night of swarm
For those that inhabit the Margins life is an almost constant struggle against the elements and the ravages of the sea. Those in the Eastern Reaches also have to deal with The Swarm, an annual problem that can mean starvation for the islanders if not dealt with. Every year during what the folk of these parts call The Still, The Swarm young undergo their metamorphosis into their adult form. Before this change takes place they need to eat as much food as possible in order to survive the gruelling change. This unfortunately means thousands of these creatures descending upon the islands to strip them of every bit of greenery they can eat.
The loss of their crops would have devastating effect on the folks of the islands so they have come up with several methods to deal with this problem. Since trying to fight a swarm of thousands is usually pretty futile, the islanders have resorted to simply diverting the swarm from their crop areas instead. During the calm every island that has folk living on will have a constant observer in a watch tower keeping an eye on the horizon, once the swarm is spotted an alarm is sent out which can also be heard by the neighbouring island or islands. They then send out their own call and thus the alarm spreads out across all of the island grouping.
Large bonfires are lit, ensuring that as much smoke as possible is produced as it is known that most insects don't like smoke, and because of the calmness of the still the smoke isn't just instantly blown away. The islanders will also make as much noise as possible, as the swarm doesn't seem to like loud noises. The islanders have taken tis an excuse to combine this with a party. The entire village comes out to sing, bang drums and play music during the time the swarm is passing their island. Large basins of (insert plant / animal product) are also dotted around the crops and heated until they release a pungent odour which the swarm is known to have a particular distaste for.
I love that they have managed to find some ways to protect their crops!
Explore Etrea | Reading Challenge 2025