In the Brasslands, the original servants of the god of light were derived from the same nomadic horse-herder culture, and their original customs of daily life have continued to be passed down and modernised by the ‘people of the sun’ as they have continued to serve the god of light.
This is not done merely because of tradition, but primarily because the practice itself is effective in maintaining harmonious and tightly knit social structures, such as families and clans.
The more modern name for these collected customs, which can be spoken by those who follow them with little concern that onlookers might misinterpret them, is ‘the customs of the sun’.
Each custom is both a symbolic, and a real value in terms of human action.
Touching Foreheads
Occasion: Morning greeting of family
The custom when greeting an immediate family member for the first time each day (preferably before either of them have eaten) is to touch foreheads, and hold the contact for one synchronised breath.
The physical contact reinforces closeness.
The synchronisation of breaths increases awareness of the other person.
The breath itself is a sharing of pheromones and chemical signals, that not only increase the bonds between family, but are an effective way for them each to have their health regularly assessed by someone else.
This is usually a brief custom, typically performed around breakfast.
Variations include:
Also touching noses while breathing
Clasping the the back of the other person’s head to assist in touching foreheads
Slapping Hands
Occasion: Reconnecting with other Knights
The first time that two Knights reconnects with each other on any day, they must make bare skin-to-skin contact, and the simplest and easiest way to do this, even in full public view, is to shake or slap hands.
Shaking is reserved for formal occasions, whereas slapping hands is commonly done amongst friendship groups.
The main point is that this is ritual is not optional. Even Knights who are arguing with each other must do this, precisely because it forces them to connect even if only in a small way, which helps to prevent them from avoiding each other and becoming estranged.
In the first Volume of ‘We Fight Dragons’ we see that Jam and his friends already perform this custom. However, they don’t do it because they think they are Knights (they all start off not knowing any of this), instead they do it because they have seen their fathers (who are Knights) greet each other this way numerous times and the boys are simply copying it.
Amongst themselves, Maidens have a more discrete way of reconnecting, but it serves the same purpose. They clasp hands, each with their left palm down, and right palm up, and kiss on the cheek. If a Maidens turns her right palm from upward to downward during the kiss on the cheek, it means they do not think it is safe to talk freely in that situation.
There is no formal custom for this kind of daily greeting between Knights and Maidens, and they typically resort to whatever the local custom is.
End Of The Day
Occasion: The start of the evening meal
At the end of each day, family members have a chance to take responsibility for anything that is weighing on their conscience, or to express any doubts they are experiencing.
The custom progresses through asking several questions, which are asked by the eldest person at the table. This custom is so important, because it reminds the people of where they are and who they are with, that it is asked even if the asker is eating alone and has to answer their own questions.
The first question is, ‘Is there anyone here who has not eaten with us before?’ This is a safety-mechanism for ensuring that every one there is ‘of the sun’.
If there is anyone at the table who is not know to be of the sun, then they are pointed out the questioner who’s job it becomes to politely welcome them, and then invite everyone to eat. In this case the rest of the questions are never be asked in front of strangers.
The second question is ‘Is everyone here true?’ In this situation, the meaning of ‘true’ is the same as ‘honest’. The question is answered by each person at the dinner, sharing and taking responsibility for anything that burdens them, or expressing any doubts they are feeling. There is no judgement allowed. Parents often use it as an opportunity to advise their child on how they might have handled a situation better so as to avoid future burdens on their conscience. The question uses humility as a tool to experience self-awareness and understanding.
Once both questions have been asked and answered, everyone is invited to eat.
The questioner can also at any time elect not to adhere to the custom, if doing so would cause upset or risk to anyone present or absent.
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