Rite of Sun and Moon

When a Breeze decides to start their journey within Goldenwind, they will choose a vocation that they feel closest to. That connection will be tested through a series of personal trials and be rewarded with a mark from those they faced. Should their faith be proven misguided, they will be tested in the other vocation.  While outwardly the tasks themselves seem simple the truth of complication lies deep within the mazes of the hunt and battle against time itself. Ultimately it is the Stars who will deem which vocation an uncertain Breeze will follow. In rare cases, if ones faith were proven misguided in both sun and moon, they will belong to the sand. While they may take a general task name in the least misguided faith, they will be known of the sand, and may not pursue a more specialized/named task.

Rite of the Sun: These trials are ruled by the blazing heat of the sun, proving one's true testament to its unyielding rise. For one's pledge of loyalty to remain true they must race across the desert and return before sundown. Burning their paws within the sands as they must locate the three elements of the sun until they are to be finally examined under the Morningstar's eye. The three elements consists of the heat of the sun, the eyes of the sun and most importantly the heart of the sun. The heat of sun is located deep within a sea of ashes. While the eyes of the sun is rooted high within one of the above ground caverns that only the suns light touches. Finally the heart of the sun brings one to the center of the scorch where a blazing light is hiding among the sea of sands. Each element will be represented by a high ranking clan member and all seeing eyes will be focused on the challenger throughout the rite. As the Morningstar holds final judgement upon the return of the challenger before sundown. Upon locating a clan member, a test of 3 will be given with the heat representing a test of endurance, the eyes representing a test of will and the heart representing a test of clarity. During this race other ranking members of the sun will set up traps for misleading, forge battles, or even use more creative methods to truly test one's faith.

Rite of the Moon: These trials are ruled by the cooling breeze of the moon, proving one's true testament to its unyielding set. For one's pledge of loyalty to remain true they must race across the desert and return before sunrise. Freezing their paws within the sands as they gather the three elements of the moon to be examined under the Eveningstar's eye. The three elements consists of the chill of the moon, the eyes of the moon and most importantly the heart of the moon. The chill of moon is located deep within a pool of stars. While the eyes of the moon is rooted low within one of the underground caverns that only the moons light touches. Finally the heart of the moon brings one to the center of the deep desert, where an illuminating glow is hiding among the sea of sands. Each element will be represented by a high ranking clan member and all seeing eyes will be focused on the challenger throughout the rite. As the Eveningstar holds final judgement upon the return of the challenger before sunrise. Upon locating a clan member, a test of 3 will be given with the chill representing a test of stealth, the eyes representing a test of ingenuity and the heart representing a test of intuition. During this race other ranking members of the moon will set up traps for misleading, forge battles, or even use more creative methods to truly test one's faith.

Rite of the Eternal: not discovered IC yet!

Dance of Starlight

A festival filled with feasting and celebrations. Sometimes called the Choral, the Dance of Starlight is a night for strengthening bonds and shedding burdens, often accompanied by feasting and dancing.

Trials of Belonging

Before an outsider can join the ranks, they are supervised under a trial-period with a high ranking Breeze. During this period they must perform various tasks to prove their sincerity. There are two important trials one must complete; the Trial of Dawn and the Trial of Dusk. After the trials are successfully completed, they must make a vow to the members of the desert, which is recorded by the Sunforgers and Moondwellers before being welcomed in to the desert clan.

Trial of Dawn: “To walk along the burning sands under the sun’s highest peak.” In this trial, the outsider will learn to make sacrifices for the benefit of the clan and build their loyalty for it. This includes walking along the burning sands of the desert when they are at their hottest to collect the valuable shards. Specifically located within the Iron Sands where the shards of iron will pierce flesh during heavy winds. They will do this for 3 days time, taking in no food or water and sleep out in the open sands of the desert. Higher ranking members will be stationed nearby as watchers and keepers of time. This trial is done in order to prove the outsiders' commitment to the clan and a declaration to the preservation of its members.

Trial of Dusk: “To follow the glow of the moon through the thickest of sandstorms.” In this trial, the outsider will learn to endure for the benefit of the clan and build their trust in its orders. This includes walking through one of the most dangerous sandstorm infested areas within the desert to ward away the undesired, specifically located along Chimera’s Ridge. It has been said the desert is unkind to outsiders and will do all within its power to make them vanish. It is not unheard of to have outsiders end their journey along the scattered remains of creatures or mysterious entities that appear. This will be done the night following the completion of the trial of dawn. Higher Ranking members will be stationed nearby as watchers and keepers of time once again. This trial is done in order to prove the outsiders' trust to the clan and a declaration to the protection of its members.

Moonlit Promise | Sunkissed Blessing 

Within a cavern of fallen starlight, the bonded-to-be will stand in the shallow depths of a luminous pool. As the sun sets, they walk through the pool and create rippling reflections. In doing so, they create a new path, forged amongst the stars. The pair must remain awake throughout the night until sunrise, reciting their vows to each other in private. When the first light of day shines through the cavern, only then may they leave the cave. From there the pair exit and recite their vows once more with the rest of Goldenwind gathered to witness .

From then on, the pair's fates are intertwined and a garland made from the stars will be wrapped around their shoulders to symbolize the union.

Swiftsong

Performed in front of the eyes of the desert, these festivities can last as long as two-days in celebration. Seen as a sacred and rare friendship between creatures, familiars and their bonded Breeze compete in light-hearted competitions and trials. Sometimes tokens are exchanged between Breeze and familiar, whether it is an old tooth, a tuft of fur, or anything in between, it is a symbol of companionship and friendship.

Starbound Dreams

Goldenwind takes meticulous care of their fallen Breezes as they return their energy to the universe. Due to their connection to the Silence all fallen are buried with a moonlit sun from the moonpool.

A celebration will be handled in honor of the dead under the cover of the night sky as they travel far beyond the living realm into the eternal dream. In the morning, under the dawn's first light, they will be taken to Serpent Bone Temple for their final resting place after all have given their lasting farewells.

Within the temple, the fallen are buried as one under the light of the sun and the glow of the moon. A hidden path within the temple leads to the burial site known as the Gates of Eternity. This entire area is decorated with various plants and stones in its endless fields, while beyond lies a steep cliff with the parting river flowing into the dark. This is the only room inside the Serpent Bone Temple that allows visitors during the day, at night, it is sealed off as it is said some spirits grow restless and reveal their true forms under the moonlight.