The Blood Talons expect every member of the tribe to be a warrior. Even the less martially-inclined auspices are expected to be competent in a fight. The tribe’s more established members know, however, that competence in battle doesn’t just spring up overnight. Training takes time, and the unfortunate truth is that a battle rarely waits around until all the recruits are fully trained and prepared. The tribe developed this rite for emergencies when even the most raw, untested cubs must be pressed into service to defend a territory.
This rite is a popular one, especially in dangerous territories that see a high rate of turnover among packs. While use of the rite carries no stigma on its own, many Talons consider it lazy or disrespectful to invoke the rite casually. A warrior should earn his skill at arms through effort, not simply magic them into existence with tattoos and drumming. Ritualists counter that summoning and binding spirits of violence with this rite require just as much effort as hitting the dojo five times a week.
Performing the Rite
The ritualist lines up all prospective beneficiaries, almost like a military company standing at attention. Tradition dictates that all should be nude, but since this ritual is often performed on nuzusul who still cling to human modesty, it’s acceptable to wear a modicum of clothing. As long as the beneficiaries’ arms, legs and torso are mostly bare, the rite can function. The ritualist grinds up a paste of blood, honey and various herbs and plants thought to represent courage (the borage flower is a popular choice in Europe and North Africa), then paints glyphs representing strength, skill at arms and glory in battle along the recipients’ arms, legs and chest.
Through intonation of ancient First Tongue words of binding, the ritualist commands a warspirit or a spirit of violence to go with the cubs and guide their hands and feet in battle. The spirit is ideally one found naturally near the site of the battle, but one summoned and bound using other rites may be used if necessary. In effect, the spirit “Rides” the marks painted on the recipients (although Blood Talons tend to get testy at that implication).
