Withergreen
Mid-Life Milestone
It's considered an honor to live to maturity among the elves and when in your middle-years it's customary to look back on your parents with gratitude, while also looking forward at your children with hope.
In the Fortum elf territory of Lausnein it is tradition for the middle generation to cook and host a meal with their children and parents nearing their 250th birthday. During early winter, regardless of when their actual birthday occurs they gather the family together for a feast to celebrate the older and younger generation that surrounds them. It's supposed to be a symbol of tenderness and gratitude towards the family that have supported them through their lives.
It's an open acknowledgement among such a long-lived species that even they aren't around forever. Honoring their elders is a vital part of Fortum culture and this is an important event in their lives and shows the younger generation how to honor their elders is itself, another rite of passage.
Components and tools
One of the reasons the celebration is so popular is because of the food. Fortum culture is widely known as pragmatic and untilitarian among humans. Inwardly, the elves are florid, artistic, and creative. Their creativity is especially seen when crafting the enormous feasts for these Withergreen celebrations. Breads, sweet meats, baked treats, and all available manner of elven alcohol is served.
Participants
Near their 250th birthday, Fortum elves will organize an elaborate celebration for their elder and younger generations. The guest of honor is actually the one expected to do the majority of the work but it's not a punishment but a guesture of thanks. Although the forest elves are secretive and insular among outsiders, within their own communities they are openly affectionate with each other.
Most individuals will invite every member of their family and it's expected that everyone makes their best efforts to attend, even across great distances. Parents and children of the host are most expected to be present and will sometimes either give or recieve honorary toasts or speeches.
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