The Devotion

Artist - Raja Nandepu - Artstation.com

Festival of Devotions:

Every summer, during the three days preceding the solstice, the Festival of Devotions occurs. This is the time of the year that all Valsgardi and Skandi citizens reflect on the interaction of their lives and the will of the gods. During this time, the humans meditate on their goals for the year, they perform rituals to the gods, and they devote themselves anew to the gods in attempt to secure a prosperous upcoming year.
The final day of the festival, the solstice of the closest of the twin suns, is known as Devotion. Devotion is the most ceremonial of all the festival.
For the children who are experiencing their thirteenth devotion festival, this one will be the most memorable. This is the year that they enter adulthood and take on the burdens of being a grown member of society. This is the day that they devote.

The Devotion:

Children in their thirteenth year are set before the entire community and publicly declare their devotion to one of the gods. Only one. This is their patron god for the rest of their lives, so they must choose wisely. Children born into good families of modest means or better are given educated in the ways of the gods vigourously leading up to the festival, and they make a grand display, often making speeches of devotion. Children over lesser means, and education often choose the gods of fury, war, or protection, as they are the most commonly discussed. These gods are usually safe choices.

Benefits of Devotion:

The gods of the Valsgardi are real, and they make their will known. Often they act through their conduits or incite famines, storms or bounty. The Pantheon is large, and each member has their own aspects. Some embody wisdom, some embody might, some embody pure rage and destruction, but all are powerful. Once a person has devoted to a god of their choosing, they will live their life for that god, constantly trying to please them or at least appease them. In return they get that god's protection and are bestowed with their aspects. Those who desire to be woodswalkers often devote to Murtak the god of the forests, and those who wish to be bards and singers devote to Naya the goddess of song and poetry. Princes are duty bound to devote to Urus, God of war and wisdom, so that they have the mind for war fare and the wisdom to rule wisely. Princess are duty bound to devote to Gyda, Goddess of fertility and bounty, to ensure the longevity and success of her people's future. Everyone else is free to chose their own god or goddess.

The Ritual of Devotion.

The ritual is relatively simple. In front of the gathered crowds, under the supervision of the Emperor and the High Priest, the children raise up their right hand to the setting sun. In their left hand they hold a small blade fashioned from the edges of freshly knapped obsidian. One by one, they draw the blade across the palm of their right hand, and hold it high while they scream with all their might, the name of the god they devote to. The crowd will cheer their approval as the child drags their bloodied hand across their own face, marking them selves as the property of their patron god. After the crowd quiets the next child does the same.
In the moments after the final child has devoted the singers below out songs to the gods to the raucous beating of the drums, and the people relish in the approval of the gods, and they dance and into the night. From this day forward the newly devoted children are full citizens in the empire and they will be treated as such. Tomorrow they begin to chose their paths in life. They have come of age and the will embark on the next chapter of their life and deepen the relationship with their patron god.

The Festival of Devotion.

Day 1: Frolic

This is the day of fun and merriment. The feasts abound, and ale and wine flow freely. Old friends and family unite in the joy of another sucessful year. Old grievances are forgiven, and new alliances are forged, and well wishes are everywhere. The light atmosphere, and party spirit continue into the small hours of the morning until everyone stumbles back to their beds to prepare for the somber morning ahead of them.

Day 2: Atonement

This is the day where all old sins are compensated for. Slights against the gods are made right again. Debts are paid, and appologies are made. Tonight is for the rituals required by the gods to cleanse a spirit of the previous years wrong doings.

Day 3: Devotion

This is the day where promises are made, and optimism reigns. Today broken souls are lifted back up and given new vigor. The gods renew their protection of their devotees, provided the devotees have fulfilled appropriate devotion. The final act of the ceremony is the sacred first devotion. The children in their thirteenth year give themselves body and soul to a god of their choosing. Spending the rest of their lives under that gods will.