In the common parlance of the Kithain, the Fior-Righ is the final challenge of a noble fae before their Saining.
Overview[]
The Fior-Righ includes tests of physical, mental, and social prowess, with greater weight going to different tests depending on the noble house. While the sidhe of House Gwydion may put greater weight on combat and lie-detecting, House Eiluned may focus more on sorcerous ability and riddle solving, for example.
The Fior[]
Meaning "the trial of kings," the Fior-Righ is a tradition among the nobility of testing a fledge before they are Sained. It is intended to prove that the fledgling is worthy of their True Name and to give honor to the changeling, while at the same time weeding out those unworthy of induction into the court.
The Fior is conducted by the noble who presides over the fledge's Saining. The noble may call for whatever tests they wish to prove the fledge's worth, but tradition dictates that the test consists of three parts: courage, wits, and artistry. Most nobles will not alter the traditional form of the Fior without good reason, although some nobles have been known to do so as a means of teaching object lessons to fledges they do not favor.
Courage[]
The test of courage is nearly always one of physical skill and combat or athletic abilities. The fledge might be called upon to perform some amazing feat of prowess, or to accomplish some task set out by the noble, such as crossing a chasm or fighting the noble's chosen champion. Usually the test will not directly endanger the fledge's life; the chasm is only an illusion, and the champion fights only with chimerical weapons, but sometimes the test might be more dangerous, if only with the possibility of accident.
Wits[]
The test of wits usually revolves around puzzles or idle contests in which the fledge must answer quickly and correctly to prove their mind is sharp. Sometimes the test of wits is combined with the previous test, such as a maze of physical challenges the fledge must find their way through.
Artistry[]
The test of artistry requires the fledge to perform some artistic skill. Traditionally, the fledge must create and recite a poem based on one or two subjects given them by the noble, and is judged on the quality of the work. In modern times, other forms of artistry such as dance and drama have also been allowed to demonstrate the fledge's qualities.
Completion[]
Once the fledge has completed all the parts of the Fior-Righ, the noble declares their decision on their worthiness to be Sained. This is only a formality, but an important one. The results of the Fior-Righ are usually not held against a fledge who demonstrates a strong heart and sincere effort, but politics have been known to taint the results from time to time. A sidhe who is not declared worthy must either wait a year and attempt the Fior again, or appeal to a more powerful noble. The changeling remains a fledge under the protection of his guardian until such a time as the Fior is successfully completed.
Sometimes a noble exacts a geas from a fledge as their Fior-Righ and sends them on a quest to test their worthiness. Fledges who fail the more traditional courtly tests often ask for such quests in order to prove themselves.
References[]
- CTD: Noblesse Oblige: The Book of Houses, p. 95-96
- CTD: The Enchanted, p. 52-53