Shoretorch

Each year, just before monsoon season arrives, the sahel around Lake Oto is set ablaze. People wearing grotesque and monstrous masks chase the flames toward the shore of the lake. Erratic jumping and dancing punctuated with horrendous screams drive predators away, while fire-breathers clear a wide path to the water. When the plants in the area are sufficiently burned away, the city of Thimble Hollow arrives. Bedecked in it finest raiments, the colossal crab traverses the ashen field to settle in the lake. Making a nest in the mud, the city settles in, ready to bask in the seasonal floodwaters. The rain brings new life to the region, with the older plants held at bay by the firebreak. The new growth is clean- untainted by arcane accumulation, and for a time are safe to eat for the villagers of Thimble Hollow.

History

Shoretorch originally started as a desperate final effort to battle an incursion of hungry plants. Harried by Black Rongo and her cackling horde, the city had been run ragged by days of pursuit. With black rain clouds on the horizon, some brave residents risked going to the ground, carrying only torches. They burned the dry grasses, a last-ditch effort to buy their home a bit more time. The flames spread, becoming a raging wildfire. With their prey in reach now, the hyenas closed in on the torchbearers. But it was not only the predators who were spurred to action. Tearing gargoyle spouts from the walls, others began jumping to the ground screaming wildly and waving the grotesque faces. They charged the mutant pack, screeching and flailing with a primal ferocity. Chaos reigned supreme in that moment, driving Black Rongo's pack back. With that little bit of space gained, Thimble Hollow was able to lurch forward in a final push to the lake ahead. Rejuvenated by the cool water, the city was able to turn and face down Black Rongo. Its gigantic claws now stood between the entity and her prey, with the deep water protecting the crab's blind side. Warped by the presence of the nearby entity, the grasses writhed and tried to snare the villagers, but the flames burned the plants before they could strike. And so, surrounded by flames and facing the claws of Thimble Hollow, Black Rongo was forced to retreat. The rains came pummeling down soon after, quenching the fire and washing away the ash. The lake swelled with floodwater, and Thimble Hollow was able to recuperate in the nutritious mud. When new growth emerged from the burned earth, the people rejoiced, and the tradition of Shoretorch was born.

Execution

Due to Churn changing the landscape frequently, the navigators of Thimble Hollow do not know for certain when the city is in range of Lake Oto, but the crab does. When the beast is nearing the lake, the crabtenders pick up the subtle cues the huge crustacean gives out. An excited twitch of the antennae here, or a puff of air from the shell there, and the crabtenders will fetch an ornately carved and gilded horn. With a triumphant blast, the tenders will signal the beginning of Shoretorch. Tapestries, fine cloths, and flags of all colors are moved to the outer battlements, the the gray stone castle of Thimble Hollow comes alive with fluttering colors fluttering in the wind. Treasures found throughout the year are placed along the most visible and sun-catching points for all to see.
As the excitement builds, a series of athletic games and competitions take place. Feats of agility and endurance are scored over the course of several days. The winners get the honor of taking up masks, to cavort as they escort the city to Lake Oto. Previous winners and experienced hands become firebreathers, who take up torches and set the dry grasses aflame. The firebreathers scorch a path to the shore, while the masked dancers scare off animals that would attack them. Over the years, the festival has developed into a flashy show for the people who remain on the castle. Dancers try to pull off elaborate acrobatic routines while making the masks chatter, and compete with each other for who can endure running ahead of the city or being on the ground for the longest. Firebreathers manipulate the flames they spit into living shapes and try to have the longest sustained gouts of fire.
Atop the city, festivities break out into full swing. Grand feasts are held every night, along with dances and games. The people try to use as much of the old stored food as they can during the festivities, to make room for fresh stores of fish and fresh harvest pulled in from the lake. Fresh dancers wait for their turn to relieve the runners on the ground.
Though the festivities of Shoretorch are lighthearted and focus on friendly competition, the different positions do serve a real purpose. As the city approaches the lake, large predators like bulettes, lions, and drakes clash for territory and access to water. Prey animals are drawn to the water, and so the carnivores follow. In this climate of extremes, the herbivores are just as ornery and dangerous as the predators, if not more so. The masked dancers are important for scaring these beasts and monsters away, especially when they can be driven off before the wildfires scare them into a panicked frenzy. The firebreathers are needed to keep the hungry grasses at bay, drawn by the influx of bodies. Occasionally the people forget the dangers they keep at bay. If they overextend themselves, or sprain a limb while running, or even get too close to the grass in a moment of hubris, the festival can become a grim reminder of why Thimble Hollow has to burn its way to the lake.

Components and tools

Most of the items associated with Shoretorch are simply reminders to the villagers that they have survived another year. The flags and cloth hanging from the walls do not typically have specific significance, they are simply colorful and joyous to behold. Some years, if lucky trades have been made, Thimble Hollow announces its coming with fireworks. Anything that adds color and joy to the castle is welcome to the festival.
The only items that hail to a tradition are the masks worn by the runners. While the original masks were gargoyles, homemade masks have become the preferred type. Now they are typically made of wood. They are often oblong with outsized, extremely detailed eyes and toothy, movable mouthpieces. Masks are always made to look monstrous, carved to be as uncanny and intimidating as possible. Some common additions to the masks are stone or metal caps to the teeth that clap sharply as the mouth moves, and rattles or bristles that make a terrible racket as they shake.

Observance

Shoretorch begins a few days before monsoon season begins in the region. Lake Oto is a stop on Thimble Hollow's natural migration path. The timing may vary by a few days per year, but the city's instincts are synced to the gathering clouds. Gills under the shell of the city can sense the increasing humidity, and always guide Thimble Hollow to the lake in time to pick a nest site for the flooding.

Primary Related Location

Thimble Hollow