The Watch is an ancient cervan tradition that sees the sick or dying cared for by two other from the tribe, who are on constant vigil until the one being cared for either recovers or passes away. It is said within their culture that those who maintain the vigil are both shielding the infirm from the dangers of the outside and acting as beacons for the spirits of the afterlife, to ensure they are able to collect the soul of the dying.
History
The first evidence of the Watch being performed within a cervan tribe dates back to roughly 2,200 PB, contemporary with the first recorded cervan tribes. At the time, the cervan people were reclusive nomads, so the only records that exist are scattered remains from cervan resting sites and burial locations. The first cervan burial sites revealed a pair of bodies standing upright, cradling a third at roughly waist-height, suggesting that those who were chosen for the Watch were buried alongside the dead.
The first written accounts of the Watch being performed date back to around 1,900 PB, with the writings demonstrating how the practice had evolved. As of these writings, the practice of burying the healthy individuals was no longer observed. It's unclear if this aspect of the practice was a regional difference, or if it was an aspect that was phased out over the centuries. Rather than burying the watchers alive, the dead was now buried with two carvings, each depicting one of the two who performed the Watch during their life.
Throughout recorded history, cervan elders have on rare occasion halted the ritual's practice, usually in times where its continuation would have a worse impact on the tribe than stopping it would. Most recently, many cervan tribes ceased the practice following outbreaks of
the Unplague, as the practice only accelerated its spread throughout the tribe. As of 4,735 AB (6E 20), four tribes of cervan have been wiped out as a result of their elders not halting the ritual's practice.
Practice
When a member of the tribe falls ill or suffers a fatal wound, two individuals chosen by the infirm (or a tribe elder, if they are unable to make the choice themself) are tasked with watching over them. They remain by the infirm's bed at all times, with their meals delivered by other members of the tribe. During this time, it is their responsibility to protect and comfort their ward, ensuring they are well cared for in what could potentially be their final moments. The two watching may only leave their ward upon their recovery or death, or in the event of a significant personal illness.
