audio; un: eliasainsworth

[thornydisposition]

Good evening.

[Though the subject matter behind his reasoning for addressing the networks was far different now than the first time he had the previous month, his even, dispassionate tone of voice is exactly the same.]

I've come to realize that the time in which we will be returning back to Oska is very close to—if not exactly on—the winter solstice. [He's used to a duo of sing-songy fae stopping by his house and giving him forewarning. He actually had to use a calendar this time.] Though I doubt all worlds follow the same laws and traditions, it is a day of great importance in my own. There are several rituals I am... curious if anyone would wish to help me carry out, to give us auspicious passage through the winter months.

As I don't think the old gods of winter have any particular sway over these distant realms, I am fairly confident nothing will be dangerous.

Please let me know if you might be interested, or if you might have any questions.

Comments

audio; un: cardmaster

[fateality]

Reckon that depends on the ritual, but you definitely got my attention. What'd you need done?

audio

[thornydisposition]

I assure you, it is very simple.

Much of it is simple preparation. Certain plants need to be placed in certain areas of the house, as to ward misfortune. And we might need to fell a tree...

[fateality]

Can't say that I'm exactly the lumberjack type, but if there are specific plants you're lookin' for to put in places, that seems easy enough.

[thornydisposition]

It is admittedly menial work, but it seems strange to neglect it, regardless of how far from home one is.

I would appreciate your help. There might be some interesting things to consider, if the plants native to Oska are far different than I am used to. We might need to make some substitutions...

[fateality]

Nah, I... get it, to a point. Some traditions are kind of hard to ignore, no matter where you go or what ends up happenin'.

That'd be smart, actually. Lotta different kinds of things up in Oska. What do you think might happen if we use substitutes?

[thornydisposition]

Quite.

It would depend... There is some risk involved, as we don't really know what properties or symbology any unknown, native plants might have to that world. But if it is at all similar to what I am used to seeing, anything evergreen is a safe bet.

[fateality]

Then that's what we call a gamble, Elias. Albeit it's a low stakes one, I reckon. And I'd be awful curious to see if somethin' does or doesn't happen, either way.

Tell me a bit more 'bout the solstice? Back on Runeterra, we really only had one holiday 'round this time of year, most of us.

[thornydisposition]

I am not much for gambling.

[Typically the only things one might consider "gambles" he undertook were experiments in order to learn or confirm something unknown or uncertain, but that had a different flavor than such flagrant risk.]

It's possible nothing would happen, though.

Of course. As it's the shortest day of the year, it has a great significance for mages and the fae. With their increased activity, the veil between the mortal world and that of the fae becomes quite thin, allowing creatures as powerful as the old gods to walk the mortal realm. For mages, with magical gifts which allow them to be privy to such things, it is tradition to mark one's home with and carry certain symbols, as well as burn the yule log, out of respect.

There are also many other religions which celebrate holidays around the time of the solstice, perhaps due to the increased magic of the time, but I am no expert in any of these.

What sort of holiday did you celebrate on Runeterra?