Tsekeht Leadership Trials

The Mordena Leadership Trials

The Jannadael Leadership Trials are a requirement before promotion into a position of authority within the Mordena and across Janikk. Jannadaelox may also request to take the Tsekeht for personal reasons. Using Divination, the Tsekeht confronts each pilgrim with their deepest fears and regrets. Many find closure and forgiveness through the experience, although some have experienced the opposite effect, unable to face what they have learned about themselves. A long standing tradition of the ancient Jannadael, the Tsekeht was revived by Shane Lawrence after he and his landing party were directed to the Trials on their initial mission to Janikk.

History

Ancient Jannadael

The Tsekeht was discovered by the original Jannadael as a way to tie an individual deeper to the Tenecknaab of Janikk, allowing them to experience an even greater sense of community with the life of the planet. While passing the Tsekeht is not required to become recognized as an adult of the community, it is a requirement for any wishing to serve in leadership positions, including any role teaching, governing, guiding the community in the Ecknaab faith, or serving as an officer within the military. Selected candidates would present themselves to their community leader at the set time for their Tsekeht, typically at dusk on the first night of the double new moon. The Trial was always held at night within special Tsekeht caves crafted to honor the Ecknaab, the balance between all life. Only the candidates and their officiant were permitted within the structure to witness the Tsekeht, although often Festivals were held nearby for family, friends, and others to celebrate the Tsekeht and await word of the results. The nature of the Trial was a closely guarded secret, known only to those who attempted the Tsekeht themselves.

Present Day Tsekeht

With their settlement of Janikk, the Mordena have revived the Tsekeht, sending their own through the Trials to face their fears as part of their elevation to leadership within the mercenary organization or on the planet. Unlike their predecessors, the Mordena are open about the magic and experiences behind the Trials, and some choose to take the Tsekeht solely for their own personal benefit, treating the Divination as an opportunity for therapy, introspection, and even closure.

Execution

Candidates begin the challenge by consuming the fruit of a klaaetael, a vine carefully cultivated within the caves. The vine is made to flower and fruit with Agrokinesis. The vines were infused with Divination magic throughout the genetic creation and subsequent growth of the plant, resulting in a dreamlike trance which adapts and twisting the experience of each participant into personalized Trials targeting each candidate's most destructive flaws. As the Tsekeht occurs in each candidate's dreams, their available tools for handling each Trial are limited only by their imagination. The dreams cape easily morphs to match their subconscious thoughts, both harmful and helpful. Each candidate will face their own worst fears, regrets, and inclinations as determined by the Divination infused within the journey fruit, in whichever form will have the most impact. The number of Trials faced depends upon the individual and their experiences, with some spending all night battling their demons while others relive a selection of their key past decisions and reaffirm or repent of their choices. Deaths within the Tsekeht dreamscape may cause a candidate to reawaken, or to shift into a different phase of the Trial, depending upon their rate of progress. Those who pass the Tsekeht will awaken once they have passed each of their Trials, with a new outlook on their own life and purpose and a deeper connection to Janikk. Those who fail to complete their Trials before dawn will awaken with the sun. In these cases the failed candidates may exhibit a burning desire to resolve their past mistakes and reforge their life, at which point they are welcome to present themselves once again as potential candidates for the Tsekeht. Others become a broken shadow of their former selves, overcome by their own failings. Regardless of the final outcome, the Tsekeht changes all who dare to undertake its Trials.

Important Locations

Related Organizations