The Raven's festival

The Accrionadh (period of waning moon) of Mios Morrigan is the time of the year in which the Raven is more visible from western Phaldorya. During this ten days a number of religious celebrations of the clergy of Morrigan take place, leading to Haybloom.

History

The events of the festival have changed through the years. In origin, the festival was very somber and no commercial or spectacular aspect was present. With the time, gradually, the ruthless "Bash" has gained a role of preminence and, in all its violence, is the most expected event of the festival.

Execution

Altamura is the city with the strongest presence of Morrigan's clergy in western Phaldorya and, by consequence, is the city where these celebration are more important and followed by the population. On Cogadh a ritual fasting is observed, red meat consumption is forbidden while white meat or fish can be eaten without troubles. On Iomachas a collection of food and donations for the city's poor is performed. On Urram the fighters can presented in a parade. On Biadh population can bet on the fighters and the agreement is sacred. On Breith there's the parade of the Raven, with the clergy wearing long dark cloaks decorate with raven's feathers. On Eich a religious meeting at the temple with the reading of some important passes of the Book of the Raven. On Ruith the fighters observe a vigil of preparation for the big event. On Cairdeas the fighters receive a special potion (which composition is known only to the Silent Monks) to boost their aggressivity and the fight bare-handed in the central square until only one stands. On Glanadh the ritual cleaning of the square and of the fighters wound is carried over. On Taghlach each family has a traditional meal with a pastry filled with vegetables and minced beef shaped as a Raven.

by Stokpic

Components and tools

by Raventhorn

The various phases of the festival have different components, some of the paraments (the raven's cloaks, the silent monks' outfit) used during the rituals have other uses during the religious calendar of Morrigan's clergy. In regards to the Bash the component are limited the fighter receive a potion that enhances aggressivity and fight bare-handed with the protection around the chest and upper legs of an light armor of woven reeds.

Participants

The Berserkers of every part of Phaldorya aim to partake at the Bash of Altamura. Some of them gets noticed during illegal fights in various parts of the continent and, whether devoted to Morrigan or not, selected to take part to the festival. The other preminent roles are all internal to the clergy of Morrigan.

Observance

The observance of the rituals is personal, only worshippers of Morrigan observe them with devotion. While the Bash is nowadays a spectacular event and attracts the attention of people from outside the city who travels just to see this brutal celebration.

by Vlad Vastnetsov

A Morrigan's reliquary that gets exposed during the celebration on Eich