Confidant Bonding Rite

The Confidant Bonding Rite originated in the earliest days of Witches within A'arde, back some time in the Age of Renewal, when it was discovered that there was in fact a way to allow those born with a vast Mana Pool but without a Weave Channel to cast spells and engage with magic like other Weavecrafters. It became a necessary part of the preparations for those intending to follow the Vocation of the Witch, as without a Confidant, Witches cannot achieve more than Grade 1 in their Vocation, and therefore can never choose a Path.

The basics of the Rite have not changed much over the millennia, though variations upon it have evolved, both organically and spontaneously, all over the world. Coille Ciaradh an Iar is particularly famous for its very beautiful Rites, which take place every year at the Spring Equinox, though few outsiders are permitted to witness them.

The Confidant Bonding Rite generally requires the Witch and their Mediator perform a summoning, which draws spirits capable of enacting a Confidant Bond to them. The specifics of the ritual can vary from Witch to Witch, particularly if they are solitary or hereditary Witches, and variations exist even between Covens. Witches that find themselves without another Witch to mentor them may also craft their own ritual, asking another Weavecrafter for assistance in completing it, meaning that it is possible to find a Witch's spellbook containing an entirely new variant of the Rite.

Once this summoning has been completed, the Witch then reaches out to the spirits with their senses, and utilises their intuition to decide which spirit will make the best Confidant for them. This part of the Rite is often seen as the most universal amongst variations of Rites, as it is the only factor that remains consistent throughout all descriptions, yet it also remains the most enigmatic. This is because the terms "reaching out" and "utilise intuition" can mean completely different things to different people, thus descriptions of the actual events within this are particularly hazy. It is believed that the act of "figuring out" what these particular terms mean to the Witch, as an individual, are actually a major part of the Rite that will determine the inner traits of the Witch, and thus draw the most appropriate Confidants to them.

Some Witches describe the process as being visually beautiful, with the spirits appearing as glowing lights of various radiance and the Witch being drawn to one of a particular colour or brightness. Others have called it overwhelming, with the only true merit of the process being that the warmth and kinship they felt with the Confidant they chose as they managed to quell the influx of sensations.

The key participants within the Rite are the Witch seeking their Confidant, and the "Mediator", an individual that assists the Witch in stabilising the magic required to perform the Rite. While this role is usually carried out by another Witch, it can be taken up by anyone with magical ability.

The role of the Mediator is incredibly important, as they will be the ones ultimately channelling the ritual due to Witches having no Weave Channel of their own. This is particularly important for Witches with no known Witch parent, as they will not have the protections of their parent's Confidant upon them. Witches that choose their Mediator generally choose someone they trust, as opposed to someone with authority or in a position of power. This is primarily because the Mediator has the Witch's life in their hands; the potential for Mana Overload is particularly high during Rites.

There is generally only one Mediator necessary for the Rite to work, however some Covens perform the Rites with multiple Mediators present, sharing the burden of balancing the magic at work. Rites with multiple Mediators are often said to be less overwhelming on the Witch choosing their Confidant, as it is supposed to spread the magical load more evenly and make it easier for the new Witches to process.

Witches can take part in the Rite at any point after they have come into their Vocation, though their ability to use Path-specific abilities will not be available to them until they reach Grade 3. Most Witches come into their Vocation between the ages of 8 and 16, but the minimum age that a Witch can be to take on the Rite is 10.

The Rite is considered one of the most important moments in a Witch's life, and most Covens will hold a Rite once a year on a day of relevance to the Coven, whereby all Of-Age Witches (a minimum age of 10) that have come into their Vocation will go through the Rite as a group. Outside of a Coven, there are normally no restrictions on when the Rite can take place, so long as the individual is over the age of 10.