Peakarch
Kor winter solstice festival
Celebrated on the winter solstice, Peakarch is a common holiday within many Kor nations. The winter soltice is when the planetary rings, the World's Arch, are at their maximum in the sky, blocking out the most sunlight and plunging the world into the darkest of ringshadow conditions. The holiday serves world renewal purposes, and consists of a great fire and communal feast.
History
The Kor's oral history tells of Peakarch being devised by a wise and old chieftain long ago, as when the winter solstice set in, the Sun knew not where to go and the World's Arch stayed in the heavens. The people became hungry, and soon within the lightbands there was little food. The chieftain brought together his whole band, and lit a great big fire to roast food they had stored in summer that was trapped within ringshadow. The fire showed the Sun where to go, and banished the World's Arch back to the horizon. When the Arch returned, a new fire was made, and the cycle continued. Over time, specific stores were made for Peakarch, and special winches and hooks were developed for the holiday.
Execution
Throughout the winter, the Kor migrate through lightbands - strips of area that receive full sunlight due to the gaps between the rings - foraging for berries and following migratory game. These foods supplement their summer stockpiles, the largest of which they keep in a place of great ringshadow so as to protect it from animals or rival bands.
At midnight on the solstice, the Chief leads the band to the great stockpile for a feast in the morning darkness. The whole band, bundled within hides and imported textiles, feasts on berries, venison, and salmon cooked over a great midnight bonfire. These fires are not just for cooking and warmth, but also as ritual signals to guide The Sun and ward off the rings, ushering in the light and the decline of the World's Arch.
Components and tools
Beyond standard winter clothes, the Kor use special, ceremonial hooks engraved with celestial patterns to climb to and/or from the location of their great store. These hooks are made by the eldest of craftsmen and passed down across generations, and often they are enchanted. Given the Kor's penchant for verticality, pulley systems are often employed to bring the stored food up or down to the rest of the band.
The Peakarch feast consistes of a great deal of salmon, reindeer venison, and a vareity of berries and root vegetables as well as mushrooms harvested from the Underdark.
Participants
As Kor bands are together during the winter, the entire community gathers for Peakarch. While Shamans lead most ceremonies in Kor society, Chiefs are the primary leaders of Peakarch, as they must organize the migration into ringshadow and the retrieval of stored food.. Shamans are still important, however, as they light the signal bonfires and lead the community in prayers.
Observance
Peakarch is celebrated at midnight on the winter solstice, however preparation for the event takes place during the preceding months.
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