User:StarHawk/Holidays

rescued from the ExaltedCompendium.

Holidays in Exalted

Written by Khaizard

Here are some non-official holidays for your exalted campaign. Feel free to use / change / et cetera as you see fit. This originally came up when I was thinking about Valentine's Day and White Day (a Japanese Holiday, directly related... and also came up here... /sigh). At least half of the dates, I'd say, are based on the real-world holidays and happenings. Please note that none of these holidays are cannon, they are simply an attempt by me to add some color to the campaign.

Swell or Mare Festival on 17th of Resplendent Water. (South)

Primarily celebrated in the South, this day holds two festivals, depending on the distance from the coast. Each deals with water, and each is a celebration.

At the coast, this is the Mare Festival, when fishermen come in with incredible amounts of fish and everyone celebrates the bounty of the sea. Although it is officially only one day, many of the costal towns celebrate the birthday of Daana'd and carry the celebration through to this day. The day is marked by special sales on fish and fishing supplies and dished that are made with special rare catches. Boats are often late in returning, and merchant ships are wise to arrive after the fishermen leave, early in the morning, else they not fins a port later.

Further inland, where water is scarce, inhabitants of the deserts of the south find that the oases swell to one and a half times their normal height, and the water remains crystal-clear and cool the entire day. It is said that if one seeks to begin a journey, to begin it on the day of swell is a good beginning, that the water taken from the oases will remain cool until drunk. Although the desert dwellers are not known for their celebrations, this is a day when most take a break from their duties. It is not unheard of for warring desert tribes to cease hostilities for this day, being unwilling to disturb the spirits responsible for this holy occurrence.

Although the Realm does not officially recognize this holiday, it is not unknown for nobles of exceptional means (such as sorcery) to travel to a Southern city (Paragon being most popular) and partake of the delicacies and revelry of Mare Festival. Rarely do they venture into the desert, however, and so few nobles (if any) know of this day's significance to those who live in the Deep South.

Hunter's Day - 20 Descending Wood (West)

This holiday is only celebrated in the West. It is not a holiday per se, but rather a generally agreed upon date. Amongst the cultures of the West, this day is considered to be the day when the hunt for the large sea game should begin. Gigantic sea creatures (which the west depends upon for it's celebrations, products and larders) such as whales, squid, and other giant creatures move close enough to surface to be effectively hunted. The game retreats sometime after Calibration for some reason not understood. However, without the aid of magic or the Dragon-Blooded, sailors must wait for this day to begin hunting this large game.

Festival of Declaration - 4th Ascending Earth (Realm / Everywhere)

This holiday, also called "Dark Day" in some areas, is a festival of love in the days when the land awakens from its cold slumber. Although the exact origins of this festival are unknown, many believe that is commemorates a lavish courtship paid to the empress centuries ago. The festival, as it stands today, marks the day when young men declare their love to their sweethearts. The custom typically is to also offer a gift colored darkly (or at least in earth tones) to symbolize the depth of his love.

In the Realm, this is often popular as a "coming out" day for young debutantes.

This holiday was developed in the Realm, but it has since blossomed throughout all Creation thanks to romantic citizens everywhere. The festival itself varies depending on the location, as local customs are adopted to fit this one. For instance, in the South, it is customary to leave gifts before first light and then make the declaration after the day is over. In the North, it is a custom to provide a furred garment during the Declaration, which is not to be worn until the Festival of Requital, and to provide a meal of dark meat and black bread.

Festival of Requital - 4th Resplendent Earth (Realm / Everywhere)

This holiday, also called "white Day" in some areas, is a festival of love in response to the Festival of Declaration. The origins of the festival are obviously related to the aforementioned holiday, and if the popular belief is true, it marks the acceptance of one of the Empress' consorts in days gone by. The festival is marked by young women who, having considered for one month the declaration of a young man (or of several), return the declaration with equal zeal and gifts. The typical gift given on this day is one of white or silver, to symbolize the purity of her love.

Much like the Festival of Declaration, this festival remains largely similar in all areas of Creation. However, in certain areas, the Festival does have other customs. In the West, women invite their suitors the shore and give heir gift(s) amongst the white foam of the surf. In the East, gifts of food such as white chocolate, white wine, or shelled nuts (macadamia nuts are preferred) are often brought to a picnic under the shade of a white birch tree.

Blossom Viewing Festival - 22nd-24th Resplendent Wood (Realm / East)

This is an unusual holiday in that it began in the scavenger lands and later moved to the Realm. After several nobles witnessed the holiday in another part of the East, they had several trees transplanted for their own viewing, and the trend progressed from there. In the East, where it is most popular, only the most ardent merchants work, the rest positioned near their favorite grove, shedding the last of its blossoms in the warm summer wind. This is also a popular time for picnics and kite-flying. Some towns have kite derbies, rewarding the children with the prettiest kites, the longest flights, et cetera.

In the Realm, only the nobles have time to attend the viewing of the blossoms. The normal citizens are hard at work, doing their normal jobs, and catering to the whims of the idle nobles. While in the east, there are several groves to watch, and pilgrimages are not uncommon, in the Realm, the nobles have favorite trees, sculpted by the talented dynasts of house Cynis (on of their most legitimate businesses), which are mystically enchanted to offer a variety of favored colors and even patterns. Such master works are well-paid for. It is also common for a special set of cups (and sometimes bowls and utensils) to be made from the wood of favored trees.

Sailor's Holiday - 12th-16th Descending Wood (West)

This time of the month is considered exceptionally fortuitous for starting journeys in the West. Although it is celebrated by many coastal town outside the West as well, it is not considered an official holiday. Any place which is on the oceans (coasts or islands) will have a rainbow bridging the sky, fading in during the first day, and fading out with the sun on the last. No matter the official considerations, none can contest the calmness of the seas on these days. Thanks to ancient pacts with many Water Courts, ocean travel is almost entirely safe and easy on these days (the ones who are not bound are usually marked on the better maps).

As a rule, any sea journey is easier during Sailors Holiday. The exact effects range from a simple lack of poor conditions to fair winds and an accepting current to exceptionally pleasant weather in areas where it would normally be chilly or hot.

Rain of Stars - 15th-21st Descending Fire (Old Realm)

This was once a very sacred and spiritual holiday for Sidereal Exalted, but it has since been demonized by the Immaculate Order, which subsequently means that in most areas of creation, it is considered to be a time of bad luck second only to Calibration. For the entire time, stars rain down from the sky, being heaviest during the days 17-19 when they can easily be seen by the naked eye. Some souls intrepid enough to watch the skies during this time are treated to the sight of stars actually rising to the heavens, usually near the end of the cycle.

This festival is an excellent time to hunt for Starmetal, although it is still exceptionally rare. Most pieces are not even enough to make a dagger, but the sheet number of falling stars can lead a skilled and diligent adventurer to enough Starmetal to create a Daiklave (or perhaps more)! It should be noted, however, that while the Realm officially condemns this holiday, the Sidereals in its employ are also interested in the Starmetal. It not only serves as a prize for them, but a trap for rogue Sidereals and other Celestials who may be in Sidereal employ.

Spirit's Death - 28th Descending Fire (North)

This, the last day before Calibration, marks the last day most spirits are active in the north. Despite the heavy name, the spirits mostly only go into hibernation. However, this subtle difference is lost upon all but the most attuned shaman. To most, it is a time when the world is bereft of spiritual guidance, a time when fate and dream are mutable. It is an inauspicious time to start any project or journey, but those suffering under a curse or similar bereavement will offten attempt the throw off their ill fortune while the spirits are "dead".

Spirit's Rebirth or Fate's Day - 28th Ascending Air (North)

The counterpoint to the Spirit's Death holiday, this is a time when the spirits explode to life. There is often a lot of activity on this day, both mortal and spiritual, as now-recharged spirits attend to duties left undone and the mortal’s world engages in rigorous prayer and praise. No northern town will work on this day; this local superstition has never been challenged - not by the Realm, or by the Fair Folk, or by the Deathlords.

In the cities of the Hislanti League this day is also known as Fate's Day. While they respect all dreams, dreams remembered from this are considered the most potent and truest of all. It is said that all adults dream their future on this night, and those who can remember them will have an edge for the future. (Though not always a long-reaching future.)

People of the North, no matter where they are, tend to take this day very seriously, pausing in whatever they are doing. If they are in a dangerous situation and / or area, they may not stop to revere the day, such as traveling though a particularly dangerous area, fighting in a war, or against barbarians, ect. However, they will celebrate the rebirth as soon as they are able.

Regardless on the celebrants or name, the following day, the first of Resplendent Air, there are large celebrations intended for family. On this day, there is very little work, and everyone who can stay inside. If they had to celebrate the day later, then this extra celebration usually does not occur.

Second Spark - 1st-12th Resplendent Air (South)

This is a time in the South when, despite the season, things warm to similar temperatures on would fins in Resplendent Fire. It is believed that long ago the Dragon of Fire and Dragon of Air wrestled, and after a twelve-day debacle, the Fire Dragon was able to pin the Air Dragon, ending the conflict. The prize for his victory was that he held reign for 12 days any time during the Air's tenure. He arrogantly chose Resplendent Air - when his brother should be at his strongest. As a result, for 12 days, it is warm and quite comfortable.

Southerners celebrate this time by taking a break from the routine - they do not cease working, but they do tend to take it a little easier. Some wags in the Realm refer to this as a "Slacker's Holiday," a term which earns the user great enmity should he be overheard by a Southerner. It is a time for even warmth and fine weather. There is a pleasant breeze on these hot days, making them seem cooler, and never do any storms occur naturally in the south during these times. Even the nights, which are normally cold, are pleasingly warm. It is widely believed that fire spirits, during this time are most amenable to the pleas of mortals.

At the end of the Second Spark, however, it becomes bitterly cols. It begins after the setting of the sun on the twelfth day, when bone-chilling winds howl across the desert. For the next day, sandstorms and icy cold winds whip across the terrain as the air dragon reasserts his dominance, reminding the Southerners whose time it truly is. On the Fourteenth, it remains chill the entire day, but the storms cease. After the day of the fourteenth, the weather returns to normal for the time and place of the South, being neither unusually warm nor chill.

Although no other place in Creation celebrates this time of the year, some claim that it does occur outside the south (though not as demonstratively). The Realm denies this and the order condemns this as pure superstition. Yet, those who live close to the south often take advantage of this holiday to take a vacation someplace, to take advantage of the suddenly warm weather.

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Comments

I really love this idea, in truth. I'd love to have more of these holidays, since each region should probably ahve a full compliment of them. One suggestion, even if it may seem nitpicky and rude (it's not intended to be...at least not the latter): you might want to run through this with a spell check. Heh. - Seiraryu

Hmm. I might have to consider designing a few meself. I've always enjoyed holidays in my roleplaying. :D I tried to fix some of them when I dragged them to the other main Holiday page. I suppose I should credit the source now... - ScrambledValkyrie

I admit, my spelling isn't perfect. I was quickly getting it down in the computer, and havent had a chance since to proof read it at all. ~ StarHawk

11/09/05 - I fixed the spelling errors I could find. If y'all find more, please help me and fix them.~StarHawk