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Jubilation fills the evening air in the normally staid town of Jacksville, 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.
In these rare occasions everyone leaves their forges and pumpkin patches behind and joins the town for the celebration. Those of you who have just arrived to town as visitors, you were cajoled by the masses to “come join the best party this town has to offer”.
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 Jack 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 Jacksville. You must be willing to use it on yourself, your fellow Jacks, 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 Jacksville from all comers, and to use your hopeknife only for its intended purpose?”
Ruby—dusky skinned, auburn 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! Jacksville forever!” The crowd echoes Halgra’s last words in unison, signaling the end of the ceremony.