The Memorial of Fire

The Wicked King

It was E2 2567. The wicked King Hyavvard of the Grand North was interested in increasing his influence across the Native Northern Tribes. He wanted their lands to grow the Empire and intimidate the Western President Ishtar into surrendering to him. The King held meetings with the Chiefs of the five most powerful Tribes, The Kitsari, the Uzmiki, the Graandere, the Liliki, and the Traub. King Hyavvard attempted to manipulate the Chiefs into signing away their lands and their people by using illegal Silverspeech. Chief Uru of Traub, Chief Orzola of Liliki, and Chief Qvvern of Kitsari all saw through the King's flowery words and false promises and refused to sign away their people. Enraged, the King ordered the Kitsari, the Traub, and the Liliki to be brutally firebombed into oblivion, leaving no trace of life. In 32 hours, what were once three of the most powerful tribes of the North were reduced to ash and dust.

Remembering the Slaughtered

Today, the Memorial of Fire is a somber celebration. The Grand ceremony is held in the center of Volcanic City- where the Traubian city of Gterria once stood. Celebrants wear all black from head to toe to mourn the thousands of lives lost, and ornate masks to hide the identity of the celebrants from the wrathful Kitsari, Traubian, and Lilikian god/esses. Bards from all over the Continent head to the Volcanic City to sing songs of the lost Tribes, honoring the souls of the departed. Pottery and desert roses are offered at the base of a large altar so that the Gods of the Tribes are appeased on this tragic day- for if they are not, the Kitsari god of wind Ateh, will create a maelstrom of terror and destroy everything in his path. At the Festival's peak, water lanterns are placed into the ocean- one for each life lost. The Song of the Forgotten is sung by all celebrants to ease the souls of the lost back to Kwivallah- the afterlife of the Tribes. After the lanterns have vanished, the celebrants are required to be silent for a moment, and allow themselves to feel the ache of the land before them.

The Vengeful Ones

After their peoples were destroyed mercilessly, what were once average god/esses transformed in their rage. Once benevolent- now wrathful and demanding of reparations to their lands and people. If the festival is not held, the Tribal god/esses bring famine and pestilence upon the surviving peoples of the North.

Components and tools

Desert roses are required offerings, as the Liliki Matron goddess Mye'Kteh demands. Pottery was one of the main art forms of all three tribes. Mead and wine were the traditional drinks of the Traub. Lemon cakes- once a staple of Lilikian life is now eaten in honor of them Whisperweed, the cash crop of the Kitsari, is smoked in honor of the tribe.

by xanthussmarduk

"It is the memorial of my people- of my parents and friends. You cannot possibly comprehend the sorrow I feel on this day. My gods are eagerly waiting for one of you mortals to mess up the ceremony so they can at last have their vengance." - Erastus Uzizi

by xanthussmarduk