Brave New World Mods (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bravenewmods) wrote2014-01-03 02:50 pm
bravenewmods) wrote2014-01-03 02:50 pm
Entry tags:
Information Collective
As the game progresses, information about the world that the RP takes place in will be slowly uncovered and disseminated to the characters. In the interest of keeping everyone up to date, this post can be used as an informal collection of knowledge. The mods will generally not be updating this section unless there are vital pieces of information we feel the players (and the characters) should know that are being misinterpreted or otherwise not correctly represented.
We will create a general scaffold to use at the start of the game, but players are encouraged to make their own top level threads on anything they think is worth noting. The information collected here is OoC knowledge, but would be known in the context of the game with a minimal amount of poking around and questioning. If there is a piece of information that is known to a certain group of characters that is worth noting OoC, but would not be openly shared with the other characters, please mark [Private] in the header of your response.
We will create a general scaffold to use at the start of the game, but players are encouraged to make their own top level threads on anything they think is worth noting. The information collected here is OoC knowledge, but would be known in the context of the game with a minimal amount of poking around and questioning. If there is a piece of information that is known to a certain group of characters that is worth noting OoC, but would not be openly shared with the other characters, please mark [Private] in the header of your response.
Union Holidays
The Soulfasting
The Soulfasting is a week-long festival celebrating the union between the living world and the spiritual world. It was said that once, these two were not able to communicate with one another, and because of this, the spirits of those that passed were angry and restless. People did not respect their ancestors, and because of that they rebelled. Spirits and Ghost-type Pokemon alike lashed out at the people, sorrowful and angry that they could not be together.
The first masks were worn by channelers. Carved from a sacred tree, they allowed the channelers to be able to communicate with the dead and to try to quell their anger. A compromise was made: every year, the spirits of the dead and their ghost-type servants would be paid respect.
Early ceremonies for the Soulfasting involved a person dressed in a mask (usually, although not always male), a person in a veil (usually although not always female), and a third person—often a priest/ess or other holy figure. The person in the mask and the person in the veil would be tied together with a cord or rope, to symbolize the tie between both worlds, in living and in death. This is followed by a week of celebration, dance, and spending time with one’s family. Many families would even display an ornamental knotted cord in their homes to show that, even in death, they are still one with their family and friends.
Foods eaten during that time are often full of flavor, and there are offerings left out for those that have passed. These usually consist of sweeter berries and foods, as it is said that the spirits tend to prefer these. Families would often exchange sweet foods with one another to show appreciation for one another, as well as other families’ ancestors.
As time has passed, many of the traditions have fallen to the wayside, but a few things have remained. The masks have become extremely popular of late, and have even given way to costumes. While those that first practiced the tradition only used masks of ghosts, stories have circled around that mischievous spirits like to trick the living during the holiday; because of this, ghost-type and dark-type Pokemon masks, and even entire costumes, have become popular. Celebrating with family and having parties with friends is not entirely uncommon. The spirits’ love of sweets has also translated over, and there has been a small following that has started to give away treats to those that visit them on the final night of the Soulfasting. Usually children are the ones that partake in this (often in masks or some form of costume), although it is not entirely unheard of for some older people to try to snag some sweet treats from others.
Day of Fire (Caldera)
The first day starts early with the traditional throwing of colors. The markets of Caldera will line up with stands selling hundreds of different colorful powders and sands. The city enjoys a day of taking them and throwing them at anyone and everyone human and pokemon alike. The city becomes drenched in bright vibrant colors that persists for weeks to come (or it rains, but when does Caldera ever rain). After spending the day warring with color the city gets ready for the nightly festivities.
Once the sun goes down, Caldera becomes a city-wide festival where huge bonfires are set up throughout. Hundreds of stands for food and drink are set up and everyone enjoys a lively night of food, drinking, and fun until the sun comes up. Often at this festival there will be contests to test ones abilities. Things like archery, axe throwing, smithing, and glass blowing will be on display for people to show off. Drinking contests and feats of strength are also not uncommon. That aside, many just choose the time to have unabashed fun and dance the night away.
The next day is used to rest up and recover. That afternoon is reserved for a more quiet, but important family time where usually something low key like dinner or drinks is observed later in the afternoon after everyone has had a chance to sleep (and get over a hangover) before everyone goes back to the usual daily grind of their lives.
Summer Solstice will fall on June 21st this year and last through the 22nd. I would like this slot if it does not conflict with any pre planned events.