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Age of ascension pain sticks

Worf undergoes his Second Rite of Ascension

The Rite of Ascension was a ritual performed when a Klingon child who had reached the Age of Inclusion symbolically became a warrior. This ritual used kor'tova candles to represent the fire burning in the heart of a warrior, and when the Klingon child lit the candle, it signified their lighting the fire in their hearts. (TNG: "Firstborn")

It was required to be followed by the Second Rite of Ascension in less than ten years in order for the Klingon to fully become a warrior. Held within a chamber specifically used for the rite, this involved the repeated use of painstiks to test the warrior's endurance and resolve. The true test of Klingon strength is to admit one's most profound feelings while under extreme duress. Eight warriors armed with painstiks stood in two lines of four on raised platforms, between which the initiate advances while declaring their emotions. Each warrior pair then used their painstiks on the initiate's torso simultaneously in two applications, the first about four seconds long and a second application about three seconds long. It is apparently acceptable if the initiate partially collapses, as long as they get back up and continue the rite to completion. (TNG: "The Icarus Factor")

Worf underwent his Second Rite of Ascension in 2365. (TNG: "The Icarus Factor")

In late 2365, a holoprogram available to crewmembers of the USS Enterprise-D was "Klingon Rite of Ascension Chamber". The program, with a code list number of 02-556, was listed in the exercise menu. (TNG: "The Emissary", okudagram)

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