-Harvesti Festival-
The Harvesti Festival is a celebration of the changing seasons, the transition of Summer into Autumn. It is at this time, especially within the Empire of Man, that people gather and observe the passage of time together.
In the Empire the end of Summer is celebrated on the Oudas of Auga and at sunset on that day a bonfire is lit to usher in the coming of the Inndas of Sepa. It is common for there to be bathing rites done on this day, especially for those dedicating themselves to the Church of Christianna. Other forms of celebrating the end of the season of Katrina is to honor wells with offerings or decorating streams and river banks while celebrations occur nearby to water. The following day, the Inndas of Sepa and the beginning of the Harvesti Festival, is then a celebration of the season of fire and also begins with offerings, though these offerings are given in hopes to avoid the wrath of Morgana. With some being sacrificed for ritual, the rest is offered as celebration to good harvests throughout the holds of the Empire. This period marks the second harvest and there is much pageantry for giving thanks to those who farm or labor in the fields and orchards.
Among the Dwarven Kingdoms there is much celebrating. The Harvesti Festival marks the transition of warm weather to colder months and the Hearth Ceremony ushers in the season. Dwarves will keep their hearths barren for the last week of Auga and on the night of Oudas they will relight the hearths to welcome in the protection of Helena for the coming cold seasons. This celebration also arrives with much thankfulness for the harvests and good trade.
Within the Elven Dominions the time is welcomed in much the same way as others, through celebration, festivities, and the last of the summer berry wines. Within the woodlands, the elves make offerings to Vanessa by planting the first and last seeds of the years harvests. The plainer elves celebration however is more somber. The nomadic tribes settle near more permanent settlements and amid the gatherings are several nights of strong festivities. Songs are shared, stories are told to younger generations, and words of warning are passed on about the season of Fire and the dangers of the longer nights.
The Harvesti Festival is shared through all cultures in one form or another and as Nhearn transitions from Summer to Autumn, Water to Fire, the nights become longer and the year begins to fade with the passing of time.