Holidays of the Flamelands

Astrological High Days

• Spring Equinox: 1 E1
• Summer Solstice: 28 E2 (No Darkness)
• Autumnal Equinox: 1 E4
• Winter Solstice: 28 E5 (No Light)

Major Holidays

Seathaw Festival (4 E1): Celebrated as the first day the sea begins to thaw allowing fishing and marking the arrival of spring. It is common for many to gather along the banks of the sea and build bonfires as a way to "speed up the thaw". Many will spend all day around their fires roasting meats and singing songs.

Longlight (22 E2 - 28 E2): This week long celebration is in honor of the longest day of the year where there is no darkness for 24 hours. Each day, families traditionally add a single candle to their tables to represent the coming of the flame. The foods served during this celebration are fish, summer berry pies, fresh fruit, and sweet corn bread.

Peacemeade (12 E3 - 14 E3): A three day break from the monotony of everyday life, Peacemeade is the remembrance of life before the Days of Darkness. All battles being fought come to a temporary ceasefire, long-held grudges are forgiven, and the dreary reality of life is put away for a time. Communities come together to fix up their towns. Baskets with bottles of honey wine are left on neighbor's doorsteps and there is widespread merriment.

Kindling of Leod (22 E4): A feast to celebrate the kindling of the Flames of Zilkreth. A large effigy in the appearance of Leod is constructed in most communities and many will burn tokens representing bad omens or loss from earlier in the year. This celebration is also to enjoy the last days of the year before the cold arrives. Traditionally a meal of foraged foods are served such as nuts, herb roasted rabbit, and mushrooms.

The Frostmarches (1 E5): Not a celebration, but a recognizing of solidifying ice in the sea. This day marks the first day of deep winter when the days are dark and life becomes exponentially more difficult. Most will spend the day indoors with their fireplaces not working. Typically this is a day of fasting representing a preparation of what is to come.

Feast of Candles (28 E5 - 6 E6): A week long holiday for those who made it through the darkest day of winter. Many thank Leod the Sunmaker and mourn the loss of those who passed earlier in the year. It is common for many to set candles on their windowsills throughout this week - one for each family member lost over the year. Though winter isn't through yet, many recognize this as a happy time to look forward to coming spring. Winter squashes, cold-hearty greens, and various types of ice fish are served during this week.

Kordia (28 E6): One of the oldest and most widely celebrated holidays. The occasion for celebration is often debated, and many different communities have their own separate reasoning for the celebration day. Some of them include: Last day of the year, the day the world was created, the arrival of St. Kor to the Far Weald, the first church built by the Leodonian Order, and first day the wildlife begins to wake from hibernation. No matter what the reason for celebration, many will celebrate by playing games indoors with family, drinking warm spiced ales, and making delicious beet pies.

Minor Holidays

Opfer (8 E6): Celebration in Winterselt where residents gather the best 10 specimens from their harvest and burn them communally at the base of a cracked and crumbling serpent statue coiled on a pile of human skulls. Legends say that long ago the people of Winterselt were protected by a giant serpent because of their offerings. Many do not believe that the serpent still lives, but most trust that its spirit still guards the village. ^57a54a

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