Ceremonies
Mateship
The Casa di Cavalieri version of a marriage ceremony is led by the Leadership or a close friend of the couple. Within the pack, family and relationships are extremely important and the future of the pack depends upon mateships. It is expected that guests and the couple arrive at the ceremony looking their best, however, clothes are optional. The ceremony is unscripted, consisting of the exchanging of vows. Sometimes the couple may choose to represent their mateship through a piece of jewelry. If a couple is not interested in a mateship ceremony, they may simply seek the blessing of Leadership to become officially mates. Although Casa di Cavalieri historically has no issues with same sex mateship, relationship types outside of monogamy may be frowned upon if shared publicly.
Mates wishing to end their partnership must receive permission ICly from the Leadership, who will ensure that the separation will be on the best terms possible for the good of the pack. Having children with another who is not your character's official mate while still in a mateship, is considered against Casa's Laws, as it promotes weakness in the family relationship and may cause future conflict within the pack.
Apprenticeship Ceremony
When a new litter reaches approximately shifting age (4-7 months of age) a ceremony is held in their honor to announce a Mentor for each youth. This signifies the start of the pups' education process. The Apprenticeship Ceremony is a good way of introducing each youth to all pack members.
For more information on Apprentices and Mentors, see our related page.
First Blood Ceremony
The First Blood Ceremony is a coming-of-age celebration for youths entering into the adult ranks at 1 year of age. The ceremony is a test of physical skill where each youth is matched against an opponent in a mock fight; the ceremony is held anywhere in the territory. Only close combat weapons or tooth-and-claw fighting is permitted as members are expected to ultimately be able to defend themselves from an attacker. The ceremony is over once one of the fighters reaches three hits (blunt weapons) or cuts (sharp weapons).
Junior Cadets will be contacted by Leadership around their first birthday with instructions on who/when the ceremony will take place, along with a request for the player to send Leadership a list of all training threads they have participated in. Once training threads are retrieved, Leadership will send out a PM describing the expected results of the ceremony. If both fighters are Junior Cadets, a high-ranked member will act as judge In Character. To pass, only 2 or 3 training threads are required, and should focus around the weapon or style of fighting that the youth plans on using in the ceremony.
Characters will be disqualified from the fight if they: strike the genitals, break bones, or cut deeply enough to cause significant blood loss. Junior Cadets who demonstrate the ability to safety wield a weapon and show a basic foundation for fighting will pass their First Blood, moving up into the Cadet ranks. Youths who prove to be a danger with a weapon, show cowardice, or a lack of basic fighting knowledge will fail their First Blood, moving only into the Recruit ranks in order to be given a second chance to prove that they will put forth an effort into learning to protect themselves and others.
Rules
OOC:
- Activity for these threads should be at least 1 post per week
- The players may decide where in the territory the thread takes place
- The players may decide how the results come about (ex. If the youth is to fail, then they can choose if they will show a lack of skill of be disqualified, etc.)
IC:
- One weapon per character (shields count as a weapon, no long range weapons)
- Character may choose to forgo the use of a weapon and focus on just hand-to-hand
- No armor is permitted
- Winner: First to 3 blunt hits or 3 cuts with a blade
Brotherhood Reflection and Oath
The Vigil
Members preparing to join the Brotherhood ranks must first perform a night's vigil at the Steam Baths. During this night, they are expected to reflect upon what joining the Brotherhood and becoming a knight means to them, be that simply glory or something deeper. Before morning, the character travels into the Mine of Oaths, an abandoned mine near the Baths, to collect a piece of purple fluorite - the symbol of the Brotherhood. At sunrise, they return to the Courthouse to make their Oath.
NOTE: This thread should be 300 words minimum.
The Oath
After their vigil is completed, the soon-to-be Brotherhood member returns home with his/her piece of fluorite to perform a public oath to the pack. The member taking the Oath will be required to learn and repeat back the following:
Afterwards, they will be asked to kneel and be knighted by the Leader performing the ceremony, thus making their Oath binding.
Ceremony of Stones
This is an optional ceremony performed as a funeral for the dead. When a beloved member of Casa passes, their body is placed in The Silent Meadow upon a bed of wood. At sunset, the Leadership calls for the pack to join him/her in a circle around the to-be grave. Members must all bring a stone, preferably one the size of their palm and place the stones in a circle around the elevated body. When they place the stone down, they are encouraged to say a few words in honor of the deceased.
When the circle is complete, a torch is used to light the bed of wood surrounding the body. Members are then welcome to leave; however, a Leader, friend, or family member of the deceased stands vigil, keeping the fire burning through the night. After this ceremony is performed, it is highly recommended members avoid the area for a week or more to allow nature to break down the remainder of the body, leaving the bones to naturally lay within the circle of stones.