When an adult Grunn wishes to live permanently within the warband and leave their father’s house, they must go through a trial period of several months. Over the course of those months they will improve their fighting skill, learn tactics and gain a better understanding of what it means to be in a warband.
The ceremony consists of several steps. First the leader will speak the words of ceremony passed down through generation. The words are unique to each warband by generally ask the to be fighter to be loyal to the band and Grunn people and by agreeing to run with the warband they technically leave their father’s house and effectively joins the warband as their new house. If the new fighter accepts they will be given a new feather chosen by the leader. Typically the leader crafts a specific feather into a unique designed piece of art. Usually with beads and smaller feathers. It can be modified to fit the person’s style and preference of has being hair/mane piece or earring. The piece is a symbol of the person belongs to that specific warband. The feathers are to be displayed on the right side of the head. After which they will all join shift and join into a howl, with the newest member able to join after the leader and first fighter.
Warbands are not passed on from parent to offspring despite the frequency of marriage and children born in the Warbands. Warbands while primary a militant group, do have cadet branches that travel with but do not fight along. They are typically partners and children of active warband members. In the event a warband is traveling to somewhere hostile, the family bands will make camp and await their return. It is not uncommon for children of current Warbands to leave their parent’s bands to start their own as an attempt to gain some kind of leadership & independence.
Warbands that do not abide by the honor code, are frowned upon and rarely called Warbands (as it’s an honorably name to for a proud subgroup) and instead are mocked for being bandits or immature children playing a dangerous game.
When not traveling on missions or patrolling to keep the regions safe, Warbands occupy a section of the main hub for Grunn with large communal homes.
Some Warbands have been around for many years and hold competitions to see who will join their band. While others are newer and accept almost anyone.
Each warband goes by a nature inspired title, often referencing a fierce type of weather or other disaster. “To bring terror into the hearts of their enemies”.
Each warband can have their own separate rules and codes but all honorable Grunn Warbands follow the “Old Code” as passed on through generations.
The lives of the Grunn, outweigh all, protect the people and protect the hunt
Word of leader is law, to challenge a leader is to challenge the code. Be prepared to defend your challenge
No matter the birth, children are sacred and to be protected
Breaking of the code often means a fight between leader and the defiant member. If the defiant member loses it is not uncommon they are disfigured in some way to display their shame and cast out of the warband. (Which is why bandit bands are often seen with his markings) in addition to being shamed their names and deeds are removed from the stories often told around the campfire
In the event the defiant member wins the fight, there is usually a break down of the warband. Some would follow the defeated leader and others will leave and follow the defiant member. It is common for warband fighters to believe in only following the strong and will leave if their current leader is defeated.
The death of a leader in battle will also trigger a separation of Warband.
Training in the warband is a priority and it is common that children of the warband start at an early age. Around 6 as they can start to practice with wooden weapons.
Warband members aren’t solely fighters and true to the Grunn way are dedicated hunters as well, they just have a calling for fighting and want to put that energy to good use