Rite of Ascension
The Rite of Ascension is a series of difficult tests hosted by the Dragonqueen and her Council to bless victorious Draken with increased power and status. There are two Rites of Ascension, one hosted every 2 years for Stewards at the age of 14 or over to allow them to become Aspirants and a second rite hosted once every 5 years which allows Aspirants to further prove themselves and become Devoted. Both rites take place in Dragonhearth.
Though it is an ancient and honoured tradition, the Dragonqueen wishes the Rites of Ascension to be accessible to Draken of all walks of life, holding and enforcing the law that even criminals are allowed a chance to partake in the trials so long as they are not banished from Dragonhearth.
Steward's Rite of Ascension
Hosted every 2 years for Stewards who are 14 or more years old, this Rite of Ascension tests their wisdom and their combat skills. There is no limit as to how many Stewards may attend this rite but on average a hundred of them do each time. The rite takes place over a one month period and is split into two Trials - The Trial of Mind and the Trial of War, with both trials also separated into three tests.
Trial of Mind
The Rite of Ascension begins with the Trial of Mind and its first test -
the Test of Knowledge, where each Draken has their knowledge tested in a number of ways including the history of the world and the Dragons, the cultures of different races, the machinations of Draken machinary and so much more. All Draken are given 100 questions and must answer correctly half of them lest they must forfeit the challenge. The Test of Knowledge is led by the High Instructor of Dragonhearth.
The Test of Cunning comes afterwards. Here each Draken is locked in a room that functions like a puzzle box, with traps needing to be dodged and tasks needing to be completed. The goal of the test is to escape the room within two hours or else the contestant fails the rite, requiring problem solving and a sense of cunning to be able to pass the test in the time limit.
The Test of Machinery is the final test in the Trial of Mind. Here, the remaining Draken are placed into groups and given an assortment of materials and parts to create their own Battle Unit within 6 hours. Contestants must work together as a team to build the best robotic warriors they can muster and once the six hours is done all Battle Units fight it out in a battle royale with combat ending once only half the mechs remain standing, requiring those whose robots failed the battle to be disqualified.
Trial of War
The Trial of War comes one week after the Trial of Mind ended and it features a series of challenges all focused on combat -
The Test of Stewards is the first test the contestants must take part in. Like a tournament bracket, all Stewards fight in 1-on-1 duels where dealing heavy injuries or fatal blows are forbidden. Due to the nature of this test only half the Stewards can pass it.
The Test of Aspirants is the second test the contestants must take part in. One by one the remaining Stewards have challenges issued by on-looking Aspirants who wish to duel them with the same rules as in the first test. If the Steward is able to stand their ground and beat the Aspirant they are allowed passage into the third Battle.
The Test of the Archon is the third and final test the contestants must take part in. All remaining Stewards are grouped together into one warband and must come together to fight the Archon, a powerful mechanical unit created and tuned specifically to challenge the Stewards in the Rite of Ascension. As it is impossible to fight this opponent alone in most cases, the Stewards must learn to work together to overcome the foe and strike it with coordinated attacks and defenses. In order to succeed, the Stewards must not only rely on physical attacks but must also make use of Magic to overcome their foe.
Should a Steward pass all six tests successfully they are summoned forth to Zamendrya to be gifted their ascended forms, the forms of the Aspirant.
