25th Divergence Anniversary

For an Eshiddian child, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the divergence is especially important and is often the only birthday celebrated in their lifetime. On the day of this anniversary, they grow their skeleton and become a fully physical being, as well as see the emergence of their secondary Facet. At this age, many Eshiddians also choose whether they will be referred to as male or female, though some see little point in declaring a gender as they are a single-sex species.
Their skeletons take form at the exact moment they diverged from their parent 25 years earlier. The experience lasts only a few minutes but is extremely painful as the children feel sensations they've never experienced before, such as physical touch, hearing, smell, and seeing the physical world. Once their skeleton has grown they are capable of feeding on their own and no longer require soul energy to be transferred from a parent.
Prior to this birthday, the child is naturally able to perform slight æther manipulations, but until after their first adult feeding their secondary facet does not manifest. After their meal, the secondary facet of one of their parents will begin to emerge.

Participants

Divergence Anniversaries are considered a private affair with only the closest family members in attendance. Several large animals are brought to siphon soul energy from as the family waits for the moment of divergence. When the moment draws close, the child is guided into a circle with one or both parents. It is their job to support them and keep them upright as they adjust to the torrent of new sensations. After the child recovers, a sacrifice is presented to sate the desperate hunger felt after the change. The child feeds on the soul and is supported by their parents as their new Facet energy fills their bodies. After the child has recovered from the experience, the family enjoys a soul feast from the animals before parting ways.