• Joining the Mordena

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    Yukkanit Tenael

    "Welcome to Janikk." Shane's voice radiated pride. "She allows us to live here as long as we respect her, and recognize that we, too, are now part of the Balance of life."   He looked down, fixing Auren with a purposeful stare. "This agreement will extend to you, as well. You're planetside now. Once you eat something, you'll become part of her planetary network. Permanently – there's no going back." The necromancer paused. "Are you certain this is what you want?"
    — Coming Home
      Those who have earned the title of Munokkael are offered the opportunity to undergo the Yukkanit Tenael, permanently joining the Mordena. This ritual ties their souls to the Tenecknaab, the ancient network joining all life on the planet, before teaching them the Mordena's closely guarded language, Morjakk. The effects are permanent, persisting across the universe and even into the Afterlife, allowing the Mordena to always recognize their own.

    History

    Shane's mind began to once again fill with the life of the planet, tentatively at first but faster and more exuberant as his mental shields continued to hold. Before long he held the entire collection within his thoughts again, a vast and interconnected balance of life and death reminiscent of his own familiar connection with the cosmic Void, this one pulsing with vibrant footpads and soft flowers rather than the chaotic dance of the waves of eternity.   He felt Janikk's pride swell across his thoughts in response to his overwhelming awe.
    — Mordena Dawn, Book 2: Spirits of the Relentless
      The full history of the Tenecknaab is unknown, even to Janikk herself. It's been a feature of the planet since time immemorial, linking all life on Janikk to each other and forming the very basis of ancient Jannadaelox beliefs.   With the resettlement of Janikk in the era of Vazdimet, those living on the planet were no longer solely those born on the planet, meaning they did not begin their lives already tied to the Tenecknaab. To guarantee each new immigrant to Janikk willingly choose for themselves – and to maintain security of the ancient Jannadan language now known as Morjakk – Shane Lawrence worked with his leadership to devise the Yukkanit Tenael, "The Linking/Belonging."   Today the process is rarely referred to by its formal name, instead merely called "initiation" or "joining the Mordena."

    Observance

    Lieutenant Coilin laughed, pointing to one of the smaller doors on the far end of the hangar. "This way. Did they tell you how this works?"   "Commander Acer told me I'll eat something here to link me to the planet, followed by a telepathic procedure. Is there something else I should know?"
    — Applicant Mel Rahna
      All Mordena partake in the Yukkanit Tenael. Those choosing to join most often undergo the rituals with the individual who recruited them, completing the entire ritual in the same day. Children born to Mordena most often join the Tenecknaab with their first meal, but are not taught Morjakk until closer to six months of age.   The ritual itself is flexible, allowing for customization to meet each participant's comfort level provided the necessary steps are taken to activate the magic required. Munokkael are permitted to select their own food, which they may eat by themselves or share with their recruiter or loved ones. Sometimes meals are prepared specifically for the occasion, but food chosen for convenience is just as effective. So long as at least one of the primary ingredients is native to Janikk, and the food itself is consumed on Janikk, the Tenecknaab will reach for the new celebrant and pull them into the planetary network.   Next, the Munokkael will allow a telepathyic link with a member of the Mordena in order to learn the mercenary's highly guarded language, Morjakk. The celebrant is free to select their own Telepath if they have a preference and do not know the magic themselves; otherwise they will be provided with one for the ritual. This phase is also an exercise of trust, as the Munokkael will need to allow the Telepath access to plant new memories in their mind while they are asleep.   Once again the methods are less necessary than the final results, with some choosing to sleep naturally, and others relying upon sleep-inducing Alchemy or fresh nirkk. Knowledge of Morjakk is transferred once the celebrant is asleep, often accompanied by Galactic Common or other information, at the Munokkael's discretion. If the celebrant is a minor, their family will assist in these choices.   Those who have undergone both steps are considered full fledged Morjakkael, entitled to the rights and priviledges granted to all Mordena.
    A slow cascade of memories and images flittered across Lira's mind, drawing her attention away from the fact she could feel the life all around her. That she was not alone in the bed. That when she woke up, she would officially be a Mordena.   It took much less time than she had anticipated to drift into a deep, exhausted sleep.   Feeling Lira relax, her breath slowing, Jake reached out for her with his Telepathy. <Destinee?>   She shifted slightly in his arms, her breath still quiet and even. Asleep. Reaching into his own mind, Jake found the bundled memories of his knowledge of Morjakk and shared them with Lira. "Yukkan Morjakkael, Nikkeer," he whispered into her hair, pulling her close as he prepared for sleep, cradling her gently.   Welcome home, Mordena.
    — Hands of Destinee, Book 1: A Date with Destinee
    Primary Related Location
    Janikk
    Related Organizations
    Related Ethnicities

    Further Reading

    Janikk
    Geographic Location | Aug 21, 2023

    Homeworld of the Mordena mercenaries, Janikk is said to be a planet of fantastical, hostile wildlife haunted by an ominous sentience.

    Tenecknaab
    Physical / Metaphysical Law | Mar 3, 2023

    A well-guarded secret of the Mordena mercenaries, the Tenecknaab ties them permanently to their planet - and each other.

    Munokkael
    Rank/Title | Mar 3, 2023

    Morjakk for both "The Hunter" and "The Hunted," those addressed as Munokkael have been identified as potential new recruits into the Mordena.

    Morjakkael
    Rank/Title | Mar 3, 2023

    To be Morjakkael is to be a full fledged Mordena.

    Morjakk
    Language | Jun 7, 2024

    Its true name lost to the ages, Morjakk is the ancient and forgotten language of Janikk, resurrected by the Mordena with assistance of Telepathy.


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    Entry for Worldbuilding Summer Camp 2022

    Answering: "Α food that marks a rite of passage for a culture in your world"
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    Cover image: Planet Moon Solar by LoganArt
    Article template
    Tradition / Ritual
    World
    Vazdimet
    Category
    Jannadael Culture in Jannadael
    Author
    Vazdimet
    Publication Date
    29 Jul, 2022
    Creation Date
    16 Jul, 2022
    Last Update Date
    2 Aug, 2022
    Visibility
    Public
    Views
    1062
    Favorites
    5
    Comments
    3
    Work In Progress

    Comments

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    Grandmaster TheDoctor292
    Jul 29, 2022 21:24

    Great article. Spotted a typo, “ Munokkael are permitted to select thir own food”

    Want to check out more read my bard article
    Exalted Councilor of the Inner Sanctum Vazdimet
    Aug 2, 2022 23:18 by Morgan Biscup

    Fixed, thank you so much!

    Lead Author of Vazdimet.
    Necromancy is a Wholesome Science.
    Grandmaster TheDoctor292
    Aug 3, 2022 16:50

    No problem!

    Want to check out more read my bard article
    Eternal Sage AmélieIS
    Aug 19, 2022 21:10 by Amélie I. S. Debruyne

    I love this tradition! It makes perfect sense for a sentient planet and it has a lot of fun implications :D As always, the novel excerpt work very well to illustrate the article and intrigue us about the characters.

    To see what I am up to: my World Ember 2024.
    Grandmaster Julian Ralid
    Aug 28, 2022 22:30 by JRR Jara

    Mel is in the article!! awwwww <3

    Creator of Hanzelot and many more.
    Exalted Councilor of the Inner Sanctum Vazdimet
    Aug 28, 2022 22:52 by Morgan Biscup

    Mel is the best!

    Lead Author of Vazdimet.
    Necromancy is a Wholesome Science.
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