The Dolphin Trek

With this gift, oh mother Arisia, we hope to ease your pain. Bless those born on this night and make them true children of the sea.

— Omaleria Priest

The Dolphin Trek is a large part of the Moontide celebrations on Omaleri Island. During this event a large parade walks all the way to from Lake Etherika to the western coastline.

Myth

The people of the Omaleri Island believe that the twins of Arisia and her husband Atmisan fell in the pink Lake Ethika. To prevent them from drowing Arisia changed them into the first dolphins. Every Moontide, when both moons are full, she returned to the lake to place a Flower of Sorrow in the lake which eventually turned the lake pink.
As time went by Arisia decided to move the twins to the sea nearby as the lake was too small for them. The Dolphin Trek is a way for the people of the islands to commemorate their move to the sea. For this reason the create two new wooden sculptures every Moontide.

Ceremony

Preparation

The celebrations start at the temple of Arisia near Lake Etherika. Here the priests of the temple bless two wooden dolphin sculptures. Afterwards both statues are moved to the nearby lake and shortly submerged. The priests and the other participants of the ritual then place several Flowers of Sorrow on the sculptures.

Parade

After the initial blessings are done others can join the event. Most people on on Omaleri Island participate in the parade of the dolphins at some point in their life. Those who do not join the parade often stand along the trajectory of the parade.
The parade goes from lake Etherika to the western coast of the island. It does not go very fast and therefore this takes about 8 hours. Every hour the ones who carry the dolphins are changed. Due to the weight of the statues only those with a good physique are assigned as carriers. Others in the parade either play music, sing or dance.

by kefkejaco with midjourney

by kefkejaco with midjourney

Gift to the Sea

The Dolphin Trek nears the end when the parade reaches the coastline. Those that are carrying the dolphins bring them to the water place them on a boat. They then go further into the sea where they toss the dolphins of the ship as an offering to the sea.
Once they return the celebration start in full. Tables are placed near the coastline and the inhabitants of the island sit together to partake in a large feast. Once the feast is done the people partake in the regular Moontide celebrations. The pregnant wives are brought along on boats in the hope that the child will be born on this night and be blessed by the sea.

Further Reading