Focus

The Ocean's Friends practice a cyclical ritual surrounding the pursuit of a small object held by one of their members. When found, it becomes the focal point of a solemn ceremony in which it represents what the Friends think of as a flawed view of the ocean.

Significance

The focus can be any object as long as it is small enough to carry unobtrusively. What is most important is that it be damaged or broken in such a way that it can't be used for its original purpose. In the practical sense, this is because the focus will ultimately be given to the ocean, and it would be a waste to discard something that was still usable. Symbolically, the focus is a vessel for others' attitudes of fear and indifference toward the ocean. By releasing it into the water, they release these thoughts from their minds in hopes of bringing all Tideriders closer to an equal partnership with the ocean.

After the ceremony, the participating Friends decide on a different object to use as the next focus. The first to find one become the next Focus Holder and passes along a coded message to tell all the Ocean's Friends that the hunt is beginning anew.

Item type

Religious / Ritualistic

Weight

The focus must be light enough to not be a burden to the person who carries it.

Dimensions

It should be no larger than the palm of the hand, so that it can fit easily in a pouch.