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

[deepbluerevue]

“Not that I know any of the technical details of the building side of things,” Grace demurs. “It was something about the stuff they used for the outer structures, especially the glass. Plus all the botanists making plants grow without the sun so we could breathe and eat, and the people making sure the automated systems kept going, and the fishers, and the desalination technicians…” She waves a hand, as though to say I could go on forever. “At any rate. Took a lot of work, I’ll tell you that.”

[thetombkeeper]

Marik listens intently, curious about this strange underwater place Grace hails from.

"It sounds like it. To live underwater... seems almost impossible in my world. What year is it for you?"

[deepbluerevue]

“Assuming we’re thinking of the same calendar, it’s 1968. There aren’t any other underwater cities, mind. Far as I’m aware. Just the one.”

[thetombkeeper]

"That's still very impressive, given the level of tech in my world. It's currently 1998 for me."

Kaiba could likely build an underwater city if he wanted. Ugh.

"The most impressive thing we have are solid state holograms at the moment."

[deepbluerevue]

Grace visibly mouths the words to herself, squinting slightly. “… I’ve heard of holography, and I know solid-state physics, but I’m guessing ‘solid state’ means something else here.”

[thetombkeeper]

"It's essentially creating a solid version of a projection. It's being used for a card game currently. You're able to summon monsters and see them come to life as you battle them against your opponent."

The thing that runs his world: Duel Monsters.

[deepbluerevue]

“Quite a card game,” Grace comments, after a few moments processing this. “… How solid are we talking?”

[thetombkeeper]

"Solid enough you could climb on the monster."

Solid enough a cage could keep you trapped while lava began to encase it.

But that's beside the point.

[deepbluerevue]

“Huh. Only in a card game? Can’t imagine that’ll be true for long. Sounds too useful by half.”

[thetombkeeper]

Marik smiles sheepishly. "My world sort of... runs on this card game. It's based on an ancient Egyptian strategy practice the Pharaoh would use to keep his senses sharp."

[deepbluerevue]

“Really.” Grace pauses, trying to digest this. “Huh. Hard to imagine that. I mean, people play card games for fun back home, but that’s not the same at all.” She smiles encouragingly.

[thetombkeeper]

"I'm honestly surprised at how much it took off in the modern world myself."

No thanks to Shadi, of course. Why was the man so insistent on causing drama? Was this truly what the Gods wanted?

"There's national tournaments for it. Some cards are worth millions of dollars. And one of the biggest tech companies creates all of the accessories for it, like the holograms. So it's like you're watching a life like movie as you Duel each other."

[deepbluerevue]

“That’s something different and no mistake,” Grace remarks. The contemplative look in her eye might be the thought of physical illusions as part of a musical act. “Part show business, part sports, huh?”

[thetombkeeper]

"Exactly," he nods. No need to tell her they're actually invoking spirits of people's souls. No one knows that bit.

Marik plays with the rim of his empty cup as he lets out a sigh. "I was in the middle of a tournament when I found myself here. My brother was in the middle of a Duel when something happened..."

The Gods attempted to punish him for Marik forcing the man to summon a counterfeit God Beast, just so his own ego wouldn't be hurt.

[deepbluerevue]

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Grace says softly. “It’s hard, getting pulled away from things so sudden-like… and not knowing what’s happened to family…” She tuts sympathetically. “No, that’s no fun at all.”

[thetombkeeper]

"Yeah," he frowns. Marik has had some time to think on it. Probably not the outcome he should come away with though: Angry that Odion wasn't pure of heart enough to summon a counterfeit God, angry that because of that happening, his split personality took over his body and booted him out. Which is why he's here.

There is a small hint of 'maybe I shouldn't have done that' but that would require Marik to admit he's not the victim.

"Do you... have any family? If I can ask."

[deepbluerevue]

Something complicated flickers over her face. “I do believe I’ve got blood family still out there,” Grace says slowly. “Probably. Back in St. Louis, I’d assume. It’s been years and years, though. Haven’t heard a thing. It’s difficult to get mail out, though, so could be they’re just fine.”

[thetombkeeper]

"Oh."

... He only has Odion and Ishizu. Both of his parents are dead, and the extended family they don't really interact with.

"... I'm sorry. It's... tough... being the outlier. I haven't seen my sister since..."

I stole the God Card from her after having left the tomb.

"... a few years ago. We had... a falling out."

[deepbluerevue]

“That’s hard. That’s real hard, alright.” Grace sighs, finger drawing patterns on the table. “My family didn’t stop me from going on the road, but they didn’t get it. They were content right where they were. And good for them, but it wasn’t for me.”

[thetombkeeper]

"Yeah..."

He never wanted to be head of the Tomb Keepers. Odion was better suited for it. He wanted his freedom, to feel the sun on his face, the wind in his hair, to see the different sights the world had to offer on the Surface.

But that meant breaking the most sacred rule to their clan.

And he broke it.

"Same with mine." Not quite the same but similar enough. "... It is nice to have my freedom though."

[deepbluerevue]

Grace smiles at him, her expression sincerely glad. “I’m real happy for you. Never was and never will be a substitute for owning your own self.”

(Heaven help you if you forget that.)

[thetombkeeper]

Marik leans back in his chair and lets out a sigh.

"There really isn't."

And yet he's been spending it plotting revenge. Wasting his time essentially doing the exact same thing he would have if he'd remained in the tomb except with far more violence and heart break.

The teen looks to Grace and offers a small smile. "... It's been nice to talk, Miss Holloway. I've been... rather antisocial since coming here."

[deepbluerevue]

Her smile warms. “It’s not easy, ending up someplace you weren’t expecting,” she says gently. “And gumbeating with strangers doesn’t come naturally to everyone. You seem just fine to me.” She toasts him, small but genuine.

[thetombkeeper]

"Thank you," the smile turns a tad sheepish. "If I can ask, what have you done to try and make this place feel more... normal?" He pauses. "Like, I guess a daily routine...?"

[deepbluerevue]

“That’s a damn good question.” She takes a sip of her drink, contemplative. “Does depend on what your ‘normal’ is… but back home, I spent most of my time keeping my neighborhood organized and keeping people’s spirits up. I suppose around here, I’ve been focusing on getting to know folks and building up my repertoire — I’m a singer,” she clarifies. “Routine helps for sure, that’s right. A few standbys in your day to base other things around, that’s the ticket. I’ve got shows nearly every other evening, so that’s a boon.”