The festival of Falska Nox begins on the 20th of Sirian, the first month of Summer and persists until Aestiva Day (Midsummer) on the 49th of Sirian. The four week festival originates from the islands below Xieyin Isle and is practised by
The Dracis Collective. Since the Dracis Collective's involvement in the Unitum pact this festival has spread to its other members and then further afield across
Lenwir, though the intricacies and focus change from nation to nation.
Falska Nox
The festival is one of creation and celebrates the creationist myth amongst the Dragon-kin of the Dracis Collective. It begins with a parade and an offering.
The Parade
The Dragon-kin form a long train, emptying their towns and villages, for all take part, young and old. The trek beings at sunrise and slowly trails to the top of the great volcano on their respective island (Sak Maxus, Sak Noro or Sak Ernik). It must be that the tail of the parade, usually the oldest and youngest, reach the top before the sun sets. Those that struggle are aided by their kin for all are one family on this day and all grudges are put aside.
The Ceremony
As the sun sets all step up to the rim of the caldera and cast their disappointed works from the previous year into the burning fire of the earth. Those that broke, suffered impurities, failed to function, or shattered beneath their hammer are tossed into the lava and with it a litany that they will learn from their mistakes and improve on their works. The ceremony holds great importance for each craftsman, whether novice or a master, for all have works they are disappointed in. A blessing is intoned by the leader of the parade, usually the Grandmaster Crafter and through his magic he awakens the volcano. It begins to bubble and boil and all bow before its power. The parade then trails back down the mountain carrying torches and magic fire, trading stories and tips between artificers and talking of what they learnt from their discarded mistakes.
The Days Between
The Days between the Parade on the 20th of Sirian and the 49th are spent crafting something with new intent, whether that be; an item never before made, a new method for crafting, an idea never before realised or any fashion of something new. The importance of this symbolism is to create something new, as the world was created. The only rule largely followed by the Dracis is that this item cannot be for war or death, but created with the intent to better life. During this time crafters are free to come and go in each others workshops, often helping with advice or their own expertise. It is truly a time of unity and creation.
Forgefire
The last day of this festival falls upon Aestiva (Midsummers) and once again they make the trek to the top of the mountain, though this time it is only those that wish to go that do (though it is usually the majority). As the sun begins to set all those that have created something new present it to the mighty volcano, which is brimming with power and magical energy having been stoked by the powers on the first night. The crafters recite a litany and ask the forgefires of the earth to bless their creations. They then lower them into the lava and remove it. Those that rise without a blemish are blessed by the forgefires of the volcano and hold the magic of the earth within. These forgefires can then be passed into other creations of the same type, allowing the crafter to imbue this pattern with the forgefires for eternity, almost like a recipe bound to their soul and known only to them. Those that do not emerge from the lava are deemed unworthy of the crafters time in the future and should no be pursued. When the ceremony is done a great party and celebration is held at the volcanoes peak, lasting until the sunrises when all trail back down the volcano, the festival at an end.
Across Cultures
The Dracis Collective are crafters at heart, though they mostly work in gemstones and metals as their creative canvas. Other nations, and crafter's guilds across Lenwir have begun to honour this festival, though with their own twist. Some nations, like
The Dwarven Enclave and
The Elyswer stay true to its origin and honour their spirits and ancestors in their own way, the latter leaning more towards artistic expression and beauty in their creations. Where as guilds in
Sabal and Nemir tend to be more literal, holding competitions over the period where the best invention or crafting wins a prize. Whatever the purpose the tradition of this festival has captured the hearts of all cultures across
Lenwir in tone and spirit.
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