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Orlanth Initiation in New Pavis 1623

Posted on March 7, 2025

In New Pavis, if are a young adult man of the Orlanth cult (note that includes women of the Vinga subcult), you have already experienced danger and peril. In 1623, during the height of the Lunar Occupation, about 500 boys (and some girls) from New Pavis and surrounding farms were secretly taken to sacred places to be initiated. Most were taken some 56 km to the Pairing Stones, where they joined another 1000 boys (and some girls) from throughout Pavis County. The trek started at night and went through the night and well into the next day. Many collapsed from exhaustion and had to be helped by their peers. The whole time, anxious men with shields and weapons walked barefoot with them. Priests of Orlanth greeted them there, and hungry and tired the boys began their initiation to manhood.

For about 50 boys and girls it was much more dangerous. For one reason or another, they were chosen to perform more arduous rites. They were snatched out of their homes at night by notorious outlaws, while their family looked on, and taken via secret paths into the Big Rubble. They were told if they so much as sneezed, the Lunar soldiers would kill them. Inside the haunted ruins, occupied by trolls and worse, they were brought to a hilltop near the Big Grazing. There Rune Lords of Orlanth Adventurous began their initiation rights.

The newly initiated young men (which include those women chosen by Vinga) were brought to Orlanth Adventurous and given weapons, a cloak, and a broad hat. Upon their return home they began their ordeal – traditionally in New Pavis, the young men live in the temple or guild house; but as the Orlanth temple had been closed since 1621, they began their ordeal in the following places:

Humakt Temple – thanks to the close friendship between Humakt and Orlanth, many young men began their Orlanth Adventurous training in the House of Death.

Garhound – a large group of young men traveled to the town of Garhound where they lived at the Lightbringers temple and began their training.

Far End – other young men traveled up the Scritha to Far End where they began their training.

Pairing Stones – another large group of young men traveled back to the Pairing Stones where they lived in the wilderness in the traditional manner to begin their training.

This training continued for about a year, with the young men learning to fight alone and as part of the militia, how to raid and hunt, how to run long distances, how to climb cliffs, and other physical training. Most importantly, they learn the songs and dances of the Orlanthi gods and heroes, how to speak with spirits, and of sex, the bonds of friendship, and the duties of men. During this time, they learned how to avoid Lunar patrols, and some learned how to ambush and kill.

In 1624, they learned what war is.

Now this was all was while Halcyon var Enkorth was governor in New Pavis. Much of the Lunar army had been recalled to Dragon Pass and the Holy Country, so although Halcyon’s rule was more oppressive than Sor-eel’s, his actual military resources were much less. During this period, the Moon Masks of Gim gim the Grim no doubt were a terror throughout the city, and I imagine there were often gang fights between the young men and the Red Bastards and other pro-Lunar gangs.


Jeff Richard

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1623 ST, 1624 ST, Big Grazing (Big Rubble), Big Rubble (ruin), Far End (Pavis County village), Garhound (small city), Gim Gim, Halcyon, Humakt Temple (New Pavis), initiation, Moon Masks, New Pavis (small city), Pairing Stones, Pavis County, Red Bastards (New Pavis gang)

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