Immemorial
History
Though the holiday is called such, it is not a celebration. This day is meant for the fallen, a day basked in mourning skies. The Goblins have observed this day since long before they knew. Starting from a different tradition from ages long past, the day is meant to accept and acknowledge that those that are gone, are truly gone from this world.
The tradition originally starting from a nameless war from before the Dawn of Truths, the Goblins as a people were something different, though they still held tight to their steadfast Family culture. They use this time to try and grow past the loss of those they held dear, and to ask those who lead their family to their doom, why?
The close family ties the Goblins feel to each other is the leading factor of this cultural norm. They wish to know the reasons their family had to die in the line of duty to their Clan. The Goblins subsisting off raiding in the Southern Peninsula of Galus, have their fair share of fallen Raiders. The least the Chief and High Priestess of the Family can do is answer the families questions, offer condolences, and to accept the blame for those questions which have no answer.
Execution
Upon the rising of the moon on the eastern horizon of the Bay of Swallows on the Southern Seas of the Continent. The entire family gathers together encapsulating the entire clan, where then they will each light a candle for the fallen blood relative the family has lost that year. This is meant to signify their acknowledgement of their life and their fleeting existence in it.
After this, the family will recite their names to the skies in a tradition that is now lost to them, though they still feel an immense connection to the stars and night sky. After the living family has said their name to show they still exist on the branches of the Great Tree, they in unison speak the name of the fallen. They speak in unison to show they all remember the tragedy of the lost.
As the families have said their fallen's names, the Chief will speak in a short speech congratulating the fallen for following the words of Bhal, and that he would reward them in death by being by his side in The Shores Beyond. While recognizing that all their deaths fell under his purview, that he should have done more to lessen the casualties of their raids. That he should have acted sooner to stop the foolish endeavors in the heat of battle. To which the Family will respond, again in unison, "To remember the Fallen."
The High Priestess will at this point begin a prayer, one repeated through the eons. Unchanging in its meaning, immemorial in its weight to the Family.
"To remember the Fallen, to accept the lost for what they are. A family lost, a thread broken, a heart torn. Though we lament the loss, the flame of life to grow cold. The Great Father, absent in our hour of need. We must look to the skies and in reverie, to remember that even the distant stars are but fires by which we see light."
At this time, each member of the family is allowed to ask whatever question they wish to the Chief or High Priestess without repercussion. Accusatory, condescending, lamenting, or dismissive, it matters not. All this ritual is meant for is for the Family to receive an honest answer from those who were meant to protect the fallen but failed to do so. This being the longest aspect of the holiday, this can take some amount of time as each member of the Family is given the chance to ask difficult questions. Some receive answers, some receive silence for there is no answer that will quell the rage felt in the heart.
By the time the moon rests in its middle position in the night sky, the ritual will turn to one of remembrance. The Family will tell of the Fallen's victories, triumphs and desires. Their hopes and dreams, their plans and journeys. They wish to acknowledge that the Fallen were real, that their lives meant something to the world.
As the moon begins to set on the Clan, those that wish to participate, may join the High Priestess in taking the old Keystones from the Main Chamber. Any member of the family may join the Priestess in the Ritual of the Stars, the Priestess does this to allow the Fallen themselves to speak for themselves. Do they blame the living? Do they find peace in the outcome? Do they wish to speak with the living once more? Do they simply wish to rest?
Observance
The Holiday is observed on the first full moon of the Season of Life. The bright spring air is said to aid in the communion of the living to the dead. The holiday actually lasts for a full twenty-eight days with decreasing participation as time goes on, as the Season of Mourning is local only to the Goblins themselves, lasting from full moon to new moon. Symbolic in the bright full light of life, to the inevitable clarity of darkness. Fore one cannot see the stars with the light of the moon to occlude one's eyes.
Absolutely love the meaning for this! It makes the article that much more special.
I'm glad you like it! It was a bit of an off the cuff article, but it fit so nicely into the world and the conversation I had with my brother.