Challenge of Leadership
If it comes to a vote by the people that some Royals in the Council be interchanged by someone that is loved by the people. Then they can insist a meeting via their already selected Shamans and call a "Council Meeting" with their vote of who should replace the Royal standing in the room as well.
If it is determined the Kitsune has good genes. Is honorable, powerful, and courageous as well as charismatic by the council then they may challenge the Royal. Before the war, it was by Trial of Rockylas. During the war it was decided by the council it was best to just let the kitsunes spar it out.
Killing one was a heretic act. It was also insisted that there must be at least three moon kitsunes and three sun kitsunes. An equal number to represent their kin equally.
The royal will STILL be a royal if they lose, but they simply will lose a seat in the council. These kitsunes that gain royal council seat were often granted a higher power crystal and were refined by the heaven Kitsune for their victory.
Shaman Council
How the council of Shamans work is simple. They are run by the people of the tribe. For the people of the tribe. Often advisors to the Royal Council but also mentors and take OVER for Royal Council if they cannot be present. Usually regarded in the tribe as almost equal standing.
They usually are revoted in every 25 years or replaced by someone new.
Royals 7 of them, chosen by Heaven Kitsunes or simply born into the role.
Shamans Often 7 of them, to council the council for the people. They are regarded as one step below Royals and learn from the Royals. But are chosen by the tribe of the people. They often have one ability but they usually master it under the guidance of the Royals.
Warriors Newly formed for perhaps 100 years, the warriors have been teaching each other self-defense and trying to adapt and learn this melee combat as well as bow shooting and what not. They also are the smiths for weapons in their tribe, using specialized tools to craft from their crystals given to them by Mofa. With the recent fall of the tribe, it is likely though that their crystal weapons are long gone or taken up into someone else's hands. And with it not basking in the sunlight or moonlight, will simply be quartz soon enough.
Crafters Often regarded for creating the automans and discovering the shield magic that could be used only on Mofa. Also, the people who crafted the houses to withstand the elements of Mofa and the walls that needed to be built across the land to protect from nogitsune. That soon enough failed.
Farmers Traders of food but also with smart expertise due to the native Farlyas, of irrigation and making land farmable. They helped with the preparing of festivals and were smart on accounting and delegating food evenly.
Commoners Often children or people who have yet to find their mastery in any one thing in the tribe.
Trial of Rockylas.
Disputes among their people who were often regarded as special and rare due to the Heaven Kitsunes consistent reassurance that they were important and powerful, were settled with crystal automans made of rocks that had long since died. Whoevers automan remained standing, was often the winner of disputes. However, this was before the nogitsune started to invade their home world.
The Ceremony of Sun and Moon
Every 25 years, the Moon and Sun Kitsunes of Solar Eclipse Tribe would come together, a day before starting a festival filled with drink, encouragement, laughter, and trade with the rest of the denizens for a full week beforehand. Only for the festival to be offered to all the species to attend. Which they often did. This Ritual was often called The Ceremony of the Sun and Moon. Crystals from the species would often unite into a big rounded pearl shaped crystal that hovered mid-air, and the heart Crystal would descend to touch the tip from the skies to their crystals. It was then when the Sun and Moon both sat on the horizon, that all Kitsunes would touch their crystals and share their memories and accomplishments with the Heart Crystal who soaked it all in, and share with each other, their happiness and merriment and visions of the beautiful world they lived in as well as sharing discoveries with the rest of the species.
Death Ritual
When a moon or sun kitsune passes away, the first thing taken was their crystal. Held onto by only Shamans or Royals. It was then that they would lay the body on the hill edge of their tribal borders. The ground then naturally over 7 days crystallized over the body. Dirt from the ground is then cast over it, with a somber sang amongst all the people as the moon kitsunes pray to Inari to guide them into Inaris arms. Sprinkling moon dust across the dirt on the top to finish it off.
The crystal first secured upon finding the death is touched to the heart crystal. Their last memories will be given to it, and then it is intentionally shattered. Leaving pieces for the family of the Kitsune that passed away to wear or adorn on them. Sharing the last memories among the family of the Kitsune.
Birth Ritual
On a birth of a kitsune is a great time of celebration. The shamans of Sun Kitsunes are usually honored to lead this celebration. While the farmers get the food ready, the Crafters make the "bracelet, necklace or anklet or hair piece" to host their Crystal that the Heaven Kitsune crafts upon news of a child coming.
When the child is born. A fire is held in great feverence. The heart crystal hovers and Heaven Kitsunes even arrive for this celebration. Praises are shouted and dances are given in honor to Inari. The moon kitsunes craft moon items for a crib, fashioning it into a crescent moon shape. Promising that in the dark they will have a glowing crib and never be left in full darkness.
Together when the sun and Moon are high in the sky. The moon and Sun kitsunes traditionally encircle the family and sing a song of blessing on the child. It is then that the Heaven Kitsune grants the child their crystal.
When the heaven Kitsune starts to chant, the other kitsunes join in. This starts the magical process of fusing the psionic crystals in the Kitsune to fashion a star crystal.
The crystal is given three days to bask in sunlight and moonlight after. Only to return to the Kitsune of Moon or Sun and thusly Binding the crystal and Kitsune.
Rite of Passage
This is when a moon or sun kitsune has lived 25 years and has found their role in the tribe. The shamans will inscribe a sigil onto the temple floor just outside of it, and the Kitsune whom was doing the rite of passage would recite what each engravement means. When the Shaman confirms that the tribal member knows each meaning and each symbol, it is only then that the Kitsune states what he desires to do.
The Royals and Shamans then meet in private, discussing what they have seen from the tribe member for the past 25 years and what he has worked the most in, only to agree or disagree with his choice. It comes to a vote of course. Of Royals and Shamans vs the Family and the Kitsune himself. Whatever comes to the highest will win.
In all of this time, it has never been tied before. So there is no way to "break" a tie in said ritual. Heaven Kitsunes then come down, informing the Royals what they need to train the Kitsune in with his crystal to hone it better, and then after granting Inaris long life blessing on them, returns to the sky.
Betrothal
Only royals were expected to mate for life in the tribe. Every royal, whether council or not, was given the task of carrying out the royal bloodline. However if their betrothal died, then they were allowed free roam.
Often otherwise relationships were left up to the tribal members. It was strictly forbidden to mate with other species of Thra other than the Crylas and Farlyas. Although Vixol was considered a unique species due to their relationship with the tribal members they felt it would ruin their awe and worship of them. Thusly tribe strictly prohibited copulating with that species.
Sexuality
Most moon and sun kitsunes are raised bisexual. Gayness and same sex fornications is not frowned upon. Rather if someone wishes to marry same sex partners it's seen as okay in the eyes of the people. They simply encourage those who wish to marry the same sex to breed with other sex to carry on the species. Fertility is a very different thing and thusly it's rare to have more then five a year born. Only Royals on council were refused this right. Seen as too important to carry on their bloodline, they were not permitted to marry the same sex.
Fertility
Kitsunes again. Do not go into heat. Their reproductive system is akin to a fox but their hormonal system is that of a human. They will carry to term for nine months, and at max have two.
Twins are often rare and if born successfully, are often the opposite. Sun and Moon. The chances of pregnancy is akin to that of a human minus two rare moments.
At a full lunar eclipse, it is 90% chance moon kitsunes will get pregnant.
At a full solar eclipse," it is 90% chance sun kitsunes will get pregnant.
Moon Kitsune Celebration
This is the time where the moon kitsunes are highly revered. Royal Benders would put on a show for the crowd, often other species invited to this honorable celebration.
It is a week long celebration, as they know when the lunar eclipse is usually about to commence and would be able to throw a feast and dances and allow the other species of the world participate.
The feast would normally include cold foods or sea food that was partially cooked and seasoned. Obviously native herbs to add to the taste of the food to encourage plenty of food for energy.
Only the royal council kitsunes were left out from said celebration, allowed to sit and be thanked but not participate.
The other royal or shaman kitsunes often put on the shows and dances for the moon. And it always started at 8 pm and lasted until 8 am.
Sun kitsunes, despite blindness. Come out to celebrate with their kin. Not able to observe the ritual with their eyes but the singing and jingling of crystal decorations often made up for the lack of sight.
The nights before the last night if any were found breeding before then it was frowned upon. Looked upon as a slight against Inari and thus suffered the consequences of physical or removal of position in tribe and having to earn it back after 25 years of repentance to Inari which was looked over with a Shaman or Royal not of council.
It was at the last night of the lunar eclipse that every moon Kitsune was paired with another moon Kitsune. Orgies were in fact, often encouraged and allowed a mass chance of birthing more kitsunes. This day was the hardest celebration and most elaborate shows put on by the moon Kitsunes. Royals were encouraged to go off with their betrothed and do deeds in private if they were moon.
Sun Kitsune Celebration
Fire dancing and 8 am to 8 pm called this one into play. All the Species of Thra were also invited to the said celebration. It was often cooked food from the lands that were brought forth to eat on.
A week-long celebration as well. Royal council Kitsunes of Sun not allowed to participate in festivities but able to sit and be thanked. Moon kitsunes despite blindness would come out and celebrate with their kin despite blindness. The days before the last day if any were found breeding before then it was frowned upon. Looked upon as a slight against Inari and thus suffered the consequences of physical punishment or removal of position in tribe and having to earn it back after 25 years of repentance to Inari which was looked over with a Shaman or Royal not of council.
Last day is when every sun kitsune was paired with another sun kitsune. on the solar eclipse. Orgies were in fact often encouraged and allowed a mass chance of birthing more kitsunes. This day was the hardest celebration and most elaborate shows put on by the Sun Kitsunes. Royals were encouraged to go off with their betrothed and do deeds in private if they were sun.
Courting
Moon Kitsunes that are courting are to spend every night together. They move in with the families of each other and split half the year down the middle. It is to test to make sure there is harmony between families and harmony between the couple when parents pull at their heartstrings. It also soothes the parents' possible disapproval. And aides them in getting to know their future son or daughter in law.
They are watched by a shaman or Royal that is not of the family each night and encouraged to Pray near the moon lake every night for the guidance of Inari on their union they hope to have.
The Moon Kitsunes at the last month of the time period will spend each night by the moon lake. Looking in each other's reflections and talking privately to each other. It is said that if within this month, the moon lake glows, Inari is indeed agreeing to the union.
Sun Kitsune courtship is much the same except it is during the day. And they travel in the desert together in the last month to survive. If they both make it out alive well, it is said that it is likely to be a successful marriage for the sun kitsunes.
Weddings
Weddings were often celebrated with plenty of feast and rituals. It is a year-long process truthfully, and it was often announced that one was courting a Kitsune BEFORE they actually married. Any kitsune could.
Only Royals on the council were required this, however. At the Rite of Passage, they could select their mate and the kitsune families could agree or disagree. Upon the decision, if the Kitsune despite families rejection, could call upon the Trial of Rockylas to still earn his/her right to marry the said selected Kitsune. However, for Royals, they must choose a Moon Kitsune or a Sun Kitsune depending on what they are. It MUST match there is sadly no way around this even with the trials and rights granted to them. If the Royal Council Kitsune won, the kitsune would be allowed to be wedded to the Moon or Sun Kitsune of his/her choice. Otherwise, if the kitsune then lost the said trial, their betrothed would be selected for them.
Upon the announcement, the Heaven Kitsunes craft trinkets for each partner of matching crystal and imbue in it a special psionic telepathy bracelet that will be granted on the day of the wedding after vows are given to each other.
The families prepare crystal trinkets for each family member, granting them insight into their own family memories while they work together on the wedding in their own view or thoughts.
Moon Weddings were obviously held at night, starting at 7 pm to allow Sun Kitsunes a brief sight of the vows taking place and celebrations only to end around 9 pm. Often, the wedding for Moon Kitsunes was planned on a full moon night, ensuring in their belief, the greater success of uniting the two together.
The Sun Kitsunes weddings were held during sunrise. Often starting at 7 am to allow the Moon Kitsunes to briefly witness the vows taking place and celebrations only to end around 9 am.
A month before the wedding, Sun Kitsunes go out to the desert to survive on their own. If they come back alive and still want to be together, it is said that Inari agrees to their union.
Often the wedding for the Sun Kitsunes are planned on New Moon days, ensuring in their belief, the greater success of uniting the two together.
The moment they copulate, the crystal trinkets given to them by the Heaven Kitsunes seals the bond of an empathetic one with one another. Allowing them to feel their emotions and thoughts at all times whether they choose to or not. It cannot be blocked but the crystal can be destroyed.
It will only cause minor mental damage if this happens, and another could easily be selected if one wished. Though it is not very often that any Kitsune divorces within the tribe, as it is usually THEIR choice to get married and the courting process being very indeed taxing and testing on the couple, often show whether or not they should or not.
However, Royal Council Kitsunes are not allowed divorces. Nor are they allowed to shatter their trinkets. It is seen as a heretic act. Thusly regardless of Courting Process results or not, the Royal Council Kitsune Couple will be wed and remain wedded (Until the invasion, of course, you can say that she/he shattered it then or it got shattered)
