Lament of the Dragon
Lament of the Dragon, or Lament of Mutamoph, refers to a period surrounding the Dawn of Spring meant to usher in a healthy spring. This period is a rather somber affair, centering around Mutamoph of The Royal Beasts mourning the death of Lümamoph, the dragon-unicorn hybrid who gave his life to restore the sun.
In Mythology
After Lümamoph turned into a star, Mutamoph spent a lengthy period of time in mourning. The world was wrapped in bitter cold as Mutamoph's tears fell upon it in the form of harsh blizzards and sleet. For a time, it seemed like Lümamoph's sacrifice was all in vain.
However, as time passed, the world began to renew itself. Crocuses poked their way out of the frozen ground, the cries of newborn lambs filled the air, and little creatures of all sorts braved their way out of their dens to collect food once more. Even Fatamoph's horn began to grow back. By the time March rolled around, new life had sprung up from the ashes of the old.
Lament of the Dragon is homage to Mutamoph's period of mourning and the time of trial that comes with the arrival of spring. It is said that the blizzards and ice storms that plague many parts of Altairus from January to March are made from Mutamoph's tears.
Observance
Lament of the Dragon takes place for a full week surrounding the Dawn of Spring. It is a somber occasion, with little in the way of celebration.
During the week, Altairians will take a vow to abstain from one particular vice they have (traditionally meat and spirits, though it varies). The goal of this is to help the observer build discipline and self-control in the coming year. Likewise, daily prayer and meditation are meant to refine and sharpen the mind against vice and the temptations of Null Magic.
It should be noted that there is a practical reason for the fasts as well. Usually, around the Dawn of Spring, food stores begin to run low across the land. By fasting, Altairians can stretch out what sustenance they have left to last until the Vernal Equinox.
Magical rituals observed during this time are commonly meant to usher in a healthy and fruitful spring. They acknowledge the suffering Mutamoph and Fatamoph endured when Lümamoph gave his life, and they use this energy to bless the coming year with renewed happiness.
Essentially, Lament of the Dragon can be thought of as the Altairian equivalent to Lent.
Extinct Ritual: Sapient Sacrifice
In the early Golden Era, many Altairians observed sapient sacrifice in addition to the other rituals. While these practices varied from culture to culture, the idea behind it was the same; the sacrifice was in homage to Lümamoph and was thought to result in spring's early arrival.
As the Golden Era progressed into the Silver Era, this ritual fell out of favor. The leaders of the more advanced nations of Altairus began to see it as barbaric and cruel, an affront to Mutamoph herself. As the years progressed, more and more nations banned the practice of sapient sacrifice until it was more or less driven to extinction.
Today, only a few small cults around Altairus (considered heretical by mainstream religious institutions) still practice sapient sacrifice.
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