Dwarven Feast of Names
Many cultures celebrate the day of ones birth. The ways in which they are celebrated and the significance of the event vary widely. In the Dwarven (Anif) culture family members entering adulthood celebrate this special day with the Feast of Names. A dwarven coming of age tradtion. The event prepares adults for a journey to find their family or Hearthname. Upon their return the celebration continues by recognizing their new name. This name is of great significance it as grants the bearer the right to marry and produce offspring increasing diversity in the clans.
The event and meal come in three parts -
Part 1 - Forging
The feast during the first part of the celebration is themed around the concept of heat. Racks of meat flavored with rich spices, raw peppers and oils. Drinks include dry scotched ales, spiced rum and caffeinated teas. Sides include peppered mash, Molik root (spiced like licorice) and cornbread.
Activities include strength contests centered around throwing just about anything that can be.
The event concludes with the adults being heckled, insulted and belittled. This tradtion is designed to dismantle their known identity allowing them to forge a new one during the Annealing.
Part 2 - Annealing
The parties are great and looked forward to by many. Its the portion in the middle that is the most important. The quest for the Hearthname itself is a period of challenge and toil. Those on this journey are eager to help and explore the world. They know that their name lies outside the clans walls. The desire is to fight a great beast, right a potent wrong or define a period in history for the people of Alyeria.
Part 3 - Quenching
Upon the adults return the meal and celebration are themed around the concept of cooling or setting. Quench themed meals have savory meats, soups and vegatables. Cold Ales and Wines. Fruit filled, sweet confections and iced creams. All dishes are light and refreshing.
Activities include dancing, loud croaking (some call it singing) and often proposals of marriage.
The final stage of Feast of Names ends with a joyful ceremony in which the successful dwarf is gifted a mastersmith broach depicting his new family name.
Failure
Typical Annealings take 2 years, some longer. It is expected that those on the journey for a Hearthname will complete this task in 5 years or less. Those that return after that will be forgotten, nameless, a commoner. They will assume the ruling clans name, but only for the historical rolls. They are never addressed by this name and are prohibited from marrying and bearing children.
Depending on the year they return or a significant accomplishment a subtitle is added increasing the uniqueness of their Hearthname.
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