Hearth's Heart

Aniel Stardust

Every year the children are told about a mysterious man, dressed in red and gold, riding his giant rainbow bird that sprinkles cerylin dust upon all the houses he passes by on Hearth's Heart day. It is said when he passes by, it is so fast he looks like a shooting star of many colours. As the cerylin dust decends it looks like snow, a shimmering blessing from above.
It has become increasingly popular to add to the stories told about Aniel and his deeds. Many have started telling their children that if they are not good then Aniel Stardust will not pass over their house and bless them with his gifts, that they will not be in his good book.

History

Historical Figure

Many an era ago there lived a Fae boy who lived with his parents in the Faeding Vales, Aniel. It wasn't long until darkness descended upon their skylands and spread an illness taking both the lives of his parents, among many others. It was the darkest of ages for the Fae at that time, all of them needed to rely on one another and help each other when needed. Though he no longer had his parents, they did not leave him without. A very large inheretence was left to him and when he recived it, Aniel was reminded of a simple passage in the Mysterious Bibliotheca:

"Give to those suffering in need, but in secrecy. Giving is better than recieving, and pleasing to the Bright One, just the same when the Radiant Lord gave Himself up to save all from everlasting darkness."

~ A page from A Miraculous Gift

Aniel, even though he was still a child, became filled with the spirit of giving and grew up with an everlasting generosity for everyone, especially the poor.
One day, Aniel was caught tossing a small golden pouch through a window due to a man staying up to watch his household for this rumoured, mysterious man in the night; giving away instead of coming in to steal. Aniel hushed him from making too much noise that might wake others up, and told him to never speak of anything that he has done or who he is. However, the man was so overjoyed that he spoke of his generous deeds anyway - word spread quickly and well with excitement.

Execution

From Ancient Times to Second Millennia

Aniel was also known for possibly creating a large tree in the centre of the village where he lived. This specific tree is only created during the winter because of the significance it holds. This tree is made from fire and water. First, logs are set in a circle of large firestones surrounding them. A spark stone is then thrown in setting the logs ablaze while the Fire Masters work their spirit magic, weaving the fiery tongues into branches and leaves. Holding their position, the Water Masters then douse the fire tree with freezing water from the bottom to the top in a swift motion, causing a brief misty cloud to momentarily surround it before revealing the Crystal Glass Tree.
It is not known if Aniel did this by himself or not, as this would be a tremendous amount of Spirit Magic for one person to not only weave, but also set. A tree like this and its size would take many to work together.
There is another popular way to celebrate Hearth's Heart and that is to have a smaller fire in households and weave what is called a Passion Tree, which is done in similar fasion to the Crystal Glass tree, but without water, and just fire. Many Fae prefer this as it is an easier task and much smaller in size.
There was once a time where a village would come together to make the Crystal Glass Tree and place gold and silver pouches upon the branches, giving the tree an appearance of many fruit. This would take care of the less fortunate, but as the years passed on, people's hearts grew cold and began taking from the poor. More and more the tree became smaller and more bare, like the spirit of Hearth's Heart...

Observance

There used to be a great observance for the Bright One for His many blessings, but over the many centuries that seems to have become more of a second thought, or none at all. However, there are still a few in the world where He is revered.