Damel
Seven day festival to celebrate Dam and his children. The celebration is held by the Folkain however many around the empire celebrate the holiday as it marks a time of rest observed by multiple religions.
The Nidan mark the seven days in their Calendar as the time of turning or the halfway point in a cycle.
Most think of the time as the Twilight because it's known for being the turning of light to dark even for only a couple minutes. Many mark the time and many cherish it. Those who call the time Damel believe the change happens because Rav wants to give his love a present, many mark it as Dam's birthday.
History
The beginning of Damel is unknown as when Folkain the religion first emerged is as far back as records go. Folkain is believed to be the oldest religion in the world and they from all accounts consider Damel their most important holiday.
Though Damel itself can be celabrated in many different ways it's believed it was celebrated for five days originally and the last two days for the fae and humans where added somewhere between the Tribal Wars and the Great Greying. Each day traditionally is celebrated by different people and with different rituals though all days are observed. Most followers of the old ways will use these days and nights to the fullest not sleeping for the whole direction of the celebration.
Historically Damel has even been a time to build things or finish projects, old statues often have finish dates during Damel and one can find documents also published on the first day. More people populate Mandor during Damel than any other time of the year, since this is the time of celebration many merchants go to the continent and sailors and voyagers also make the trek home to enjoy the unique holiday. Though for those who want to see the holiday there are only some places in Mandor they can stay and many smaller villages and the like will drive people from their lands since in the past when Folkain was not as widely practiced many died when found practiced the holiday and where killed.
Travelers who arrive during the holiday are often treated with contempt for the lack of incite into Mandorian culture and certain travel stops all together for the seven meas of the festival.
Not all Mandorians celebrate Damel but it's widely enough practices that most stick to the same celebration as their folkain brethren. The Nidan's themselves use the time to pray though not all seven days and the Selsie search for visions during the Twilight period that always happens. Other religions have their own traditions.
Execution
There is a saying in Mandor "To celebrate Damel is to commit to twice it's length." this is a friendly and exasperated way to say preparing for the holiday can take just as long if not longer then the celebration its self. Many lords and ladies prepare for a constellation in advance to host a celebration large enough or to make the trip to bigger cities.
Lower houses use the time to decorate, prepare to be away or even to start joineries as is traditional for many to undertake after the twilight passes since Dam is the god of travel among other things.
The first day of Damel is the day of the Woslie, a ferocious creature and a loyal companion when one is able to tame them. Also called the Warriors Way, the first day of Damel is dedicated to Dam's first lover and child. Many things happen to celebrate this day of the courageous and the fiery. Though the most remembered line of all the creature is their mantra told of in the Serad,
"I am the predator, the forever stalker, the loyal and the playful, I will love you forever. I am Wolsie." -Quoted from the Religious tomb of the Folkain religion called the Serad translated by an unknown individual.This is the creation of Dam's first child called the Wonderer and known to most as the progenitor of Shape Shifters, a demigod and Fae, the very first fae in some accounts. The day itself has many traditions including a Wild Hunt where people don't hunt animals but other people. Every single day includes a play of some sort usually in the style of the day telling the story of Dam's children, the first telling is done in the way of Warriors, a trail is held and the strongest warriors get to be part of the play, the first play is a dance that every warrior in Mandor learns upon earning their weapon. To be strong enough to participate int he dance is an honor and an opportunity and many are offered knighthoods after participating. A feast is had most often after the hunt which lasts all night. Prayers this day can be done to a multitude of gods but prayers for loyalty, beginnings for travel or projects, good hunting, change, soul love, and strength in battle. The second day is the day of the Piscis, a fish like creature worshiped by many cultures, considered the day of healers and the day is often called The Healer's Height. Also called forward this day are those of swiftness, sailors favor this day, though called Sea Comers more often in the Serad and the day of searching and hiding. The Pisces upon encountering Dam in his Wolsie form said this
"I am the prey, the forever watchful, the quick and the elusive, I will never love you. I am Piscis." -Quoated from the Serad, the Piscis is one of the shortest sections of all the animal lovers Dam took.Dam's second child was called the Searcher, they where not named for having any abilities unlike the first child but it's believed the fable many call mere-people come from this story and the half human searcher is to live deep in the ocean where they search still for Dam. Most begin this day very early including drinking herbal remedies meant to encourage health throughout the coming cycle. Lotions are also commonly applied. Games are played throughout the day, treasure hunts, fragrance competitions, and children's games. Prizes are blessings and other more expensive or exclusive potions. A lot of herb traders sell for less this day. The play held this day is most commonly done by water dancers, as water dancing is uncommon it's one of the few times the Damna open their establishments for free to allow people to see the performances. Many thought the day pray the most common being to gods of wealth, fishing, the seas or sea travel, passion, the healing of the sick, good weather, sex and sexual release. The third day is of the Ibis, also called the Night Comer, is a flying animal like the wolsie of the sky the Ibis will eat anything and go anywhere, they are darkly colored and often people call them ill omens. The Nidan's where the first to call them Night Flyers saying they bring the night, more commonalty called the Long Dark. The meat is also called the Merchant's Make, since the creatures aren't native to anyone place they represent travelers and merchants and are called the Contented and considered the only animal associated with the Sleeping Goddess. In there Serad Dam followed the creature into some caves and it spoke this line
"I am the night flyer, the forever sleeping, the screamer, and the innocent, I am content. I am Ibis." -Quoted from the Serad, the Night Flyer is the only time the Nidan word for the Dark is mentioned but it isn't known if it's a translation error or if Nidan is older then most think.The middle child was called Traveler and many think that this child is an ancestor of the Seekers, this would imply the odd religion was born from the Folkain. One reason for this is because many suspect Seekers of mysterious witchcraft and magics. The largest tradition is the making and trading of trinkets, these trinkets are seen as currency and whoever gains the most becomes Merchant King for the day. Trading trinkets is done any number of ways, some give there's to those they think need it others haggle for things or favors. The community leader usually is the one to reward the Merchant King but they also receive special treatment when they go into shops for the rest of Damel. Another tradition for those who aren't home use the opportunity to travel home so long as they can make it before the last day, this is when families gather most often asking outsiders to leave. This can lead to violence if some are offended and extra guards are posted in big cities. Children pray to their accentors and listen to stories other family. Any use this day to strike deals for merchant ventures, some even strike contracts meant to be rented every Ibis Meas. The play held on the silent night is most often done in silence with dramatic faces and large costumes. One of the oddest traditions is the respect for the sleeper, many vous silence for the diracion of the meas or those who wish to celebrate must do it quietly so as not to wake the Sleeper, dancing in silence is an art Mandorians have perfected. Prayers often include the growth of wealth and good business, and travels, good fortune, the return of loved ones, the discovery of new things and the finding of lost treasures, gods of travel, roads and plenty or even famine are prayed to for mercy or bounty. The fourth day is of the Avem or Day Flyer, also called the Scholar's Script, the Avem is a feathered creature known for its inability to be tamed or trains, with flighty attention and the loose wistful bird song, the song of these flying pests is called the song of light as they sing most during the Long Bright and infest many cities with their incessant music. Mostly elders, scholars, scribes, entertainers, and most particularly the lost limbed, since once Avem loss their feathers they spend the rest oft their life walking and don't seem to mind much. This creature is particular in its story since it's the only time Dam is quoted,
"Do you ever stop?" "I am the ceaseless flyer, the forever restless, the singer, and the experienced, I am never content. I am Avem." -Quoted form the Serad, not only in this story but in all Relarcis this is the only time Dam is ever quoted directly. Many think it's because this is the instance Dam fell in love and learned of loss.They say Dam still looks for Avem and her child Treasure as he would have spent eternity with them but like those before they where gone, when he rested they left. They say they rest in Fortuna but whenever Dam goes searching for them they have already moved on. Treasure is thought to be the only Demi god to never obtain human form and her decedents are often considered any mythical bird such a phoenixes. The day is filled with performances, not just the Damel's traditional story which is done most often by bards and song. Other productions take place throughout the day detailing may of Dam's and other gods and hero's exploits. Lessons are held everywhere in the city where the poor and the wealthy are encouraged to take steps to further their knowledge and all are free. Inventions are revealed and displayed. And everyone prepares for the Revelry of Veils, it's believed if one can find their match be it, sibling, child, or partner then they will always find each other. Some take this chance to reveal their hidden names. Most pray for personal growth or the achievements of friends or relatives, many pray for knowledge and the courage to look for the truth, others pray for the survival of knowledge or rediscovery of forgotten. Gods most commonly prayed to are of knowledge and understanding. The fifth day is considered by most smaller area's the most important, the day of the Morsa or the Farmer's Fare. A Morsa is considered a sacrligous animal by some religions as it's gender can change in some environments and sacred to others. The people celebrated not this day include teachers, wet nurses, child rearers, farmers, crafters, and any profession that provides the support to grow. The morsa is a pack animal commonly used all over Mandor and some other islands, it build can vary depending on reagon. Morsa are both bred for speed, and burden bearing and though wolsie are ridden into war, moors have been known as war animals. The morsa is considered the kindest of the creatures Dam meets as it's the only one to speak not just of it's self.
"I am the steady beat, the forever walker, the pace by which the land breaths and there is no other like me, both fast and slow, I console the half-made. I am Morsa, will you walk with me?" -Quotaed from the Serad, though there is a response from Dam it's not direct and the two have many children unlike the others.The last child of the story is called Gilded, the child is unknown like some of the other children but there are no constant theories, some say that the children of the Gilded are the fae but Wonderer is also claiming this title, there are some distinctions between them though, Gilded is not considered the first fae but the first member of Hel's glittering throng thus the name glittering. Other's say Gilded is the guiding spirit of the lost and helps the on journeys find paths and make discoveries as the duty was bestowed by Dam on them. Considered the day of rest, most traditions include offering sacrifices to the gods, spending time with family, visiting friends, being kind to strangers, giving to the poor, and most important appeasing local gods. The play is most often depicted with puppets. People pray for continued fortune, safe travels, kind strangers, mercy, longevity, fertility, predictability, steadiness, and especially to gods of plenty, and gods of the land, river or local significance. The sixth day is the day of the Fae, all considered children of both Dam and other gods. Also called the Immortal's Ichor, the fae are little understood nowadays and very few believe int heir existence but some suggest that the fae built the ruins while others believe fae little better than animals running on instinct but still intelligent. There is no corresponding tale in the Serad or other books for the creation of Fae but the creature litter the Folkain texts. People use the day to be mischievous and pull pranks, children spend it with the elder's learning about history while those old enough run amok dancing and sining and generally everyone is very inebriated. Many run naked and the more superstitious renue wards and the like and leave offerings for fae creatures they want to appease or invite in. Some believe the ruined cities come awake for the one night so will sneak in and sleep in them. Most pray for magical happenings, miracles, divine intervention, and gods most pray to are the siblings or other fae gods. The last day is the day of creation or humans. Also called the Outcast's Omen, humans are created by a litany of gods in the story though it's Dam who seeks their creation without the help of Rav, Aus, Coth, Consort, and Danu humans would have never come into being. These are the only gods prayed to on the last day as their considered the gods of humanity. Most say good bye this day and wait for the twilight, though the festival isn't considered over until the twilight ends which can last from minutes to a full consultation. Many pray that that doesn't happen since extended twilight can cause people to act odd. The last meas though is the end of the festival and most leave for journeys, sailors return to the sea and ships throughout Mandor set sail with a lantern attached to the mast so land dwellers can track them until they pass the horizon. Similarly enough many take this chance to return to their places as the world is set right.
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