Spring Queen's Carriage

The Spring Queen's Carriage is the celestial transportation of the Gothuric goddess of the spring, rebirth, and peace, Sjortra. The carriage comes to the realm once a year, signalling a temporary reprieve from the Eternal War. It is thus a sign of respite and celebration for the people of Gothurgard.

Description

The Spring Queen's Carriage is a large, plain wooden wagon pulled by two massive hares, driven by Sjortra herself. It measures 15 meters long by 10 meters wide, with wheels 5 meters in diameter. The hares, Vigir and Vogir, each stand 6 meters tall and are lashed to the front of the wagon by reigns of ivy. Sjortra sits on a simple bench at the head of the wagon, clutching the reigns tight in her hands. A canvas hood covers the rear of the wagon, in which reputedly sits the body of the forgotten god of summer. The heat of his flames, even dead, is so intense that it melts the snow where it passes, allowing flowers to bloom in its wake.

Origin

According to legend, Gothurgard was once a peaceful realm, without strife, conflict, or hardship. Each animal, plant, person, and even the gods had their designated place in the world and were content. The years turned, one after another, an endless cycle of seasons. However, such a peace could not last. The god of chaos, Oreidhu, became discontent with the harmony. He wandered the world, looking for some reprieve from his boredom. What small joys he could find were fleeting, however.
He realized that it was only through struggle that chaos could thrive. It was just that Gothurgard was too well made and balanced for struggle to ever take root. Oreidhu thus went to the god of winter, Mullr, and asked him why he allowed his brother and sisters to be so beloved when he was reviled. Mullr was confused and pointed out he received just as much reverence and offerings as his siblings. Oreidhu responded that it was not reverence, but fear that drove those offerings. The winter, he explained, was cold and dark. Nothing grew, animals hibernated, and people were forced to live off whatever they had stored the autumn before. People made their offerings in the hope that Mullr would be placated and leave soon.
Mullr once again pointed out that some also disliked his siblings. The spring brought the return of field work, while some were beset by allergies. The summer was hot and people hid from the harsh sun. The autumn had the hard work of the harvest and saw the leaves fall from the trees.
Oreidhu acknowledge that as truth, but pointed out that people had reasons to rejoice for the coming of each. When spring came, the snows melted and the days lengthened, flowers bloomed and birds sang. When summer arrived, children frolicked in cool streams and people had longer days for recreation. When autumn arrived, the cool night air allowed for bonfires and celebrations, with huge meals to celebrate the harvests. But who wished for winter, with its long nights, bare trees, and freezing cold?
Oreidhu then left and Mullr tried to forget, but the doubt stuck in Mullr's mind. When it next came time for him to bring winter, he wrapped himself in a cloak and wandered the world. He went from village to village, looking to see if any were looking forward to the winter. In each village, he found himself disappointment. He found people preparing, working hard to cut firewood, smoking meat, patching roofs, and otherwise toiling. He finally approached an old woman and asked her if there were any she knew who loved the winter. The woman told him that she did not, that the winter was hard. Winter just made her pine for summer.
In despair, Mullr went to his siblings — Sjortra of spring, the forgotten god of summer, and Yritra of autumn — and shared what he had learned. They dismissed his concerns, reminding him that everyone had their place, ordained by the Old Gods. Mullr was not satisfied with this and asked to trade parts of winter for parts of another season. They each agreed to bring him something in a week. When Mullr left, his three siblings discussed what they could give him. Each suggestion they came up with made them worry that losing it would throw off the balance of their seasons. An old woman overheard their discussion and came forward, introducing herself as a weaver. She suggested that rather than give up something from their season, they give her threads of their seasons to weave into something new for Mullr. The siblings agreed with that suggestion and let the old woman pluck threads from them.
When Mullr returned in a week, he found his siblings waiting for him. They presented the gifts the old woman had woven. From spring's allergies had been made the chills and runny nose of winter illness; from summer's heat had been made fever caused by that illness; from autumn's fallen leaves had been made death itself. The siblings were horrified by the offerings and claimed they had been tricked. The old woman appeared and responded that she had simply taken what was given to her and made what she could of it.
In a rage, Mullr struck down his brother, the forgotten god of summer. Yritra grabbed Mullr and threw him down, while Sjortra grabbed her fallen brother's body and fled. Yritra and Mullr wrestled on the ground, when suddenly a rock struck her in the head. Mullr looked up to see Oreidhu standing over them. He told Mullr that his siblings' hatred for him had been proven, but that he could claim their powers for his own if he could claim their hearts. He told him to chase after Sjortra before she could revive her fallen brother and turn their powers against him.
Mullr ran after her, leaving Oreidhu with the unconscious Yritra. Oreidhu sent his chaos through her, transforming her into a swan, which would forever more flee the winter. He then transformed into a gull and sped ahead, catching up with and passing the burdened Sjortra. He changed back to his normal shape and waited as Sjortra came crashing through the trees. He stopped her and asked what was wrong. She quickly explained and he told her that she would be caught if she continued carrying the body. He led her to a nearby wagon and helped her load the body into it. She called forth her two hares, Vigir and Vogir, and lashed them to the wagon with a vine, then drove off.
With the death of summer, the flight of autumn, and the retreat of spring, winter soon overcame the entire world. Mullr continues to chase his sister, hoping to catch her and claim summer's heart for himself. Sjortra ever after flees him, trying to put enough distance between them so that she can put the forgotten god through the ritual of rebirth. Spring comes only where she passes, giving the realm a respite from the cold.

Significance and Veneration

The arrival of the Spring Queen's Carriage presages the coming of spring, a short respite from the cold winter the realm experiences for most of its days. This is a time of celebration and joy for most and they spend the day of the carriage's passage in revelry. This is most relevant in the vicinity of the Eternal War, where all combatants put down their arms and spend a day resting, recuperating, and feasting. Warriors from different armies come together and exchange stories, organize friendly competitions, and get drunk together.
This revelry lasts only for a single day, however. Most must take advantage of the short spring to plant crops and prepare for the return of winter. Those battling in the Eternal War use the time to make major pushes, throwing their full might into battle. Often, the bloodiest battles come in the days just after the Snow Queen's Carriage passing.