Sanctuary of the Spirits

The Yuletide season is marked across the northern continent. From the start of the 5th month to its end the northernmost reaches of the Northern continent remains in perpetual darkness. During this season, temperatures commonly dropping to between -25 and -35 degrees celsius.   The Sanctuary of Spirits ritual dates back to shortly after the conclusion of the The Great War. Since that time, as the season moves towards mid-winter, magic begins to become more unstable. Most results are less pronounced, while other effects are accompanied by strong surges.   This often leads to highly visible weather phenomena. Sudden bursts of wind can drive ice fog into sealed structures. Severe blizzards with winds over 100 km/h, zero visibility, dropping over 25cm of snowfall per hour can bury or collapse manmade structures. The most feared phenomenon is a flash freeze that drops temperatures by 100 or more degrees, which can result in localized temperatures of well below -125 degrees celsius. Even the most properly equipped Northman can survive only mere minutes at such temperatures.   As a result, several The Northern Peoples have adopted similar rituals that call upon the spirits to mitigate the worst of these phenomenon. These ceremonies almost always coincide with the winter solstice -- the low point of Ag̀ and Ven influence, and the height of instability caused by Loog̀iik's peak.

Preparation

Starting with the beginning of the yuletide season, a large structure made of sculpted ice is created as a sanctuary for the spirits. The sanctuary is built attached to the village hall, generally attached to the main entrance or a secondary entrance. In larger towns multiple structures may be created over each entrance.   The towns people have gathered for the winterwithin the village hall. The ice structure can be accessed by the towns people and provides additional protection against the rapidly deteriorating weather.  

The Ritual

Each family head brings forward an animal sacrifice, or other food and ale for the feast. The animals are slaughtered and the blood gathered. The meat is seared inside of the hall, and then set out with the remaining food and ale on a cloth covered ice table. The blood serves as sustenance for the spirits, and the food and drink is offered to the spirits before the townspeople. The smell of seared meat adds a pleasing smell to the entire hall and sanctuary.   The blood gathered from the animals is placed within a ceremonial ice bowl constructed with the structure. The knives used to slaughter the animals are arrayed around the bowl, blades facing away.   As the leader of the ritual completes the chant, the blades take on the colors of the aurora, and the blood begins to leech from the bowl into the structure. As the bowl drains, the light of the Aurora infuses the entire structure. When the bowl is empty, the blades melt away, leaving only the darkened gemstones. The interior warms representing the presence of the spirits, and does not affect the ice that makes up the structure.   The light within the structure lasts approximately 12 hours. However the warming effect remains until the structure melts along with the spring thaw.  

The Feast

After the ritual is completed the townspeople offer thanks to the spirits for their protection. The head of each family helps to carry the consecrated food and drink back into the town hall, where it is distributed for the feast. The meal is the high point of the winter season, and families stake their honor on the quality of the animals, cooked dishes or drink they contribute.

The animals are slaughtered using special tools provided by the ritual leader. These knives are made of ice, with a serrated edge and a gemstone set into the hilt. Despite their ephemeral nature, they are quite sturdy and the blades edge quite sharp.   The remaining decorative elements of the ritual used in the consecration vary from tribe to tribe. Fresh branches of pine, statuettes made of amber, and totems of the tribe are common.

Leader

The ritual is led by the tribe's shaman. In towns without a resident shaman, a spiritual leader from outside the town arrives shortly before Yuletide to lead the ceremony.  

Participants

Each capable household contributes towards the creation and provisioning of the sanctuary.   Each of the family heads within the town plays a role in the ritual, providing food or drink to be consecrated and shared amongst the gathered families. It is one of the few times during the dark winter where family squabbling is set aside for a singular purpose.  

Observers

During Yuletide, towns and villages are generally populated by natives or extended-family staying over the long winter. Travellers are nearly unheard of due to the treacherous conditions, increased activity of winter predators, and persistent darkness. Thus, most of those observing the ritual are town residents or their extended family. If a visitor does happen to be in town, it's up to the town chief to determine if they can observe or participate.

Locations

Yuletide is practiced across the northern sections of the Myrkviðr Forest, Jotunheimen Range, and the Varangian Steppes are plunged into darkness.   Yuletide in its traditional form is not celebrated across the Holy Empire of Humanité, as the formally recognized regions of Avignon and Burgandy stop at the northernmost point where perpetual darkness never touches the land.  

Period or Event

Yule is observed at the height of the winter Solstice. The season begins with the setting of the last sun near the beginning of the 5th month.   The holiday is observed on the 17th and 18th days of the 5th month, when the moons of Ag̀ and Ven are new, and only the dark light of the full moon of Loog̀iik can be seen behind the bright Aurora.