Nomaoux
As with all beings on the Branches of The Great Tree, the goblins all possess the ability to use magic. But, also with all Talents, it exists on a spectrum. Some being more powerful than others, some being more versatile than others; others with flawless control and those with great power but little ability to manage it. The goblins believe that their abilities are a direct relation to their god, Bhal. This is why the strongest caster of the clan is almost always the High Priestess, or a particularly faithful Chief.
As such the goblins will at a young age go through a set of rituals to see how much magic they are able to hold at any given moment. Though from an outsider's perspective that has dealt little with the Family, they can hold an enormous amount of power on average in comparison to the Fae-born races such as Humans, Dwarves and Gnomes. However, due to the goblins' limited connection to this greater society at large, they remain largely unaware of just how much power they actually hold.
This ritual set is collectively known as Nomaoux, consisting of a set of three rituals. The first being called:
- Kiznerven: Where the child of the clan will accompany the Mother of the Clan to the Burial chamber for the Clan. This is a quiet affair, somber where the Mother will lead the Child through a set of meditations to open their ears to the song of the world around them.
- Vilnerven: The Child and Mother will give their prayers to the long departed, and depart themselves. Both of them will leave the village to the Ancient Forest that surrounds the village, and begin ascending the tallest amongst the giants of the wood. This step in the ritual is meant to open the eyes of the Child to how small they are in the world around them, meant to focus the mind on the pinpoint that is their being. This step begins by once being on the tallest branches the Priestess will braid the tail ends of their braids together, in a symbolic gesture that is meant to connect Mentor and Student. It holds weight, the Priestess of the Clan is by and large a Symbolic Mother to the entire clan. This step is usually the first time the Child has anyone but their own parents do this for them, it allows them the confirmation and affirmation that the clan cares deeply for all of them. This step is meant to allow the Child to feel the weight of the wind through the tallest trees while also feeling the security of the Family around them.
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Xynerver: This is the final step when the Child is guided through the process of trying to summon an amount of magic. Typically, for nearly all goblins, there is a manifestation of Weather or wind or sound.Show spoilerUsually this the end of most goblins journey though magic, as many can use it this is typically a difficult task for all but the oldest Raider's or the Priestess herself. A Notable change that has occurred under the Sisterhood of Mother Kari, High Priestess of the Skullbrood Clan, she had begun to aggressively teach the clan on medicine and basic healing magics. She did break traditions for the men to learn more physical variations of magic in times past and taught everyone the exact same lessons. In modern times, the Priestess' duty is significantly easier due to nearly everyone being able to assist the sick and injured.Though lost to them, the reason this is the case is because they are truly beings of Air. Being creations of Vilorlith, her direct children. Their divine blood allows them a peerless connection to the Domain of Air.
Imperial Scholars Thoughts
Wise Mother to the clan she was, dearly missed. May The Great Mother rest her honorable bones in a sea of endless stars. She does not understand the steps she took for the events to come, she should be proud in the knowledge that she guided the Children of the Clan under such righteous endeavors. For the ability to use their power, the chains which held them still, began to rust as she spoke each word. Kari, you marvelously caregiver, you. You would be proud to see Ilgor follow your path, for she will break the chains that Shadow has made for you, to bring the Family higher, to heights not seen in memory. Feel proud, Kari. Your Daughter will lead the Family to the glory they deserve. Their Birth Given right, you opened their eyes that they are able to use magic, all of them. A novelty not seen by humanity, a gift from the blood that runs through your veins. A new dawn on darkened skies.Nomaoux of Illy
I remember when she woke me when the stars still danced just outside the caves, she brushed the knots from my hair. Telling me "Wake darling, today is an important day", I remembered at the time all I wanted was to fall back asleep. It was warm, and Ma'ma was next to me, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. I still followed her. Back then, when I was still just a little girl, I was scared of the Keystones. I knew that they were for the Family that died, but I hadn't really separated the fact that they were only stones with their names and not them in actuality.She asked if I was hungry, and she gave me fresh warm bread from the ovens that dotted the caves. Only the Sentinels of the Raiders were awake at this time of day, they all seemed to know what we were doing, even though I didn't. All I knew was that Ma'ma had got my ass up before the sun had risen. I remembered one of the Sentinels giving me a small pot of honey for my bread, I don't remember what he said to me. Mother gave the Sentinel a hug before we left for the main burial chamber.It was dim, candles having burned low in the night. Small pools of wax gathering in the countless alcoves, soft light shifting in the comfortable gloom. It was quiet in here, only one of the Sisters awake. Ma'ma talked with her for a long while, her tender hand keeping me up while I, with full belly, nodded off standing up. I woke up cradled in her arms as she spoke softly, kneeling before the innumerable mound of Keystones. "Lest we forget those we left behind... The family sacred."Even though she had fallen asleep, her ears were wide. Listening to the words I spoke, I held Ilgor as her mind began to open to the sermons and magic. Small child, safe in my arms, the seedling to take root to form a mighty forest of her own in time. I remember at the time being surprised to hear her whisper the words back to me, though slurred, mispronounced as all the children do. A warmth in my chest, I knew that her mind would be willing to listen to the words of Bhal, she would be powerful.
That tree she picked... it poked through the clouds. She smiled at me as we neared the top of the branches, I wasn't scared, I couldn't see the ground anyway. Ma'ma had sat me on her lap, fussing with my hair again, but I made no noise of complaint. It was Ma, I always felt safe around her. She always fussed with my hair, she always made sure I wasn't scared. I miss her."Open your ears Illy," she said playfully, flicking them open for me, I remember laughing, her resting her chin on my head. "Listen to the world, listen to the sound of the wind." I did, the gentle deep bassy noise as the tree creaked in the light breeze. "Further, not just the tree. Listen to the wind through all the trees."My ears were tired from being outstretched for so long, but I didn't want to make Ma'ma sad. I thought I heard it, like a voice through the air. A soft song, chimes heard from across a valley, the gentle swaying of all the trees in time with one another. "Further, Darling. Listen to the sound of the skies, hear the clouds move through the heavens."I didn't know what I was listening for, all I could hear was the air moving through the trees. Ma'ma tapped the side of my head and my eyes snapped open. Clear blue skies, the vast sea of emeralds in the rising sun. Trees swaying in a heavier breeze, I felt my head get heavy, my ears get warm as the song of birds and the baying of those on the forest floor filled them. Ma'ma humming softly behind me was barely audible, I felt the vibration more than heard it. A song in the distance as the clouds moved away over the tops of the bright evergreen trees, like the clouds themselves were the ones humming the song.Later that day, Ma'ma had sat us down on the beach in front of the caves. My stomach growled in defiance, but I made no noise. She smiled sweetly down at me, asking for one of the Raiders to get me something to eat. He smiled at me too, ruffling my hair as he passed. "Listen to the world again, Darling."
The Raider came back with a bowl of hot stew for both of us, looking at Ma' with a strange look. I wondered why he didn't sit and eat with us, I get now that he was waiting for Ma' to tell him something else. I just remember not getting it, it was dinner time. "Can you go get Yorm?" He left and returned with Da'. Our Father had Hob and Yvet with him. They both had toy swords, but Ma stopped him from handing me one to play with."So we get to see if she can do it?" Da said, his voice like falling rocks to my ears. I still hadn't stopped listening like Ma' told me to do, so every noise around me sounded ten times louder."We do, from what I could see today, she will do wonderfully! Hob and Yvet could only do a little, but I think little Illy here will be able to do much more." Ma' said, taking my empty bowl from me. I fussed as she cleaned my face off with a rag she magiked out of nowhere. "You need to eat with more care, Sweetheart. The food goes in your mouth, not on your face."She sat me back in her lap again, Da' sat next to her, telling the boys to sit in front of him. She had called to the others of the Family within earshot to join us, not soon after I had a small crowd around us. I wasn't hesitant, I didn't mind all the attention on me, all us Orphans had that kind level of attention put on us. I was used to it at that point. "Illy, raise your hands out like this." She raised her hands out in front of me with her palms facing upward. So I copied her."Listen to the world again, but I want you to think of something. I want you to think that The Great Father is doing something you hear. Close your eyes and think about what you hear." Her voice was like honey to me as she started a soft sermon behind me. She had already done this today, up in the trees. She was just a hummed song to me as I listened to the world around me.The sound of the waves against the beach, the crash of water against the rocks out in the bay. The seagulls overheard, to the song birds settling down for the night in the forest at the top of the cliffs. The voices of the Family in their prayers behind me, blurred together, a chorus without words. In my mind I saw the wind move across the sea, like The Great Father was blowing the wind himself.The world dimmed around me, quieter. The sound of the Family, a distant memory, Ma'ma’s humming distant. The birds were gone, the waves were gone, silent. Only the wind in my ears, they were heavier than before. My arms were tired and my belly rumbled fiercely. I opened my eyes to look back at Ma and ask if we could stop, but when I opened my eyes I saw what I had done.I had pulled a few clouds from the sky to sit just over the water, a dense fog lit by the setting sun over the mountains behind us. It looked as if there was a fire on the water, the mist shifting and swirling changing the glow. "Well done, Darling!" I felt Ma'ma’s pride, I didn't have to turn around to know she was smiling, as I felt my lips curl up into a giggle too.
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