Lystriggen

Lystriggen is the midwinter festival of Caerwyn. Gifts are given and the lengthening of the days is represented through burning candles. Logs are burned in the fireplace to ward off evil spirits, said to enter your house and steal your valuables if given access through the hearth. It's said that the Fae leave presents for well-behaved children and the Gravgrueseg comes to take away the children that have misbehaved.

History

Lystriggen is said to have come from the Faerealm of Navaren, ruled over by Fargave. A land of constant winter and cheerful people, Navaren celebrates the changing of the year by hosting a huge feast and sharing gifts. Though few have ever had contact with the Faerealm, the traditions of Lystriggen made their way to the Physical Plane, where it is believed that participating brings good luck in the new year and pleases the Faefolk around the settlements of Caerwyn.

Components and tools

Merrimead

Merrimead

• 1^1/2 pints mead
• 1 splash brandy
• 1 cup port
• 3 apples
• 1 Lemon
• Sliced Ginger
• Sugar
• 2 Cinnamon Sticks
• 1 Star Anise Pod
• Whole Cloves

Core apples and fill with sugar. Stud lemon with cloves. Bake until sugar is melted and fruit is soft.

Add fruit to pot, pour over liquid ingredients. Add cinnamon sticks and star anise. Simmer ingredients in pot until warm and infused.

Strain and serve warm.

Family Recipes
Taramin Snowbeam

True Merrimead is a drink exclusive to Navaren, where it is said to have restoritive powers. Outside of Navaren, approximations are the best that can be done. Around Lystriggen-time, taverns and inns start making what they call Merrimead, a mulled mead drink.

Participants

Fargave/Gravgrueseg

Fargave is the Faelord of Navaren. A kind and benevolent ruler of the realm, Fargave lives in his large castle where he protects the Trostlight. Fargave stands 7 foot tall, with gentle horns sprouting from his head. He wears a large cloak of blue and when he walks bells jingle on his belt. On Lystriggen, he leaves his castle to distribute gifts to the citizens of Navaren. To do this, he carries a small haversack, from which he produces wonderous presents.
Fargave isn't just the protector of the Trostlight however, he is also connected to it's power. If the Trostlight fades or is stolen, Fargave changes, becoming a darker shade of his regular self. His horns curl outward and his cloak gathers shadows about it. His figure, normalling kind and inviting, becomes monsterous. In this form, he is known as Gravgrueseg. In some stories, Gravgrueseg comes to punish children who have misbehaved throughout the year.

Wardri

Wardri is a trickster spirit that lives in the mountains that surround Navaren. It's said that in the days leading up to Lystriggen, Wardri and his pet cat, Julkott, can be seen sneaking around outside the houses of the good folk of the land. He peers through their windows, looking for unprotected valuables to steal. He hates that Fargave gives out wonderous gifts every year and has decided this year to steal the Trostlight and cast the land into chaos.

Observance

The final 2 days of Mannan and the first day of Awlak.

Primary Related Location

Navaren