The Arrivens
Years in Wake are hard. Striving for survival against dangerous creatures and unseen threats while attempting to satisfy the often-sadistic requirements of an unapproachable distant Lord can be very taxing on morale. The New Year for Wake is marked by an influx of new people in a ritual known as the Arrivens.
When the Season of Light begins, the Chains River runs red for a full day. The following day, bodies begin washing up on the shore all along the line of the town of Safehold. These bodies are newly arrived within Wake, and are given a basic speech from the Magistrate, and a far more thorough welcome from a small legion of peddlers, lobbyists, and con artists, each seeking to acquire or impart something on the new citizens of Wake.
Many people within Wake tend to show up in Safehold for the Arrivens each year, at least during their first few years. After enough time (typically when the Embers fade), people stop caring... New bodies don't really change anything. Life will go back to toiling, chopping wood, and attempting to farm while surviving the many threats within Wake.
However, for those first years, the Arrivens is an exciting milestone.. Another year of life. And another deposit of potential opportunity. Opportunity to make new friends; opportunity to acquire or replenish magical or technological stocks, or most importantly, potentially an opportunity to escape. It's also a potent reminder that the person has survived a full year (or two or three, etc). As such, most Embers typically can't help but get engaged during the Arrivens.
When the Season of Light begins, the Chains River runs red for a full day. The following day, bodies begin washing up on the shore all along the line of the town of Safehold. These bodies are newly arrived within Wake, and are given a basic speech from the Magistrate, and a far more thorough welcome from a small legion of peddlers, lobbyists, and con artists, each seeking to acquire or impart something on the new citizens of Wake.
Many people within Wake tend to show up in Safehold for the Arrivens each year, at least during their first few years. After enough time (typically when the Embers fade), people stop caring... New bodies don't really change anything. Life will go back to toiling, chopping wood, and attempting to farm while surviving the many threats within Wake.
However, for those first years, the Arrivens is an exciting milestone.. Another year of life. And another deposit of potential opportunity. Opportunity to make new friends; opportunity to acquire or replenish magical or technological stocks, or most importantly, potentially an opportunity to escape. It's also a potent reminder that the person has survived a full year (or two or three, etc). As such, most Embers typically can't help but get engaged during the Arrivens.
Participants
The Magistrate plays a key role within the Arrivens. When the Second Sun reaches its apex, the Magistrate steps out towards the Chains River and stands on one of the many large stones. S/he then goes through a small prepared statement welcoming the new arrivals to Wake, and telling them what to expect. This script typically remains fairly consistent, but it possible different Magistrates (or even different Lords Beneath) have changed it for personal taste.
Entry for WorldEmber 2020
In response to the prompt When do the cultures celebrate the new year in your world? What does it involve?
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