Mutternacht & Weihnacht (Mutt-er-natch/ Wine-natch)
"When the world is at its darkest, its only natural that mortals should seek some light" - Kardinal Dagmar Zauberlicher
At first glance it would seem as if Bacchus and Lorelei are very different gods, providing for the needs of different kinds of people, but over time their two seperate celebration have come together. Weihnacht and Mutternacht are normally celebrated on the longest night of the year, although there are occasional reports of an older form of Mutternacht the day after Weihnacht in some of the less civilised areas of Teutonia.
The Mothers are an old representation of Lorelei, possibly with historic connections to Sythis. Ancient tribes would select animals - and people - and hunt them over the course of one night. If not enough blood was spilled by the time the sun rose, it would bode poorly for the rest of the year.
The famine of 545 was famously blamed on the King's decision to hunt a sporting lich instead of a mortal creature. It is a matter recorded that the Lich in question, Mathila Sauer, participated willingly in this hunt knowing the hunters could not permanently 'kill' them.
The Kills from the night would then be cooked in the forest and the participants would feast. Traditionally the hunters would decorate thier clothing wtih greenery, and it was deemed bad luck to remove the decorations deliberately - one had to wait until the plant matter fell off during normal activities, or decayed and fell off of its own accord.
More popular in the towns and cities of Teutonia, Weihnacht was a time for people to come together and celebrate thier achievements for the year. It is still customary for revellers to spend some time listing their successes to one another. A recent development which I have witnessed in some cities is a fashion for groups to compete for the most outrageous over-the-top story; the winner is placed at the head of the table and their companion will treat them as if they are royalty for the rest of the evening.
In some of the more traditional areas, the population will go for a walk at around midnight - they will visit all of the buildings which have been constructed in the local area and ask Bacchus to bless them for the coming year.
At first glance it would seem as if Bacchus and Lorelei are very different gods, providing for the needs of different kinds of people, but over time their two seperate celebration have come together. Weihnacht and Mutternacht are normally celebrated on the longest night of the year, although there are occasional reports of an older form of Mutternacht the day after Weihnacht in some of the less civilised areas of Teutonia.
The Mothers are an old representation of Lorelei, possibly with historic connections to Sythis. Ancient tribes would select animals - and people - and hunt them over the course of one night. If not enough blood was spilled by the time the sun rose, it would bode poorly for the rest of the year.
The famine of 545 was famously blamed on the King's decision to hunt a sporting lich instead of a mortal creature. It is a matter recorded that the Lich in question, Mathila Sauer, participated willingly in this hunt knowing the hunters could not permanently 'kill' them.
The Kills from the night would then be cooked in the forest and the participants would feast. Traditionally the hunters would decorate thier clothing wtih greenery, and it was deemed bad luck to remove the decorations deliberately - one had to wait until the plant matter fell off during normal activities, or decayed and fell off of its own accord.
More popular in the towns and cities of Teutonia, Weihnacht was a time for people to come together and celebrate thier achievements for the year. It is still customary for revellers to spend some time listing their successes to one another. A recent development which I have witnessed in some cities is a fashion for groups to compete for the most outrageous over-the-top story; the winner is placed at the head of the table and their companion will treat them as if they are royalty for the rest of the evening.
In some of the more traditional areas, the population will go for a walk at around midnight - they will visit all of the buildings which have been constructed in the local area and ask Bacchus to bless them for the coming year.
Execution
These days, most people use the terms "Mutternacht" and "Weihnacht" interchangeably. Allowing for regional differences in styles of Celebration, the following are the most common:
Dress, or at the very least a hat, is decorated with evergreen plants for the day. Some - especially in Berlyn - will go to outrageous lengths, and there are tales of some outfits that were more tree than cloth
Toys in the shape of animals are given to children, most often in the shapes of wolves, or dogs, pigs, deer, and rabbits.
Other children may be given their first bow, or may begin archery lessons on this day.
Parties are hosted, from small family gatherings to huge state affairs. Many people will aim to keep these parties going until dawn, with various levels of success. Gingerbread buildings, or other architecture built from cake or sweets are served. The most notable of these during the brief Drachmorden rule when a replica of the centre of Berlyn was created from fruit cake and marzipan.
Achievements of the previous year are extolled
Competitions are held for the most outrageous (usually false) tale of achievement.
Farmers, brewers, beekeepers, bakers, etc, are all given jars filled with pennies, as donation and to honour their link to Bacchus.
Civil servents are given two days leave.
General feasting, drinking, and so forth is indulged in.
A pig or deer may be slaughtered just before Sunrise.
Sometimes a jar of jam or honey is left at the foot of a tree deep in a forest.
A pledge may be made to seek to achieve something by the same time the following year. If the person making the pledge is unsuccessful, then the next year they may only be served food after everyone else at the table has already been served during the feast. This replaces an older custom where they must fast for the 24 hours of Weihnacht.
The day after Weihnacht is the traditional day to implement new laws or other official orders. This has become less common in recent years.
Dress, or at the very least a hat, is decorated with evergreen plants for the day. Some - especially in Berlyn - will go to outrageous lengths, and there are tales of some outfits that were more tree than cloth
Toys in the shape of animals are given to children, most often in the shapes of wolves, or dogs, pigs, deer, and rabbits.
Other children may be given their first bow, or may begin archery lessons on this day.
Parties are hosted, from small family gatherings to huge state affairs. Many people will aim to keep these parties going until dawn, with various levels of success. Gingerbread buildings, or other architecture built from cake or sweets are served. The most notable of these during the brief Drachmorden rule when a replica of the centre of Berlyn was created from fruit cake and marzipan.
Achievements of the previous year are extolled
Competitions are held for the most outrageous (usually false) tale of achievement.
Farmers, brewers, beekeepers, bakers, etc, are all given jars filled with pennies, as donation and to honour their link to Bacchus.
Civil servents are given two days leave.
General feasting, drinking, and so forth is indulged in.
A pig or deer may be slaughtered just before Sunrise.
Sometimes a jar of jam or honey is left at the foot of a tree deep in a forest.
A pledge may be made to seek to achieve something by the same time the following year. If the person making the pledge is unsuccessful, then the next year they may only be served food after everyone else at the table has already been served during the feast. This replaces an older custom where they must fast for the 24 hours of Weihnacht.
The day after Weihnacht is the traditional day to implement new laws or other official orders. This has become less common in recent years.
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