Cuédleür (KWED-ley-EUR)

Traditionally, a newborn is given two names, one to be shared with the world at large (called a "common name") and one only to be used with family (a "true name"). Common names can be anything, but are often inspired by elements of the natural world, and may occasionally be changed later in life.

Ancient Cuédleür

At the time of their arrival in Ðiéithtír, the Cuédleür were a single clan united by their need to survive for long enough to become established in their new environment. There was much contact between the settlers and the Fey native to the area at this time, which gave rise to a number of traditions still practiced in some form to this day.

Naming

(See also: The Rock Gambit)

To protect newborns from being stolen by the Fey, all babies were given a true name and a false name, with their true name being kept secret by their parents until the child received their Midsummer Rites. Adults were officially free to give their true name to anyone they wished, but due to the risks of a name making its way into the wrong hands, most would keep theirs secret, shared only with life-partners.

Coming of Age

The Midsummer Rites mark the transition into adulthood for all members of the clan. As the ancient Cuédleür spread and began to establish new settlements, this tradition kept the clan unified, gathering the people each year in celebration of the summer, the favor of the the Oak Court, and the next generation.

Snowmelt Festival

Watch this space!

Path of Stars

The Path of Stars is a yearly pilgrimage to Myn Serennyth undertaken by Cuédleür who wish to witness the Sun's return after the longest night of the year, as well as those who intend to make an offering to the Fey they hope to see returned tenfold in the year to come.

The Midsummer Rites are still practiced today, though some elements have changed. The vocational runes which were once dyed permanently into the skin are now worn as staining pigments, applied for all clan gatherings and allowed to fade in the intervening weeks or months.

In the years after receiving their vocational runes, young Cuédleür are encouraged to move between villages, sharing their skills with the clan at large and finding where they are most needed. Many who begin courtships at Midsummer will take this opportunity to visit each other's villages in particular, and as their relationships progress, the common practice is to find roles in a village new to all partners and settle into adulthood together.

If a Cuédleür knows they are dying, it is common practice to arrange a private visit between them and the village story-keeper. They will speak in as much length as the dying patient desires, and the story-keeper will record the life of the patient as they wish it to be told.

Once the life has left a body, it is believed that the spirit of the deceased will linger in the vicinity of those with the strongest memories of them until the end of autumn. When the migratory birds fly south for the winter, the dead are thought to follow them beyond the horizon to Tihúntir Górwel.

The foundational legend of Cuédleur myth is known as the Longest Night, and tells of the ancient Cuédleür's arrival on Ðiéithtír and the beginnings of their relationship with the Fey.

Having developed alongside the ever-changing Fey, Cuédleür culture has never drawn much of a connection between anatomical sex and gender. No roles, responsibilities, or expectations are assigned to anyone based on gender, but rather based on how an individual is best suited to serve their village and the clan. Gender is seen as a personal matter, and individuals are allowed and encouraged to present themselves in whatever manner feels most nature. When meeting someone for the first time, the polite thing to ask is "how shall I refer to you?", with the response being "I am called {Name}, and I am described by {pronouns}".

Transitioning

The Cuédleür have an understanding of gender as fluid, able to change as a person grows and comes to understand themself. Thus, the practice of social transition is a well-established one, appearing in the oral tradition as early as {TBD} in the legend of {TBD}. This can, but does not have to, include the assumption of a new common name that the individual finds more descriptive of their evolved experience of themself.

As far as altering the physical body is concerned, options are rather more limited. Surgeries, though possible, come with a high risk of complications, and thus are generally considered a last resort and are only performed under circumstances where potential bad outcomes are still preferable to an individual's status quo. That said, there are a number of herbs which, when used appropriately, can promote growth in particular areas or regulate certain bodily cycles; these herbs are available to anyone through their village's herbalist, though if a child is seeking the herbs the adult(s) responsible for their care will be consulted to help gauge the situation before proceeding.

The clan's spiritual leadership comes in the form of the Speakers' Council, made up of the senior siarabyðeur from each village.