The Seven Dreaded Nights

Image by Joshua Tree National Park (NPS/Lian Law)

Yolgrin quickly walked homeward as the sun already dipped far beneath the sky, causing the yellow houses of Bahrins Rest to cast long shadows, almost engulfing its narrow roads. It was his tenth year here, but today's special atmosphere still startled him. He was used to guards of honor and sinister talk from the mountain homes, but that was nothing compared to what was happening here.
Bahrin's Rest, being a melting pot of cultures, has naturally also picked up the traditions from all over the world, all coming together in a grand display of awe. As a simple smith, Yolgrin couldn't afford much more than a blessing of The Smith on his doorstep, but most doors he walked past now had two—if not three—runes marked on their door. Some of the more superstitious people had even barred their doors and nailed their windows shut.
The dwarf was one of the last people outside, most had returned to their homes long before the sun had started setting. Just a few city guards in freshly polished armor hurried past him towards the wall, where he could already see the torches of thrice the usual guards patrolling. Every guard tower was manned this night, and every tiny alley had a patrol assigned as if the city was preparing for war.
A dozen elven archers were lighting the tall bonfire with flaming arrows just as Yolgrin walked past the city center. It had been put up with much effort during the past week. On the other side of the yard, multiple rows of firewood had been stored. That wood would keep the fire burning for the next seven nights. A priest clad in bright yellow silk started chanting prayers to The Radiant as the flames finally started flickering from the pyre, causing the shadows to start dancing.
This spooky and almost surreal scene made Yolgrin instinctively increase his pace, even though he was certain absolutely nothing would happen tonight. Or any night thereafter. It never had for all of his many dwarven years. But it always felt as if doom might rain on the world any second. So even though he knew everyone was safe, he would lock his door as soon as he'd get home and then he'd patiently await the end of The Seven Dreaded Nights, when the moon will finally rise again.

History

Legends say the moons are the eyes of The Thirteen. As such, the barrier which bars The Seven from returning to Terenus is least well guarded in nights when no moon is in the sky. And seven such nights in sequence are a sure sign of disaster!
This tradition goes back to ancient times: The archives at the oracle of The Everlasting have records from only a few years after The Thirteen banished The Seven, indicating special traditions warning of their return. And even though the archives record no major catastrophe happening on these days, which was not man-made and specifically drafted to happen on these days for their spiritual significance, the belief in this ritual has not dwindled a bit.

Execution

The Seven Dreaded Nights are typically celebrated privately rather than publicly, as only the strong and armed dare to walk outside in these nights. Of course, the churches hold long services on the days between and do their best to praise The Thirteen while warning of The Seven.
The exact traditions differ from country to country and even from town to town. The common theme between all those local variations is the endeavor to prepare for the return of evil beings. As such, many traditions include drawing protective runes on doors and windows of homes, locking doors, or barring windows. Regions where the church of The Knight or The Smith have many followers tend to also feature guards of honor or even military parades to display readiness to anyone who might return that night. Elsewhere, large bonfires are put up on all major squares of the city, to symbolically banish the darkness with the light of The Radiant.

Observance

The Seven Dreaded Nights are the seven consecutive nights in Terenus lunar cycle where none of the moons can be seen in the night sky. They occur in the mid of winter and mark the change of years.