SUBMISSION: Holidays in New Britannia: Volume 1

Since the lunar rifts have reawoken, we find more and more outlanders amongst our midst. They do not know our ways and are confused by our culture. To understand us, one must understand that which we hold most dear. Here then are some of the holidays and cultural traditions of our land.

January

"Moon Days"

Collectively this two day holiday is known as "Moon Days". Some say it stretches over two days as a much older tradition from lands long lost when there were supposedly two moons in the sky. Others insist the holiday is merely two days as a reflection in contrast and that no traditions from before the Fall still exist. Either way, these two days center around endings and new beginnings.

"Fall Day"

Citizens of New Britannia remember the dark days of The Fall. They tell stories of two moons becoming one, and a great Cataclysm that nearly wiped out mankind. They take a pilgrimage to a camp site near where local inhabitants emerged from their underground settlements or other significant location. The eldest in the group tells stories and then reflect on the wisdom of the past. The Fall itself is recreated with fireworks at night before tucking into bed in camp.

"Daedalus Day"

The second day celebrates resilience and new beginnings. Having survived The Fall, citizens of New Britannia start this new day with a huge breakfast to celebrate the new world. Daedalus-shaped pancakes and pastries are a common dish. Together they hike back to their villages and towns with a new appreciation for what they have post-cataclysm. Then they throw a big feast at night in thanks and celebration. Everyone toasts to the youngest of the group as they look to the future.

Februrary

"Sequanna Day"

Citizens of New Britannia flock to the nearest theater or make their own to put on and see their favorite plays about love. Love of all kinds (family, community, friends, lovers) is celebrated. The performance that garners the most applause is rewarded by each member of town kissing the performers on the head and offering them a heartfelt blessing for the year.

It is no surprise Ardoris becomes a very popular tourist destination for this day. Flower petals line the water ways around the city along with lanterns, making the already beautiful city a truly wondrous sight to behold. Citizens in Novia often put out statues of Sequanna and adorn them with fresh flowers during this holiday, though those in the Vale often skip that part.

March

"Noroc Day"

The sailors that brave the treacherous waves in the Bay of Storms are as salty as the seas and as hard headed as the barnacles below their ships. They believe in little, but what they do believe in, they believe mighty hard. They believe in themselves and their skill. They believe in their ships. They believe in the stars that they sail by and perhaps most of all, they believe in luck.

In the stars, they follow Noroc; the three legged rabbit. Sailing towards any of the three legs is good luck. Sailing in the direction of the missing leg is never done for that would bring about terrible luck.

Upon shore, the sailors set a day aside for Noroc. The day comes in early March which marks the five month raining season which makes the Bay of Storms even worse to travel through. The festivals are found in port villages around the Bay and feature barrel upon barrel of rum. Oddly enough, the sailors also exchange gifts. Symbols of luck are very powerful and one or three should always be on one's person. A horseshoe, an acorn, a bronze coin (minted on only one side), a red feather, a vial of salt and a Cat's Eye stone are popular amongst the sailors. Gifts of a black feather, a fang of a snake or coal are considered "bad luck." People that give gifts like these often find themselves at the bottom of the Bay of Storms.

The holiday is celebrated inland and in other regions of Novia as well, but without the sailing. Sometimes it is merely hunting expeditions or town dances.

April

"Karelia Day"

"She has left a fool crying to the gods of his fathers.
She has led her duke laughing to her high chamber door.
And she's kept him there softly, through two days bright dawnings
while her servants all gossiped in wonder and awe."

Officially this is a holiday celebrating Spring, new life to the fields and families. Bards sing "Karelia's Song" while people dance, intertwining around poles. People pay tribute to Mothers, from whom all life comes. Some say this is a day to celebrate Mothers and Matriarchs. Others whisper quietly that there is another meaning to this day, one missed by most. This day is one of hidden magic and the Lady of the Willows.

May

"Jaana's Ford"

In the lands of South Paladis, you will find the Jaana river leading down into the village of Jaanaford. While they say history easily gave way to myths and hearsay in the chaotic days that followed the Fall, there is a tale that persists of the river and town's namesake. Whether or not it is true, bards enjoy recounting the tale.

In the early days after the Fall, the few survivors that remained scattered amongst the ruins of Novia, looking for a means to sustain life. A group had settled near the then unnamed Jaana river where it poured into the Bay of Storms. Both fresh and salt water fish could be caught. There was clean drinking water from the river, and easy irrigation for crops. People planted what they could, and brought in docile animals they found on the plains to raise as livestock. Men of the village would often go out and work in the fields, while woman stayed behind and watched over the animals and young. Wolves no longer found easy prey on the plains as so many animals had been brought into the village as livestock, so eventually they decided to move towards the prey. A hungry and desperate pack of wolves approached the village when Jaana was the only adult around, watching over both a flock of sheep and young children.

She had no weapon to fight back the wolves to defend the sheep and children, let alone herself. But she did have a torch in case the sun set low and it got dark while they were still out. She lit the torch and tried scaring off the wolves with flame, until one circled behind her and bit her leg, forcing her to drop the torch. It was the hottest part of May, and the crops were dry. They quickly caught fire. As the fire spread, the wolves did flee, but the terrified children and sheep still needed to get to safety. She could not carry them all, especially with an injured leg. The fire circled around them, and the only safe passage was towards the river.

The river was not exceptionally deep, but it was deep enough to prevent the sheep and children from crossing. She stood in the deepest part, barely able to stand with her head above water on a bleeding leg and helped the sheep and children to safety ford across the river. But as the last one safely crossed, they could see the last bit of life slip away from her eyes. She had lost too much blood and collapsed in the river. The men saw the flames and rushed back. The flames had prevented anyone else from getting close enough to help in time. They were grateful the animals and children were safe, and they never forgot the sacrifice of Jaana's ford.

Even for those who don't live anywhere near South Paladis, people still celebrate sacrifice in mid-May. Some forgo their dinners for an evening and offer up the meals to soldiers and guards instead. Others pay tribute to the sacrifice their parents made in raising them.

June

"Boreus Day"

In the name of this Titan we have a day of Truth, celebrated three-fold.

Firstly, it is customary to write a letter to yourself, reflecting on the lessons you have learned in that year. You set the letter aside to read next year, and then you read the series of letters you wrote in previous years.

Secondly, All grievances are set aside for one day. Secret confessions are deposited in a box all day, unsigned and anonymous. At the end of the day, they are read aloud for the town to hear. This is not to say criminals are no longer held accountable to the wheels of justice, but in hearing honest confessions, people are made aware of the fact that no one is perfect and all have transgressions of some sort. In hearing the anonymous confessions, people have a clearer conscious and they gain perspective through truth.

Lastly, the gravity of the day gives way to levity. The mayor is also put on a mock trial, with a jester as the Judge. Dishonesty is made to look silly and absurd for the sake of laughter. It is also not uncommon to amnesty a minor debt. Though in towns where money is tight and trade is strained, that specific practice has fallen out of favor.

As with Sequanna day, some put out and decorate statues of the Titan, where as that tradition is not observed in the Vale.

-- Joorus the Scribe