Rite of Winter's Breath

The Rite of Winter's Breath is one of the two seasonal holidays held almost exclusively in Clonmeath (the other being the Rite of Spring's Breath). The druids of the city had many rituals and customs surrounding the changing the seasons and so this holiday was born not out of any major event or religious ceremony, but out of cleansing rites and purification spells being cast in the surrounding areas. Many believe that these rituals are what allowed the greatwood trees to grow so large and able to support leylines. As time went on, the rituals became as much a celebration of nature as it was a protection of it.

There are two side of the holiday: the ritualistic side held by the druids, and the celebratory side held by the citizens.   The ritualistic side calls for all of the Druid Circles to go to the Greatwoods and cast spells of protection on them. They also pour energy into the trees to prepare them for the chillier weather (though it is usually only cold for a few weeks in the area and it rarely snows). The ritual requires a special type of root that only grows in the riverbeds of the delta, which are harvested slowly earlier in the year and dried for the occasion.   The celebrations are much less official. Usually people make a meal of fish and berries to eat with their family, and then hang snowflake decorations made of cloth or wood on their windows until the Night of Allgods. Public spaces often hold games and food for everyone, where small prizes can be won. At the end of the day, performers tell stories of the city's history in short skits.

The holiday is celebrated on the first full moon of Zedrec.