Return of the great Sword of the Sky

This ritual, happening once every 48 years, is marked by a large comet appearing with an enourmous tail, prominently over the northern hemisphere. Traditionally associated with a period of turmoil, the celebrations that are involved are more about trying to stabilize the "inevitable" rise in unrest during this period. It is also often seen as a justification for nobility to take chunks of land from their neighbours, and in all the period is tense.
The rituals itself typically will be an increase in the more common offerings to peaceful gods, and war gods. After all, if you are going to have to fight, may as well have some gods on your side. Many war gods have specific rituals involved for the return of the sword, but they, and the gods that use them, are too numerous to list in a single lifetime.

History

The sward has always appeared, every 48 years, during the northern autumn, three weeks before the equinox, for all of recorded history. As with most cosmological things, it is associated with the The slaying of Tiamaat, traditionally it being the sward that finally slew the great dragon, but this belief only came about in the last few centuries. However, for most of that time, its coming was traditionally a marker of uncertain and tumultuos times, where wars are cosmically encouraged, not for either side to win, but simply for the conflict.

Execution

In LIttlehampton specifically, the King of Albion will traditionally execute a few treasonous individuals during this time as a symbolic "war". This tradition is not uncommon elsewhere, with many treason cases having their executions delayed if it falls within the year. However, in the savage lands of Emenia, tribal chieftans will use the justification of the return of the sword to attack and raid their rival petty chieftans.

Primary Related Location

Y Bydd