Crown of Herbs

The crown of herbs ritual is one long-observed in the Savelan Northlands, acting as a coming-of-age ritual for young children stepping into their school-age years.

To the Schoolhouse

It's a momentous occasion in any child's life when they make it out of their first stumbling and babbling years of life, where everything is new, nothing makes sense, and all they know is the faces of their family. As the world opens up to them and new opportunities abound, they're set out into the world for the first time. In the Savelan Northlands, this occasion is marked with a traditional accessory that celebrates their first true venture from the home.

Baby's First Journey

Historically, when children came of age for public schooling in the Northlands, their first destination was a grand one: the big city. They could begin their learning any time, of course, but they wouldn't be noted as scholars on the books until they made a great journey to the capital city to file papers and get their own little certificate of commencement. In the summer of each year, parades of young children would arrive at the gates of Aurel, wearing soft crowns of woven herbs, amazed by the sights and sounds of a wider world than they ever imagined.   Many children who went through this process would grow up to proclaim that their biggest dream was to go back to the city one day, when they've finished their schooling and moved on to build professional careers. It was a ritual that planted the seed of hope into young hearts with their first adventure.

Auspicious Blends

No two crowns are built the same, where this tradition is concerned. Many families develop their own styles and compositions over the generations, marriages bringing together different ideas for what this should look like. Some folks don't pay much mind to the tradition, only participating because it is popular, throwing together whatever herbs they have in excess. Others find powerful significance in it, utilizing symbolic herbs in their craft to impart a deeper meaning to the tradition and send their best wishes with their child as they go forth into the world.

Severance of the Crown

When the Monarchy fell, the city of Aurel stopped issuing certificates of commencement to Northlands children.