Festival of Renewal

Also known as

"The Festival of the Wanderer"

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Perhaps one of the most widely celebrated holidays in all of Grae, and is also one of Grae's oldest traditions. The Festival of the Wanderer is actually comprised of two separate holidays, the Night of Skótos on the Twenty-eighth day of Wulfin, the final day of the year which immediately leads into the Celebration of Novus Sol, which takes place on the first three days of the year, starting at sunrise on the first day of Archvis until sundown on the third day of Archvis.   The Festival is a celebration encapsulating the remembrance and releasing of the old to make way for the new. The traditions of the Festival of Renewal mirror the lore of the creation mythos surrounding the world of Grae, and as such is the only holiday that directly celebrates the High Divine creator-god Marr The Pilgrim, and his journey across the timeless viod.   During this time it is traditional to show exceptional hospitality to strangers and travelers, as those who do may be unknowingly showing hospitality to Marr himself. Other traditions include feasts, games, competitions and parades.   The first evening of the Festival of Renewal is known as the Night of Skótos, and is a time of reflection on all that lies behind. It is also symbolic of the darkness of Marr's pilgrimage from the desolation of the World that was Before that the High Divine left behind before the creation of the World of Grae. There are two primary traditions associated with the Night of Skótos, the first of which is the Feast of Year's End, in which it is customary to have a valedictory toast honoring all those who have fallen over the past year. The second tradition of the Night of Skótos is known as the Plunge of the Void, in which all light is snuffed out for the entire duration of the night until sunrise.   Dawn of the First day of Archvis marks the beginning of the Celebration of Novus Sol, which is comprised of three days of all sorts of festivities ranging from festival games, competitions, performances, and all manner of food and drink. There is a special emphasis on the honoring of artisans and craftsmen during the festival, as the High Divine himself is often considered to be the Chief Craftsman, his greatest creation being the World of Grae.

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