Editing Rite of Proving

The '''Rite of Proving''' is a trial-by-combat gladiatorial system intrinsic to the older [[Cabal]] Culture and Tradition and heavily favored by the [[Praetorate]].<ref>'''Bungie (2021/2/9)''', ''[[Destiny 2]]: [[Season of the Chosen]], PlayStation 4, [[Lore]]: [[Lore:From the Front|From the Front]]</ref> It is used to determine leadership and able commanders along with to sort rivalries. The tradition became corrupted under [[Emperor Calus]]' rule and faded by the time of [[Dominus Ghaul]]'s coup.<ref>https://www.ishtar-collective.net/entries/vii-the-imperial-throne?highlight=rite+of+proving</ref> Under [[Empress Caiatl]]'s reign, the Empress has employed the re-use of the tradition to recruit [[Caiatl's Emissaries|willing Cabal]] into her [[War Council]]. The tradition directly ties into the Cabal [[Bell of Conquests]].<ref>https://www.ishtar-collective.net/entries/bell-of-conquests?highlight=bell+of+</ref>

==History==

===Era of Lead===

The Rite of Proving rose to great prominence during the Era of Lead, the era in which the Cabal had yet to expand beyond their home system. Before being fleshed out into the intrinsic of Cabal culture it would soon become known for, the Rite of Proving's origins based itself in the traditions and history of the [[Bell of Conquests]] and scal'sangus - a blood-etching art of the Cabal culture. In the earliest days known of Cabal history, Bells commemorated martial feats and victories and it was Cabal sport and culture to don and display trinkets and adornments of one's vanquished foes. These adornments ranged widely, just as much as the style of bells, with the low rungs of Cabal mercenaries wearing the carved teeth of their foes stitched into their leather, and the higher rungs claiming even the torso of their opponents to preserve and display as busts. For those seeking Rites, Bells of Conquest were commonplace and given at a warrior's first blood, with those who wished to challenge a warrior in Rite combat having to ring their bell seven times.<ref>https://www.ishtar-collective.net/entries/bell-of-conquests?highlight=bell+of+</ref>

===Decadance of the Rites===

In accordance with a Cabal Legal Record, The Codex of Lawful Transgressions, it is revealed it was the implementation of radical changes to the Rite of Proving that inevitably resulted in its decline in usage and the increase  the distaste and scorn for [[Emperor Calus|he]] who destroyed and abused it. In the beginning of [[Emperor Calus]]' reign, an era known as the Foundation Age of his rule, he sought to turn the Cabal away from the militaristic and martial ambition that dominated their culture and move them towards one of literature, philosophy, and art. Yet Calus - just as similarly as [[Dominus Ghaul]] would centuries later - saw that when dealing with the Cabal, a people hardly deterred, his change would have to be subtle and not absolute abolishment. Calus began his incremental implementation of bylaws over continuous years with his first being the implementation of an Imperial Arbiter (Proving Arbiter) to Rite of Provings. The "impartial" Arbiter would carry a [[Hammer of Proving|hammer]] of the [[Cabal Emperor|Imperial Office]] and would decide the victor in a tie or scenario where both sides conceded. Although the addition of the Arbiter and this first change was widely accepted, the following changes that would corrupt the Rite of Proving were increasingly seen with bitter distaste or contempt.<ref>https://www.ishtar-collective.net/entries/hammer-of-proving?highlight=hammer+of</ref><ref>[[Lore:From the Front#VII._The_Imperial_Throne]]</ref>

With the arrival of [[Empress Caiatl]] into the Solar System, the Cabal Empress, vying for power and unification over the tenuous Cabal climate, reinstated the ancient Rite of Proving - the original Rites before Calus' debauchery had corrupted it - though some of Calus' reforms did stick, and she did add some of her conditionsm, for example no criminals, debtors or scoundrels were allowed,  nor where cheap shots, tricks or unfair advantages like wounding your opponent pre-fight, as well as the option for a non-lethal fight. Caiatl offered to the remains of the Red Legion and Cabal in [[Sol]] the opportunity to join her [[War Council]] and prove themselves as mighty warriors and commanders. Many Emissaries flying her banner and contenders, Rite aspirees, would flock to her call. Notable were [[Commander Dracus]] and [[Ixel, the Far-Reaching]] on Nessus, where a Proving Ground had been erected in [[The Tangle]], [[Basilius the Golem]] on [[Europa]], and [[Val Ma'rag]] in [[Cosmodrome]]. Challenged to a Rite of ceremonial combat after weeks of conflict, Caiatl would send forth [[Ignovun, Chosen of Caiatl]] as her anointed representative to challenge the chosen [[The Guardian|Champion]] of [[The Last City]] in the [[Proving Ground|Proving Grounds]] inside the [[Halphas Electus]].<ref>https://youtu.be/7CSU_B7HwD4</ref><ref>https://www.ishtar-collective.net/interactions/war-table-challengers-proving-3?highlight=ancient+rites</ref>

==Known Aspirees==

*''[[Destiny 2]]''

**''[[Season of the Chosen]]'' {{1st}}

==References==