Elevation
The elevation of one from the rank of Journeyman to that of Master is both a solemn occassion and a time for celebration. Solemn because the newly elevated now has many more duties they must undertake as a Master of the order. Celebration because we now have a new Master within our ranks. Few make it through the rank of apprentice to journeyman and fewer still become masters.
History
The first ceremonies for the elevating of a Master Druid were simple affairs involving a new medallion and a good meal. As the order grew in numbers the ceremony became more elaborate. This was in part due to the different Grand Druids performing the ceremony. New, fancier robes were commisioned so that there was a noticeable difference in the ranks from apprentice to journeyman to master. The regalia also became more elaborate as you progressed in rank.
Execution
When a journeyman returns to the Druid Grove from their year long journey across the lands of Corrigenda they are met by a group of five masters. These comprise members of the lands traversed, Shay, Thormalk, Kingdom of Herigmark, Craglim Reach, and Gaullium.
The journeyman is then quizzed by these masters to ensure that the lessons that needed to be learned have been. If the journeyman fails to pass the interrogation they are then charged with returning to the lands they failed in to learn the appropriate lessons. However, should they pass they are taken to a small hut just off the grove and are required to bathe (a purification of the body), meditate (a purification of the mind), and ground (a purification of their magic) for thirty-six hours. During this time they are not allowed to sleep. Each master currently present takes a six hour watch.
After the purification of body, mind, and magic the aspirant is brought out into the center of the grove naked, where he kneels in front of the Grand Druid. With the aspirant kneeling the Grand Druid takes his oath to obey the tenets of the order and follow the leadership of the Grand Druid, in that order. With affirmative answers the aspirant is annointed head and foot with oil of mistletoe. Then instructed to rise and accept his new accoutrements of office; a fine linen robe, a golden triquetra on a gold chain, and a sickle.
Once the new Master has put on his regalia, he bows to the Grand Druid, turns and joins his fellow masters at the feast table. With all the assembled masters gathered at the feast table the Grand Druid gives a speech. With the conclusion of the speech the feast is joined by all present.
Components and tools
A small hut with a garden out back is utilized for the purification of the applicant to the rank of Master. Inside the hut there is a tub and a stove for heating water, outside is a rain barrel to collect the water from for the ritual cleansing. In the tub is a hard scrubbrush and a bar of lye soap to be used in removing the dirt of the road from the aspirant.
Oil of Mistletoe is used to annoint the new master, with the Grand Druid's triquetra, top of head, forehead, and the soles of both feet.
The new regalia of a master druid consisting of a fine linen robe, a golden triquetra on a gold chain, and a gold plated sickle.
The feasts consists of food gathered by all attendees on their way to the event or while the aspirant was in purification.
Participants
The primary participants or the interrogators, the Grand Druid, the master of the journey, and the aspirant. Some times the master of the journey and the Grand Druid are one and the same.
The interrogators primary role is to test the journeyman to ensure he has completed his journey successfully. With that out of the way they are to ensure the aspirant remains awake for the thirty-six hours of cleansing, joined with the master of the journey, in six hour shifts. This is the sole role of the master of the journey since they have just spent the last year with the journeyman travelling the realms.
The role of the Grand Druid is to confirm the new master in their rank and accept their oath.
The aspirant's key role is to succeed in all aspects they are committed to.
Observance
The elevation of a Journyman to Master is usually held on the feast of Servalin one year from the day they left on their journey. If they have not completed their journey before then the next date is the winter solstice.
An elevation does not occur very often as it can take twelve or more years to train an apprentice to the rank of journeyman, and not all apprentices make it to the next rank, nor do all journeymen succeed or even survive the trials of the journey.
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