Holidays and Celebrations
Posted: Mon Jul 15, 2019 11:18 am
The Glade Solstice: The Glade Solstice takes place on the 1st of Glade every year. Among all the solstices, it's the only one treated as a legal holiday in Atinaw. This means that it's the only solstice where workers will review holiday pay and be given the chance to take the day off. This is partially because it follows on the tail of The Festival of Farewells. The Glade Solstice focuses heavily on ringing in the new year with celebration. The entire day is for the most part dedicated to feasting and 'getting rid of' the remaining snow. Typically the snow sticks around until after the first 10 days of Glade. In order to properly get rid of the snow and 'help it melt' people are encouraged to have snowball fights and do various other winter time activities before all the snow turns to slush.
Berintainth: A holiday taking place on the 46th of Glade, Berintainth is a very popular holiday which is a legal holiday. Preparations for this holiday usually begin a full day or two in advance. The morning of Berintainth is usually characterized by the whole of Atinaw being in full bloom. The people of Atinaw celebrate by giving thanks and gifts of gratitude for the fertility of Glade. Gifts are given to both the gods and close friends. Specifically gifts are usually given to those expecting children or who have very young children. Flower crowns are made and worn while people do traditional celebratory dances and sing. Every year the first dance and song is dedicated to Rimthiala, as she is associated with fertility and the second most well known Old One in Atinaw. At the end of the night a large bonfire is made and the people of Atinaw continue to dance, being merry and feasting. Doctors typically stop partying towards the end of the night thanks to the fact they then have to care for the insane number of people who usually give themselves alcohol poisoning or get black out drink. On the bright side, those in the medical profession are usually able to make a pretty penny as long as they're specifically willing to work the second half of the day.
There are two very popular ideals associated with Berintainth. The first is finding love, something that's very popular. Unfortunately a good majority of these instances don't even well thanks to how rare True Marriages actually are in Atinaw. However, there is an uptick of happily created Partnership Contracts, especially among the nobility. The second notion popular to Berintainth is getting rid of the old and welcoming the new, which is why a lot of people tend to use the end of the night bonfire to burn old possessions that either bear negative memories or they just don't need anymore. Things like old dolls that a child believes they've grown out of or drawings of an ex. It is worth noting that taking these items away from the person and forcing them to move on is considered bad luck and often spells misfortune for the person who took the item while the person who was stolen from this recovers. This is especially true of children's toys or security items thanks to the fact it's believed taking these items away too soon will cause psychological damage in the long term.
Championship of the Risen: Atinaw is a country with a long and rich history, it's one of if not the oldest surviving civilizations in all the world over. This is in part thanks to Atinaw's centralized themes of strength and family, causing the people of Atinaw to band together quite ferociously when things begin to go amiss. One of the things that Atinaw was able to weather was the Sundering. More specifically, the events that came after it. Perhaps one of the countries hit the hardest by it, the Graveplague was an event that's still spoken of with tones of fear and venom within any of Atinaw's greater cities. Ultimately though, it's a trial that the people of the Atinaw were able to survive and over come, which is enough reason to celebrate.
The last week of Glade, the 85th through the 92nd, is a kind of festival celebrated in Atinaw. More than a festival though, it's a competition. It takes almost the entirety of Glade to plan as a lot of things must be considered in advance, but many consider the event to be well worth it. During this last week of Glade when the weather in Atinaw is at its nicest, people flock to the major cities for the largest competition of the year, held in honor of King Galenmour II, who took his name to honor the first King Galenmour whose rule started at the very crest of the Sundering. This competition on the surface is a simple one, but comes with a lot of complex political mumbo jumbo for most of the noble families. The game that's the central point of this festival can be summarized as Mortals vs. Zombies. The rules are posted all over Atinaw's streets during the season of Glade, and people are encouraged to sign up. Occasionally the Finlas of each city will even put together teams and make bets with one another, as well as give out prizes and rewards to the most skilled players. Or sometimes just the players they enjoyed watching fail the most. At the end of the day, it's one of the friendlier competitions in Atinaw since rarely does someone get hurt.
A lot of the heavy lifting for the festival is completed by the 8 houses and the Druids, with the current ruler occasionally chipping in to offer rewards. Unfortunately, due to the length of the festival, the full thing isn't treated as a legal holiday and workers must either use vacation time or sick time if they wish to take the full week off in order to participate.
The Searing Solstice: Taking place of the 1st of Searing, this solstice isn't considered a legal holiday. In order for workers to receive this day off paid, vacation or sick days must be used. With this said, it's often still observed and celebrated. Those who do celebrate this holiday often celebrate it with a feast of fruits and spiced foods, embracing the coming heat of Searing. It's especially popular with those who work jobs that require them to spend a lot of time in a heated area, like smiths or chefs.
Day of Ascension: Typically celebrated the 12th of Searing, this is considered a legal holiday and one of the most important in all of Atinaw. For those looking to stay in Atinaw without being harassed, it's exceptionally important to celebrate this holiday or at least make a show of doing so. The holiday itself celebrates Vilathalk becoming King of Atinaw as well as the birth of the Faith of the Old Ones. It's the one day of the year where any kind of fighting can result in serious penalties for those who engage in a fight. It's something that should be celebrated peacefully and jubilant thanks to the importance of Vilathalk not just as the herald of the Faith, but also as the man who united Atinaw. Most of the greater Kinships who lead the 8 clans tend to put their feuds aside in order to drink together and have fun. A popular and more recent tradition is that all of the members of the 8 main Kinships make their way to the capital city for a grand feast held by the current King or Queen.
While peace is preached by the whole of Atinaw on this day, it's probably one of the worst days someone could pick to attack Atinaw. Because the nature of the holiday, fighting is seen as a terrible offense. To initiate a fight on this day is seen as perhaps one of the worst offenses in all of Atinaw. Violence as a whole, physical, sexual, or emotional, is immediately met with a much more ferocious reckoning. All sense of mercy can sometimes go out the window and starting a war with Atinaw on this day would be enough reason for the people of Atinaw to be out for blood. Retaliation against those who break the holy vow of peace is quick and exceptionally painful. Those who delegate justice as not seen as breaking their vow either, so engaging in violence is a good way to get 10 or 20 people itching for a fight chasing you down the streets. Generally it's ill advised.
Path of Illumination: Taking place on the 36th of Searing, this holiday exists in a legal grey area. While it's not officially recognized, most employers or business owners will take the day off to celebrate and will provide the same to their workers. This unfortunately doesn't include everyone and often times though with important occupations or high ranks won't have the time to take the day off. When the sun reaches its highest peak in the sky a traditional dance begins and is often held until sundown. The celebration is held in order to give thanks to the light of the sun and all that it offers to the people of Atinaw. Ceremonial garb decorates the dancers as they all take turns. First men, then women, and finally the children. Sometimes higher ranking officials and Druids may participate, but it's usually last.
The Ash Solstice: Taking place of the 1st of Ash, this solstice isn't considered a legal holiday. In order for workers to receive this day off paid, vacation or sick days must be used. With this said, it's often still observed and celebrated. This solstice celebration is usually held at dawn. Much like many of the other solstices it involves feasting. The dishes themselves are usually heavy on poultry, fish, and nuts.
The Mahainric Festival: Taking place the 41st of Ash to the 46th of Ash, this festival is something of a harvest festival taking place during the middle of Ash. It's held both to thank the Old Ones for the bounties they provide, celebrate their aid in allowing the people of Atinaw to get to old age, and act as a reminder that Frost is quick to follow Ash. The festival is characterized by the six days of good music, food, and various performances put on by the people of Atinaw. Additionally, vendors from all over flock to the largest of the festivals to sell their wares. Each of the larger cities of Atinaw holds their own version of the festival, tinged with the flavors of the locale with special events to add to it. Smaller towns and villages also hold their own versions of the festival, but they're much more local and family-oriented.
Occasionally some of the Druids will get together to hold a parade during this time, crossing all of Atinaw by jumping between the main cities. In order to cover the full scope in the 8 days, the parade is usually split into smaller groups and bands. Usually, they carry colorful banners and play music throughout their whole journey, and oftentimes powerful groups of fighters will follow the procession to make sure no trouble tries to attack them (and all the noise their making) which has the added effect of making the procession seem even grander. It isn't unheard of for these warriors to dress in elaborate armor and make a show out of things themselves.
In order to make sure things run properly, only a single day during the festival is treated as a legal holiday. Typically which day is chosen by the employer or is discussed between employer and employee so that it fits best for both.
Estelladante: Estelladante is a very special event that only happens one night a year. However, this night tends to happen anywhere between the 78th and the 85th of Ash. While it's considered a legal holiday, it works a bit oddly since it's a festival that takes place after dark. Usually workers who are supposed to be working during this time are given the night off to enjoy. Those who would be working he following morning are provided just the morning off in order to catch the sleep they might have missed thanks to this festival. Also occasionally called the White Night, Estelladante essentially means enduring stars. The festival was given this name because it's characterized by a beautiful star shower that happens every year around this time.
Many say the starts that cross the sky during this time are the Old Ones passing over to show that they're still watching over and protecting Atinaw, both guarding and guiding it away from the dangers of the world. This seems to be the most popular story, but some groups might tell different stories depending on cultural beliefs. From start to finish the rate of stars to cross the sky is roughly 5 to 12 per hour for the four darkest hours in the night and roughly 2 to 4 per hour the rest of the night after sundown and prior to sunrise. Depending on what day of the year the shower falls on, the rate can be much higher, reaching an astounding 38 per hour if it happens between the 80th and the 82nd. Luckily it seems to occur most commonly around this time.
The Frost Solstice:Taking place of the 1st of Frost, this solstice isn't considered a legal holiday. In order for workers to receive this day off paid, vacation or sick days must be used. With this said, it's often still observed and celebrated. This solstice feast is celebrated at the end of the day, with the dishes once again tending o be heavily spiced. There's a focus on various types of meats as well as hearty vegetables that can grow anywhere in Atinaw. Preserved and pickled foods that have been stored for the entire year also tend to make an appearance.
Maltakarass: Held every year of the 18th of Frost, this is a legal holiday that's widely celebrated by those who are both native and strangers to Atinaw. It's this festival which receives the second most tourism the whole year. The festival itself involves people dressing up in bright colors, usually the colors representative to their own Clan. Those not from Atinaw might decide instead to wear their regional colors. Those who have nothing to wear will often find themselves the victims of surprise adoption by the Clan they're presently visiting. Masks are worn with various expressions adorning their features. The most common being the smile. These masks are used as a way to remember those who passed away long ago on the battlefields, both from the time before Atinaw was united and those who gave their lives defending the united Atinaw from both the Sundering and Geleros.
Dancing, food, drinks, and tales are some of the focal points of this festival. Folktales are extremely common and are often represented through works of art, plays, songs, etc. The performing arts absolutely take center sage and actual shows are usually organized by the local Druids who in charge of celebrations. For these shows, the acts are usually first vetted through the Druids. Back alley shows are also held and in some circles are more popular since they tend to include tales from other regions and also comedy acts. Often times these back alley shows can get shut down if they aren't careful thanks to the beliefs surrounding the preforming arts in Atinaw. That being said, this is also the easiest time to voice grievance and have them be heard.
Children often spend the festival being given candy by the adults.
Nights of Yore: Typically taking place the 88th to the 90th, the Nights of Yore are considered a prelude to the Festival of Farewells. The Nights of Yore aren't a legal holiday, but for most this isn't a bother since the actual celebration happens during the nighttime. These nights are considered by most the longest, darkest, and coldest in the entire year. The holiday is celebrated by spending time with family and close friends, being thankful for what you have, and helping others. An uptick of donations to charities is often observed during this time, and the Finla of each Clan tend to hold feasts and give out gifts to their people as a sign of being equal and giving back to those who give them their wealth. Homemade gifts are an extremely common thing to hand out, especially to younger children. Other gifts are also occasionally handed out, but the most popular is something handmade. This gives are typically handed over wrapped and aren't to be opened until the Festival of Farewells. Candles are placed into windows as a symbol of "home is where the heart is" and most keep their Hearths burning for the entire day.
Festival of Farewells: A very special holiday to the people of Atinaw, this festival takes place on the 91st of Frost and is considered a legal holiday. The Festival itself usually begins at dawn with people relighting the candles in their homes, their hearts, and putting out lanterns all over town. As the sun begins to rise, the presents that have accumulated during the Nights of Yore are opened, alongside any last minute presents typically given to children. Who the children are told they got their presents from, be it some god like entity who judges the naughty and the nice or just their parents, varies from household to household. After presents have been opened usually there's "open door feasting". The practice of open door feasting is an interesting one where the people of Atinaw make way more food than just their family needs. Then they open their doors and allow in others. Some people tend the feast in their own home while other feast hop, and often times Kinless are welcomed in as though they themselves are family.
Once all the feasting and what not has been done children play with their new toys and the adults rest until sundown at which point the people ring in the new year by creating paper lanterns which sail up high into the sky. These lanterns carry wishes and hopes for the new year, sometimes written on the paper itself, so that the Old Ones can see them and hopefully grant them. Thanks are also given to the Old Ones for the prior year.
Please take note of which holidays are "legal holidays" meaning they're legally recognized as holidays by the government of Atinaw. Legal holidays, much like our own legal holidays, require that workers get the day off paid without the need to use vacation or sick time. Holidays which are wide spread but aren't "legal holidays" require workers to use their vacation or sick time in order to attend festivities while still being paid. While this likely won't have any repercussions on most players, it is something all players should be mindful of within any threads that might take place on these holidays.
