Day of the Huntress

Day of Blessings and Good Fortune

As the weather beings to change from the warm days of summer to the cooler days of fall, so changes the forest, preparing for the winter days that lie ahead. Animals grow out their winter coats, gorging themselves and preparing for hibernation or to survive the snows that blanket the world. For those that call the Elven Forest home, these days mark the beginnings of their winter hunting season, a season that will sustain their tribes through the coldest months and harshest storms.
At dawn on the first day of Fall's Noon, celebrations in the Outlands begin. Young hunters track their first prey, experienced hunters strike for their first kill of the season. Once the hunt has been finished, then they may celebrate with their tribes, offering gifts to the Huntress for blessings that will aid them until the sun warms again.
The Day of the Huntress is a multi-faceted celebration that is prominent amongst the Outlander Culture of the Elven Kingdom. Every year on the first of Fall's Noon, these people hunt and celebrate, hoping to bring the favor and luck of the goddess to their hunts for the remainder of the year. This is also a time of camaraderie and sharing, joining together through their belief in the hunt and the Huntress.

Celebrations

The Day of the Huntress is one of the most celebrated holidays in the Outlands as the celebration brings forth good luck for the coming hunting season. Outlanders throughout the Elven Forest spend the month before preparing their weapons and hunting gear so that they may have a successful first hunt and share that success with the Huntress so that they may gain her blessings.

Preparations

The month of Fall's Morning is dedicated to preparation, the restringing of bows and the sharpening of weapons. Many of the Outlanders will spend the month fletching arrows and creating stores of weapons and other items that they may need for their hunts throughout the winter when supplies are scarce. It is common for these people to stockpile hundreds of arrows, projectiles, and other goods such as whetstones so that no matter how harsh the winter is, they can continue their hunts to sustain the tribes.

The Hunt

The hunt and what occurs afterward are the most important parts of the Day of the Huntress as these are what bring good luck for the following season. Just before dawn, the Outlanders travel out into the woods to begin the season's first hunt. This is the day when young ones are allowed to track their first prey and possibly secure their first kill while the more experienced hunters help with these hunts or look to find their own prey so that they may dedicate this first kill to the goddess.
All Outlanders, whether part of a tribe or not, will complete a hunt on this day. It is believed that completing a hunt and a kill on this day and dedicating it to the Huntress is what will bring the hunter good luck and prosperity throughout the winter as well as safety on difficult hunts. This belief and celebration is deeply ingrained into the Outlander Culture, so much so that those that leave the Outlands still participate in the celebration even if they are far from the Elven Forest.

Blessings Abound

Those that live in tribes will come together after they have dedicated their hunt and kill to the goddess to share the spoils of their efforts. In many villages, the evening hours of the day become one of feast and storytelling, or a day to preserve the meat that was gathered. The feast is important as it is seen as a celebration that can only happen through the skills of great hunters.
Many tribes treat the day as one of thanksgiving and kinship, dedicating their spoils to the goddess and thanking her for the blessings she has granted them over the years. It is through the Huntress that the Outlanders are able to continue to live off the land and they give great thanks for the blessings that she has given them.

Hunting Preparations

Chair by Rosemary Fields on Unsplash

During Fall's Morning, the Outlanders focus their time on preparing everything they may need for hunting throughout the winter months. This often means preparing mutliple bows, arrows, furs, and other items so they can survive the harsh weather and provide for their tribe.

Primary Related Location

Elven Forest

Related Organizations

• Outlands

Related Ethnicities

• Outlander Culture