Day of Nurture

History

We all lost something

The years following the first few Ashfalls were terribly destructive to everything. Cities, towns, forest, plains, all left in ruin, covered in ash. Decades after it all began, when people were finally claiming back control, learning to live through the chaos, did they realise that their world was dying. Sure kingdoms had been burnt to a crisp and once fertile lands set ablaze, but the wilderness, the lands claimed by nature alone were left to suffer. Without human intervention, the lush green world turned to brown and gray.

Misery loves company

It started in small towns and villages. On the day where people cursed the great flame and the ash rains that would follow, they began to contribute. Offerings were left out for wild creatures in a mutual remembrance of a world ripe with suffering. Mourning is one of the most powerful uniters, and this tradition was proof of that. Word spread far and wide, people across many lands offered what they had to their local flora and fauna. Over time the ritual became more elaborate, people began to prepare and even take pride in their offerings. Special dishes were concocted to please the local beasts and birds. It was a day of community, not just among people, but all living things.

Execution

In different lands different times were associated with the core of the event. In some places, people prepared a great feast the night before to be eaten the following morning, leaving time for their offerings after their own celebrations. Others saw it fair to finish their offerings before dawn, as to ensure that predators don't begin hunting prey on a day that celebrates life. Regardless of the meals prepared for the various creatures and peoples, the celebration often had two parts, a feast, and the offerings.

Components and tools

Offerings were prepared with local ingredients as to not cause harm to the flora and fauna. Some prepared elaborate spiced kibbles, others tropical salads, some were even said to feed flesh-eating plants with recently diseased lifestock.