The Raedara

Maské Raedara—known today simply as The Raedara—is a festival in Jzarmille and eastern Beourjen that celebrates cravvik culture, and serves as remembrance for the Fall of the Imperium. On both sides, it is a night with abundant food and revelry, however eastern Beourjen in particular has taken on more strongly the original cravvik customs of dress and masquerade.

History

Before the Cravven Imperium fell, a key component of Imperium society and government took place in what is now known as The Masked Hall, named for the tradition of its inhabitants wearing dark masks over the upper half of their faces. Wearing masks in cravvik culture was thought to symbolize anonymity and facelessness as a privilege afforded to the upper class, and common practice within the Cravvik Isles was allowance of only the wealthy and influential to be able to hide their faces when going about.

For one day out of each year, all folks would be allowed to wear masks, and this was known as Masqé Raedara. The day was different across the Cravvik Isles, however it was usually around the first week of Blaet, and during the evening many of the Imperium's wealthy familes and political figures would hold masquerade balls where even the poorfolk could attend. Often these balls were used as a political platform, but the main purpose was seen as a way for individuals across the social heirarchy to voice their beliefs and opinions under the guise of the masks.

Archet 23^rd

When the Imperium fell, the original Maské Raedara naturally became somewhat obsolete as well. However, the year following the Fall on the day that the Isle of Cravv was first set upon and desecrated, Rauszec released a slew of arcanic aurourae over Ethana, ending with an impressive cacophony of the black and blue colors that represented the Cravvik Imperium's Rús Masket period. It was a pointed act at Ethana to remind them of the atrocities they'd caused and the fact that Rauszec forces slaughtered those of Minos Tiergarn in response. The fireworks were so large and bright that they were seen all the way in eastern Beourjen where the beourjen-cravvik population, as well as the Beourjen Army, thought to join in with a responding expression of aurourae.

Current Observance

The Raedara as it stands today is celebrated across eastern Beourjen and some parts of the Sophre Bloc. It includes masquerades not unlike those which were held during Imperium hegemony, however there is no political association intended with this new tradition, and the parties often function the same as Beourjen's regular season balls. Many establishments, especially in urban areas, will hold special celebrations with traditional cravvik drink and food, and baethateth is usually a staple offered on this holiday.

Additionally, many tattoo and ink parlors will hold sales during Raedara, often offering free pieces done for adolescents and young adults who are looking to get their first ink done. Most cravviks obtained their first tattoo at around a younger age, and a number of cravvik inkists in Beourjen have

Rauszec

Rauszec holds the strongest observance of the holiday across Jzarmille, mainly because they pride themselves in their valiancy during the Imperium's fall. For them, the aurourae are the main part of the holiday, and unlike in Beourjen where arcanic substances are mostly prohibited, Rauszec is strangely more lax regarding certain materials such as the aurourae. Apart from the aurourae, there is also ample drinking and dancing and homage to Malevex.

brought the religious and pleasure affiliations with tattooing into sects of beourjen culture. Some individuals also hold more personal traditions of adding to or getting a new piece of ink every year for the holiday.

At the end of the night are the aurourae, which are now traditionally set off from Hellfisher's in the Loched Quarter of Beourjen City, and always after Rauszec's finale. The Loched Quarter has one of the largest beourjen-cravvik populations across Beourjen, and holds steadfast to many of their minor customs and traditions. The Quarter also notably holds celebrations in the streets—horse and carriage transportation is blocked off from the entire quarter and in Hellfisher's there are street performers and vendors throughout the night, with baethateth being served steaming from huge cauldrons for only a copper.