Blessing of the Hornéd Bounty

In the verdant hills of Eldenwood, where the whispers of the ancient ones still echo through the thickets, the villagers held a tradition as old as the land itself, known as the "Blessing of the Horned Bounty." It was a rite performed during Beltane, a time when the veil between the earthly realm and that of the Fey was at its thinnest, allowing for a communion not just of worlds, but of spirits and intentions.
On the eve of May Day, as twilight melded into the dark tapestry of night, the farmers of Eldenwood engaged in a ritual that was both a plea and a tribute to the Fey. They would gather the first strawberries of the season, each berry a gem of nature's making, and place them carefully into tiny woven baskets. These baskets, symbols of the farmers' labor and hopes, were then hung upon the horns of their bulls, the animals standing tall and proud, adorned with garlands of spring flowers; sometimes the strawberries were hung without baskets, depending on that particular family's tradition. The strawberries were not just offerings but messages, sent through the medium of the earth's bounty to the realm of the Fey, asking for a year of prosperity and abundance.
As dawn broke on May Day, the village would stir with a sense of anticipation. The farmers would rush to their fields to see the fate of their offerings. To find the strawberries gone or withered was a blessing, a sign that the Fey had accepted their tribute and, in turn, would ensure the fertility of their lands and the health of their herds.
However, not all mornings brought joy. On occasions, a farmer might find the strawberries untouched, their vibrant reds stark against the morning light, a clear sign that the Fey had passed by their offering. In such cases, a more profound ritual was required, known as the "Second Seeking." The farmer, along with their family, would prepare a nocturnal feast within their fields under the light of the stars. This feast was not of ordinary fare but composed of dishes that held the essence of the land—wild herbs, berries, and honeyed milk.
As the family feasted, they would leave a portion of each dish on a stone altar, an ancient relic said to be a bridge between realms. The head of the household would then recite the "Chant of the Second Seeking," an invocation asking for the Fey's forgiveness and a second chance to earn their blessing. The chant spoke of respect, unity, and the sacred bond between the land and those who toil upon it.
It was believed that if the Fey immediately accepted the second offering, a gentle breeze would sweep across the field, carrying with it the faintest sound of ethereal laughter and the scent of wildflowers not found in any earthly garden. This was the Fey's way of weaving their acceptance into the very air, a sign that prosperity and balance would be restored to the land and those who tended to it. If the Fey did not display immediate acceptance, hope was not yet lost, and the family would leave the feast at the alter overnight.
However, if by the next morning after the "Second Seeking" and the feast was left untouched, it was a clear indication that the Fey had rejected their plea. Such a rejection was taken gravely, as it hinted at a deeper imbalance or a forgotten respect for the land and its ancient guardians.
In the face of such a rebuff, a typical family in Eldenwood would turn inward, seeking to mend what might have been broken, not just in their practices but within their hearts. It was a time for reflection, for understanding that the relationship with the Fey and the land was reciprocal. The family would engage in a period of purification, which involved several practices aimed at restoring harmony. They would offer up a day of silence, abstaining from work and speech, to listen to the whispers of the earth. They would cleanse their home with smoke from sacred herbs, and at the center of their dwelling, they would place a bowl of clear water, symbolizing their intent to mirror the clarity and purity of nature.
The family would also engage in acts of restitution, such as planting trees, tending to neglected parts of the land, or caring for the creatures that roamed their fields and forests. These acts were not just penance but a reaffirmation of their stewardship of the land, a promise to uphold the ancient pact between Human and Fey, between the seen and the unseen.
This period of purification and restitution was not merely a response to the Fey's rejection but a profound journey back to the core principles that bound the people of Eldenwood to their world. It was an acknowledgment that prosperity was intertwined with responsibility and that true abundance flowed from a well of respect, harmony, and a deep, unwavering reverence for all life.