Cairn Mark
In memory of all of those who have departed the world for the afterlife, especially those who have fallen in battle, the holiday of Cairn Mark is a special day within the region of Tusnya and beyond. Although it may be represented and celebrated in different ways over the continent of Aecenys, it originated after the stack of cairn stones over the fallen soldiers grave. It is a simple ceremony that throughout the years has been interpreted and developed into a celebration of their lives. The Tusnyans, as a fairly peaceful people, do not participate in many wars and have therefore extended the celebration of Cairn Mark into honoring those who have died in the past year with a particular affinity to the elderly. It is a celebration of life, and therefore the somber speeches of ages past are instead replaced with words of hope and joy. The stacking of cairn stones is still an integral part of the ceremony, but has been elevated into a communal process in which each citizen who has lost a family member may place a stone in the center of the city square, to eternally memorialize their loved ones. Villagers from near and far congregate in the larger cities to ensure their representation. In times of war, the piles would get very high, and sometimes to avoid demoralization of their fellow Tusnyans, the Lord Chancellor would present the Tusnyan Cairn Stone, an all encompassing representation of the many who have died.
Observance
The holiday itself takes place on 19 Hiems every year, and because it the seasons are transitioning from winter to spring in Tusnya during this time, it is typically a time that sign spring is upon the region. As the snow melts, Tusnyans look ahead to Cairn Mark to indicate the time of change, and remembrance, but also to the future.
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