Birth of the Moon Orchid

Long ago, before the first king, there was a time of great suffering, and famine. People began to fight amongst themselves for whatever they could get their hands on in order to survive. Seeing how bad this was, a young child traveled across the world to meet with the great spirit. A being so powerful that they could control the forces of nature. After braving monsters, the environment and coming close to death, the child finally made it to the realm of the spirit. There they pleaded with the great spirit for help. Telling them how the people of the city were suffering. The spirit granted them a promise. Return to the city and tell the people to gather a sacrifice. Be the one to light the fire and the people would be saved. Once back, the child ran through the streets, telling them what had happened and the promise the spirit made. But the people of the city had malice in their hearts. They began using the idea of a sacrifice as a way to threaten each other into giving up their excess goods. Having a selfless heart, the young child gathered what he could from the kind hearted people and set it on an altar for the spirit. However, when he lit the fire, the wicked pushed him into the pyre while trying to save whatever valuables they could. The great spirit punished the selfish, by having the fire spread and consume them. The child was turned into a plant that could survive the fire, the Moon Orchid. They people, seeing what unfolded, mourned the child. To this, the great spirit blessed the people who had helped given up soemthing for the sacrifice, and told them not to cry, but rejoice. For as long as the Moon Orchid bloomed, they would be blessed.

There are a few written accounts that tell of a famine hitting the area, as well as a suddenly bountiful harvest occuring that saved the people from all starving. One letter even mentions the pyre that was built, although the death of the child is not mentioned.

This story is very well known to anyone who has spent at least a year in Big City.

While Big City is made up of people from all around the world, most adopt this legend as part of their cultural identity. Those who were born and grew up in the city will even go a step further and believe the great spirit to be a true deity, praying and leaving gifts for it.

Several poets and novels mention the story, however, most were written well after the establishment of Big City. There is even a mention of the festival in the popular game, Abolyths and Adventurers. In the 4th edition of the game, the module "Into the Burning Wild" has players visiting a city that celebrates this festival, but in a more cult-like fashion.

During the festival, artists come to participate and use the moment as inspiration. In Galia's Regional Museum of Art features a large motive depicting the canyon full of the Moon Orchids, one of the most famous pieces of the world.