Ingyng

Ingyng is a fictional sociocultural term used in speculative fiction and tabletop role-playing settings. Ingyng denotes a formal exchange that creates or reconfirms social obligations between individuals or groups. The term arises in worlds built with a constructed language, and although its phonology is described in some sources, there is no real-world etymology.

Ceremony and practice

A typical ingyng ceremony includes the presentation of tokens or signs of commitment, a reciprocal pledge, and a concluding recitation or oath. Tokens vary by culture and may be physical objects, marks, or acts that signify trust. The pledge often uses a formula that binds participants to mutual obligations, with consequences for breach described in the world’s legal or moral code.

Social role and variation

Ingyng often regulates alliances, kinship ties, fealty, or guardianship. It can be used for adopting wards, arranging marriages, or forming military or political coalitions. Variants exist: some communities require witnesses, a mediator, or a shared ritual space; others employ ritual music or storytelling as a frame for the pledge.

Reception and use

In fiction, ingyng serves as a device to reveal relationships and social structure, or to drive plot tension around trust and betrayal. In role-playing games, players may enact ingyng to formalize alliances or to unlock in-game benefits or constraints.

See also

Ritual, Oath, Social contract, Gift exchange.