Legends of Belariath
The Quest of Festivals Common
Achiaus - Festivals of the Wolves Blood Clan
"I be Achiaus, of the Wolf's Blood Clan, to tell yea of a few observations held within my small area, near Altras. Though many of the warriors of our clans hold use of magic, magic within the women of our clan is coveted. Shamans and mages, that can add protection and or healing to strengthen the warrior's holdings are viewed on with more favor then simple slaves or usual multitude of mates." The Wolfs Blood clan near Altras is about 2 1/2-3 months north, to north west of the town of Nanthalion.
"We honor the wolf, and his ways, and many time bid a traveler blessings that maybe be stated like 'May the wolf always guide yea path.", for it is known they are fierce warriors, mysterious and elusive. They have a cunning and intelligence warriors and hunters of us crave. Before a special hunt, or battle, a wolflike cry maybe issued."
"Occasionally, a barbarian may have an extra special bond with someone, or hold great honor for a warrior and so this ritual is not preformed lightly. When this person dies, the barbarian will dip his fingers in this person's spilled blood, if it was battle or a vicious death, or draw his own and dip fingers with in. He then places slashes on his cheek, usually three or four, like a wolf claw, to his cheek with said blood. He then kneels, holds his hands towards the object the wolves always howl at (moon), or the sky if the moon is not out, and howl. The more the howls, or longer, the more important the person may have been. The barbarian then rises and nae other emotion is shown for the next day or so, other than the blood marks that maybe worn for up to three days. The howls are believed to help guide the spirit across to its place of rest."
"Once in a great while, a warrior, or another of the clan, may bring great shame or dishonor upon himself or his clan by his actions. This maybe a variety of things, cowardice in battle, nay heeding the head of house, or other acts ...depending upon the severity he maybe marked, clearly, upon his forehead over a brow with a tattoo delineating he wears a "Mark of Shame. If a second such offense occurs, he could be branded outcast and sent from his village with naught but his furs and a single weapon."
"Tattoos and jewelry depict a variety of things among the barbarians, from a large ear cuff type piece with a chain might depict a chief, to the wolf tattoos upon their arms (Zoltaire mentioned the wolf tattoos to me). Or a piece of bone in their nose might be worn by a barbarian of exceptional strength."
"When a major campaign is going to be undertaken the barbarians may seek a strong wolf, and slay him and drain his blood. This will then be blessed by Shaman’s and used to place an arc above the left brow using the side of his/her thumb to signify strength of the wolf flow's within the barbarian's veins and to seek victory. It is rumored too, that occasionally they may also sip of the blood, but then again, tis only a rumor."
"This be all, I, Achiaus, will share with yea at this time, of our ways and rituals. The rest, are ours to hold." "This be some of the ways of the Wolf's Blood Clan." Yet know our festivals we hold just as dear.
Feast of Altras (Mid February)
This day was set aside to commemorate the day that the tribal leader and his clan stumbled across the god Altras. It began with a reenactment of the great event of the meeting of Altras and the slaying of a wolf previously captured for this event. The blood was then placed among the group in the reenactment and the rest placed upon those who brought offerings to Altras's shrine that day. Was also the time when young having completed their rites of passage and killed their first wolf were recognized and tattooed. The rest of the day was filled with feasting and merrymaking.
Day of Dedicea (Spring Equinox-mid to late March)
This day was set aside to honor Dedicea and celebrate fertility of the land and its peoples. No war or raids are to be held this day and farmers especially make sure to bring their offerings of grains and fishes to her shrine for blessings to fertility of crops. No animal was to be slaughtered on this day as well and for those villages near streams with ice, blocks would be brought into a shrine and melted, signifying her tears and passed out to worshipers for blessings. Those that didn't, could offer extra grain or money for the blessing.
Gathering Ended (May 1st)
This marks the last of winter and the close of Rothor's Hunt, in which during the winter months he and his wolves stalk through the mountains in search of spirits of fallen warriors, or beloveds, that have lost their way to the gates of Tonseilantarok. Whether by the confusion of death or some deception on one of the minions of Dancrak, which happen to be out in force that night, to hang onto what souls they can. It is one of two nights of the year that Dancrak and his minions have greater powers to cause harm to mortal man.
Summer Solstice (June 21)
Celebrates the longest day of the year and usually the Chieftain will sponsor a gathering at one of the main areas of the village and all are expected to bring a small token, according to their station, to this feast. Anything from a loaf of bread to perhaps keg of mead.
Horn of Plenty (September)
Generally held around the Autumn Equinox and set aside to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Also, any cattle that maybe deemed excessive to winter would be slaughtered and prepared for the festival.
Uthamarr's Reign (October 31)
The second night of the year Dancrak let's loose his minions to stalk the land as well as the spirits of those non-barbarian (greater the ire those slain by barbarians) to cast fear and pain upon mortal barbarians. Pools of oil and bonfires are set and maintained around all villages by the most hardy and blessed of all warriors, to keep these minions at bay. Rothor, after light hunting through the summer, again sets to the mountains to walk about the mortals, seeking the thrill of the hunt and strayed souls.
DaHarTog Day (Yule Day)
[Formed from Da, Current, Harharenn, wolf of future, Toghan, wolf of Past]
During the span of this day, Autorlia was said to be weighing out the deeds of men and passing judgment on the final balance. It was at midnight of this one day where all three moments combined as one, and if Autorlia deemed things were as they should be, the Future wolf, Toghan would be loosed, allowing another year, and Harharenn given a brief rest, till Altras would call upon the wolves again.
The greeting of the new year was met with much celebration and merrymaking.