tuste

Tuste is a ceremonial practice in the fictional culture of the Veyran archipelago. It denotes a formal pledge of mutual aid and alliance, established during a communal gathering called the tuste rite. The term originates from the Veyran language, where "tu" means "together" and "ste" signifies "bond," though the exact etymology is debated among scholars.

The ritual involves participants forming a circle, passing a woven cord called the "tuste knot" between pairs, while reciting a pledge. The knot is then untied after the next harvest, symbolizing that the alliance endures only if the pledges are fulfilled. The color and weave pattern of the cord indicate clan affiliation and status.

Historically, tuste gatherings occurred in the central plaza during the equinox and drew families from multiple villages. In modern times, the practice has become symbolic, performed in festivals, with modifications in urbanized communities. Critically, tuste is seen as a social mechanism to maintain inter-clan cooperation and to resolve disputes.

Variations exist: in coastal communities, the cord includes shells; inland communities use beads; some communities incorporate music and storytelling. See also: Tuste knot; Veyran culture.