The Giving

A tribute to the Monarch of Earth

As we gain sustenance from the earth, so too must we provide the earth sustenance.

— A Priest of Faolan

As the leaves change colour and summer shifts into autumn, harvest season begins. In Kaien and Serukis, a decent harvest depends on the whims of Faolan, the Ruler of Earth. To this end, a festival is thrown every year to honour him and to gain favour for the year to come.

History

At the last, Seth's courage failed him, and I realised why the ropes had been essential.
"I'm not ready!" His voice cracked on the last word. "Faolan, I'm not worthy. Please!"
When he started saying our names, we hesitated - but just for a moment. Soon, any pleas were smothered by mud and rock.
I lay awake for the rest of the night, convinced I could hear the ground moaning my name.

— A Priest of Faolan

Until around four hundred years ago, temples of Faolan and settlements across Kaien and Serukis carried out the Giving in mostly the same way.
On the night of the autumn equinox, an individual was chosen - by way of lots - to be returned to the earth. In most places, this would be a priests of Faolan. However, in places without a temple, any person could be eligible to be chosen.
After the lots have been drawn, a feast is held; this is known as Faolan's Gift. People from all over would bring fruits, vegetables and grains to either to the temple or another central location in the settlement. The person who had been chosen to be returned to the earth was given the place of honour and served the best crops.
Following the feast, the chosen person was taken to a crop field. If priests were involved, a blessing was spoken; if priests were not involved, some words were spoken, usually thanking Faolan for the year's harvest.
Then, the wrists and ankles of the person were bound with rope. A pit was dug and the person placed inside. They were then covered with the earth, giving their life to Faolan to ensure a bountiful harvest the next year.
In the past few centuries, both Kaien and Serukis have independently moved away from human sacrifice in their worship of the Elemental Monarchs.

by jplenio

A Poor Harvest

On years where the harvest is lean, where crops have failed and food is scarce, the Giving takes on a different tone.
Instead of a tribute, the Giving becomes more of a plea.
As in times of plenty, the best crops are put aside for the Monarch of Earth, though not in as great a number. There is no feast, and the mood is sombre rather than celebratory.
In desperate times, some villages have reverted back to the history of the Giving, burying someone alive in the hope of appeasing Faolan's wrath.

Traditional Blessing

Mighty Faolan, Ruler of Earth!
By your power, the wheat has turned to gold and fruits have swollen to ripeness.
By your grace, the oats have paled and the gourds have fattened beneath their leaves.
By your will, our people will be fed.
We give you thanks for this year's bountiful harvest and present to you this tribute for the year to come.

The Giving in Kaien

In Kaien, the Giving remains rather close to its historical predecessor, though the sacrifice has become more symbolic than literal. The feast of Faolan's Gift, however, has become separated from the Giving. The Giving has become solely a duty of priests of Faolan, undertaken each year at the temples behind closed doors, whilst the rest of the country feasts.
In the few weeks leading up to the equinox, a large box is made out of wood. This box is large enough to comfortably hold an adult human. Often, this box is carved with images depicting mythology around Faolan or various fruits and vegetables.
On the night of the equinox, a priest is chosen - most often, this is a volunteer. Blessings are said, and then the priest climbs inside the box and is nailed inside. The box is then carried out to the temple garden where a large pit has been dug.
The box is lowered down into the hole. More blessings are said as the rest of the priests cover the box with earth, burying it. The chosen priest spends the night beneath the soil, praying and giving thanks to Faolan for that year's harvest. He is offering himself to Faolan, for the Monarch to take his life if he deems it necessary.
As the sun rises, the priests of the temple dig back down to the box and pry open the lid. The priest is lifted out of the hole and, as thanks for keeping his life, he then fills the box with a variety of fruit, vegetables, and grain. The box is then reburied as a tribute to their Monarch.

The Giving in Serukis

In Serukis, the Giving and Faolan's Gift are still very much intertwined. The feasts are large community affairs, where people come together to share food, drink, and stories. The nobility tend to have their own personal feasts, though some choose to join in with the wider community.
During the feast, the choicest, largest, and most vibrant crops are put aside. As the feast winds down, these are taken to a prepared pit and placed inside. Blessings are spoken and thanks are given, before earth is piled over them.
It is believed that the better the quality of the crops given in tribute to Faolan, the better the next harvest will be.

by Sabrina_Ripke_Fotografie