The Night of Change

The Moon Elves love to celebrate and nothing moreso than the anniversary of their resurfacing under Eilistree's moonlight and the beginning of their culture.

History

The first day the Laan'ithil came back to the surface was wrought with danger, they had fought the forces of Lolth long and hard to reach such a position and now was a critical moment. The passages leading to the surface had played a pivotal part in the war and now they were ready to break through. Lolths forces fought hard but cut off from their main army the Gate of the Betrayer eventually fell to the rebels and they were able to continue their push forward to the surface. The moment that the Laan'ithil first stepped out onto the surface they felt the moonlight of their goddess fall upon them and it changed their very physiology. The Moon Elves had taken their first steps as a race and left behind their Drow past. The war was not over and Drow contentions would continue for many years but the first night upon the surface was spent celebrating until the sun rose the next day as all of the Laan'ithil awaited to feel it's now non-destructive embrace. With time this tradition evolved into a night long celebration that is expressed through great feasts and decorations of the moon and rising sun. All symbols of change have become synonymous with the Night of Change.

Execution

The night of Change is first heralded by the great warhorn that once belonged to one of the important figure in the Laan'Ithil uprising Elistra Dennetus and then the city lights up with life as the Moon Elves spill into the streets, with decorations hung from every window, lantern and rooftop. The moon and rising sun is a recurring theme as well as that of the chrysalis and it is common for bards and performers to recount the greatest moment of their culture and recreate it in plays. The celebrations last all night long and food and wine is consumed in great measure, though it is considered bad luck to turn in before the morning. The celebrations continue uninterrupted Until the first sign of dawn when the city begins to quieten down as everyone moves for the best view possible. As the sun's warm glow finally spills over the city the warhorn of Elistra is sounded twice again to signify the beginning of the next year. It is customary for Laan'ithil to make a vow of change on the morning glow, these are usually ways to better themselves or goals to obtain by the next year.

Components and tools

The main decoration that fills the streets are great blue lanterns shaped to resemble the moon or smaller lanterns of orange and red to signify the rising sun. The Warhorn of Elistra features as a main component of the celebration and it is kept in a guarded location all year round only taken out for this one night when it is blown by the current Archon for all three of it's uses and then returned to its place of honour.

Participants

The Archon heralds the beginning of the night by sounding the Horn of Elistra but almost everyone in the city of Melo'ithil attends.

Observance

The Night of Change celebrations are held every year on the anniversary of the Laan'ithil's return to the surface and the right of Eilistraee is held on the night of the first full moon following.

Primary Related Location

Melo'Ithil

Related Ethnicities