Living in Daelica: Year’s End Festival
The peoples of Daelica — with few exceptions — believe the fabric of reality has been woven and is maintained by The Five Goddesses, each of whom presides over a multi-faceted collection of elements, emotions and themes. Though most Daelicans agree on this principle matter, the fine details concerning which areas each goddess holds power over are widely debated; two people may attribute the same event to different goddesses for equally-logical reasons. A forest fire, for example, may be viewed as a triumphant reclamation of land by Aithne, the Goddess of Fire, or it may be considered a sign that the Goddess of the Trees, Laiah, is displeased with the inhabitants of the forest, and allowed the fire to occur as punishment for their sins.
While it is a commonly accepted belief that the Five work in tandem to produce life and existence as it is known to all Daelicans, most hold one of The Five in higher reverence than the rest, as a matron deity. Some cultures offer their devotion wholly; the Sappans, for example, whose very origin is attributed to the Goddess of Water, Tali. Others, like the fierce, jungle-inhabiting Kairukarii, are divided in their dedication, sometimes even within the same tribe.
There are many holidays and festivals throughout the year, each held in honor of one goddess. The Year’s End Festival is unique, however, in its neutrality; it is a celebration of life and thanksgiving, as well as a time to make offerings to The Five in hopes of receiving blessings and good fortune in the new year. Incense, small gifts of food, jewelry and other items of value are offered to matron deities, though it is not uncommon to make offerings to all five goddesses during the festival.
The Year’s End Festival takes place over an entire week, the first two days spent in quiet reflection of the past year, followed by three days of joyous song and dance, games of skill and feasting throughout. The final day is spent looking forward to the new year, prayers and offerings are made to The Five and a final, multi-course feast is held.
