Winter Holidays (A take on Airdhean holidays)

Julian Grimm · Post by **Julian Grimm** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:44 am

Maybe it's the season but what do you think Airdheian winter festivals look like? Surely it would be something similar to the old solstice festivals but with a more dramatic twist since Unklar was the lord of the Winter Dark.

I have been wanting to include something like this for feel in my game but don't know where to go with it.
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Kos · Post by **Kos** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 8:31 am

One would think the winter solstice would be the celebration of the Council of Light's victory over Unklar. Perhaps they would burn effegies of Unklar and his minions then feast after fasting through the long night?

Julian Grimm · Post by **Julian Grimm** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:50 pm

That is a thought. I think I am going to dig out my Enchanted Worlds Book of Christmas and see what is in there. I haven't read it in a while but that series always has some good ideas in it.
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Julian Grimm · Post by **Julian Grimm** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 9:26 pm

Here is what I have came up with so far. This is more based on our calender so I will begin with real world dates and move beyond there. This also assumes the holiday season begins on October 31st. So the holiday dates would be:

October 31-Halloween

November 1- All Saints day

November 24- Thanksgiving U.S.

November 30- St. Andrews Day

December 13-St. Lucia Day

December 21- Solstice

December 25-January 5- Twelve days of Christmas

Now using the Airdhe calender I get these dates:

Nochturn 31

Winterdark 1

Winterdark 24

Winterdark 30

Arist 13

Arist 21

Arist 25-Erstdain 5

So these would be the assumed dates of celebrations. Now we need the holidays. This is, of course my take on them and is using real world ideas but placed in context with Airdhe:

Nochturn 31: Hallows Eve: This is the night the veil seperating the worlds is the thinnest. It is belived by some this is the true date Unklar came into the world. It is also said that the unresting spirits of the dead have free reign. It is also a (un)holy day for the eldritch goblins. Celebrations include stayin indoors and feasting with loved ines until the morning comes.

Winterdark 1: Hallows day: A feast of the saints including the veneration of St. Luther. It is said this is the day Luther became the confessor and pledged loyalty to Corthain. This is a day of renewing confessions and vows of friendship.

Winterdark 30: The day of Sagramore: It is said this is the day Sagramore became the first vampire. Many holidays fell on this day in the past. It is known that maidens may see the future this day and the hunting and feasting on squirrels is common. At night Sagramore's children are mysteriouly called to fight one another until dawn.

Arist 13: St. Laura's Day: This is the day Laura of Aachen was martyred by Unklar. This is a day of celebrating ones faith and marrying. Usually there is a reenactment of the event in the town square.

Arist 21: Solstice: Mostly this is held high by druids. They are known to plant a tree in rememberance of the Council of Lights defience of Unklar.

Arist 25-Erstdain 5: Feasts of Uniting: This is the celebration of the final formation of the Council of light. Trees are put up in houses and decorated to symbolize the place the White Council called home. The first day is a day of feasting, merryment and gift giving. The rest of the days see similar events. Included in these days are the celebration of the ascention of St. Luther, The Ascention of Aristoblolis. Return of Falkenjagger and other events of the council. On the twelfth night the trees and decorations are taken down to symbolize the fall of Unklar. The last night also sees prayers and blessings to prepare for the Feast of Unmaking.

So that is what I have. Thoughts?

(Note: St. Laura is my own creation)
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Julian Grimm · Post by **Julian Grimm** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:50 am

Oops. Forgot one.

Winterdark 24: Ancestors Day: This day is set aside to honor the family ancestors. This is usually done by telling stories of members of the family who have passed on, passing of heirlooms and ends with a feast. At the end of the feast a second meal is set out for the spirits of the family that have gone on.
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Kos · Post by **Kos** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:12 am

Pretty complete. Hallows eve is perfect for unklar's entry into the world, great idea. I usualy just sketch out events for solsitices and equinoxes, feast days can vary from region to region. I actualy was thinking the winter holiday of erde would more resemble Hanukah or Diwali than Christmas. The winter solstice seems like it would be highly symbolic given the Winter Dark (re: Rama's victory over Ravana). Hanukah would be an exelent model too, the lighting of the Hanukiah (the candles) is considered a powerfull ritual of light's triumph over darkness (sequentualy lighting more sacred candles every night). I've personaly celebrated Hahnukah for years now (I have many jewish friends) and it has very powerful symbolism.

Kos · Post by **Kos** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:29 am

Anyway, off the top of my head:

autum equinox(new year); Monguel casts the Paths of Umbra brining Unklar and the winter dark to the world

winter solstice; Unklar is cast from the world and the dark begins to recede

spring equinox; Luther is slain and reborn as the confessor

summer solstice; Wenefar brings life and warmth back to the world

In the church of Demeter these holidays have been made to center around Demeter and the doings of Philip the Guiless, much as the christian calender incorperated and changed pagan holidays. I like keeping minor feasts and saint's days regional so you can make them as needed to a plot.

Julian Grimm · Post by **Julian Grimm** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:25 am

I like the ideas. Just so you know I was playing off an early Christian style church concept. Instead of it being Demeter it is more centered on Luther and Corthain. But that's my take though.
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Go0gleplex · Post by **Go0gleplex** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:42 am

Pinata's...ya gots to have pinata's!
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Julian Grimm · Post by **Julian Grimm** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:32 pm

Kos wrote:
Anyway, off the top of my head:

autum equinox(new year); Monguel casts the Paths of Umbra brining Unklar and the winter dark to the world

winter solstice; Unklar is cast from the world and the dark begins to recede

spring equinox; Luther is slain and reborn as the confessor

summer solstice; Wenefar brings life and warmth back to the world

In the church of Demeter these holidays have been made to center around Demeter and the doings of Philip the Guiless, much as the christian calender incorperated and changed pagan holidays. I like keeping minor feasts and saint's days regional so you can make them as needed to a plot.

Not bad at all. The more I think of this I keep coming to the conclusion my list may be over thinking the issue. I forget that Unklar has only been gone for 60 odd years. As well religions are reorganizing and old holidays would be replaced by new ones.

So in the spirit of simplicity I'd say your Hanukkah idea would work best. Say something along the lines of a 12 of Christmas days or Hanukkah celebration noting the rise and fall of Unklar.

Perhaps it stretches back to the Winter's Dark as a prophecy for the return of the council and fall of the Horned one?
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Kos · Post by **Kos** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:16 am

I think that would be logical, perhaps it would relate to the Holy Flame somehow.

Julian Grimm · Post by **Julian Grimm** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 6:14 am

One thing I have decided on is that during these celebrations there will be time set aside for the bestowing of Honorifics, changes in policies and such. for example in my game's next cession the players will find out that a new baron has been appointed to Raven's Keep by the Empress and that there are a new batch of 'Crusader State' Governors coming to power.
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Troll Lord · Post by **Troll Lord** » Wed Jan 07, 2009 4:17 am

Hmmm I like these ideas. I'll have to study this a bit more.

Steve
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