The Festival of the Blue Moon

Original Purpose

This festival was originally designed to celebrate nature and its complexity. The early Elves discovered the phenomenon known as the Blue Moon, and the festival began to be held on days of the Blue Moon to celebrate their understanding of nature and as a reminder to continue learning.

During the night of the festival, Elves from across the valley would gather and celebrate at the Reflecting Pools of Mauribon. The light of the moon would shine throughout the pools and mirrors, which were built to bring in light. The cheerful mood of the Maiden would make the waterstones in the walls light up, giving the pools an ethereal feel.

Secondary Purpose - Right of Passage

As the Reflecting Pools continued to be developed, more and more chambers and passages were added. One of these led deep underground to a chamber filled with energy. The Maiden turned the entire chamber into a Magic Relic, and thus began the incorporation of a Right of Passage for Water Elves into the festival.

Young Elves about to reach majority, typically 22-27 years of age, depending on the alignment of the blue moons, would prepare for the challenge with a period of fasting and reflection. In the early morning hours, the night before the Blue Moon, they would gather in the main reflecting pools and begin their journey.

The Passage

The architects of the Pools purposely redirect water into various passages and do not share a map of the lowest level. The young elves must use what they have learned about the water to find their way through the caves into the Deep Chamber below.

The Pool of Revelations

Mauri's enchantment of this particular enchantment makes it a reflection of not the outside appearance, but of what is within each of them. Young Elves need to seek balance in all things, and to do that, they must confront the shadows and inner demons that threaten to unbalance them. To succeed in this trial, the initiate does not have to overcome what is shown to them, but they must accept that it is there, that it is something that they must work on. Elves who can do so, that show the ability to gain inner balance, will watch as the turbulent water around them calms.

Third Purpose - Remembrance

After the Great Storm and the disappearance of the Maiden, the Water Elves further adapted the festival as a remembrance of her and a reminder of the mission she had left for them.