Festival of First Light

The Festival of First Light is focused around the Holy Tree bearing fruit. A monk from Dawn's Monastery is charged with spending his life watching the tree, as soon as he sees fruit then a message is sent to the High Elder - who commences the organisation of the festival as the it must take place in two weeks time of the tree bearing fruit.
The festival is held in various locations around the tribe's territory. Traditionally, all would ride for the capital to celebrate - but the growth in population since then has made this impossible. Now, in the days before the ceremony, everyone travels to the nearest location where the festival will be held. Usually, it will be held in about sixty locations around Ri'teng.

Origin

According to legend, when the first elves arrived in Ri'teng, they were greeted with the sight of a magnificent tree that was laden with fruit. The elves, who were starving after their journey, ate from the tree. It became symbolic of the coming of spring and of the love of Dawn's Light. From that day onwards, the elves and their offspring honour Dawn's Light every year through a festival. Over time, the festival became embedded with various traditions as the celebration expanded each year and became what it is today.

Morning

On the day of the festival, everyone wakes at midnight for a service that lasts six hours and ends when the sun rises - heralding the arrival of Dawn's Light. A monk (from the Church of Dawn's Light) will lead the prayer, asking Dawn to bless them all with good fortune and happiness for the oncoming year. Then, the monks will read various passages from the Chronicles of the First - reminding all of the love of Dawn's Light. At the end of the prayer, all join together to sing Dawn's song - the laws that were given to the first elves by Dawn herself in the form of the most perfect musical melody. The song is repeated as often as necessary until the sun has risen - once the sun has completely risen, all kneel before it for half an hour.

Untranslated Musical Score for Dawn's Song

After this, everyone will eat a communal breakfast together. The meal is prepared by the Monks as they are seen as the only ones holy enough to prepare a meal of such importance. Traditionally, the breakfast consists of smoked Tolan meat placed in between two flat pieces of bread alongside Chorr milk. After this, all will eat the fruit of the sun tree - to symbolise the fruit that was eaten by the elves when they arrived in Ri'teng and found Dawn's Tree.
Once everyone has eaten, the table is cleared and everyone returns to their homes. It is at this point that the tradition of gift-giving takes place amongst families. The Chronicles of the First explains that Dawn's Light asked that the elves replicate the love she gave to the by giving love to others - this manifested itself in the giving of gifts.

Afternoon

At noon, the festival truly begins. At the moment when Dawn's Light is highest in the sky, everyone gathers together to celebrate her. This is done with music, food, theatre and many more activities. There is no set idea of how to celebrate, Dawn's Light only states in the Chronicles that they must "celebrate my love with your joy and happiness".
Most festivals will arrange a large buffet to be held, so that families can collect their food and then sit down to watch the festival. The food is often very traditional and is mainly comprised of barbecued meats. The festival itself will usually contain performances from minstrels as they perform songs, performances from actors guilds as they perform plays, and various speeches from the Monks about the importance of this day. The most important thing is that everyone enjoys the festival, as that is what Dawn's Light wishes - to celebrate her love with our happiness.

Evening

The afternoon festival lasts until sunset. As the sun sets on this day, it is seen as a message that Dawn's Light is pleased with the celebration, it is believed that if the festival does not please her then the sun won't set.
Once the sun has set, the performances end. It is at this point that a large bonfire will be lit, so that Dawn's Light can live on throughout the night through the presence of fire. Once the fire is roaring, the majority of people will return home and go to sleep. Then, one of the monks will say the traditional prayer that marks the end of the Festival of First Light.

This day of celebration has drawn to an end,
To all who enjoyed it, her love she will send,
Remember to live by the laws of her light,
It is, at this point, that we bid you goodnight.

First Light: Information

Date: Early Spring
Type: Religious Festival
Length: 18 hours

Poster for Festival of First Light