Ritual of Adoption
The Ritual of Adoption is a Clan rite undertaken by members of the Warrior Caste to induct a new adult member as a warrior. The exact nature of the ceremony depends on the Clan in question, but for most the inductee is forced to run a figurative gauntlet of those who oppose their adoption (a varying order of MechWarrior, Elemental and Aerospace Pilot depending on which subcaste the inductee intends to join) and must pass a Trial of Position within six months. Success results in the person becoming a warrior and winning the right to an "honorname" reflecting their new clan (i.e. John GhostBear) while failure means a return to the person's former status.[1][2][3]
Notable Rituals of Adoption
The First Ritual of Adoption was former General Ethan Moreau by Clan Goliath Scorpion, with the Founder himself involved.[4]
Phelan Kell's adoption into Clan Wolf took place aboard the Dire Wolf on 12 January 3051, overseen by Ulric Kerensky as Oathmaster and escorted by Ranna Kerensky. In this case, he was unwittingly forced to move between strobing pillars of light while following Ranna to the center of a darkened amphitheater. At the same time, he had to dodge incoming attacks from the shadows as he was guided to his destination where opposing and supporting representatives from each subcaste, each ceremonially dressed in their Clan Totem's garb, ritually intoned words of disapproval and approval. During the Ritual, Cavell Malthus of Clan Jade Falcon was the symbolically attacking aerospace fighter pilot, and Phelan was defended by Carew. Likewise, Lincoln Osis of Clan Smoke Jaguar represented the Elemental attacker, while Evantha Fetladral defended. Lastly, Garald Winson of Clan Ghost Bear was the attacking MechWarrior, and was answered by Natasha Kerensky in turn. At the end of the ritual, Vlad, who was also one of the hidden attackers, formally welcomed Phelan to the House of Ward after the latter's bondscord was cut by Ulric.[5]
