Firen Summer Solstice Celebrations
The shortest night of the year, and the moment when Fire Magic is at its strongest, Fires celebrate it with several traditions. These ways of celebrating often involve either the use of magic, or adding to the chaos and passion that is already visibly swirling in the sky. During the longest day of the year, it is custom to spend both the entire night and day awake to celebrate.
For using magic, the talented (or complete beginners) often compete in local tournaments, either actively fighting each other with magic, or competing to create the most dazzling display of flames to an audience. Betting on who will win each bracket is common practice. Winners of the fights are often not just those that win in the traditional manner, with extra points to be won for a participants' fervour, or complex spells being used. For the fights that include physical violence, injuries are common, as those in the fight very quickly get carried away in bloodlust. Strictly magical battles are generally safer, as none of those involved can be burned, removing the vast majority of the risk, and they are often amazing spectacles for anyone watching as the increased strength of Fire magic allows for the creation of larger fireballs and fireworks.
Other common competitions are blacksmithing weapons, and various games of dares. Blacksmithing is largely done with non-Gold materials, to save on cost and allow anyone to join in on the festivities rather than just Smiths. Scores are given out for skill, and for intricate design, so those that participate are encouraged to create items that have less practical use, and are more for show. It is common practice that with the completion of the rounds of these tournaments to hand out the finished weapons to the children in the audience, as without Gold the weapons are largely safe for an Elemental wearing padding to soften the blows. Though anyone that witnesses these events would quickly report that it is a good thing that Fires heal quickly from head trauma, since the young ones lack hesitation to bash their friends over the head with forged steel.
Dare games are less official than the rest of the competitions. There is no judge, and rules vary by city, neighbourhood and friend group. And if the more official tournaments were not keeping the hospitals busy enough, then the various dare games certainly do. The games played by young children are generally safe, especially as they struggle to stay awake as the sun rises and eventually are brought to their beds by their parents. The adults, and the juveniles on the other hand, largely spend 24 hours trying to outdo the last dare, which very quickly can lead to the group playing getting Rushed. And while Fire Elementals are unable to get drunk, their own adrenaline getting them high means that even when they are injured, they hardly react. The games continue until either the sun sets once more, signalling the end of the festivities, or someone is carried by their friends to the hospital.
For using magic, the talented (or complete beginners) often compete in local tournaments, either actively fighting each other with magic, or competing to create the most dazzling display of flames to an audience. Betting on who will win each bracket is common practice. Winners of the fights are often not just those that win in the traditional manner, with extra points to be won for a participants' fervour, or complex spells being used. For the fights that include physical violence, injuries are common, as those in the fight very quickly get carried away in bloodlust. Strictly magical battles are generally safer, as none of those involved can be burned, removing the vast majority of the risk, and they are often amazing spectacles for anyone watching as the increased strength of Fire magic allows for the creation of larger fireballs and fireworks.
Other common competitions are blacksmithing weapons, and various games of dares. Blacksmithing is largely done with non-Gold materials, to save on cost and allow anyone to join in on the festivities rather than just Smiths. Scores are given out for skill, and for intricate design, so those that participate are encouraged to create items that have less practical use, and are more for show. It is common practice that with the completion of the rounds of these tournaments to hand out the finished weapons to the children in the audience, as without Gold the weapons are largely safe for an Elemental wearing padding to soften the blows. Though anyone that witnesses these events would quickly report that it is a good thing that Fires heal quickly from head trauma, since the young ones lack hesitation to bash their friends over the head with forged steel.
Dare games are less official than the rest of the competitions. There is no judge, and rules vary by city, neighbourhood and friend group. And if the more official tournaments were not keeping the hospitals busy enough, then the various dare games certainly do. The games played by young children are generally safe, especially as they struggle to stay awake as the sun rises and eventually are brought to their beds by their parents. The adults, and the juveniles on the other hand, largely spend 24 hours trying to outdo the last dare, which very quickly can lead to the group playing getting Rushed. And while Fire Elementals are unable to get drunk, their own adrenaline getting them high means that even when they are injured, they hardly react. The games continue until either the sun sets once more, signalling the end of the festivities, or someone is carried by their friends to the hospital.
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