Devayávan

Devayávan is a Kala'adrin superstition, common in southern Filia and northern Sona. It holds that if enough sweet fruits are gathered in an orchard grove and enough sweet songs are sung in praise of the forest gods, a host of devas will bloom from the flowers and bless the worshippers and their land.

Historical Basis

The holiday of Papayala is traditionally celebrated with offerings of fruit and song in a forest or wild garden, preferably near blooming orchids. In some places, particularly the lush orchard groves of Yava'manna-el-Filia, there is often a preponderance of birds, frogs, and other small woodland creatures in the days after Papayala. The faithful believe these are devas taking material form to weave protection around the temple and the offerers; skeptics attribute this to normal animal mating seasons and the sudden presence of a large amount of food in the area.

Variations & Mutation

Some versions tell that, in ages past, the devas could grant a single powerful wish when enough of them bloomed. It is said that this no longer happens—either because the world has grown too complex for enough devas to be free to gather, or because the strength of mortal magic in the modern era diminshes their abilities on this plane.
A common telling of Devayávan follows a young woman whose lover sails for a far-off land and does not return for twenty-nine years. She spends those years praying to Danu and growing fruits on the vine, trying to breed one that will bloom and thrive among the orchid groves to draw the devas close. The fruits grow deep magenta from the strength of her love, and the devas that bloom after her offering call forth favorable winds that bring her shipwrecked lover home. These are said to be the first passionfruits, and the common name of this fruit originates from this particular telling of the story.

Cultural Reception

Devayávan is one of the most well-known kala'adrin legends across the Aquatic Kingdoms. This largely stems from the popularity of Linn te-Devayávan (known in Common as the "Song of the Deva's Fruits"), widely considered the most iconic kala'adrin folk song.