Straelhel

Imane had run out of rations just this morning. She wouldn't be able to get anymore until she had completed the trial, unless she wanted to forfeit.
Which she refused to do.
This was probably going to be her last chance before she had to head home. A small herd - two dozen or so - of Strael were grazing gently some 50 yards away. There was a distinct sense of déjà vu. Imane'd done this twice already in the last three days, to no avail. Each time, the Strael had seen her before she even got close, and formed a tight circle, chelipeds facing towards her. She knew she couldn't survive approaching that. She'd be trampled, or crushed in claws of carapace.
She just had to hope she could get lucky. Hope the Strael wouldn't scare the minute they saw her. She sighed. Waiting around did nothing. She set down her small pack, now empty except for a small hunk of plant-based Strael feed, which she drew out. She stood slowly, looking over the outcropping of rocks behind which she stood, down the hill towards the Strael. In her left hand she held a long staff with a soft, feathery tip, the whole thing nearly twice her height. She took a step forward, towards the herd.
Something soft and oddly heavy touched her shoulder, and she froze.
The thing - it was a Strael antennae, she knew that - flicked up and over her cheek, and then away.
Imane turned around.
The Strael was a newly shelled male adult - she could tell by the slightly green tint to its carapace - but it was already larger than normal. It was eyeing her with a lazy, languid curiosity. Imane was eyeing it - specifically its chelipeds - with a far more acute awareness.
Well, it was now or never. She held out the chunk of feed towards its mouth, which was roughly at chest height for her small frame. Without hesitation, the Strael leaned forward and plucked the plant matter from her hand with surprising dexterity and gentleness. She could feel the velvety pseudo-carapace of the Strael's maxillae brushing over her fingertips as it settled back and chewed, almost thoughtfully. Its attention was far more focused, now.
With the haft now in both hands, Imane reached up with the staff, brushing the feathered end over the Strael's reddish orange antennae. The Strael's eyestalks stiffened, and for a moment Imane feared it was about to bolt. Then, its antennae wrapped around her staff, and it let out a small chirrup of assent.
Imane sighed in relief, stepping forward and to the side to place her hand on the Strael's carapace. She would name it later. She smiled.
Only two more rites to go.

Highland Custom

In Ifrinn, children and adolescents are expected to pull their weight just as much as their parents. By the age of 12, they should know how to fight with a multitude of weapons, and their education - which is surprisingly extensive in Ifrinn - should be mostly complete. By the age of 16, they are considered and treated as adults in all but physical maturity.
But that is not to say that any and all are accepted into the circles of maturity. In a culture as steeped in tradition as that of the highlanders of Ifrinn, there are a multitude of different rites and traditions to signify the coming of age. These rituals change based on the adolescent's intended calling in life.
One such tradition is Straelhel: a rite of passage that encompasses multiple Paths, primarily those of the Farmer and the Merchant, as well as one of the three rites for the path of the Wanderer.

Docile Herds

At the barest definition, Straelhel involves capturing and taming a wild Strael, with no outside aid. Those to undergo the rite are given two days of supplies, a map, as well as the necessary equipment to accomplish the task, and left alone in the plains. Their goal is to tame, bond, and successfully return home with a Strael, which they will keep for the rest of the Strael's life.
Roughly one in three participants complete the rite on their first try, and those that do not usually succeed on their second or third. Frugal participants can easily make their rations reach to four days, increasing their chances of successfully completing the task.

Acceptance

Like other coming of age traditions in Ifrinn, once the task - and any others pertaining to the participant's Path - is accomplished, they are accepted into the circle of Ifrinn society accordingly. It is however also expected that the newly declared adult uphold the tenets and lessons meant to be taught by the rite. In the case of Straelhel, it is expected that upon successfully completing the task, the participant treat their new Strael with respect, and in most cases making it their primary farm or pack animal.
In Ifrinn, it is far more honorable to admit defeat, than to be forced into starvation and possible death as a result of arrogance and pride. On the other hand, it is a far greater accomplishment to push yourself onwards and succeed. However, those who refuse to be rational, accepting defeat and forfeiting their try, are viewed with disdain, and must atone for their embarrassment. Only a small handful each year die during a Straelhel.