Day of fire

On the longest day of the year, when Édgar brightens the sky the longest, a festival of appreciation is held in the country of Irai, where the people are often referred to as "children of the sun".

History of the festival

by CatRobi

The God of fire and light, Édgar, is both benevolent and fierce, representing the burning passion in one's heart - both good and evil.
He is predictable yet chaotic; in the summer his presence can be too much and in the winter he is greatly missed.
Through many generations, Édgar has blessed the people of Irai, by teaching them how to channel the magic of fire, light and heat, and bend it to their will. It is said, that Édgar once visited the people of Irai, as they were in desperate need of help. The scorching heat and unbearable days in the dunes were killing the poor folk, and he wasn't going to let them die.

He helped the first tribes so they could survive in the unfriendly land, by giving him his blessing - the gift of the sun.

And in return, the tribe and their future generations were to worship Édgar and teach their young his magic.
The tribe were the first ones to be able to bend the power of light and fire. Though some few individuals weren't satisfied and wanted more, which there are myths about - see Secrets of the Sun.

The Iraian tribes held their promise to share the gift of the sun with the new generations and to make sure Édgars name isn't forgotten, and this is how the festival began; as a tribute to their fiery god. The day of fire is both to celebrate and worship Édgar, but also to show him how they have kept their magical powers alive.

The festivities

In the capital, Treinu'inn, they each year choose three students to represent Irai's youth and to show their fire and light magic to Édgar.

In a city square entirely made of stone, the ritual is begun.
The students stand in formation as a triangle, and when the sun is highest in the sky, they begin the ritual.
They form 6 fiery rings forming from their fingertips, two around each of the students, all intersecting with the other.
This is supposed to represent the good, the evil and everything between. As Édgar is not associated with good nor evil, but a mix of them both.

by CatRobi

All the smaller cities and settlements around Irai also participate in this ritual, with a beautiful display of fire and light magic, forming elegant rings representing Édgar and Atos. When the rings have been lit, and the ground is burning, the real festivities begin! Music fills the streets in every town, and the smell of food is in the air. And the festivities don't end before sunrise the next morning.
Night falls, and now the cities are lit up by the bonfires and magical fire symbols drawn on the ground. All through the night, the fires are held alive, dancing ever so delicately on the stones and dunes.

For it is this night that the Iraians lights up the sky, with a thousand small suns, all created by the very magic Édgar blessed them with.

Details

When was the festival first held?

Well, it's not known with a lot of certainties, as it happened before the Blue Lily Nebula appeared on the sky, which is 4742 years ago. This is the event entry Aewynian agrees upon, which is why the calendar starts with the supernova. But the Iraians already knew about fire magic at that time, and therefore must've had it way before this event happened.
The first tribes to arrive at Irai came from Seiwania south of the area, but some tribes migrated from the north as well as the islands up there had been colonized as well.
Historians believe that the tribes settled in Irai around 9000 years ago, because of artefacts found in the area, which means the tradition and festival of fire has to be around 9000 years old.

Day of fire

The festival is always held on the same day each year when the sun is in the sky the longest.

by CatRobi

by CatRobi

Food traditions

Piles upon piles of food are made for the festivities; mostly all kinds of bread and pastries - the Iraians are known for their large selection of bread. The knotted bread is only served at this festival and is formed as the fiery symbol created by magic. It is knotted before baked and is served with some butter on top and a sprinkle of large sugar grains and sliced nuts on top.
If the city is nearby Port Shuri, they most likely will order large quantities of baked goods from the baked goods capital itself.
Day of fire is a busy time for the bakeries in Port Shuri.