Path Choosing
The Path Choosing ceremony is a seminal point in any young Vellich's life, for it is during this ceremony that they are able to choose their life path.
The Path Choosing ceremony has been around since the Vellich Profession Paths were first established and is designed to give both the participants and the spectators the sense of importance that this decision holds.
Every Vellich looks forward to the next ceremony; it is the highlight of anyone's calendar.
"...is there anything more life-affirming than a Path Choosing ceremony? There cannot be. It is a joy for those who participate, for they are taking their first steps into their adult life. It is exciting for those watching who are yet to participate, for they live in that moment through these people, dreaming of the day that it will be their turn. And it is a nostalgic bliss for those of us who have been through it before, as we watch on fondly and remember our own joys on that day and everything that followed."
The Six Paths
Execution
On the day of the ceremony, the head of each of the pathways stands in a semi-circle at the end of the longest road in the settlement. The participant starts at the other end of the long road, and it is lined with people from the settlement.
Each participant takes it, in turn, to walk the road alone before approaching the head of the pathway they wish to join. Standing in front of that person, the participant speaks:
"I choose your path. I have considered my options, but your path is the right one for me because..."
They then explain why they wish to choose that pathway. The head then gives one of two responses. If they feel the participant is either not ready or not right for their pathway, they say the following:
"Your time has not yet come to choose a path. You were brave to walk the path, as that is the first step. But, like the Lassal in the story, not everyone knows which path to choose when. Think on this and choose wisely."
The participant then steps to the side, and the next participant is able to walk the road. However, if they are happy for the participant to join their pathway, they say the following:
"You are welcome onto this pathway. May each of your steps be considered and certain. May your pathway be surrounded by your community and lead you to where you are needed most. May your journey be long and full of joy. Congratulations."
The successful participant then takes the hand of the head of their chosen pathway, and the pair walk down the road, greeting each person on one side, and then back up greeting people on the other side. While they do this, the head of the pathway repeats the following:
"This is the new [insert name of starting rank here]. They have chosen their pathway well."
Once they are back where they started, the head of the pathway returns to their position, and the participant stands behind them. Then the next participant begins their walk.
As soon as all participants have had their turn, the settlement gathers in the largest space available and has a feast.Components and tools
Each pathway has a different ceremonial outfit which the heads of the pathway wear. These differ from settlement to settlement, but the colours are the same across the continent. The participant wears a single colour, either white, grey, brown or black.
Settlements which are doing well may provide a ring for the head of the pathway to gift to the participant. This tends to only happen in mid-sized settlements.
| Rulers | Pink with black trimming |
|---|---|
| Storytellers | Red with yellow trimming |
| Bearers | Yellow with grey trimming |
| Wranglers | Orange with black trimming |
| Grifters | Blue with white trimming |
| Providers | Green with grey trimming |
Occurrences
The ceremony takes place on the changing of the seasons, twice a year. Any child who believes they know can then use that opportunity to become a participant and choose. However, if there are no participants then a feast is likely held in any case. It is traditional, and sensible, for the participant to have a conversation with the head of the pathway that they wish to join before the day of the ceremony, to get an understanding of whether or not they are suited for their preferred pathway.Related Articles
| Organisations | Vellich Profession Paths |
|---|---|
| Professions | Storytellers, Rulers, Wranglers, Bearers, Grifters, Providers |
| Locations | Vellikka |
| Stories | What Happens After The End, Birth of Storytellers, Story of the First Bearers, Story of the First Ruler, Story of the Grifters, Where the Wranglers Came From, Why Providers Provide |
Primary Related Location
Related Organizations
Related Ethnicities
Pretty cool ceremony to find where are you belong in society. I wonder what happens when someone chooses a path and they say that this is not the path for you but he person keep picking everttime and not getting accepted into it
Thank you! Great question. It would depend on the person who kept asking. If they were that determined to follow a specific path, then they might travel to another village or community in an attempt to follow that path there.