Prishiften

Requirements

The Prishiften is one of the highest-ranking Shiften in the Sandstep Library. In comparison to the other, more organisational ranks of the Library, including the Head, the Heart, and the Soul, which are chosen for the rank by the previous holder of the position, the Prishiften is held by the Shiften who can command the greatest number of pure animal shapes in the ceremony known as The Primary.

Appointment

Any Shiften who wishes to apply for the rank of Prishiften, must show their skill at shifting in The Primary. During The Primary, the Shiften must change into their animal forms, which are assessed for accuracy and purity. This is assessed through physical competitions, and fights amongst Shiften. 
Should a Shiften outdo the number of the previous Prishiften, they take over the position.
The Primary is voluntary. A Shiften may be able to transform into many animal forms, but should they not wish to be Prishiften, they merely do not need to compete.

Duties

The Prishiften is the spiritual head of the Shiften people. Their ability to shift into animal forms is granted to them by the Gods, and one blessed with a strong enough animalistic soul to shift into many different forms is considered closer to the Gods by proxy. The Prishiften, while not the sole ruler of the Shiften, is highly valued, and conducts the vast majority of ceremonies when the clans meet at the Sandstep Library biannually for The Treatise. The Prishiften has a vote in any major decisions put to the Shiften clans, but just one. They are not a sole ruler.

Accoutrements & Equipment

The Prishiften, during the opening of The Treatise, is required to wear a traditional garb made of one hundred animals, symbolising their gift from the Gods. This includes skins, to make the pants, vest and tunic, bones, for bracelets made of vertebrae, and the lining of the vest, muscle and tendons are used for the stitching, fur for the lining. Every usable part of an animal can be found in some shape or form in the traditional garment. 
It is infamously heavy. And many a Prishiften have been heard to complain about the sheer quantity of everything they are required to wear. In the early days, before the voluntary use of The Primary to determine Prishiften, a young cat-Shifter took over the role. She had only reached her 12th year when she managed to shift into a tenth pure form. On her first ceremony, she collapsed under the weight of the garb as she approached the dais. For the remainder of her term, Prishiften Annen forwent the headdress required for tradition.

Type

Academic, Honorific

Status

Active

Source of Authority

The people, the Library

Length of Term

Until out-shifted

First Holder

Velgeth of the South

Current Holders

• Prishiften Malkol

Related Locations

• Tinobi