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

[ownperson]

Has she ever— okay seriously, stop being a fucking bitch, people from here are from all over, how the fuck would he know for sure. She bites her tongue and reminds herself to be fucking normal.

"We had regular poker nights on the ship, so, yeah. I've played my share of fuckin' poker. Been a minute though."

[incomingchoppers]

Radar tries not to frown as South's thoughts pop like distant fireworks. Why is everybody from space so mean? You'd think being up there doing something as cool as flying a spaceship would make them happier.

...Then again, everybody he knows from space was in a war, too. So that makes a little more sense.

(Still.)

"Well, I bet we could teach you anything you forgot," he offers like an olive branch. "Or some new games if you wanna!" Going for an even bigger olive branch: "We even got some space games we play sometimes."

[ownperson]

She resists saying she still remembers how to fucking play, thanks. It shouldn't be this hard to keep this shit to herself. (Ugh, the withdrawal is making her snippier than even usual, isn't it?)

"Space games. What kind of space games?" ...mm, there was a game CT had from home she at least talked about, back on the Invention. She hopes she's not just stepped onto another Connie-shaped landmine.

[incomingchoppers]

"There's a real complicated one about probabilities and stuff that Lieutenant Tayrey taught us way back when. She was nice," he says wistfully. "But she left on the ferry a long time ago now. And there's Triad, too, that's kinda like poker but with different cards. It's a whole lot easier than Tayrey's game." A sheepish grin. "I actually won a couple hands of that one!"

[ownperson]

Thank fucking god, nothing to do with CT.

"Who wants to do fuckass maths when they're just tryna play cards, damn." Okay maybe there's sort of maths involved in poker and such, but not, like, complicated probability shit. She's never had the head for that kind of bullshit even when it's for important reasons. Last thing she wants is for games to start feeling like all the classes she failed. "Guess the other one doesn't sound too bad. Don't think we've got anything fuckin' special."

Not her and North, anyway, and Carolina's just an Earther so she doubts anything's unique there. It's just CT who she is pointedly trying and failing not to think about.

[incomingchoppers]

Huh. If Radar hadn't gotten pricked by a couple of South's thoughts already, he'd ask about what the heck's up with her and CT. He only met her in passing at poker night, but she didn't seem too bad.

"Y'know, I'm kinda surprised more places don't have funny card games," he says thoughtfully. "We got people from all over a hundred different planets but it's always poker, Go Fish, solitaire..." He shrugs, easygoing. "Maybe there's a bunch on the other side of the barrier that just didn't make it to the island before the demons locked everybody in. That'll be fun whenever we knock it down."

Like that's the most exciting part of the barrier falling. Not going home, but new card games!

[ownperson]

"Maybe there's just only so many ways to play cards that's actually any fun," South suggests, half-seriously, with a shrug. Probably doesn't entirely make sense, across the multiverse there should surely be totally different types of cards around, but also she just doesn't care enough to think about it harder than this. "If it's not broke, don't fix it."

[incomingchoppers]

"Maybe," says Radar with a little laugh. "Or maybe we just gotta get real bored first before we think up anything new."

He wrinkles his nose.

"I don't think that's gonna happen anytime soon though. Seems like there's something new and bad happening. I'm just glad we got a few good weeks to celebrate Christmas and Givingstide and the Winter Star Feast and Mittvinter and everything."

[ownperson]

South huffs. "Right, everyone keeps fuckin' talking about how shit's going to hit the fan at some point. Starting to feel like people are fucking with us new arrivals, weirdest thing that's happened are those stupid puzzles."

She knows they're not actually just fucking with them, the vibe after she arrived was too off for the apparent nightmare in October not to have happened, but arriving in the two quietest months of the year is a skewed as fuck perspective on how things go around here.

(Not that the puzzles were exactly fun and games, for her. Ugh, don't think about that.)