A day of celebration?

The Halruaan people in Trimton, also called Old Halruaa, keep to themselves. Ever since their departure from the P.P.M. in the Third Era and return in the early Fourth Era, other races and humans have seen them as eccentric. Their mysticism and clandestine ways deter most from exploring or interacting with them. As such, the educated world doesn't know much about them aside from the little taken from the few merchants.
The merchant interviewed, a man named Sandrue Darante, also informed the group it was his birthday. When questioned further he told, but received angry looks from his companions. They did not like him sharing their culture, he said, answering their inquisitive faces. He then went on to explain the importance to them.
In Halruaan culture it is proper to never acknowledge your own birthday, but instead someone else must acknowledge it for you. This is how it's been since before the Third Era. You also do not receive presents in Trimton. You are not exempt from any laziness or "days off" on your birthday like in some countries around Uto Daeg — Cryhton comes to mind — and instead the day is treated like any other.
You are taken into the family's arcane tower where you must perform your arcane prowess. If such a display is admirable, the family congratulates you and invites you to speak of the past year and things you've learned. Once you've given a detailed enough account, you may commence to the evening's feast.
Sandrue also spoke of some spell prophesied over every child at birth that they must learn or bring shame upon their family. There is no time limit to learn, but careful records are taken into account for every child which records the spell they must learn. The sooner the child memorizes and correctly utilizes the spell the more honor and glory is brought unto him and his house. If he dies before learning the spell, with some exceptions, the shame is piled upon the family. Sandrue informed us his mother learned hers, a variation of dancing lights, in just three years. His father, however, took almost ten. He learned his in about four. He was about to tell his spell, but the merchant leader came over and told the investigators the interview was over and forced them to leave.
Before they had even set their camels far, the merchant leader was already chiding Sandrue with a golden finger right under his nose. Sandrue's smile was the last thing to fade into the hills and arid dunes of Trimton as they moved forward, hoping to find some other information on the furtive people.