The Elder's Journey Ceremony

Celebrations and Ceremony

The celebration consists of a large feast organized and attended by the elder's closest friends and family and often has local politicians and people of note stopping by for a drink. The party often goes on for several hours with friends and family mingling, joking, and telling stories of the person passing into elder status. As night falls, a large bonfire is started as close to the nearest body of water as possible. The celebration itself is commonly held on the beach if it is close enough to the coast. Once all have gathered amongst the fire, the Elder's Journey Ceremony officially begins.
Beginning with the ritual serving of the Thylasio Tincture, bitter alcohol made from the Thylasio Fyto Seaweed that tastes of licorice. The tincture represents a passing into maturity and it is believed the consuming of the drink will pass on the traits of the seaweed. Properties of strength and health despite the powerful waves of the ocean. The tincture also represents passing from youth to maturity, as the seaweed goes through a dramatic shift from its own infant stage, the Neos Fyto, into its elder state, the Thylasio Fyto. The tincture is first consumed in unison between the brewer, typically the eldest child, and the new elder, afterwards, it is passed around to all those in attendance. Though anyone below the age of sixteen is exempt from having to drink the bitter alcoholic beverage due to the potency of the drink.

A bonfire is always apart of the ceremony, even if it is raining

Once this portion of the ceremony has been completed, a representative of the state will approach and speak to the elder and the collected congregation. Officially thanking them for their service to the country thus far and for all the future wisdom they will impart in the coming years. And will officially grant them the status of Elder, in their community and Ithosia as a whole. The representative will then grant them with a symbolic token of appreciation, and a valuable gift of some kind usually in the form of money, property, or supplies of value. Depending on the elder's contributions to their community throughout their life thus far.
After the ceremony is completed a toast is raised and any in attendance can speak on stories or general statements of appreciation for their elder. Then the party continues for as long as the elder wishes for it to go on, usually, the celebrations continue until late into the night. With much wine, food, and merriment throughout.

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Roles of the Participants

The elder's children, siblings, and family are all in charge of setting up the event. They must make sure that the food and drink are prepared, and appropriate friends and extended family are invited to the ceremony. Though specific roles are given to certain people to conduct before and during the ceremony.

Eldest Child and/or Sibling

The new elder's eldest child is left in charge of the preparation of the Thylasio Tincture. This process can be quite long and arduous. First, the Thylasio Fyto must be located and collected by hand, as is tradition for this preparation and ceremony. The Thylasio Fyto is the mature stage of a variety of Vilanto Seaweed, and only about half of Neos Fyto reach their mature form. They also lie at the bottom of sometimes quite deep waters. The eldest, if able, must dive down and pull the Thylasio Fyto out as the entire plant is required, root system and all. If the eldest child is not physically able to do so, it is acceptable to find a surrogate for this stage, whether it be a sibling, child or close family friend.
Once the ingredients are collected, the tincture is made using a long fermentation process that takes from six to twelve months, the tincture used in this ceremony is a stronger strength, and the year-long fermentation is almost always needed. So, this responsibility is almost always the first one started, as the individual in charge typically needs to prepare it over the length of an entire year. This duty is conducted by the spouse or best friend if the elder is childless and/or has no siblings.

Representative of State

There is always a representative of the state in attendance at all Elder's Journey Ceremonies, the status of which is dependent on how well-known and/or affluent the new elder is. It could someone as 'lowly' as an associate clerk of the local office or someone as grand as one of the selected councillors of the city or country. Councillors are in charge of decision-making and policy implementation in each city across Ithosia. They are there to officially grant the title of Elder to the individual and gift one or several tokens of appreciation on behalf of the country's appreciation to the elder.
Typically a symbolic item is gifted first, a laurel wreath if they worked as a politician, a medal if they served in the army, or any small trinket associated with the individual's chosen career. All able-bodied citizens of Ithosia, if they do not choose a profession by a certain age are granted one by the state. These tokens are not meant to hold monetary value and are simple gestures of respect from the state.
However, alongside this symbolic gesture are gifts that hold monetary value, the value being determined by the elder's contribution to their community. This can include a small to moderate financial donation, granting of land, property, grain, cattle, and more. On the rare occasions where the elder is of high enough political standing or has contributed to city or state governing for many years, a special political designation is granted. The designation allows them to attend and serve on the city or country council as an advisor to the councillors of their local region for as long as they wish to. This designation does not force the elder to continue their political career but allows them to have as much or as little say as they wish.

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Food and Drink

Thylasio Tincture

This bitter alcohol is made using the entire plant, leaves, roots, and all of the Thylasio Fyto Seaweed. It is created primarily for use in this ceremony, but people do brew and consume it outside of the celebration.
Though it is not as common as the consumption of the more popular Neos Bootch, due to the bitter licorice flavour of the alcohol. Which is an acquired taste at best, and more commonly disliked altogether for most. Coincidentally this tincture is most popular amongst the elders of Ithosia.

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A small bottle of Thylasio Tincture

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Tofito Gin

This is the alcohol of choice for enjoyment throughout the night's festivities. While the tincture is consumed ceremonial, this gin is consumed recreationally and for its wonderful and interesting taste.
Ironically, this gin is not made in Ithosia and is imported in rather large supplies from the varying communities in the Island Frontier of the Vilanto Sea. While many of these gins have subtle flavour differences it has a shared sour and fruity profile, with local island botanicals often being added for colour and aroma. A favourite combination is to mix a shot of Tofito Gin with a serving of Creamed Fruit, which is a dessert dish described below.
The liquid is semi-translucent and typically purple in shade. It is shelf-stable and will keep for numerous years, though it often does not last even a few weeks. It is also commonly consumed during the The Fair Weather Festival on a variety of islands south of Ithosia. Luckily Ithosia has a great trade relationship with many of the islands, including the larger trade island of Obsidian Harbour.

Crustaceans and Fish Boil

A common dish served at the celebration is a seafood boil, using whatever fish and crustaceans are in season. They are always locally caught and are typically fished by friends of the family and gifted to the host family of the event the day before so that the boil can be prepped for the day of the celebrations.
After the fish have been degutted, and the crustaceans washed, they are all added to a large obsidian or steel vat or drum, sometimes multiple depending on the expected attendance of the celebration. Copious amounts of local spices are then dropped in and mixed before boiling water is added on top and the whole thing is allowed to cook for several hours.
The dish is usually served in wooden bowls and eaten by hand, it is typically a messy affair.

Creamed Fruit

Despite its name, this confection does not include any sort of dairy or cream. This dish is typically served as a dessert and palate cleanser after the boil has been finished.
It is made by taking the flesh of several ripe local fruits, which are typical of the tropical variety such as fruits similar in taste to passion fruit and papaya, and mashed until it is a fine paste-like consistency. Lemon, lime, Iko spice, and honey are then added and mixed thoroughly. If the consistency is too thick, it is thinned out with water. If done correctly, the consistency should come out as something like custard.
It is sweet and sour in taste and is a favourite amongst most people. It is served in large shells or a conch and eaten with a wooden spoon or by hand.

Summary

A rite of passage not for the young into adulthood, but for adults who have reached elder status. Elders, while respected in many nations in Fyria, are venerated in Ithosia. And are often the ones guiding the young, even giving advice and philosophizing with politicians and leaders. Many elders who were involved in politics throughout adulthood often continue to do so in their elder years. These elder politicians and leaders are given special roles called blah blah gifted to those who have served long tenures and have entered into advanced age.
The ceremony itself involves a large gathering of friends and family and is more of a celebration of achievements than a simple ceremony. Food and drink flow throughout a typically long evening of festivities. With the highlight of the evening is the Elder's Journey Ceremony where important figures in the elder's life share stories of their achievements, joys, struggles, and perseverance. Then an official of the state grants the individual an official Elder's title, alongside tokens of respect and gratitude on the behalf of their country and community.

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An Ithosian Elder

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