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Jubilation fills the evening air in the normally staid town of Trunau, for it is the twelfth birthday of the Chief Defender's youngest daughter, Ruby, and the townsfolk have been preparing all day for the ceremony and festivities to follow. A throng of spectators has amassed at the town Commons; the buzz of the crowd subsides as the weathered town leader, Halgra of the Blackened Blades, takes the stage and begins to speak.
"Thank you all for joining us this night. I take immense pride in my responsibility as Chief Defender, especially when it comes to the honor of the hopeknife ceremony. It is always a great privilege to bequeath Trunauan youths their hopeknives as they come of age." Halgra stops speaking long enough to open an ornamental case and retrieve a slender, ornately decorated dagger hanging from a silver chain. "But tonight is a special occasion, for the recipient of this hopeknife is none other than my youngest daughter." Once again, Halgra pauses, but this time she turns to talk to the child beside her.
"Ruby, by the traditions of our town, you have come of age. This hopeknife represents your responsibilities as an adult and defender of Trunau. You must be willing to use it on yourself, your fellow Trunauans, and your family—even me, should it come to that. It will be a far quicker death than that which the orcs will offer, and providing it is your duty. Do you swear to guard Trunau from all comers, and to use your hopeknife only for its intended purpose?" Ruby—dusky skinned, black haired, and painfully shy—nods her head in response to her mother's question.
"If the orcs come, and there is no other option, this is where you cut—here, here, and here." Halgra demonstrates which arteries to sever while Ruby watches. When she is finished, Halgra sheathes the hopeknife and places the necklace around Ruby's neck before turning back to address the crowd.
"Tonight, Ruby becomes a full member of our community! Let us welcome her, and celebrate her passage into adulthood! Trunau forever!" The crowd echoes Halgra's last words in unison, signaling the end of the ceremony.
With Halgra's speech completed, the townsfolk waste no time transitioning to the ceremony's more light-hearted festivities. This will include several games in which Ruby will be the key player.
Daxa smiles at the festivities, looking at the humans towering above her. She looks around, seeing where the food and ale might be.
A copious amount of tasty treats and cold alcoholic beverages are available. The residents of Trunau eat, drink, and make merry, chatting about current events.
Awkwardly Daxa starts asking around as she gets something to something to eat in one hand and something to drink in her other.
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As Daxa enjoys the refreshments, the townsfolk fill her in on some more details about the ceremony.
"The hopeknife is more than a weapon—it's a symbol. To Trunauans, earning your hopeknife is a mark of your place in the community. When you earn your hopeknife, it means you are wise enough to make adult decisions, old enough to know what it means to fear, and strong enough to protect your neighbors, even if it costs you your own life."
"Even though she's the Chief Defender's daughter, Ruby has to pledge to uphold the Standing Vow in order to receive her hopeknife, just like the rest of us. She must agree to hold Trunau against all comers and to never forfeit her homeland willingly. That is the Vow."
She also overhears some gossip: "Rumor has it that Rodrik Grath is next in line for the position of patrol leader after his old man Jagrin retires. Jagrin's a good commander, but he's getting old, and it might be time for some new blood in the militia's leadership."
"Attention, everybody!" a handsome man calls from the stage. He and another man with similar features stand beside Ruby, while a large rope lies coiled at their feet. This is Rodrik Grath and his brother, Kurst, prominent members of Trunau's militia and the two eldest sons of Patrol Leader Jagrin Grath.
"It's time for tug-of-war!" Rodrik continues. "As is tradition, Ruby here will face off against the town's best defenders--namely, me and my brother. She will now choose some of you to join the game on her side. Go ahead, Ruby." He smiles down at the shy girl.
Ruby takes a hard look at the crowd, then awkwardly points at Daxa. "Her," she says. "And...him." She points to Vex.
"Good choices! Come on up, friends!" Rodrik says. The crowd starts to usher the two of you up onto the stage.
Daxa looks around in confusion, then realizes that Ruby is pointing to Vex. She meanders up to Ruby, finishes her drink and hands it to a nearby onlooker. "You had me confused there for a moment, lass of the hour. I was wondering what strange beast you had paired me up with. I didn't realize you meant Vex. Now she's not much too look at and her attitude is even thornier, but I assure you she's as much a lady as you or I. A youngling like you, practically. She and I grew up in the same town, you know?" She pauses. "Mmm, rambling am I? That lovely beverage must have loosed my tongue. My apologies if I talked yer ear off on yer big day." She turns back to Vex, waiting.
"Oh! S-sorry," Ruby stammers, giving Vex an apologetic look.
"Right then, shall we begin?" says Rodrik. "You two get on that side with Ruby, and we'll grab this end. When I say go, tug with all of your might! Whoever drags the other team over the center line first wins!"