Bitter Rest

The Week Without War

Every year the winter of southern Helphar feels a little colder and the blankets a little thinner. This is no doubt the work of the demons of Keleth who have appeared in New Haven in ever greater numbers since the lands were first settled. The Helpharians have fought against the Kelethress ceaselessly, pushing them back into their world of unfathomable ice, yet the cold continues to advance.
Sometime in the second age, the winter cold was so unbearable that more soldiers were lost to it that year than the war itself. A ceasefire was declared until temperatures warmed in the spring giving the soldiers nearly a full month to return home to their families and friends. That time became known as the Month of Bitter Rest and the repeated hiatus on fighting in subsequent years culminated in the week-long holiday known as Bitter Rest.
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Bitter Rest is a time to be among loved ones and reacquaint oneself with civilian life. So long are the soldiers out on the front lines, they forget household skills and trades and Bitter Rest is seen as a relearning of these. Many soldiers are put to work by their families during the holiday and are tasked with repainting walls, cleaning sheds, cutting trees, and grooming cattle. But these chores are celebrated rather than dreaded and the family shares stories over them.
At sunup and sundown on each of the days there is a large meal prepared with the entire family's help. Ale and wine flows in the evening, even (with some temperance) among the youths. After dinner, families and friends will gather in whoever has the largest household for games and merry conversation. Though no one will claim it an official tradition, it's expected that the returned soldiers will show a little salacity and no one questions the daughter or son who comes home long after dark. Indeed, some may question the lack of such behavior and ask their child brusquely why might they not be out seeding their future children.
During this time, the Holy Church of Helen will offer daily services and offer free meals for those unable to provide for the additional mouths. The government adjourns for five of the seven days and during no time are any policies regarding the war to be decided.
The last day of the week is solemn in expectation of the departure back to the front lines. For once Bitter Rest is over, enlisted men and women are called back as the season demands, sometimes the day after the festivities have concluded. The meals are meagre and no alcohol is served. A special prayer called the Laudre Porgga is given this day. It hopes for the safety of those at war and that they may return home for another Bitter Rest the next year.