Cairncalling
History
The festival's origins lie in a shared history of the Fen Orcs and Dwarves, who each hold deep respect for their ancestors. Long ago, both cultures experienced a calamity that risked losing irreplaceable knowledge, prompting their elders to seek out ways to preserve wisdom beyond death. This need birthed the practice of communing with spirits, passing knowledge from one generation to the next even when a single lifetime wasn’t enough.
In dwarven society, the festival began as an exclusive ritual led by Stonespeakers in their Halls of Vision, but over time, it expanded to family cairns and community grave sites. The fen orcs, who already practiced spirit communion, began holding their own ceremonies under the open sky, building stone circles to focus their rituals.
Execution
Preparation
Families gather trinkets, tokens, and offerings in the days leading up to the festival. These might include heirloom crafts, stories, or gifts made specifically for the departed. Dwarven stonespeakers and orc shamans prepare sacred rites and blessings to invite the spirits.
Gathering at Sacred Sites
Families assemble at cairns, stone circles, or gravesites. In cities, the event centers around communal Halls of Vision or similar places imbued with spiritual magic.
Lighting of Candles and Flames
Participants light candles, lanterns, or bonfires. The flames represent a beacon for the spirits to find their way to the mortal realm.
Offerings and Storytelling
Offerings are placed at cairns or ceremonial altars, and families share stories of the departed with each other and the spirits. These stories might recount personal memories, achievements, or lessons learned.
The Spirit’s Manifestation
A shaman or stonespeaker performs a sacred rite, inviting the ancestors to manifest. If the spirits choose to appear, they speak with their families, offer advice, or simply enjoy the company of their loved ones.
Communal Blessings
The evening ends with a communal blessing, often led by a senior stonespeaker or shamans. This blessing is for the living, to carry the strength and wisdom of the past into the future.
Observance
17th of Eira - during the full moon, but the ritual may be held in smaller circles on any day, most successfully during the full moon.
Important Locations
Related Organizations
Related Ethnicities
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