Peth-Talor
Winterheart Gathering
Many friendly faces laugh around you as jokes are told, experiences are shared, and drinks are consumed. Up above, the moon has been drifting across the sky for what seems like hours as a nearby bonfire keeps the surroundings nice and bright. Off in the near distance, you can see similar gatherings taking place with equally joyous results.
Even with a crowd nearby taking sides in a fierce debate between two individuals who are in the process of whacking each other with smoldering herbs, you feel safe and secure. The year has been a harsh one, but you've made it. Thanks to the help of those around you.
Though you don't know what the future will hold for you, you are certain you won't do it alone.
It's time to celebrate!
History
The Peth-Talor, also known as the Winterheart Gathering, is a traditional communal affair whereupon a Churrian community will celebrate the symbolic idea of pushing back the darkness, reaffirming family and social ties, and allowing for their culture to thrive in the form of stories, food, and song. First created by the Venestrians as a way to pass the time during Churr's longest night, it gradually evolved into a tight-knit and cozy celebration which has been retained even after the Churrians crossed the Homestead Gate and lost their home world.
While many regions within Refuge do not have similar seasonal cycles such as Churr's, the Churrians have adopted the holiday to fit their new homes as best they can. This includes hosting the holiday on the region's longest night or night-like occurrence, at the midpoint of the region's coldest or most inactive season, or on a day that is the most isolated from other celebrations.
Considered a fairly relaxed affair, the event has seen several small divergences evolve that best suit the Churrian's current regional home or lifestyles. For example, different food may be provided based on the available regional ingredients or the act of airing grievances may take on the features of a local sentient race's culture.
Whatever these differences may be, the celebration will always retain its core identity of strengthening community bonds and symbolically braving harsh times together.
Execution
Traditionally, the Winterheart Gathering is initiated once the sun has set on the year's longest night. As the shadows grow long a diverse set of bonfires will be lit around the community by the community's elders allowing for a symbolic "shield" to be erected against the darkness as well as to promote gathering places for the celebrants.
During this time, food and drinks will be exchanged between individuals or placed on communal tables while boisterous songs are sung and traditional stories are told to anyone who will listen. The tradition encourages individuals to drift between the different bonfire areas to mix up members of the community and allow for people who otherwise would not meet to mingle. As such, it is not uncommon for different bonfires to receive an influx of food or drink at varying points in the night to encourage movement.
Each individual is also given a special ribbon to have during the celebration. Called a Patu or Grievance Ribbon, each ribbon will have different colors and designs on them to help differentiate them between each bearer. Should an individual have a grievance to share against another community member, they will tie their ribbon around the person they have a problem with or that person's belongings.
Once confirmed, both individuals will be given a bushel of smoldering sweet-smelling herbs and given ground to have a public discussion about their issue. The participants will then proceed to have their discourse and whack each other with the smoldering herbs periodically to "cleanse the air". Once the grievance has been dealt with, both participants will then toss their herbs into the bonfire to show their acceptance.
An aspect of the holiday meant to help build stronger community ties by giving people a chance to relieve themselves of social frustrations, this popular facet of Peth-Talor will often see the entire community become raucously involved by shouting out their thoughts and taking sides.
The Winterheart Gathering will often continue for many hours until the first light of the new day begins to come over the horizon. Once this occurs, the bonfires are put out and all community members retreat into their homes for a well-deserved rest.
Components and tools
Items that are important to the Winterheart Gathering include:
A variety of food and drinks such as Dravenel, Aeloria, Wurst, and Kashti.
Large amounts of firewood to maintain the bonfires.
Patu and the herbs necessary to allow for grievance airing to occur.
Participants
Participants for this holiday often involve the entire Churrian community with elders taking a special place as the ones who light the bonfires that mark the beginning of the celebration. During this time, many community members will help to maintain the festivities such as helping to keep the bonfires lit, bringing food and drink to different locations to encourage movement, and maintaining the bushels of herbs and ribbons necessary for the practice of grievance airing.
Observance
The Peth-Talor is traditionally held on the longest night of the year for a region or at a time that most symbolically represents this ideal.
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