Birthdays Of The Lawa People

History

The Lawa people live a very simple and isolated existence away from the the nearer countries and kingdoms. They dwell in many small communities and villages centered around a great volcanic mountain called Tepla Kalnu. Their capital city of Lawy is their only city and it is more like a large town than a city at all.
The birthday traditions of the Lawa people go back farther than anyone can remember, several thousand years at least. Although no one can remember exactly how, why, or when the practices were originally started, the elders take them very seriously and pass down this seriousness to the younger generations often in songs and stories. Favorites often include Isi Ild, the spirit of the volcano.

Execution

On the morning of the persons birthday, they must awaken at sunrise and begin the ancient birthday rituals. They must fast until the ritual is finished. First they must prepare a breakfast feast and pack it into a basket. The other special items are also gathered together and taken with them. These items are usually prepared ahead of time except for the breakfast. Once everything is gathered together, the person is required to travel to and ascend the long winding path up the volcano, Tepla Kalnu. People that usually live far off typically arrive the night before at the city of Lawy, located near the volcanoes base. The person wears the flowered wreaths and necklaces and begins the ascent of the volcano. After ascending to the top of the volcano, they seat themselves on the carved offering platform and meditate for some time, reviewing their last years events and giving thanks to the spirit of the volcano. They then offer their gifts to the spirit by tossing them off of the platform and into the lava below. They say a final goodbye and ask for a prosperous new year and leave the volcano by once again descending the path. With the birthday ritual over, the person usually goes into Lawy and has a late breakfast with awaiting family members.

Components and tools

The participants must bring several ritual items to offer to the volcano. These include: flowered wreaths and necklaces, particularly orchids, one gold coin for each year of the persons life, a gemstone, a basket of fruits, grains, bread and meats, a bottle of rum, a specially prepared prayer scroll, and a special letter thanking the volcano spirit for allowing them to live another year and protecting them from harm.

Participants

The birthday rituals are performed by the person whose birthday it is. Parents may accompany the person no matter their age but usually stop when the person is an adult. Parents always prepare and help the younger children gather the items and escort them or carry them to the volcanoes rim.

Observance

These birthday rituals take place on the actual day that the person was born.

Prayer Scroll:
Every town and village has an exact copy of the original prayer scroll that is kept in the royal vault. Everyone has access to these copies and is greatly encouraged to study them carefully and painstakingly copy the ancient runes and glyphs onto their birthday prayer scrolls.
When asked what the prayer is, the elders always reply the same, "A prayer thanking the volcano spirit and asking for a safe new year." The exact words and translations seem to have been lost to time and no one knows for certain what is written upon the scrolls. 
With permission from the elders, Sigrieta Vell has determined that the runes do indeed contain a powerful yet unknown magic.  While Vanhin Rahasia believes that the glyphs resemble patterns once associated with ancient Bindings.