Hosiosus
The season of snow.
The best time of year.
And the time of one of Rethium's greatest holidays.
This holiday is called Hosiosus.
Thought to have originated in the Far West of Tarris Six in the early centuries of history as a remembrance holiday, Hosiosus is celebrated every year on the same days, the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth of December, also known colloquially as Fellnight. This holiday is most often accompanied by piles of thick snow and cold weather all month long, and is the second-most favored holiday by children across the continent, following second behind Ghostmare's Eve which takes place during the month of October, also called Redfall.
But Hosiosus is believed also to be the most historically significant holiday across the world, as it is deeply rooted in history and has many a famed legend to support many of the practices celebrated during this event. It is centered around the greatest deity named Hosios-Dyn, and the chosen days of the holiday are as such because they directly follow the last days of Hosios' existence on the mortal realm before rising again to the Pantheon in the 'Eadhraeeln where he still resides to this day, even though he has been known to visit the mortal realm time and time again throughout known history, despite many of these encounters not being documented either well or at all. It was thought that the night before he disappeared that Hosios spent that time with his followers and subjects, exchanging gifts and tidings of goodwill with them, even sharing in feasts, songs and telling many stories to them by the light of a grand fire at a historical location that is now believed to have been lost to ancient history. This holiday is celebrated in a fashion to honor his final night and day on the mortal plane during his first known visit, and it is a holiday that has spread across the world and influenced almost every culture in a different way ever since.
The festival begins on the twenty-fourth of December every year regardless of day, and is usually kicked off by a great feast at the home of the family celebrating the holiday. It is also courtesy to invite strangers or young couples into the home for the holiday as a way to extend goodwill and wishes to the couple for the new year to come. A short exchange of gifts commonly follows this meal before the family heads to bed for the night. The next day, it is common to eat either the leftovers of the previous night or to make an equally large and filling meal, although this is shared amongst family exclusively so as to allow every family their time together for the holiday.
Such activities during this particular day are the hanging of socks from the fireplace, and opening any gifts that have been placed under the tree which is the central decoration of all homes for this holiday. Songs can be sung, food can be eaten and spending time with friends outdoors and playing games are highly favored activities of this day as well. Candy Crooks, gum candies and even Cinderbread are a common collection of treats, and it is also known that Cinderbread houses are a family favorite as well as a competitive staple for the holiday between families and friends as well.
There is also a legend surrounding Hosiosus. It speaks of a tall rabbit-like creature with a large bushy tail known to race through cities and towns causing trouble by stealing trinkets and decorations from homes in order to cause mischief. This creature has been dubbed "The Boblenicker-nicker", and is thought to resemble a Scurius, which is a creature able to move at high speeds and also possessing the large bushy tail mentioned in legends. Many children start off Hosiosus by setting a trap for the Boblenicker, which consists of a cage attached to a rope or string, and a small decoration or other object which will hopefully entice the Boblenicker into being trapped in the cage, which is considered a bragging right by whichever family first succeeds in capturing the Boblenicker. One must commonly use a large decoration such as a sphere of glass or other material, as the Boblenicker is attracted primarily to such objects of this size and shape.
Other activities common on Hosiosus are: snowball fights, cookie baking, gift exchange, carol-singing, making snow-angels, sled-riding, trail-hiking, writing Hosiosus letters, decorating the yard and home, sending cards, telling stories and other activities, but these are known to be the most common of all traditions during the holiday. Hosiosus is celebrated in all known towns and cities across the continent including by the races who have not entirely adopted the tradition of celebrating a central deity for a single holiday out of the year. It is also known to be the favorite holiday in Aswary, and is thought to be the holiday surrounded by the greatest economical fluctuation of the entire year in that country.
The best time of year.
And the time of one of Rethium's greatest holidays.
This holiday is called Hosiosus.
Thought to have originated in the Far West of Tarris Six in the early centuries of history as a remembrance holiday, Hosiosus is celebrated every year on the same days, the twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth of December, also known colloquially as Fellnight. This holiday is most often accompanied by piles of thick snow and cold weather all month long, and is the second-most favored holiday by children across the continent, following second behind Ghostmare's Eve which takes place during the month of October, also called Redfall.
But Hosiosus is believed also to be the most historically significant holiday across the world, as it is deeply rooted in history and has many a famed legend to support many of the practices celebrated during this event. It is centered around the greatest deity named Hosios-Dyn, and the chosen days of the holiday are as such because they directly follow the last days of Hosios' existence on the mortal realm before rising again to the Pantheon in the 'Eadhraeeln where he still resides to this day, even though he has been known to visit the mortal realm time and time again throughout known history, despite many of these encounters not being documented either well or at all. It was thought that the night before he disappeared that Hosios spent that time with his followers and subjects, exchanging gifts and tidings of goodwill with them, even sharing in feasts, songs and telling many stories to them by the light of a grand fire at a historical location that is now believed to have been lost to ancient history. This holiday is celebrated in a fashion to honor his final night and day on the mortal plane during his first known visit, and it is a holiday that has spread across the world and influenced almost every culture in a different way ever since.
The festival begins on the twenty-fourth of December every year regardless of day, and is usually kicked off by a great feast at the home of the family celebrating the holiday. It is also courtesy to invite strangers or young couples into the home for the holiday as a way to extend goodwill and wishes to the couple for the new year to come. A short exchange of gifts commonly follows this meal before the family heads to bed for the night. The next day, it is common to eat either the leftovers of the previous night or to make an equally large and filling meal, although this is shared amongst family exclusively so as to allow every family their time together for the holiday.
Such activities during this particular day are the hanging of socks from the fireplace, and opening any gifts that have been placed under the tree which is the central decoration of all homes for this holiday. Songs can be sung, food can be eaten and spending time with friends outdoors and playing games are highly favored activities of this day as well. Candy Crooks, gum candies and even Cinderbread are a common collection of treats, and it is also known that Cinderbread houses are a family favorite as well as a competitive staple for the holiday between families and friends as well.
There is also a legend surrounding Hosiosus. It speaks of a tall rabbit-like creature with a large bushy tail known to race through cities and towns causing trouble by stealing trinkets and decorations from homes in order to cause mischief. This creature has been dubbed "The Boblenicker-nicker", and is thought to resemble a Scurius, which is a creature able to move at high speeds and also possessing the large bushy tail mentioned in legends. Many children start off Hosiosus by setting a trap for the Boblenicker, which consists of a cage attached to a rope or string, and a small decoration or other object which will hopefully entice the Boblenicker into being trapped in the cage, which is considered a bragging right by whichever family first succeeds in capturing the Boblenicker. One must commonly use a large decoration such as a sphere of glass or other material, as the Boblenicker is attracted primarily to such objects of this size and shape.
Other activities common on Hosiosus are: snowball fights, cookie baking, gift exchange, carol-singing, making snow-angels, sled-riding, trail-hiking, writing Hosiosus letters, decorating the yard and home, sending cards, telling stories and other activities, but these are known to be the most common of all traditions during the holiday. Hosiosus is celebrated in all known towns and cities across the continent including by the races who have not entirely adopted the tradition of celebrating a central deity for a single holiday out of the year. It is also known to be the favorite holiday in Aswary, and is thought to be the holiday surrounded by the greatest economical fluctuation of the entire year in that country.
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