The Silver Comet

Often referred to as the Silver Comet, Comet Swift-Arend has been cropping up in the sky for generations. Its appearance is a herald of good luck and ushers in a time of festivals and celebrations around the sky.

"No one knows when we first saw the comet. No one knows what event it brought about. All I know is that whenever the comet flies by, I can be sure that I'm about to have the best celebration of my life."

-citizen

History

Although the Silver Comet has been an omen of good fortune for centuries, its most famous appearance was that of about three hundred years ago, during the ravaging chaos that was the Dark Plague. Many scientists who were desperately trying to bring an end to the disease, but it was a small band of dragon doctors, venturing into the wild in search of medicinal plants, that followed the comet to a grove of sunburst flowers, which are the key ingredients in the serum that treats the symptoms of the Plague.

The comet is also rumored to have been present at other significant events, such as:

• The Thunder Battle. A great victory for all Skydwellers, the Thunder Battle was a relief to everyone, as it saw an end to the bloody fighting and terrible storms of the Ashes War.


• The discovery of Northhold. Though it was once a small, abandoned town, Northhold has proved key in discovering new energy sources to power the ever-increasing demands of the sky.


• The coronation of Queen Sandra, an ancient historical figure who organized the council of scientists that discovered how to maximize agricultural production, solving pressing issues of skywide hunger.


• The creation of the Riders. These magical creations are some of the strongest pieces of Skydweller myths, so much so that they even hold sway over modern Skydweller culture.


• And, last but not least, charter journals indicate that the comet was in the sky the night they perfect the method of harvesting and creating Amthryllison dust, which is perhaps the most valuable production of chemical magic there is.

Some people also believe that the comet is brought about by the magic of the sky itself. Since it doesn't show up on ground dweller radars, some cosmic scientists are studying if it's possible that the comet is created by magical matter or the magical aura that the Skydwellers have, and thus is more distinct to them.

It's only ever happened twice over the course of my career, but the Silver Comet's festivities are simply glorious for selling cahve! With everyone looking for a way to stay awake all night, it's a competition between which cahve shop chains can brew the best batch!

-Maria Siftwyn, cahve shop owner

Traditions

Since that time, the Comet has been said to bring both good luck and new life. As it burns a path across the sky, people will celebrate in a nightlong festival full of laughter, light, and fun.

During the first night of the comet sighting, people celebrate with large, colorful fireworks and bursts of dragon breath. It lights up the sky in a display so vibrant that some ground dwellers can even see it. Makes a bit of a nuisance for monitors to erase it from the news, but most are glad for the reminder of their home.

Storytellers of all kinds also find themselves telling the tales of past comet sightings and their associated historical events. Theatrical reenactments of these stories are also quite popular, with theatre troops like the White Falcons selling out tickets to their one-of-a-kind plays incredibly fast.

But perhaps the most fabled of all are the Comet Games. While many Skydweller festivals feature competitions of academic and strategic prowess, the Comet Games are a series of athletic events ranging from maz-tag to racing to Wingspin. Over the course of a night, each sport will see three matches, and at dawn, the winner of each is declared!

No professional teams are allowed in the Comet Games. In the months leading up to the Games, people enter a series of trials and are placed according to their skill. Additionally, although some Wingspin games go long, the comet usually passes during the winter season, so there is plenty of time for both festivities and matches to occur in a single night.

Type

Natural

Frequency
Every 52 years
Duration of Visibility
One week
Documented Sightings
Eight total
Colors
Despite being referred to as 'the Silver Comet', Comet Swift-Arend also carries a blue-green hue that makes it distinct from other falling stars.

"The Comet Games are some of the best fun I've had in years. I don't care if I'll be too old to participate in the next ones; I'll be there to watch them!" 
"I don't know why the ground dwellers can't see the comet, but there's something comforting in the knowledge that despite falling back to the sky, the stars themselves have something just for us."
"Phew, good show! I know rogue fireworks weren't the plan, but personally, I think it enhanced the whole night!" 
"I've seen the comet twice now, and I'm only 72! It's my goal to be able to see it one more time in my life before I retire."
"Goodness, that comet was beautiful. You think that after 87 years, nothing more could surprise me. But I swear, the Silver Comet gets more splendorous each time it passes by!" 

-thoughts of citizens on the comet and its festivities