December Event - Candlelight Revelry

[pumpkinhollow]

Candlelight Revelry

The Longest Nights

{ CONTENT WARNINGS: grief, especially in a winter/December context, exclusive to Mourner's Night. All others should be mostly cw free! }

It is always interesting to consider that across many cultures, and indeed across many universes, there is something that is shared across numerous groups of people from many, many different backgrounds, and that is the concept of winter holidays. Not every culture has them, of course, and they vary in importance, involvement, reason, and length pretty wildly. But it's fun to think about the fact that all kinds of humanoids all across time and space looked at that bleak stretch of time between the end of November to the beginning of March and thought to themselves, "we should put some kind of party in there so we don't all lose our minds." The people of the Emerald Isles, of which Marrow Isle is one, are much the same in this regard.

Since its inception, Pumpkin Hollow has celebrated the two main winter holidays common among the various nations across Northern Leviathan, which are Mourner's Night and Givingstide. Additionally, it's become a bit of a new tradition in Pumpkin Hollow to join in offworlder celebrations, such as Hanukkah, Solstice, and Christmas--- often with more being added each year as newcomers arrive with their own traditions! And somehow, each year, it seems as though for a few weeks all of the evils take a rest as well. Is it because this time of year is simply too sacred for them to create trouble and pain? Or is it because the weavers of this world are too busy booking family dinners, plane flights, and road trips to subject their little toys to more horrors? It is one of the great mysteries of the universe, isn't it?

Anyway, here's wishing you a cozy, restful, blissful holiday season, regardless of your traditions. May this next year be just as full of adventure and fun, with far less trials and tribulations. (For the players. The characters should continue to endure the torment nexus, of course.)

Local Customs

MOURNER'S NIGHT | December 10th

Nightfall comes early this time of year, so it isn't too long of a wait for the sky to grow fully dark. Dressed in mourning clothes and warm coats, the people of the town gather in little clusters in the streets, in near silence. Lanternbearers dressed like undertakers carry tall posts with blazing lanterns hanging from them, faces painted like skulls. There hasn't been a true and final death in Pumpkin Hollow for years now, but that doesn't stop the people here from holding their annual vigil for those that were lost before the barrier.

The lanternbearers guide the groups through town, converging on Main Street, where they are awaited by a long-bodied black carriage drawn by black horses with white skeleton-markings painted on them. A hearse. In the driver's seat, a woman in a tight black dress and a mistletoe-patterned black veil, which gives only the smallest glimpses of her pale hair. It's Fever, acting in the role of Mortanne.

Very few words are exchanged as this procession makes its way through the cold to Fall's Promise Cemetery, where by the light of candles and lanterns alone, Reverend Clayton retells the story of Mortanne's final kindness. Those who pass away are met where they find their end by a horse-drawn hearse, where they ride with Death and recount their life until they reach their destination--- the afterlife they've earned. A mournful hymn is sung that seems to make the sky itself ache, and then…

Silence.

Stay at the candle light vigil for as long as you want. Remember those who you lost back home, honor those who passed away before you arrived but whose influence you still feel every day, or simply pay respects to yourself. You died to be here, after all. And then, when the cold starts biting too much to bear, part ways, and find your way home with a candle in hand. You will surely be left with much to think about.

Those who gravitate towards the outskirts, however, or linger after most have gone, may spy another woman in a black dress and veil. For a moment, it would be easy to mistake her as Fever--- the resemblance is striking. But then you see much longer, stark white hair spilling out of the bottom of the veil, and feel a gaze meet yours that feels like it's calling you home.

GIVINGSTIDE | December 22nd

Ah, Givingstide! After the somber observance of Mourner's Night, you only have to wait eleven days to have some proper winter-themed fun!

Held on the day after the longest night of the year, this holiday is a "thank goodness, we made it" tradition that celebrates the beginning of the sun's return and the first step in the journey towards spring. All across numerous countries in Concorde's Northern Hemisphere, communities gather in large communal spaces to eat, drink, and be warm together while exchanging gifts. And for Pumpkin Hollow, that takes place in the Oak & Iron, the beloved tavern where most spend their first nights on the island.

A massive feast is held, where the tavern itself, local restaurants, and amateur chefs collaborate to create a menu of warming, hearty dishes. Soups and stews, pasta, roasted meat, bread, root vegetable dishes, and sweets galore are served alongside hot cider, cocoa, coffee, tea, mulled wine, and mead. Paper horses and snowflakes line the walls, and boughs of pine and holly create beds for skulls on tables and above the fireplace. A miniature sleigh is set up in the center of the room, piled high with gifts that everyone placed in it upon their arrival. Once everyone has gotten their food, the mayor and Dahlia take turns plucking parcels from the pile and reading off who they are for so as to hand them out. Although some do prefer to give the gifts directly. (The mayor, for once, looks relaxed.)

With all the gifts passed out, songs are sung and instruments played in groups while others dance or sit by the fire. Some will go out to play in the snow, and by the end of the night, more than a dozen snowmen will have popped up outside the tavern. Others still will remain inside, basking in the warmth of being among their community. Children play with toys, adults laugh, desserts are overindulged in, and all is well.

OFFWORLD TRADITIONS

Winter Holidays from Around the Universe

The interfaith space within the Temple of Sacred Roots stays busy this time of year! Since most local traditions are celebrated outside the temple, many of the main areas are offered to the pursuit of offworld religious observances for much of December.

Hanukkah is up first among the larger celebrations, running from December 14th through the 22nd this year. The island's Jewish population consists primarily of Anzu, Lev/Lyubov, and Zivia, though they'll warmly invite friends and family to join in on the festivities.

Christmas, of course, is on December 25th, though the preceding evening is also a busy time. Despite being a Pumpkin Hollow native, Dahlia Leeds has partners who observe the holiday, as well as a gaggle of young housemates and a television who are all very enthusiastic about Christmas. As such, she's made the decision to host a fairly well-appointed and cozy Christmas Eve party in her home (though she largely allows Radar and the teenagers to select the guest list). Dress in your Christmas best and have dinner at Leeds Estate before proceeding to the Temple for midnight mass! Non-partygoers are invited to attend the ceremony by candlelight as well, as usual. Christmas Day celebrations vary by household!

But for those who don't have anything in particular to do on the afternoon of the 25th, a recent town addition is also hosting a celebration for the Feast of the Winter Star from her own home world. Those who signed up can participate in the "secret gift exchange" organized by Haley. But you don't need to be in the exchange to come and have fun! Light and decorate a holiday tree in the snow, enjoy a potluck with friends new and old, and enjoy some stargazing afterwards--- it's a perfect way to cap off the day, whether you're incorporating it into your own holiday or just there to have a nice time.

Other holidays celebrated throughout the month are:

• Saturnalia on the 17th, celebrated by Gaeta
• Winter's Crest on the 20th, celebrated by Cassandra
• Dongzhi on the 21st, celebrated by Shen Qingqiu alongside his found family
• Mittvinter on the 21st, celebrated by Hector, Capochin, Godpoke, Patty, and their found family and close friends
• The Birth of Hathor on the 23rd, celebrated by Marik
• The Winter Solstice celebration on the 25th, celebrated by Sorceress and Wizard
• and Gyftmas on the 25th, celebrated by Mettaton and Papyrus

And of course there's New Years Eve on the 31st, celebrated by both locals and a majority of offworlders! Share some holiday cheer with your friends from all across the multiverse and take some time to get to know how your neighbor spends the season this year, and cap this year off with a wonderful, festive bang!

Happy Holidays!

Comments

[cyansoldier]

The walk from town into the farmlands is cold and unsurprisingly soggy— but not so much as to ruin a perfectly good birthday. (If only the same could be said of a traveler's shoes and socks.) Looking out from the crest of the hill facing the property, a blotch of red can be seen; one skull-sized drop of blood amidst a freshly blanketed, somewhat desolate-looking field. So can a pair of arms, and a pile of wooden stakes, and a great big hammer that goes FWUNK— FWUNK— FWUNK every few minutes.

The fence surrounding Carolina's land was a shambles when she moved in. Old, mite-eaten stakes, half-bent and ready to slough out of the ground. She plans on taking her farming a little more seriously come Spring, and that means making things new. So in goes the stake, up goes her hammer, and down with a FWUNK to bring it home.

Her back turned, and noisy as all hell, she doesn't notice Fever until she comes crunching through the snow. When she does, Carolina gives her stake one last thwack and turns. Her visitor looks brilliant in the snow, and almost just as pale. Carolina puffs a few dragon's breaths and wipes cold sweat from her forehead.

"Hey, Birthday Girl. I thought you were the one who gets the gifts, yet here I am with a present at my doorstep."

[abhorrently]

"Being able to drop in and spend time with people I like is the gift I seek."

Smiling, she tucks her hands in her pockets, looking back at the stakes Carolina's put in the ground. To her, it makes perfect sense to do this now - the chill helps offset working up a sweat.

"It looks good. And it'll at least deter when someone's cow wanders off in search of adventure and different pastures."

Which does end up happening from time to time. Livestock blocking the road or the tram tracks is just part of spring, at this point.

[cyansoldier]

"Thanks. I'm trying to beat the warm weather. Take the farming thing seriously by the time Spring rolls around." She hooks her thumbs in the pockets of her cover-alls. "I unofficially quit my other job. I should probably tell town hall about that. So, farming it is."

She looks out into the field, feels a vague sense of promise. Of purpose and ownership.

"Whatever cow decides to wander over here won't be happy when I put it in a chokehold. Anyway, I've got something for you inside." Carolina hefts her hammer over one shoulder and nods for Fever to follow. "You have a busy day so far?"

[abhorrently]

She sees that look, and makes a little decision. Whenever Carolina gets around to officially quitting her other job, it'll already be handled. Telling Fever is like telling Town Hall, if you'll take the fifty-fifty chance of her remembering it or not - but her mind feels clear enough today. Instead, she laughs at the idea of putting a cow in a chokehold and starts following Carolina, the snow crunching under their feet.

"Sort of? I've seen a number of people, but nothing feels busy in terms of plans. Except Dahlia has to be last, because she wants me to have dinner at hers."

Which had been such a kind offer that Fever had naturally agreed, deciding she could treat herself to something at Darcy's tomorrow instead.

[cyansoldier]

"Nice. Saves you having to cook on your birthday. Tell Radar I said hi, if you see him."

Snow breaks under her boots, tamped into the shape of her shoe sole. The walk from strawberry patch to front stoop isn't long, and she steps up onto the porch and to the door. Stops, knob in hand to preface; "South's crashing here. I think you know her." Then, quirking a brow knowingly, "No spells inside the house, yeah?"

Carolina leads her in, past the sofa where she says hi to the woman in question, who sort of grunts a response and waves like her hand weighs ten tons.

[abhorrently]

"Wasn't intending on it. No one's daring me, anyway."

That's a hill she'll die on, that she had to respond to that dare. But fine, fine, no magic in the house. She'll shrug and agree to that much. Following behind Carolina, she also throws out a hey South to be polite and a nod. The other woman's presence doesn't make her bat an eye - sharing a farmhouse far beats having to use the shared bathroom in the Oak and Iron.

[cyansoldier]

"Through here."

Carolina leads her through the living room, over to the bar separating it from the kitchen. A few things are scattered across it; her reading glasses, a cup with dark grounds swimming in about a centimeter of old coffee, a few pens, her journal, an abandoned hand towel and a plate with one inconspicuous-looking, sort of weird-smelling brownie.

—And a rectangular object, wrapped in plain brown paper and tied with blue twine.

"Happy birthday," she says and hands it to Fever. Inside, a stalk of dried white wildflowers pressed in glass and framed, with a bit of twine as a hanging fixture.

"Pokey and I pick them sometimes. I hate throwing them away, so I dry them."

[abhorrently]

"Oh, they're lovely."

She knows exactly where she'll hang them in her apartment, up with the other works of art that remind her of the living world. Her smile is warm and genuine, looking back up at the other woman with joy.

"Thank you, Carolina. It's wonderful. I can't wait to put it up tonight."