Within the
Fenixian Empire there is a tradition of venerating your ancestors as they are thought to continue looking after you once they've left this plane of existence. This exists alongside the worship of
Phadrari, Imdii and Zaydael, the three winds.
Tokens
Everyone keeps a place with tokens of those they loved who have passed. While some items are passed down for generations, the most precious are those which symbolise a personal connection to the person who has departed.
Children are taught to revere those generations before them, but without a personal connection to any of them, it is more nebulous. Gaining their first token from someone they knew and loved is considered a step on the path to adulthood.
Private reverence
Exactly how any person remembers their past is a personal decision, and practices vary. It is common to spend a moment every morning before starting the day in remembrance of those who have gone before. During Phaedari, fresh flowers are placed by the tokens, during other seasons dried flowers or other items to show your ongoing reverence for them.
When facing hard decisions, many spend more time with your tokens searching for guidance with whatever is pressing on them. And after any celebration, some of the prize is given to the tokens for their thanks in helping it come about.
Ceremonies
At family wide, or city wide, events, there will be a moment of thanksgiving to start it, in recognition of all those who have created the opportunites now coming to pass. Food is set aside for the ancestors, and songs sung to recall their greatest feats.
Once every ten years, the
Parent Council travels to the
Shautane Grotto to remember the forming of the empire and the gifts bestowed upon
Horaeri, The First Emperor and his followers. They pour the best of drinks onto the rocks, and fill the cave with sweet smelling smoke as a sign of their continued intention to work for the best of everyone.
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