Underven Traditions and Superstitions in Tilendrel

"Do you hear that, boy? The howling winds, the pelting rains? The spirits are angry."

Perfidis Barkin, Gildmirian citizen.

Underven, primarily due to its inexplicable harsh weather and uncommon occurrence, is the subject of much superstition throughout Tilendrel. While some cultures celebrate it as a re-aligning of the seasons (which are slightly thrown off by the disparity between a normal year's length and Tilendrel's orbital periods), others see it as a form of punishment or rebirth, from the New Gods or other forces. Below is a list of traditions and beliefs involving the leap month in the various nations of Tilendrel.     Gildmire   Perhaps the most well-known of Underven's traditions is that of Gildmire: believing the strange mists that cover the swamp in Underven are the result of angered spirits taking revenge for the last eleven years, the dwarves of Gildmire spend the entire month in underground caverns, communicating with the outside world only through low-level magic. This superstition has led some in the past to believe the Gildmirians are unreliable bankers, though this mistake has always been to the non-Gildmirian's detriment.   Gildmirian dwarves in foreign countries may or may not follow this tradition. Businesspeople rarely do, taking advantage of the inactivity of their brethren, though many still prefer to remain indoors for the duration of the month.   Duerga   Contrary to their swamp-dwelling neighbours, the dark dwarves of Duerga welcome the month of Underven not as punishment but as penitence, suffering through the harsh weather of the month to absolve themselves of their wrongdoing of the last 11 years. It is seen as a month of new beginnings, even for those dwarves who have given in to their evil nature and left the country.   Southern and Eastern Elves   The elves, always in touch with nature, see the month of Underven as a cause for celebration, since it realigns the calendar with Tilendrel's natural seasons. Though their celebrations are small in scale, they are enjoyed by elves and visitors alike, involving music, dance, exchange of gifts, and sometimes a large bonfire in the centre of the village. Some say that The Wanderer visits a different elven village each 11 years, experiencing their celebrations and wishing them good luck.   The Sovereign Baronies of Everflame   While the western baronies mostly adopt the traditions of their neighbours, Central Everflame, Southsea, Lightarm, and Hallermin have their own traditions stretching back millennia. Some say that Arden Sunbringer himself was the originator of these practices, though their exact origin is hard to pinpoint. For the first 21 days of the month, Everian residents fast, eating only a single meal a day. The following week, from the 22nd to the 28th, is a week of celebration honouring the new gods. Since the days of the week vary from month to month, the celebrations have no fixed order. All involve prayer, but additional celebrations are as follows:

• Mina'day: Families light candles in their homes, tend to the sick, and eat roasted meat. Some richer citizens arrange bigger displays, and others go on a pilgrimage to the temple of Minara where the Everflame burns.
• Queth'day: Many visit public libraries, and give free education to the less fortunate. Major cities often have displays of magic, and wizards search for talented individuals to train in the arcane arts. Kalashtar have their own traditions, opening their minds psychically in order to find others of their kind and eating large meals together as well as exchanging gifts.
• Renth'day: Re-enactments of past battles are held in public spaces and theatres, and the City Watch are honoured for their services. Since the re-establishment of the Light Guard, it has become customary for guards in Everflame City to give sweet pastries called 'veners' to children.
• Henri'day: Children often play pranks on their parents, and sometimes families conspire to execute large-scale pranks on others. Feuding rich families have been known to organise preposterous displays against one another. In one famous or infamous incident, depending on who you ask, the Tavil family placed two dozen magically dominated mimics in the Holin family's mansion, causing them to massively increase security around it on subsequent occasions.
• Yith'day: Families pay respects to dead ancestors, creating 'shrines' to them which include flowers, foods, and other objects once owned or loved by the deceased.
• Irgo'day: In cities near rivers or the sea, boating displays are held, and people often drink irgondi, a drink made by infusing water or milk with a mixture of vanilla, salt, wine, and spices.
• Joth'day: Families with gardens tend to them, and many visit public parks or leave cities entirely to be with nature. For those who can find them, druids and hermits prepare a meal of berries and fruit, as well as a gift from nature. Druids who operate near cities have made this into a kind of game, as they try to avoid more organised expeditions in favour of curious or less fortunate groups.

The Empire of Hin-Sung   While it would be impossible to speak for every monastery in Hin-Sung, many monastic traditions see Underven as an ultimate test of detachment between body and spirit; often, the final test that initiates must face before being declared full monks is to survive an Underven night atop a mountain or hill without food, water, shelter, or warm clothing.   The Litherian Empire   Litherians spend most of Underven in prayer, and some use its harsh weather as a form of penance for their sins of the past eleven years. The 27th, however, is a day of celebration, as it is believed to have been the date of the Final Pact and the battle between the Old Gods and the Seventy-Seven. Songs and plays are performed in the latter's honour, and the sacrifices of the seventy who did not survive are remembered.