A Scholarly Note on the True Meaning of the Holidays \n\nI say, but we have lost the thread of the true importance of the Winter Convergence. Now those two words drown in association with every possible holiday tradition brought from every corner of the world by the sailors who now call Aeternum home. \n\nThe true import of the Convergence is lost on the layperson, jolly red noses festooned with exploding capillaries, betraying one too many imbibed cups of good cheer. What is important is that this is a celestial convergence, a very particular alignment of heavenly bodies. Ancient texts speak of this Celestial Binding. Understanding of these awesome forces could have profound impact on our sciences and esoteric arts. \n\nThe true person of learning must study the wonders that bend above us and say “Humbug!” to the slack-jawed revelers who would distract them.

Scribed in the book of a self-important scholar

The Celestial Convergence

A Scholarly Note on This Festive Apocalypse\n\nAncient texts and drunken gossip seem to intersect on matters concerning the so called “Forever Winter”. Details vary, but both agree on some species of apocalyptic cycle, a catastrophic blizzard that either never ends or lasts so long as to bury living memory in frost. The more colorful yarns tell of this being an age ruled by some demoniacal aspect of the Winter Wanderer — a Winter Warrior, Lord of Frost, or holiday devil.\n\nI’ve come to no definitive conclusion on any of these claims. However, the power of the Celestial Binding, at this time of year, in this place, could potentially have an awful (and I do stress the word “awe”) on both the stratosphere and the climate.

The Forever Winter

A Scholarly Note on Jolly Customs Born of an Evil Tree\n\nLet the record show that I do not, at this time, subscribe to the following story. However, it was relayed to me, and I trap it on the page now, like a pinned moth, so that I might dissect it later.\n\nIn the Long Ago of Aeternum, a dark sect worshiped the terrible Second Aspect of the Winter Wanderer. They performed profane rituals before a blessed tree. They danced naked in the dark with the Frigid Folk, yet frostbite touched neither their limbs nor their nethers.\n\nOne day, a group of brave Aeternumites confronted these holiday diabolists and chopped down the wicked tree. They promptly displayed their arboreal trophy in town. The tradition became a mainstay of the holiday, symbolizing a triumph over evil. Over time, the particulars of the symbolism of this act was absorbed into every aspect of the holiday.

The Tree of Light

A time of jolly cheer and ghastly grim tidings

Scholarly Notes on the Season Chapter - NWGuide Database of Lore

Images

Comments