Marriage of the Waters

History

 

"We have received reports from alleged-witnesses of what they think they saw before the all-encompassing light revealed by Our Goddess briefly blinded them. We do not find it fitting to publish those reports here, and those who wish to hear such heretical hearsay may go to their local pub." - The Daily Scuttlebutt

  The Marriage of the Waters has developed over time, but originally stems from an annual celebration held in honor of Vestria. In 154AR, Vestria descended from the Vestrial Tower and went to the mouth of Meridia's Current, where it meets Honeyo Bay. Here, she scattered the ashes of Cecilia Laval, the first High Priestess.   The significance of that event was immediately obvious to those who witnessed it, not just because it was exceedingly rare to see the goddess, or that ashes are usually scattered from a tall structure, but because she lifted her ever-present veil to blow the ashes into the water. Thus, eagle-eyed viewers were able to briefly catch a glimpse of Vestria's mouth, before the light emanating from the lifting of her veil grew too bright.   To commemorate the event, three statues were constructed. The first, of Mistra, is in the West Bank district of Port Castellion, just south of The Castellion, an imposing fortress guarding the river's mouth. Directly opposite sits the statue of Vestria, in the East Bank district, below Aidan's Rock, an older and larger fortress than The Castellion. Between these two is a smaller statue, rising from the middle of the river, of High Priestess Laval.  

Events

  The procession begins at noon on the fourth of Mistra, in the main square of the Marcian Markets. There, the Patriarch of House Castel speaks in honor of Vestria, as well as remarking upon the honor paid by Vestria to the memory of High Priestess Cecilia Laval. This serves as both a tribute, and to emphasize traditional Anharan values, centered around properly and loyally performing one's prescribed duty, and being justly rewarded for it.   From the main square, the Patriarch follows behind a procession of twelve Vestrial Priestesses. During the Age of Rule, these were traditionally led by the High Priestess as well, however as her position gained duties following The Crossing Over, the High Priestess has reduced her involvement in festivals outside of Meridia. The procession of Vestrial Priestesses, followed by nobles, then by citizens, proceeds to the statue of Mistra.  

"Along the paths spiraling into the mountains, which loom over the Vestrial Tower, grew flowers of purple, white, and blue. It is said that in days of old, pedals swirled in the wind along these paths, marking the footsteps left by Vestria as she walked with the High Priestess Laval during the care-free days of the Early Age of Rule." - Book of Etiquette

  There, they adorn the statue with wild flowers from the mountains of the Coquet Heights nearest to the Vestrial Tower. As this is being done, sailors specially selected from the naval station in the Outer Harbor carry small boats to the bank of Meridia's Current. There, they begin construction of a pontoon bridge across the river, as all river traffic is halted during the festival. However, locals and pious visitors from across Anharan often rent boats from which to view the proceedings from the water. Regardless, as the pontoon is constructed, the twelve priestesses stand at the very edge of it, moving forward as each succeeding section is added, until they reach the statue of the former High Priestess. There, they light incense traditionally used by Vestria herself, before adorning that statue as well.   As the priestesses perform the rite, at the opposite bank gather soldiers from Aidan's Rock, performing the same duties as their naval counterparts in the West Bank. The priestesses then cross to the statue of Vestria, and perform the same rites as they did at the statue of Mistra, before proceeding back to the Vestrial Tower on foot, escorted by the aforementioned soldiery.   The townspeople then return to the Marcian Markets, or freely cross the bridge, celebrating the goddess with general revelry until the bridge is removed in the morning, marrying the waters of Lake Meridia and Honeyo Bay.