Rumiedulus

During the Equinoxes, a ritual is repeated by the rural folk of the realm. They bring animals they are willing to trade to the biggest open field, set up at these times with accoutrement of containment and trade, as well as contests and viewing. Not only are the animals brought weighed and measured, in the terms of judgment as well as literal, but the attendees and bearers are as well. In celebration of domestic livestock and the bounty they provide, everyone within reach of the makeshift square attend the celebratory ritual with pride and gusto.

Rumiedulus is the ritual of examining what is on hand, judging it fairly, and deciding its fate accordingly. The livestock are sorted by type, and measured against their own kind. Likewise, the folk are sorted by skill and trade for their own contests. The main focus of course is the livestock, but the folk get to compete in order to win prizes, which are often the stock. The judges are not allowed to participate for prizes, but can bring and present prizes of their own devising.

The livestock are tested for health and performance, as animals of use are allowed as stock, whether they are consumable or not. The best in show for each category are awarded as prizes, but are also gifted top meals and bedding suited to their kind. The worst in show are either sacrificed, or retribution is dealt to the bringer of the offering for poor conduct resulting in such a pitiful display of a creature. Retribution is equal to the quality of the judged stock. The median animals are either traded, sold, or returned to the bringer. For stock brought to be returned to the owner is viewed by many as a bad sign, and treated as an unauspicious reprimand by the higher powers. Most folk would sooner low ball their own prices than return home with their own stock in tow.

For the sacrifice, each animal that applies to the edible category is butchered and utilized in the communal meal. The animals deemed unfit for folk consumption are quartered as evenly as possible. The front or upper quarters are to the Air, and Fire, which rise naturally. The hind or bottom quarters are to the Earth, and Water, which support naturally. Where able, the sacrifices are bisected, then cross-cut, and the quarter is given to the element with no further alteration. For Air the article is placed in a high location and left uncovered, for Fire burned in a choice location that is usually barren, for Earth buried, and Water floated out without raft or sometimes with rocks to sink. Always the animals, the elements, and the sacrificial locations are carefully considered and combined with the utmost respect and safety practices. If animals come for the sacrifices in view of the folk, it is considered a great honor and very auspicious. Especially if the population of scavengers in attendance is large.

Overall the contests of the folk are rewarded with the finest correlating stock for best performance, and the winners of the year at hand are expected to have the best prizes the following year, as the folk who won the previous year usually provide for the current, often attending as judges themselves. Although this all sounds very serious, and it is quite venerable, for the most part the ritual is given a festive overtone and a celebratory undertone, as most attendees and contributors gain much in the blessings granted by the ritual.