Traditional Weapons

All tribes follow a version of the same custom when it comes to a traditional weapon. Because all tribes hold wood so dear and sacred to their hearts, they will only use it when necessary. For a traditional weapon. Each tribe has a carving rite of passage to receive their weapon, and upon being successful, they are proclaimed as a warrior. It is a coming-of-age passage for many, or a rite to give meaning to their life. Each tribe has specialized in a different weapon that they are masters at, training from a young age and using nothing else. Traditionally, the trial goes as follows. The seeker passes a preliminary test, usually a practice with a substitute weapon, and must complete a series of forms or complete a feat of strength. Then, they drink or smoke a type of drug found only in Soleri that supposedly opens their mind. While under this drug, they select a portion of the Spirit Tree (all rites are concluded at M’Boukho) that has recently fallen off in the last day or a piece of the root. They take this piece of wood back and then spend several days carefully carving it down under the tutelage of the tribe shaman imbuing it with energy. They fall into a trancelike state, letting their body guide the carving, and eventually walk out of the hut with their weapon, as hard as iron and attached to their own life essence. The passage with the shaman actually ties their soul to the weapon, making the weapon infinitely stronger, but also meaning that if it is somehow broken, then the wielder suffers damage as well. Their weapon is literally an extension of themselves. The wood is not only made stronger, but can also be made sharper and is used as blades and sharp edges as part of the through this soul-linking process.