Winter's Farewel
Winter's Farewell is a vibrant and festive celebration held in both the Winter Hall and the hedge, marking the end of the winter season and the anticipation of the forthcoming spring. The Freehold comes alive with music, dancing, feasting, and merriment, as the residents revel in the joyous occasion.
Inside the Winter Hall, the decorations reflect the intricate weavings and craftsmanship of the long winter days spent indoors. The colors of the reigning Winter Court are prominently featured in the décor, paying homage to their rule. Various games and events add to the excitement, with puzzles and riddles created by the Winter Court challenging the wit and cunning of the participants.
As the day progresses, the atmosphere becomes more lighthearted, and a spirit of friendly competition arises as the residents share their secrets with the elected secret keeper. The best-kept secret is rewarded with a prize, adding an element of intrigue to the festivities.
In the hedge, sculptures of ice and snow showcase the delicate beauty of life with the coming thaw. The winter courtiers' artistic talent shines as they craft these ephemeral works of art, celebrating the transitory nature of the season.
As Winter's Farewell draws to a close, the community gathers to remember the names of the departed and things lost. This solemn act serves as a remembrance and lament for what has passed, while also welcoming the promise of new beginnings with the upcoming spring.
Execution
This festival is the revelry prior to the abundance of the coming spring. The festivities take place within the winter hall as well as within the hedge. There is music, dancing, feasting and drinking. The village is decorated in weavings and the craftmanship of the long winters indoors. Many of these weavings are done in the reigning courts colours to pay homage to them. Along with the revelry of the seasons end, other games and events will occur depending on the reining court. In the hedge, the winter court will create long scrolls of riddles and puzzles to be solved. The winner is often given a prize at the end of the festival, the more cunning the better. As the day progresses, the festivities begin to take on a more jovial lilt as the competition of secrets begins. All members of the town are encouraged to participate. A member of the town is elected to be the secret keeper. Secrets are told to the keeper, and the keeper alone. It is well understood that the member of the winter court who is elected the keeper will be bound to keep them. The best secret told will be awarded a prize, though what this is is highly variable and depends on the reigning court of the time. The festival's end is marked by a community gathering that features the names of the dead and things lost written into a crisp bit of snow meant to melt with the coming changing of the season, in remembrance and lament.
Should the Winter court reign during the farewell to the season, they will fly their colours (White, black, gray), and often sculptures of ice of snow will be made to showcase craftmanship and the delicate nature of life with the coming thaw.
Participants
The Winter's Farewell ceremony is a grand celebration that attracts not only the entire Freehold but also visitors from nearby cities and communities. The allure of the revelry, the unique traditions of the Winter Court, and the chance to witness the skilled craftsmanship of the winter sculptures draw people from far and wide to partake in the festivities. The event serves as a unifying force, bringing together members of different courts and communities to celebrate the end of winter and the anticipation of the coming spring. It is a time of camaraderie, joy, and reflection, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared experiences among all who attend.
Observance
The day before the Spring Equinox
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