March of the Land Crabs
I don't think my eyes had ever seen such a sight. Crabs, as big as horses, in a seemingly endless line, and the Pixies cavorting atop them fearlessly. I longed to join but feared my oafish clumsiness would spoil the tableau, when a young Pixie and her dragon mount scooped me up and deposited me atop one of the larger crabs. My feet had barely touched down before I was surrounded by laughing and dancing figures, soon all thoughts of my earlier discomfort were lost in a haze of joy and revelry
History
The landcrabs started coming through about two hundred years ago, not long after the Pixies created Mycellor Forest. The first time caused quite a stir, mostly because one of the Pixie villages was right in their path. The Pixies had plenty warning, thanks to their dragon friends, and although their village was severely damaged, no one was hurt. Thinking this was merely another case of wanderers stumbling through on their way to elsewhere, the Pixies rebuilt and life carried on. After rebuilding the village for the third year running, the Pixies moved their village.
Pixies do not see or measure time the same way mortals do, but they recognise patterns and cycles and hold a certain reverence for them as being representative of the natural order of things. The next year several curious Pixies decided to follow the landcrabs in order to learn more about them, several others endeavoured to follow the line back to the point of entrance. They discovered that the crabs moved in single file, in a complete straight line, right through the centre of the forest and out the other side, only deviating if they encountered something they couldn't climb over or trample. They seemed to pay no mind to the Pixies even when a few dared landing on their backs, unfortunately this obliviousness also seemed to apply to predators. Although there are few things in the forest which could or would harm the crabs, one can never account for what might just wander in. After realising the crabs put up no defence when one or more were taken down, simply closing up ranks and marching on, the Pixies decided that as regular comers to the forest they warranted the Pixies protection. Thus began the yearly ritual of guarding the landcrabs as they passed through the forest.
Execution
Every year the warriors and adventurous types gather at the crabs entry point and a small ceremony is held to wish them luck on their journey.
As the crabs pass into the forest the participants will fall in line with it spreading themselves along the line. Those who are bonded to dragons fly alongside and those not make a game of climbing or leaping up onto the crabs back.
It takes 2 days for the crabs to march through the forest during which time the Pixies dance sing and play music, taking turns keeping watch.
As the march passes nearby villages the inhabitants will come out to cheer them on and offer food and drinks.
When the crabs begin to leave the forest the Pixies disembark and set up a camp, where they feast and drink as they watch the last of line pass by. They stay the night celebrating and are sometimes joined by people from nearby villages.
The next day they all travel back to their respective homes.
Components and tools
The young children make circlet crowns and give them to the participants to were, these symbolise the cyclic nature of things.
Participants
Most of the warriors will join the march as will those who fancy a bit of an adventure. It is their job to protect the crabs.
Those who don't take part in the march, gather at points along the route nearest to their village and the children will hand over their crowns and the participants will be given food and refreshments.
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