Rain Maiden's Feast
The Rain Maiden's Feast is one of the three-day celebrations held between seasons, this one honoring Talia and praying for rain for the crops. The celebration takes place between spring and summer, when crops have mostly been planted and the rains that will lead to their growth are needed. This celebration is also important for sailors in some parts of the world, where the winter ice that freezes the seas has begun to thaw and travel can resume.
Different cultures and towns celebrate this holiday differently, depending on their geography and what aspect(s) of Talia they most identify with. Rural communities offer sacrifices and perform other public rituals to pray for rain for their crops, and also to prevent tornadoes or floods that would destroy their crops and their homes. Coastal areas hold carnivals and give public offerings to Talia to prevent hurricanes and pray for bountiful harvests from the sea.
All of these celebrations and rites are aided by priests of Talia. Though not the largest priesthood of The Four, the Rain Maiden's followers are the most visible and involved in daily life in most towns. Normally, they are consulted for advice on planting, foresight about coming weather, and recovery after a storm. During this festival, these trusted religious leaders are front and center in the public spaces, leading the rituals alongside the mayor and/or other important government figures.
One of the more ubiquitous rites involved in the Rain Maiden's Feast is the ritual sacrifice of small animals such as chickens, pigs, and sheep. The first two days of this festival time are spent cleaning the animals and providing them more food than usual. Then, on the third day, a prayer is said to Talia (and sometimes a separate one to Haalvin and the animals are strung upside down from a trellis or tree bough. The animals are then sacrificed, with their blood dripping onto the ground, as many believe the "raining" blood will bring actual rain later in the season. For the public festivals, there are usually an arbitrary number of animals (determined by local custom and tradition), while individual households may also participate with one animal of their own. Sailors and those who live near the coast often use fish instead of the other animals, as the fish is more emblematic of their region and what they want Talia to help bless.
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