Sign Creation Ceremony

"A Sign represents not only your individuality and your place in this world, but it is your journal of life and self-discovery."

- The first Sage of the Signataria

The Sign Creation Ceremony is a birthday ritual of the Insignis race situated in the country of Signatio where a child who just turned 10 must travel either the ruins or the temples to gather materials while deciding on their first Sign. It is considered as an important ritual for the Insignis culture as it represents individuality and the start of their journey throughout their teenage and adult lives.

History

According to the ancient history scrolls, the first Sign Creation Ceremony was performed by a few Mana-imbued children who were said to be the ancestors of the Insignis race where they asked Magus, the God of Arcana for their freedom. To prove that they possess enough independence and brave enough to travel the outside world, Magus gave them the test to find special stones in the temple to release the spirits that he hid and create special runes on their papers. Eventually, they passed the test and impressed by their talents, Magus gave special grimoires to aid them in their journey outside their settlements.
As years have passed and the children became adults, inspired by the God of Arcana's test that helped them discover the outside world, they create the early ritual in their villages to test the children if they are ready for the outside world. This ritual slowly evolved into a tradition for the Insignis race as they continue the ceremonies even to the present times.

Execution

At the age of 10, an Insignis child first obtained a journal from their parents during their birthday celebration. Once they did, an Arcanic Magician in villages and towns or Sign Sages in cities create a ceremony for the birthday celebrants such as an opening dance and a speech from the High Sage. Depending on where they live, the celebrants are instructed by the Elders to go into a nearby Mana Landmark or a forest nearby to gather materials needed to create their very first pen to complement their new journals, which they must make in their home by themselves. While they are allowed to ask for help from the parents or siblings, they are restricted to aid them through advice and suggestions. This first half of the ritual represents the child's confidence towards themselves without relying too much on their family.
Once they show their finished pens to the Elders in the next day, the celebrants are transported in front of ruin or temple where they are instructed to traverse into the venue and find the Rune Tablets to observe the previous Signs from the ancient Insignis magicians. When they are done, they must find a vacant room and using a spell they found from the Tablets to summon a Mana spirit so they can start creating their Sign. Each method is not the same as the other, so the celebrant must decide how to make them. This phase represents how this process opens their eyes to the world of magic to help them prepare for the outside world.
When they are finished, they must show their Signs to the Elders to finish the ceremony, which symbolizes the start of their journey.

Components and tools

Along with the Rune Tablets situated in the temples and ruins, most eligible children are gifted with journals from their families that can serve as normal journals or notebook or convert them into their personalized grimoire.

Participants

Insignis children who recently turned 10-years-old are allowed to participate in the ceremonies, though there are some exceptions if an Insignis child under 15-years-old doesn't own a journal from a family.
In the ceremonies, an Arcanic Magician or a Sign Sage serves as a judge while the Elders serve as proctors for each phase.

Observance

The Sign Creation Ceremony is an annual tradition and depending on the number of eligible children that year and the location, the ceremonies can be a big or small event.

Primary Related Location

Lingua

Related Ethnicities

• Signataria