The Fifteenth Year (Agaland)

"Birth is a gory glorious thing yes, but what's MORE special is coming of age! Congratulations! You made it Fifteen years! You are an adult and it's time to enter the world." - Erwon Silversong

Birthdays are generally a small celebration in comparison to birth. In Agaland, fifteen marks you as an adult, a cause for celebration indeed! A stipend is given from the treasury, set aside from parent's taxes every year, in order for the family to celebrate their child's big day together, the day boys become men, girls become women, and society gains another productive member. Official Citizenship is issued upon the day the child turns Fifteen, making them eligible to be wed and advance in their trade.

History

The tradition of celebrating the fifteenth birthday is older than recorded Agaland history. Particularly of note is the generosity of the royal children turning fifteen. The public is given the day off as a massive feast is prepared for the people in the kingdom's capital. Servants who worked the celebration are given the next day off and bonus pay to make up for it. Through the years, a kind hearted king worked a way to fund the celebration of everyone's fifteenth birthday fairly through the taxes the family paid yearly.

Execution

Meats and breads are showcased as main attractions to feasts. Gifts related to the trade the child is entering are given to them. This is generally how apprentices gain their working tools. Extended family and friends may join the festivities. The birthday child is given their first real wine and they are issued their citizenship tokens.

Observance

Birthdays are observed only on the Fifteenth year, individual to each child. However, The royal family in recent years have funded a celebration that occurs in the middle of the year for all children turning fifteen that year.