The Day of Ascension

The day of Ascension is the holiest of days in the Choranian calendar. It celebrates the life, death and final ascension into the heavens of Laris Choran, the prophet and founder of the largest religion in Hysal.

History

Origins

The day of Ascension was first celebrated on the 17th of november, 1409, 3 years after the presumed death of Laris, by around 200 people, friends, family and followers of Laris. They had all gathered to honour his memory and the sacrifice he made 5 years prior, when he left his home in the city of City of Aksa and everything else behind, to follow what he called "His vision of destiny". He travelled across central Enaskia to reach the city of Kynmar, where he then sailed to Arros, where he traveled to Mount Agadir, the highest mountain in Arros, and climbed to the top. After one last prayer, he ascended into the heavens. His journey was transcribed into The Bekura. In the following years, as his teachings and story spread, the popularity of his fate grew, and so did his celebration.

Calendar Dissagrements

However, since the religion remained unorganised for its first century of existence, each new community and country developed their own versions and some details were lost, like what exact food can be eaten during the fasting week, while some others were added, like the exchange of gifts. For almost 1000 years, almost every choranian state has set a defferent date to hold the celebration. This changed in 411 bc, during the fourth council of Aksa, where clergical representatives from Choranian countries gathered to discuss various subjects. One of them was the date of the Day of Ascension. In the previous two councils, they had failed to reach an agrement, but this time, they managed to agree on putting the date of the Day of Ascension 30 days after the winter solstice.

Execution

7 Days of Fasting

There is a period of fasting of 7 days that preceads Ascension day. This fasting is interminent and during the day, from sunset to sunrise. However, they must eat outside, under the light of Veos: The Blue Moon. If they cannot go outside, they cannot eat. During that week, they are also prohibited from eating certain types of food, such as all meat, fish, sea food, dairy products, and any alcohol. Fruits, veggies and flat bread are the only food allowed.

Crafting a Gift

During those 7 days, kids and adults alike are expected to craft an object, which they will give to a person of their choosing on the day of Ascension. Per Tradition, the object must be crafted by their own hands, and if they have it, by their own magic, not someone elses. While doing so, they should pray to Halin and ask him to protection, good health and happiness for whoever they want to give the gift to. It is though that the prayers will be infused into the object, keeping the person safe for the year to come.

A Huge Celebration

On the 8th day, the day of ascension, people gather with their families to celebrate. They pray and thank Laris Choran for the sacrifice that he made and which lead to his ascension. Then, they exchange the objects they crafted during the previous week. After that, a grand feast is shared between the family, which consists of different foods, depending on the region, but usualy includes chicken, ham, meat pies, mashed potatoes topped with gravy and cheese, as well as either wine or beer, depending on the country.

Observance

For all countries in Enaskia and most of them in Arros, the day of Ascension is celebrated 30 days after the winter solstice, a date which can range from 21st to 23rd of january. In the Kingdom of Tomboraan, the date is fixed on the 18th of december, regardless of when the winter solstice occured. In the Kingdom of Naurcia and the nearby Kaeldrian Kingdoms of The Fork, the date is instead set on the 21st of January, while in neighbouring Heoria it is on the 15th of the same month.

Grand Celebrations Participation Badge by CoolG

Emmerged in
City of Aksa

Related Organizations

• Kavasian Empire
• Kingdom of Alvaros
• Kingdom of Heoria
• Kingdom of Naurcia
• Kingdom of Paxolia
• Kinvalian-Paxolian Commonwealth.
• United Lorasian Provinces

Components and tools
A hand-crafted gift, a ton of delicious food, and many alcoholic drinks.
Participants and key roles
Families are expected to gather and celebrate. Many would also accept people outside of the family, even non-Chorani, as it is considered to be in the spirit of the celebration.
Religious Significance
The fasting represents a sacrifice to those who take part, much in the same way that Laris Choran left the confort of his own home, and everyone he knew behind to complete his expedition across Enaskia, travel to Arros and climb Mount Agadir. Meanwhile, the gift signifies the love and protection that Halin promises his followers as well as the gift of knowledge that the teachings of Laris Choran represents to not only the mages of Hysal, but all of humanity.

Similar, but Distinct

While some from the outside may confuse the two celebration because they have many similarities, such as the time of year it is celebrated and the food, the Festival of the Last Moon and the Day of Ascension also have many differences. The most important is that the later is explicitly religious, as it celebrates a religious figure, Laris Choran, while the former is not, being mainly a celebration of magic and mages. Another difference is that Ascension day is more personal, as gifts are exchanged and meals are enjoyed primarily with family while the Last Moon Festival is meant to be more public and less personal.