Year’s End Celebrations

Time: Annual, Last day of Descending Fire.

Location: Creation-wide

Host: Immaculate Order (claimed)

Invitations: Public

Theme and Activity: The day before Calibration is a busy one indeed across the Realm. Temples and homes are swept and cleaned to prepare them for the new year ahead (with layfolk often joining monks in temple cleaning, and neighbours assisting each other with their homes), entryways are sprinkled with salt to dispel wayward spirits, and the streets are filled with shoppers enjoying a last meal at an eatery and gathering groceries before the beginning of Calibration (as none will take to the streets during that dark week if it can be helped). The wealthy inhabitants of the Realm cast out their old belongings… unwanted furniture and clothes, for the most part… purchasing new items to begin the year if they can afford the expense of such a transition.

At sunset, lamps are filled and placed above doors and streets (the latter usually being supplied by the Immaculate Order), left to burn until their fuel is spent. Families gather together in well-lit rooms, and even children are kept awake. Some households enjoy drinks, food, and even games, though the more superstitious simply keep watch as the night makes its transition from the Fire Season into Calibration.

Though the Immaculate Order considers Year's End Celebrations to be an Immaculate festival, this event takes place in similar fashion across Creation: where the Order’s influence is weak, the Festival often veers into worship of ancestors and spirits. Bowls of cooked beans and wooden ‘coins’ are left out to satisfy any ghosts wandering in search of victims, while families make offerings to their ancestors and other deceased along with thanks for luck in the past year and hope for aid in the new year to come. Hedge charms are also hung from many eaves to ward away demons and Fair Folk. Within Immaculate-dominated regions, the monks are particularly vigilant during this festival, eager to stamp out such heresy.