User:Sev40/Naming Ceremony

The Naming Ceremony is a long, highly prized celebration that occurs only once in a Sangheili's life. It is essentially a right to passage, with the individuals permitted to form his own surname, and usually only occurs after being accepted into the Covenant Military. Though more of a private affair, the local community beyond the keep can also attend, with the more important leaders such as Kaidons measure their popularity and success with how many individuals attend. The ceremony is housed in a structure of forerunner origin, or a dedicated temple when no such artifact is nearby. As a result, the spaces can vary, from a small room only about a few metres, to larger multi-story structures which can house a full company and the entire keep.

Speech from the Holy Ones
Starting off the celebration is a speech from a holy individual, normally an Ascetic but individuals in the Zealot caste of the military can also perform a speech as well. While it basically explains the significance of the celebration, its true purpose is far more subtle - its more meant as an excuse to enforce the religion in the Covenant, and also to assassinate blasphemers and known Heretics that arrive to the scene.

Choosing their Name
When the Ascetic calls for it, the to-be adults walk up to the stage and say their Keep's vows (if there are any), which they had to memorise. As well as this, they had to pronounce the Writ of Union. They are then allowed to choose their surname. Due to the importance of names in Sangheili culture, each part of the name has a meaning. Though most Sangheili name themselves after their Keep or State, they almost always add the prefix 'ee' to it, to show military service. It is only after the individual's name is chosen do the other adults treat them with respect, rather than like a child.

The Feast
Immediately after this, a feast begins, composed of recipes created specifically for the occasion, and reflecting the individual culture of the Keep. Though not always, sometimes outside workers such as specially-trained Unggoy can be brought in to prepare the meals. It should be noted there is no set Feast, and it is common to have multiple feasts over the course of the celebration.

The Duels of Ancients
Perhaps the biggest reason why most Sangheili attend, The Duels is a series of competitions taken over the course of several days. There's usually two fighting competitions: an Adult League and the Children's League. Though prizes are there for the winners, the reason why most Sangheili fight in these is for a chance to fight the newly-appointed adult in which the ceremony stars. There's a number of rules that must be followed, however, for each and every one of the duels:
 * 1) All participants must remove any and all body armor, and instead replace it with simple or traditional Sangheili garments
 * 2) No ranged weapons of any kind are permitted, even spears
 * 3) Only traditional Sangheili melee weapons can be used
 * 4) No attacking your opponent from behind
 * 5) If your opponent's knocked out, the fight is over. Surrendering does not end the fight

Closing
The Closing is a variable event organised by the adult-to-be, and as such this is what makes each Ceremony unique. As such, they can be anything from an activation of a forerunner installation, to another simple speech.