he had inspired to grow flourished. It was time to regrow his tribe, to weed out the unworthy and integrate the strong. This time, he would bring back his true roots. Camoryn was put aside. 

 

Caerme’onn was formed once more and lived through the ages of Vailor as that continent was abandoned becoming the Princely Seed for some time and in the years of Axios the Chieftain Artimec became High Prince of the Dominion of Malin for a time before abdicating in favour of Tristan Tresury in the face of renewed conflict between the Dominion’s allies in the Fifth Horenic Empire and dissatisfied human rebels supported by most nonhuman nations in the world. 

 

During the Seeds years in the continent of Axios a newly inducted Naelurir Priest known as Abelas Sa’roir would be inducted into the Clan being subjected to the many trials that those not of the Bloodline of Camoryn were expected to undergo, eventually rising to becoming one of the Elders of Caerme’onn and becoming the effective leader of the Naelurir due to his experience in practising the faith and upholding his Druidic vows, being highly respected amongst the greater Druidic Order at large. It was during these years in which the total number of the Caerme’onn would fluctuate however the Seed itself would remain among those considered Noble during the later years of Axios.

 

The Seed itself maintained mostly neutrality with the two most prominent members being Artimec and Abelas staying out of the Bronze Rebellion that sought to unseat the Aureon Hegemony that had taken seat in the Dominion. Kairn Calithil of Clan Ithelanen had lead this conflict with many prominent Elven figures behind him, it almost threatened to spiral out into an international conflict but cooler heads prevailed and the Dominion was made whole once more with the recognition of Awaiti Aureon as High Princess. Caerme’onn simply remained on the sidelines and practised and preached the faith as they had done so for centuries, avoiding the complexity of the Elven Court. 

 

As the Dominion transitioned into the age of Atlas it found itself growing into a state that had not since before seen for Elvendom, perhaps surpassing the days of Malin himself. In this time Abelas would find himself rising in political prominence due to taking an active role in having the faith influence the morality and government of the Dominion. Though he was considered a moderate by many when it came to his religious morality, he was gaining the attention of Awaiti and her later successor to the Ironwood Throne Belestram Sylvaeri. 

 

Abelas put himself forward as a candidate to be a successor to the High Prince though he himself wouldn’t find support outside of the Lady of Irrinir the former High Princess Awaiti, the two other candidates being Loriens Silma and Kairn Ithelanen. Loriens won by a small margin and by having the support of the Bureaucracy of the Dominion with the Treasurer and Stewardry voting for him. Abelas returned to the duties in the Naelurir though had earned the scorn of Loriens, Kairn left the Dominion itself in something of an outrage due to frustration he and many others had in the succession system set in place and the apparent plans to strengthen the bureaucracies grip on Government.

 

However this would not last as it would seem Loriens blundered himself into diplomatic embarrassment and insulted a Prince of Renatus in their own Capital and found himself wounded in his escape from them. It only took but a few days for the Naelurir influenced by Abelas and many prominent citizens to call for Kairn to return and so he did, effectively ending Loriens reign as High Prince in all but name until it was decided Kairn would become High Prince in the face of renewed conflict with the Orcs of Krugmar. 

 

The conflict was long and brutal not due to the amount of decisive battles but by in large due to the fact that both sides refused to commit large armies to the field, small scale skirmishing and the construction of border fortifications. Abelas and Artimec found themselves fighting for their people once again, though the former was taking a more active role in planning defences, being the main advocate for building the massive Castle of Talarehsae the first line in the defence of the Dominion. The Conflict drew to an abrupt end when after a long line of Rex’s from Clan Lak met their ends at the blade of Kairn Ithelanen, the last of which died in a duel that decided the fate of both nations.

 

Kairn declared himself King of the Dominion and of Elves and named Abelas as his High Prince, bringing Caerme’onn once more back to the Princely status it enjoyed under Artimec and most citizens of the Dominion assuming that Abelas was being groomed to become the next leader of the Dominion of Malin. During this time Kairn would lead the armies of the Dominion and Abelas would be the dutiful administrator, organising the Council and Priesthood of the nation effectively leading to the nation becoming De Facto Aspectist aside from the Dark Elves.

 

It would appear that peace and prosperity reigned over for the Elves of the Dominion with their stalwart defender in Ithelanen and their ruler in Caerme’onn. So much so that Kairn abdicated his throne and a Kingsmoot was held in which Abelas was unanimously voted in to become the next Mortal King of the Dominion, though he styled himself as the Elvenking rather than the King of Elves as not to offend Malin whom his Seed had looked up to in the many centuries of its existence. Outside of banditry and human fanatics that would attempt to attack the Dominion there was almost no war to speak of.

 

Re-enter Sylvaeri, the former High Prince Belestram had returned to the Dominion after a long absence, though his son Faenor had remained and diligently served in the Military. Seeking to become prominent he would petition the Court to form a diplomatic corps for the Elves, while seemingly a noble motive his presence resparked old political elements of the Elven Court and divisioned began to be sowed between factions within, however Abelas managed to keep them united and most importantly peaceful as not to shed blood in the sacred halls of Elvenesse. 

 

Belestram Sylvaeri had began weaving his diplomatic skills to begin the foundations of an alliance that itself would reshape the fabric and dominance of the political players in the world. Seeking to create an alliance like none had seen in centuries between the Urguanite Dwarves and Elves of the Dominion in seeking to dismantle the Mountain Monarchy of the Frostbeards and restore Urguan to power, with the help of the armies of Elvenesse. King Abelas and many Courtiers were weary of re-entering a state of war after decades of fighting the Orcs, with even Kairn Ithelanen unwilling to go to war despite his prowess in command.

 

Abelas told Belestram in plain terms that the only way he can consider this alliance and going to war again would be to secure either Renatus’s support of this cause or at least its neutrality along with another strong Military ally to ensure a quick and decisive campaign. Belestram managed to bring a strong ally to the fold in the then independent Kingdom of Haense and then stated to the Elven Court that he had indeed secured Imperial Neutrality in the conflict, ensuring that it would be a war between Frostbeards and whatever Orcs of Krugmar they could attain. 

 

The Pact was signed and Belestram basked in a glorious moment of diplomatic triumph while the Caerme’onn Elvenking would sigh knowing he had ensured his people would once more see the horrors of war. The elation of the Pro-War camp in the Dominion was however short lived as Sylvaeri had awoke the Dragon and it was made clear that Belestram had never even met an Renatian official. In light of communications with the Court in Renatus the Elvenking Abelas immediately bypassed his ambassadors and secured a pact with the Frostbeards, effectively dissolving the Elder Alliance Pact that Belestram had toiled over. 

 

Urguanite Dwarves made their way to the City to petition the Elven Monarch to reconsider his decision, some of which were armed and it is suspected Belestram let them in this way. After heated debates within the Palace of the Dominion a Dwarf challenged Abelas to a duel to settle this apparent grudge, the Royal champion Cassius Ithelanen stepped forth to accept but was told to step back, as the King wished to fight the duel himself. After a long battle in the Elven throne room with Dwarven spectators and horrified Courtiers the King died at the end of Dwarven steel. But not before Belestram Sylvaeri told the Dwarf who had the Caerme’onn King at his knees “Do with him as you will” sparking the fuse that would cause a schism between the ‘ame. 

 

So the Caerme’onn’s era while short lived as Royalty came to a close, with their King leaving behind three sons and a legacy of peace. However the death sparked a schism that itself lead to an Elven Civil War for the ‘ame which itself did not see an end for many decades. The Seed itself was left in tatters as a result of this, split apart and weakened, Aelin Caerme’onn became the Chieftess and would bring the Clan together for a time joining the Dominion Successor State of Gladewynn in which she attempted to rebuild what was lost in the years of chaos after Abelas’s death. 

 

Successful in many regards she managed to increase the Seed’s membership and won herself an honoured place with the Ithelanens in Gladewynn and later its own successor of Alderyn. The Seed would find itself as the second most prominent in these States behind its ruler in Ithelanen, however both states were in decline as the Elven Schism would worsen and the wounds that divided the Wood Elves deepened. While they would enjoy a position of luxury and prominence in one State it was still seen as something of a decline. Chieftess Aelin would marry her counterpart in Ithelanen and create something of a Union between the Seeds, though many in both camps weren’t happy with the arrangement.

 

This Union of the Seeds would break apart when Chieftess Aelin’s husband would leave her at the behest of the Elders of his Clan and divorce her when he took up the mantle of Prince of Alders. This act distressed the Caerme’onn Chieftess to a great extent, her love, her children all cast aside due to family politics. When Alderyn formed the Elven Union with all the other Elven States barring Haelun’or it had upset the diplomatic power structure the Empire of Mankind had established and caused Imperial aggression towards Alderyn, with Aelin naming herself the rightful Princess of Alderyn along with her bloodline.

 

This act itself effectively shattered the Clan once again, splitting many opinions, to be loyal to the Chieftess or to the wider Wood Elven people. Artanis Sa’roir of Caerme’onn the son of the Elvenking would take as many of the Mali’ame as he could with him and strike out on his own, seeking to create a new home for his people and the culture he had surrounded himself in from his youth. Forming the Forest Realm of Irrinor with the Seeds of Arvellon, Aureon, Csarathaire, Tresery, Taliame’onn and Ithelanen, Artanis would serve as Prince in the original Diarchy within Irrinor along with Avius Csarathaire. 

 

The City itself would be built in phases and eventually finding itself complete, with the Seeds now all having a home within the Forest Realm, it began well for the youthful Princes. Eventually both Artanis Caerme'onn and Avius Csarathaire would step down, with Lyemar Aureon taking their place as High Prince. Artanis continued to lead clan Caerme’onn into a new age under Prince Lyemar’s leadership. Though the effects of his stepping down heavily bore on the seed, as they yet again faced another decline. It would not be until Allora Caerme’onn, a bloodless member formally initiated by former Chieftess Aelin, stepped up to become Chieftain alongside Artanis. 

 

With Artanis’ help, Chieftess Allora would bring the clan into a reform that brought a new set of values well fitted with modern times. She would introduce the rite of Bolormormaa, one which was based around the core values of motherhood and protection. The clan would delve into preserving mali’ame culture, and that of their own, through craftsmanship, the arts, and hunt. And in fear of the disconnected members of Caerme’onn claiming leadership of the seed, Chieftain Artanis would cement his bloodline and claim by naming his son, Abelas II, his heir. Chieftess Allora would also secure her name and position by establishing the bloodline Kriswynn and naming her great-grandson, Maruthir Kriswynn, her heir. 

 

Now in modern times, Chieftains Allora and Artanis stand as prominent figureheads of the Irrinite state. Artanis by being the former prince, and Allora by being the High Steward of the Forest Realm and member of its Oaken Council. 

 

 

AMAETHON

Amaethon the Prince of Stags, representing fatherhood, justice, compassion and royalty under the Wild Faith’s Pantheon. Being the Father Stag he represents the head of the Herd which reflectsa a half of Caerme’onn as stalwart defenders of the mali’ame. 

BOLOMORMAA

Bolomormaa the Bear Mother and Princess of all Ursine, she who represents motherhood and guardianship under the Wild Faith’s Pantheon. Being the Mother Bear she represents the protector of the Herd which reflects the other half of Caerme’onn who have sworn preserve mali’ame culture. 

 

 

 

The Clan follows two internal rites which form a dual Chieftainship for the Greater Clan so that Fatherhood and Motherhood has equal representation and that balance is found for the Greater Clan itself. Creating a Diarchy style of leadership within the Clan itself allowing for greater push for influence within Irrinite Society.

 

Amaethon Rite: The Amaethon Rite of the Clan originates from the founding philosophies of the Clan, representing by in large the ancient traditions of the Caerme’onns. Taking the role of Huntsmen, Philosophers, Priests and Warriors tackling their problems head on with a stern form of compassion.

Bolormormaa Rite: The Bolomormaa Rite of the Clan originates of new philosophy founded upon the ideals of motherhood and familial protection. They take similar roles as to that of the Amaethon Rite, with a much stronger emphasis on what it means to guide from the sidelines as one of Bolomormaa should. 

 

 

The elves of the Caerme’onn seed hold some values above all else. While only Artimec and Artanis’s Bloodlines claim ancestry with the clan, all those who hold the Caerme’onn name are expected to uphold the values their ancient counterparts once lived by.

PIETY

“Our gods are the Aspects, for they are the sea and the sky, the great mountains and the wide plains, the forests and all the beasts that roam within it. They are all, and we are beholden to their will.”

 

Aspectism is extremely important to all elves of the Caerme’onn Seed, and all elves within it are expected to be devout followers of the religion. The Aspects hold a huge part in Caerme’onn life, with both elders being druids of the Naelurir- priests who guide the wood elven people. 

 

The Caerme’onn Seed practices ritual offering to the Aspects, leaving many a gift to their gods before the sacrificial braziers and shrines erected across the wood elven city. These offerings are left before a hunt, before childbirth, and other situations that require deific blessings.

 

LOYALTY

“A wolf is a fearsome beast, a proud creature. It has reason to be proud, for it is one of Cernunno’s apex predators. Yet, a lone wolf will quickly find itself starving. Wolves may be haughty, they may be fierce, but they know that the strength of their kind is in the pack.”

 

Elves of the Caerme’onn seed must first care for the seed, and the elven people as a whole, before any one individual. To jeopardize the safety of the seed or the nation for the sake of one man is considered selfish, and elves of Caerme’onn are expected to know when to sacrifice themselves should their lives come at the cost of the pack.

 

The traditions, culture and prosperity of both the Caerme’onn and the wood elves as a whole must be protected at all costs, and no elf of Caerme’onn is above this duty, even if carrying it out leads to their death.

 

LEADERSHIP

“We are the shepherds.”

 

Initiative is a key trait of the Caerme’onn. Leadership is highly valued, as Caerme’onn is considered to be the spearhead in the revival movement of all ancient seed culture, at least in the eyes of its own members. After all, Caerme’onn was the first Seed to be formally re-founded during the beginning of the cultural revolution in early Vailor. 

 

All elves of Caerme’onn are expected to provide some leading role in the wood elven people. They can do this by joining the Naelurir- elven priests that teach the commonfolk of the Aspects, by working their way up the ranks in the warriors of Sirame, or taking up other highly sought after societal roles such being the head of a healing clinic. 

 

Caerme’onn tribesmen and women must know when to stop and listen, however. Leadership is as much knowing your betters and seniors and respecting the chain of command, as it is guiding those younger and lower in rank than you.

 

STRENGTH

“We must be swift as a coursing river, with all the strength of a force typhoon, with all the strength of a raging fire, mysterious as the dark side of the moon.” 

 

The elves of the Caerme’onn Seed value strength in all its forms. Naturally, all its members must learn to be proficient in combat. The men must learn the way of the blade, the spear, and the tomahawk. Women are expected to learn to be deadly with a knife, although swordplay is not discouraged. Both are required to master marksmanship and hand-to-hand fighting. 

 

A Caerme’onn’s physical strength is often judged by their prowess in the hunt. The larger the game, the harsher the terrain, the more honor he brings himself and his seed. Women are less pressured to hunt, instead of being asked to show mental strength. Calm minds and calm hearts as they serve as diplomats, healers and mothers.

 

Indeed, the strength of the mind is equally valued in both men and women of the Seed. All Caerme’onn are expected to carry themselves respectfully, to not bend to petty insults nor dole them out themselves, to be mature and refrain from acts of heated emotion, to have a cool, calm and sensible heart.

 

GUARDIANSHIP
“Ensuring that a nation’s culture resides in the hearts and souls of its people is protecting it from outside forces who wish to crush its foundation.” 

 

It is of utmost importance that the men and women of Caerme’onn dedicate themselves to preserving the precious culture and history of the mali’ame.  As time continues to pass, wood elven roots will continue to find themselves buried and trampled by those who undermine them. Therefore, all Caerme’onn must commit themselves to conserve what the wood elven people hold dear through whatever means are necessary. They will serve as the men and women who further mali’ame craft and hunt by guiding those who wish to do the same. 

 

 

When the Clan was first founded only those of the Camoryn Bloodline could join, though when Artimec refounded the Seed in the Dominion of Malin he allowed those who were not otherwise born into the clan to join. Now the Clan is for all Elves to join so long as they can prove themselves enough to a Chieftain. Most undergo trials, though Elves of particular renown and skill can be immediately inducted into the Clan.

 

Trial of Faith

The initiate is taught rigorously of the Aspects, what they stand for, and why their worship is so critical to the seed and to the wood elven people. The initiate must pass this trial by offering up an item of great value to the sacrificial brazier, burning it in the name of the Aspects and explaining the significance of its sacrifice to the Seed Elders. The initiate must also swear an oath to always worship the two gods of nature and never hold any deities above them. 

 

Trial of Tradition

The initiate should endulge on the things that the Mali’ame have been raised from. It is required that they raise an animal from birth to be their companion. Craft their own weapons. Find or create their own shelter. Erect a shrine in the name of the Aspects. It is up to the initiate to decide what old tradition to show prowess in, and the elders to judge if their efforts are worthy.

 

Trial of Knowledge

The initiate is encouraged to talk to Elder elves, to learn of the history of the Mali. Then write a thesis on a significant period of elven history of his/her choice and explain the lessons learned from it.

 

Trial of Endurance

The initiate is taken to the base of a high mountain and given a pack full of stones. He is to climb that mountain under the watchful eye of an elder. If he falters or gives up, he is not worthy to join the seed.

Trial of Hunt

The initiate is sent off into the deep forest in search of a monster or beast of extravagant notability. To succeed this trial, he must behead it and bring it back as a trophy. The other parts of the beast must be put to use, its hides worn, its bones sacrificed to the Aspects. Wastefulness will lead to the failure of this trial.

 

Trial of Fear

The initiate’s mind is warped with the drug of cacti or nightsap, and left at the peak of a mountain with absolutely nothing but a bone knife at his side. He will be watched carefully by elders, and must survive for a week while disoriented and far from wilderness. If he is unable, he will be collected and returned home, but deemed unfit for the Caerme’onn.

 

Trial of Pain

The initiate must show his capacity to endure physical suffering for the Seed, and is chained to a post and flogged with a baton, the elders judge how worthy he/she is by how much pain he can endure. At any point, the initiate can call for the beating to stop, but if they call for it too soon, they are deemed unworthy. Those who endure the pain until the elders themselves decide to halt earn their place in the seed.

Trial of Worth

The initiate must defeat on of the Elders in one on one combat. This is the final trial where the initiate proves his newfound strength and his passion. If he is able to defeat the elder, he finally earns his place among the Caerme’onn.

The Initiation Ceremony

 

Once the trials are passed, the new tribesman of the Caerme’onn seed is taken to sacred ground. Usually, this means a fae ring or a site of Aspectist shrines. There, their skin is injected with crimson ink in the shape of a stag’s antlers- the crimson horns are the ilmyumier of the Seed.  The tribesman is allowed to choose where they wish to bare their tattoos, but to bare them in a place out of view or commonly covered up with clothing is considered highly disrespectful. To have the tattoo be too small and insignificant is too. 

Traditionally, most Caerme’onn wear the inking on their left arm, which is kept sleeveless so it can be displayed.