Thermibast, or Warmthfest as it is sometimes called, started during the reign of Savra the Great, founder of the Sargantium Kingdom during the Second Age. During her reign, she instituted this holiday for her people, in the center of the coldest months of the year. She reckoned that her cold-blooded citizens would appreciate a day in the middle of winter dedicated to heat and relaxation. She was not wrong.
While Savra has since passed into legtendary status, becoming a hero deity and godling among the Lizardfolk, the tradition of Thermibast continued even after the fall of the Sargantium Kingdom.
Towards the end of the Sargantium Kingdom, Elven raiders vying for territory would destroy the ritual tents and costumes in an attempt to pacify local villages. This has left a bitter feeling towards Elves in some areas that persists in remote places even today.
Thermibast requires significant preparation. Huge tents must be erected and large tubs installed within, along with stoves and fuel (usually charcoal). Large smooth river stones are brought in to bake on the stoves. Tents are often partitioned to create rooms specifically designed as saunas. Wooden lounging benches are set up, and a full larder of food, mainly meats, is placed nearby.
On the morning of Thermibast, celebrants enter the tent and light the stoves, heating the tent and baking the river stones. At noon, celebrants march outside and start outside and douse themelves in cold water, then return to the heat of the tents. Water is poured over the hot stones to create steam, and Lizardfolk lounge on benches and enjoy the heat while eating from the larder. Offering another food during Thermibast is a signal that a Lizardfolk wishes to start a relationship. Games are played - for the very young, there are pools where they can "bob" for live fish, while older children dare each other to repeatedly run from hot to freezing cold water, seeing how many times they can transition and who can remain in the cold weather the longest. Older Lizardfolk will roll their eyes and shake their snouts at such foolish antics, and will play more sedate contests like cards and board games.
At sunset, drums will sound from outside the tent. A female Lizardfolk, dressed up like Savra the Great, will "ride" into the tent on a "griffin" (actually two or more Lizardfolk in an elaborate costume). "Savra" will then distribute gifts to those present, especially the children. While alcohol may have been consumed during the day, drinking often gets more intense in the evening. The preferred intoxicant is wine, but other forms of alcohol are regularly consumed. Some villages, especially deep in the Fens, will also have an inner room in the tent set up to inhale intoxicating smoke, although this is rare.
The celebration goes into the night, usually ending when the charcoal (or other fuel) for the stoves runs out, or the larder is empty.
The principal tool for the holiday is the massive tent used to house an entire village or clan of Lizardfolk. These tents are carefully stored and often have designs painted on the canvas walls, of Lizardfolk myths or depictions of the village's history. The stoves for the tent may be specially designed for the holiday, but are just as likely to be borrowed from the homes of villagers. River stones are collected the days before the holiday, and are returned to the water after the holiday. Most Lizardfolk bring their own lounging benches, and all Lizardfolk contribute to the larder in the week before the holiday.
The other items used during Thermibast is the costume of Savra the Great and the griffin costume.
The key participants in Thermibast are the female Lizardfolk who plays Savra the Great and the Lizardfolk who manipulate the griffin costume - typically one acts as the head and front talons of the griffin, whlie another act as the back lion legs and tail of the griffin. Sometimes a third dancer will manipulate the griffins "wings" made from cloth over a light wooden frame.
Comments