Merry Christmas if you celebrate! Happy day off if you have one! As my dogs dig into the treats Santa Paws left them, I’d like to discuss what those in The Eirenic Verses get up to around this time of year.
Breme enjoys the Snow Lights with their own version of caroling
Winter is harsh and long in Breme; smaller towns are cut off for weeks, lost in deep snow drifts. The steppes resound with sleigh bells as townsfolk ferry necessary supplies to one another or seek the help of High Poets for urgent medical needs.
But there’s a bright spot: Snow Lights. As the aurora glimmers faintly in the sky, Bremish people bundle up in their thickest furs and wander from home to home, basket of cookies and trinkets in hand. Every door is adorned with a special mulberry paper lantern carved into intricate shapes.
When these questers arrive at someone’s home, they’ll recite part of a traditional couplet in challenge to the homeowner. If the homeowner fails to recite the corresponding line, they lose the bet and must invite the quester in for a drink to warm up. Should the homeowner succeed, their guest owes them a reward, whether that is a cardamom milkcake or honeyed nuts.
One can easily see the many opportunities for mischief and romance that could arise. Many surrender without trying when they recognize a High Poet at the entrance; after all, these women have trained their entire lives to memorize as much poetry as possible. It’s bad luck to rebuff a poet, so they make sure to have enough mulled wine on hand.
Literate Bremish may practice for weeks to ensure they can impress whoever they may have their eye on. Accusations of cheating are marched up to the meronym, where High Poets will arbitrate. However, most recognize that Snow Lights is for fun, not competition, and graciously accept defeat.
It’s customary to give one’s close friends a small, heartfelt gift. Given how cold it is around Breme, peoples’ thoughts naturally turn to warmth; blankets, gloves, hats, and candles are typical presents.
Sina conquers the cold at the Fire Festival
Sina does not experience major snowfall, but it does get cold – and dark. Rain overfills the swampy lowlands, while storms lash the Melinun Sea and make commerce treacherous for those visiting from far across the ocean. Shoppers don their heaviest waterproof cloaks to scurry for essentials.
Night falls quickly; the roofs creak with the constant plinking of icy rain. There’s only one way to banish the misery, and that’s with the Fire Festival.
Massive bonfires light both small towns and major cities, where dancers swing burning balls or poles to the delight of townsfolk. Long parades wind through the streets with torches, throwing candy to the admiring crowds.
The bravest celebrants will plunge into the Melinun Sea with their fire sticks, a sign of their courage and skill. After all, it’s not easy to dance in freezing cold water that longs to suck one under. Thankfully, it’s rare to lose a dancer, as coastal cities will send boat patrols to ensure everyone’s safety.
Best of all are the seasonal drinks: hot, sweet, and very alcoholic. Bars are jam-packed with happy, blitzed patrons singing traditional songs or challenging one another to contests of wit.
As one would expect, the Sinan Royal Family uses the Fire Festival as another show of force. The Royal Ocean Palace is lit up in splendor, with the most extravagant bonfires in the country on its rooftop garden. It’s said the glow can be seen all the way to Qoffa, though no one can prove such a thing.
Wherever you are, and however you celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season!
Keep an eye out for Pride Before a Fall, releasing on January 1, 2025. The second part of the Eirenic Verses centers around Orrinir Relickim, whose terrible horse grievously injured his husband Uileac.
As he attempts to force Uileac to accept help from the High Poets, Orrinir must also confront his own flaws. The end result is an adventurous yet hearfelt tale of devotion.
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Initial reception has been very positive! People especially love Orrinir, who has been described as a “big soft teddy bear.” I’m still not sure why he has become the fan fave, but I’m not going to complain.