Mrazmortis

“No matter if you are a ruler residing on a mountain high castle, a peasant that lives within a shack by the river, or a merchant hiding within a private estate. Morana does not care and the winter chills pierces through any defences - no matter the protective charms or amounts of soldiers that stand in her wake.   She will judge the righteous from the unjust, and when spring comes - we shall know who remains and who suffered her vengeance.”   -Cleric of Morana

    Morana is a deity both revered and feared, among the Vouglian population - and to an extent some other groups within the Golden Empire. As such, the Mrazmortis as a rite to her callousness is a tradition which was once feared. Not joyfully embraced.   Before the Vouglian tribes united beneath the god of summer and sun, known as Ysand - they had no alchemical lamps, no magical runes and no divine blessings to keep them warm in winter. In fact, most still don’t and the blessings are reserved for the Ysandrine temples, while only the rich have access to warming runes. The alchemical lamps being more widespread, but only emitting the slightest heat.   During the icy mountain winters - to survive, one needs to stock up on fuel. Dry wood and sometimes charcoal used to be the norm, but with the current technology many use coal and oil to fuel heaters and stoves to keep their homes warm.   This has directly altered a tradition, where in the past - various families would gather within communal halls. Bringing with them all the food and dry wood they had gathered during the autumn.   To secure the resources over the winter, the first month has a fasting period at which families only eat one meal a day, while using most of their time to rest, carve figurines and tools as well as practicing art and music. Sometimes, this is called the month of discipline. The first period of a three month long holiday.   The second month is known as the month of darkness. Fitting, as it is the darkest month of the year. Here the fasting ends and the feast begins. The families partake in all kinds of meat based dishes, root vegetable stews and different sorts of cakes and deserts. This is a period in which one literally eats away the darkness, filling one's belly to keep up the mood and spirits.   The last month is known as the month of rebirth. When days get longer and the days are warmer. Even though winter still reigns, it is a period when people first start to get out of their homes - after two months of shelter. Beginning their days by gathering, hunting and bathing - before once more hiding from the cold, whenever the sun goes down again.     With modern technology, heating homes has never been easier. Especially with a rising middle class and urbanisation - town and city inhabitants barely practice the tradition of Mrazmortis.   What was once three months of communal survival has changed in the larger settlements. Now families and relatives meet for a week of the second month. Some bring food and drink for the feast, others a straw effigy of Morana - to which they gather and dance around.   Not much else happens, as work soon calls. The effigy remains within the house until the end of winter, then it is thrown out.