Festivals of the Bestial Tides

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The Bestial Tides holds many festivals throughout the year, celebrated both by each of its clan separately and by the clans together. Many of these festivals honor their ancestors and the spirits of the land.

## Festival of Spirits

Taking place from March 14th-16th, the Festival of Spirits celebrates what the ancestral spirits have done for the people of the Bestial Tides. During the Festival, everyone wears a mask that corresponds to the animal they are connected to, or to the animal their partner is connected to. The swapping of the masks is considered a major step in a relationship. These masks are hand-carved by a person's parents when they are young, and are often oversized to compensate for growth. Breaking one's mask is considered bad luck, so the masks are always well-cared for.

## Summer Tourneys

The tourneys are held by Clan Díomas for two weeks in mid-July. They include jousting, sword-fighting, foot racing, horse racing, archery, falconry, tests of magical prowess, and similar events. One of the competitions, originally meant as a joke but now taken very seriously, involves carrying one's partner through an obstacle course. Most of these events require the participants to be 15 or older. Scars gained during these tourneys, or in any other combat, are seen as signs of survival to be proud of. On the last day of the tourneys, the leaders of each clan name new knights and bestow their protection upon them.

## Hunt of Giants

At the end of September and the beginning October, the rangers responsible for monitoring the megafauna populations name a type of creature which is getting near overpopulation due to the low number of natural predators. The clans' hunters then hunt the named megafauna, both to keep the clans safe and as competition to prove their hunting prowess.

## Nights of the Hallowed

From October 24th-31st, the Bestial Tides holds a festival similar to the Festival of Spirits, but with its events occurring mostly at night. During this time, people tidy the shrines of their ancestors and clean their masks in preparation for winter. Druids and clerics tell stories of those long gone, often somber and meant to honor their ancestors.

## Winter Solstice

Each clan has their own Winter Solstice festival, but the largest is held by Clan Mathún, whose festival lasts for a week in late December with a variety of food and activities. The most famous of these activities is the burning of a huge wood carving of a creature, which switches yearly to a different animal the people of Clan Mathún are often connected to. The burning reminds the clan that warmth comes from what is inside.

One of the days of the festival is dedicated as a day for lovers. It is said that those who meet and fall in love on this day are destined to be together in life and death. On the final day of the activities, friends and family gather to give gifts to their loved ones. The Sovereign of Beasts gives a gift to every household, based on what that household needs.

The celebrations in the other clans are smaller, but still involve the day for lovers and the giving of gifts.

## Carving of the Totems

At the age of 10, every child in the Bestial Tides is given a piece of wood to carve into the shape of the animal they are connected to. Their parents assist them with this process. It is thought that these totems are connected to the forest spirits and have magical abilities due to being carved out of wood from the trees of the Brentrior Forest. Nobles often use these totems as identification of their status due to the higher quality of wood.

It is considered very special to allow someone else to carve into one's totem. It signifies a close bond between the owner of the totem and the one who is allowed to carve into it.

## Coming of Age Ceremonies

Once a child reaches the age of 15, they are considered of age. A celebration is held to note the occasion, and to signify the beginning of their career, such as the beginning of an apprenticeship, learning to take over the family business, or starting their higher education. For nobles, this ceremony often marks them beginning to take more responsibilities in the household, attending Eolassil, or training for knighthood.