The Lamentation of Ys (V)

History

Of all the Marie-Morgane, only Queen Ahes remembers Ker-Ys, the spectacular city in the bay, it's shining towers and great walls the envy of all Armorica. For the rest, Ys has always been Ys-Beneath-The-Waves, a hauntingly beautiful, but eerily silent ruin far under the surface of the Ar Mor Bras. And yet, the Lamentation of Ys, marking its passing beneath the waves, marks the most important holiday of the year. To understand this, one must understand the nature of the Marie-Morgane, individuals plucked from 1000 years of history and from all over Bedouar, their former identities turned upside down as they were reshaped into the mermaids of Ys. Only a community would survive the harsh undersea world of the Shallows, threatened both from the shore and the abyss, mortal and Fae. The Lamentation of Ys became a unifying celebration, mourning the passing of the great city, but also its renewal as their home. In the same way, the celebration was not just about Ys itself, but also marking the ending of their human lives and rebirth as Marie-Morgane.

Execution

The Lamentation of Ys begins with a formal procession from La Cathedral Engloutie through the ruined streets of Ys to the Great Palace of Ahes and the Sacred Grove within. The participants keep low along the streets, keeping themselves as upright as possible as they "walk" along the route, carrying luminescent torches. A slow, dirgelike gwerz about the fall of Ker-Ys accompanies the march, led by musicians within. Many wear some semblance of human clothing along the route. The entire ordeal is slow and somber. When they reach the palace, each participant will say a small prayer at the Sacred Grove before entering the rest of the palace. In the great hall, each participant will leave their torch in a special bracket, giving the room the quality of the night sky full of stars. Here, the mood changes from one of sobering loss to a lively celebration of rebirth. The room is soon full of singing and dancing, a great feast laid out for all to partake in.

Components and tools

Luminescent torches are held in the procession, and light the great hall at its conclusion. These are magically brightened with glamour and carried by each Marie-Morgane. Musical instruments are commonly used, especially in the final celebration. "Traditional" clothing consists generally of whatever surface clothing is available, be it something belonging to the Marie-Morgane in her past life, something taken from a surface ship, or an attempted approximation. This has become a popular part of the ceremony and a competition among some of the more competitive women, who will often cause the wrecks of ships or steal baggage off of unattended docks in hopes of putting together something impressive to outdo their rivals and impress their friends.

Participants

Bards play a key role in the ceremony, telling the story of Ys and the Marie-Morgane in a long gwerz as the procession makes its way through the city. There is little differentiation in the roles of the "marchers" with even Ahes herself taking part. The Lamentation of Ys marks a rare time where outsiders are allowed entry to the city and given safe passage for its duration. They must have their own methods of underwater survival, but are not captured or hindered in any hostile way. However, mortal visitors should be warned, this does not mean they will go unmolested, as the friendly Marie-Morgane, often intoxicated on surface brandy and feeling nostalgia for the surface, may still target a visitor for an accelerated The Courtship in an attempt to entice them to stay. This is usually much more upfront and overt than formal Courtship. Many visitors do not leave the city at the end of the festival as a result, but as the act is not viewed as hostile, no attempts are made to interfere by the other Marie-Morgane.

Observance

This festival, which can last up to a week, takes place yearly on the anniversary of the Fall of Ys. The formal aspects of it typically last only a day, but other, smaller celebrations are often held around this time.