Eldritch Rites, Observances, and Holidays

I feel like we have enough details about some of these that they're going to need their breakout page.

End of Year Celebrations

The Solstice Vigil

Shortest day of the year, also known as "Longest Night". A carryover from landing, the darkest night of the year proved to be the most dangerous, as they were frequently hunted by the predators of the planet. Men would stay outside to guard the homes (male guards and servants as well, for larger homes). Over time, as the creatures were hunted and buildings became more secure, the Solstice Vigil became more symbolic of protection and sacrifice.

Current tradition includes men gathering in the local chapels to keep the Vigil together until midnight, mulling "gentleman's punch", a strong drink typically not consumed by women. The men then return to their houses to wait for the dawn with their families and partake of food and warm beverages. Once the men return home, gifts are exchanged among the family.

Women remain in the houses, in the past they would wait in the houses with candles, and often sing if there were several women waiting together. Several traditional songs exist, but usually need at least ten participants to sound right. Currently, women pass the time playing board games and consume mulled cider and pastries.

There is also the tradition of The Stranger - if someone unexpected arrives, they are welcomed into the home and offered the first of the food and drink (but usually do not receive gifts, as they were unexpected).

A candle is lit daily, from the Vigil to the New Year's Feast.

Lady's Day

Occurring a week after the Solstice Vigil, Lady's Day is when the lady of the House visits the largest town in her province in a carriage, carrying gifts for her people. Generally, these gifts are more symbolic, especially in larger towns where providing a gift for every person would be more challenging. Some traditional gifts include:

• Candy thrown from the carriage for children
• Money for the keeping of the town
• Logs, to promise providing warmth for the people
• Fruit to symbolize keeping her people fed
• Seeds to symbolize fertility
• Jisiensire provides horseshoes to symbolize wealth

After the gift-giving, the lady celebrates mass in the town's church (called Ladymass), in which the lady gives thanks for the gifts from the Goddess.

New Year's

A fest hosted at the castle, celebrating the past year and coming successes. All people of the province are invited, and often bring symbolic gifts to the Lady. There is much celebration, including dancing (more like line or square dancing, this "country" dancing involves someone standing on a pedestal calling out the dancing pattern of the moment). The main fire is allowed to go out this day.