"Today is the day, young warriors. The day of judgment."
The Day of Selection is an important coming-of-age experience for young Goliath warriors. A Goliath is eligible to participate when s/he turns fourteen years old.
Warring Parties[]
In Goliath Society, Warring Parties are held in high regard. These are groups or companies of warriors who venture south, past the River of Judges and into the Lonely Mountains in search of battle and glory. Each of the Seven Goliath Clans has its own warring parties, the number and pedigree of which varies between clans. There are also warring parties which do not belong to any specific clan, such as the highly-respected Adventuring Guild.
The Day of Selection is somewhat of a draft for these warring parties.
Trials[]
Young Goliath warriors go through a series of trials to try to impress the various warring parties in attendance. These include bouts of strength, stamina, and fighting technique. Certain warring parties value different elements over others; for example, some are more religious and value knowledge of Kord's teachings.
The trials vary year-by-year but generally include a similar roster of events: wrestling, obstacle courses, and the final bout, where prospective members spar against established ones.
Selection[]
After the trials are complete - they usually last into the afternoon - there is a break where the various parties discuss amongst themselves who they would like to offer membership. Every party is different; some use a democratic system, others elect a panel, and in others, it is solely the discretion of the party leader.
After deliberation, the various parties will contact the young Goliaths they wish to offer a position in their party. It is not uncommon for highly talented warriors to have offers from four or five groups. Most Goliaths get an offer from at least one party.
The youngsters have until sunset of the next day to decide.
If a Goliath does not get an offer, s/he is eligible to try again the next year, until his or her 18th birthday. After this point, they must choose a different path for their lives.