The Blooded Fangs

From Mizahar Lore

"Some look down on eating Dhani, but never forget those Dira Damned serpents are strong, clever, powerful. We eat them and gain some of that strength to more easily kill them every time we find their scum dirtying what is rightfully Myri's." - A Blood Fangs Elder to young Blooded Fangs

The Blooded Fangs are a very traditional clan, steeped in age old rituals carried with them before Myri's rise. Stories tell of how they fought tooth and claw against her growing armies, and though Myri had gained her merciless title, she stayed her hand when the female leader of their clan challenged her to single combat in order to save the rest of her people from slaughter. Myri beat her, but not without struggle, and when the fallen woman rose off the ground, she did so as a member of Myri's growing horde. The clan's name comes from their belief that eating certain parts of dangerous animals and other races give them some power, knowledge, and further strength against such a creature in the future. They hunt the most dangerous creatures in Falyndar, and rarely cook any of the meat they come across, as it destroys the qualities they seek from consuming their conquered foes. It is very common for Blood Fangs to have multiple sets of sharpened teeth as to better tear into their prey, and they revel in their animalistic tendencies. Though most clans do not share the Blooded Fangs fervent beliefs, they do respect their hunting and tracking skills.

Rituals

First Blood

Blooded Fangs hold a child's first hunt as a great day. Special ceremonial blood generally saved from the last great creature slain is drawn in intricate patterns upon a young hunter's entire body, and family and other veteren hunters often accompany the youth. The hunt itself is deathly serious, and done in a manner that treats the child as if they are an adult, giving them no slack for mistakes and verbally abusing and berating them for any perceived failures, whether or not its deserved. It is spread among children leading up to that day that if one returns empty from their First Blood, that they are seen as doomed in the eyes of all that accompany them, but this is quite the opposite of the truth. Once the hunting party returns victorious or empty handed a celebration is held regardless, usually privately to keep the ambiance and aura surrounding First Blood mysterious for other children.

The Serpent's Embrace

This ritual is held in honor of one or more Blooded Fang members taking down a Dhani. If brought back to the clan there is a great feast where everyone feeds off of the Dhani, and the hunters who took down the serpent eat the most vital organs within its body, and are carved necklaces from its fangs that are dipped in paint to represent the clan's namesake. These events do not happen often, and so when they do their is always much celebration and usually nearby clans are invited, with other food provided.

Coming of Age

Blooded Fang children are no different than any other clan when it comes to preparing for their Coming of Age trial that will lead to their Blooding and being marked as a true Myrian. That being said, however, at an early age a young Blooded Fang will choose their prey. This will be determined by its level of threat, rarity, and a number of other factors, approved by the elder as a proper creature to pursue. Then, though the clan promotes knowledge of all plants and animals in order to better survive the wilds, this child will focus on learning everything they can about their Prey. If you select a Ya'Tago, you will be expected to find a much more dangerous adult for your trial, and perhaps will practice upon younger varieties as you grow, whereas if you are hunting the elusive Ta'rukahl you might spend most of your life up to your trial mapping and studying any signs of the creature to determine good locations to hunt and potentially find one of these birds. Your trial begins on the day of your 16th birthday and does not end until you return with proof of your hunt. Many a young Blooded Fang has taken on creatures beyond their skill level and not returned, but the elders will not deny their requests, as the test is about more than simply hunting a creature, but knowing your own limitations as well.

Clan Standing

The Blooded Fangs is one of the few clans that will not strongly discriminate against a male if he has brought back and or consumed the flesh of enough powerful creatures. They see this as the true mark of strength within the clan, and though they respect their matriarchal society, any tendency toward it is more out of ceremony than true belief in this system. The elders of the Blooded Fangs are an even amount of males and females, who have equal say in discussions about the clan. Because of this, many males from other clans seek to woo Blooded Fang females and join their ranks, but before being claimed as a fellow, one must prove themselves a master hunter, and also have the stomach for raw meat. This is something Blooded Fangs have developed over generations, though they are still prone to illness if they consume too much at one time. Hunter ranks within the clan are generally marked by the trophies, and or tattoos of a hunter which marks their exploits and the creatures they have claimed in their hunts. There is also a clan record keeper, as for disputes over hierarchy the elders try to be precise and accurate about how many and of what individuals have killed. Some clan members illustrate, paint, and write tales for their comrades, and several large hide bound journals are kept by the clan.