The Talk
Citizens of the Haathun villages will meet twice a year in Halmr for a tradition known as 'The Talk'. Here, they discuss laws and edicts for the land, what should be addressed, and what should be changed. This event will take three days to complete.
Although the jarl ( Jarl Haegan Ulfrick ) is in attendance, they act normally as a moderator and less as an actual decider, opting to, instead, help direct the conversation and prevent any long winded arguments and hangups.
History
The Haathun were originally humans that split from the rest of society to form their own society in the cold north. Because of the unforgiving environment, they had to rely, more than ever, on one another, and so they often sat around camp fires discussing better ways to exist and what rules to form while on the hunt or otherwise.
As the population grew, so too did the bonfire, the attendees, and the number of opinions.
Execution
Three days prior to The Talk, a log from a specific tree, planted near the king's home, is burned in the great bonfire in the middle of town. This produces a black smoke that is fanned to send signals to the rest of the villages, marking The Talk in three days.
The village leaders and those who wish to attend, will march, banner signifying their village held high. When they arrive, the first day is spent catching up other village leaders, discussing issues and sharing meals and gifts prepared.
On the second day everyone sits around the great fire and begins the conversation. Leaders are expected to stand when speaking and to sit when listening. Only two people under one banner can stand at a time and it is encouraged, while sitting, to discuss among themselves in a quiet voice to the leader so they can speak for the rest of the group.
The third day is spent recapping, often with the king laying out the new laws and edicts and ensuring they are transcribed properly by the writers on hand. A giant feast is held to symbolize and fortify the unity between the tribes.
The attendees leave on the fourth day to return to their respective homes.
Components and tools
For the hosting city, Halmr, a log cut from a specific tree is used to ignite the great bonfire.
For the other tribes, they must bear their banner. Gifts are also encouraged and generally come in the form of crafted goods such as clothes and rings, to raw materials like meat swaddled in cloth, or thick hides from beasts hunted.
Participants
Citizens of the Haathun villages are the only ones allowed to actively participate. While discouraged, it is possible to simply act as an onlooker, but speaking during these events, when not a villager, tend to have them removed from the ceremony.
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