Howler's Night

Howler's Night is an event held on the winter solstice, meant to guard from the Nisurach Demons demons on their day of most power.

History

Origin in the Gwolyc Tribes

The festival started long ago within the The Gwolyc Tribes of the The Gwoltish Isles, held on the winter solstice every year as a way to show the Nisurach Demons that they weren't scared of them, even on the night they had the most power. There would be feasts, music, and storytelling all by giant bonfires. The event was particularly focused around Oviafirum, who as the demon of cold, they believed was causing the freezing temperatures of winter every year.

Though in 999 IBT, on the night of the celebrations, a giant rift was torn through the sky, launching meteors down onto the villages below. The tribes took this as a sign the demon's anger. In the years following, the festival became a more solemn event focused on helping the land repair itself from the damage caused, and guarding against the demons who they believed had now made it back into the world.

Iustulian Celebrations

When the Iustulian Empire invaded the Gwoltish Isles, many picked up some of the culture and beliefs of the tribes. Howler's Night, soon became a much bigger even every year, with feasts and celebrations once more. Many from the tribes found this offensive and even scary, as the tales told that this exact behaviour was what provoked the demons to attack all those years ago. Though the most of the Iustulian's would not listen, and kept celebrating it in their 'own' way, eventually shifting the tradition back to its original happy and boastful tone.

A Solemn Event

During Thomas Camborne's time as Light's Protector (3154-3161 IBT), he banned all celebrations, including those on Howler's Night.

This is the night the demons ripped apart Her sky, the very thing we, the people of Starfell are here to fix through worship! This should be a night of prayer and repentance, as we guard from the demons that walk alongside us- not of drunken parties and blind gluttony!
— Thomas Camborne

This law was extremely unpopular, and led to many celebrating Camborne's death. The next Light's Protector reversed this law, allowing celebrations to take place once more.

Type
Festival
Date of Tradition
22nd December - Annual

Primary Related Location
Related Organizations

Wolf Hunts

during the times of the The Gwolyc Tribes, a wolf hunt would be held on every Howler's night, the idea being to scare the Wolf Demon away from the tribe. The best hunters of the tribe would track down and kill a wolf, parading it's remains throughout the camp. the pelt of the wolf would be stripped and worn by the storyteller of the tribe as they told the story of the demon's defeat.



Cover image: by IoTheSC

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