Western Jungle Gnome Coming of Age Ritual

Heavily inspired by how many of the varieties of birds with whom the Jungle Gnome shares the treetops push their fledgling chicks from the nest, the coming of age of a young gnome is a test of their bravery and ingenuity. In recent decades it has become safer, but it is not unheard of to know somegnome who has been injured during their celebration.

History

From the earliest of recorded history, found both on cave walls in the Urngor Mountains and in the deepest vaults of the Elvish domain, there are records of gnomes carrying small gliders traveling across their lands. These gnomes were highly skittish and revealed little of their culture or from where where they had come. It was these young gnomes traveling across the continent that led to the myth that Jungle Gnomes were eternally youthful.

Execution

When a Gnome comes of age (exactly when varies from clan to clan, but between seventeen and nineteen is the most common,) the entire community gathers at the entrance to the gnome's home early in the morning. Those who have not yet come of age (younglings) begin making a racket by banging pots together, yelling, and playing instruments as poorly as possible. They continue this until the Gnome exits its home and stands before the community. Silence falls on the group as they all watch the birthday gnome expectantly. This gnome makes a big show of going from person to person, greeting them and thanking them for coming. Often the youngling who made the most noise will be recognized at this time, a position of great honor for the one chosen. After an unbearably long time, the gnome preparing to depart on their pilgrimage stretching it on as long as they can, they finally returns to their home and pulls out the recently made glider. The silence is broken as the community crowds around offering congratulations and celebrating. After the glider is thoroughly inspected, the entire group heads to a great feast prepared by the Gnome's family. Often this feast lasts far into the afternoon, with other families bringing out more and more courses. As the feast winds to a close, the elders present an empty book to the gnome preparing to leave. It will be in this book that the gnome will keep the log of his journey. The crowd heads to the highest point in the clan's home trees, and the departing gnome shoulders their glider and leaps off the edge, beginning their years long pilgrimage.

Components and tools

Starting several months before they come of age, the Gnome begins making their Glider. The make of this glider varies greatly from gnome to gnome, with some as simple as a large kite and others almost capable of self-propelled flight. Some help is accepted during the construction, but it is discouraged to rely too heavily on others. The feast is seen as something of a competition between families, with each preparing weeks in advance to outdo the others.

Related Ethnicities