Holidays of Kotiin and the Isles
Ykat 1st- Vuosuusi
On Ykat 1st, the new calendar year has begun for Kotiin and the Isles. Many celebrate with elaborate parties. Others enjoy staying with family and make lots of food. The better the celebration, the better the year is, according to common folklore. This holiday also is worshiping about Tila, the Goddess of Life and Protection. Being born on this day equates to being a gift from Tila themself. One of the ancient traditions of Vuosuusi is to sit in a circle with your loved ones and speak of your goals for the year and ask Tila for their guidance and protection as well as thanking them for the previous year.
Kaat 19th- Rakasaiva
On Kaat 19th, Kotiin and the Isles celebrate the holiday of Rakasaiva. Whether it's spending time with their significant other or finding some casual love, the holiday makes everyone love the season of love! The main tradition of Rakasaiva is giving a loved one something homemade. It could be food, jewelry, clothing, anything as long as the person who is gifting it made it! Traditional outfits of this holiday are pale in color, very flowy, and plain looking. For an example, check these two.
Kolat 4th- Vapaus-uusi
On the 4th of Kolat, Pakaasu celebrate Vapaus-uusi, holiday used to celebrate Nature and Freedom through the Goddess Soleil. Often a day of relaxation while Pakaasu use the first harvest to treat themselves. Gifts are left for the Goddess in hopes of a good season of harvest or wishes for freedom. Shrines are lit with a small flame with perfumed oils that are said to go out only after Soleil visits them.
Ykesa 25th - Jumalma
On the 25th of Ykesa, all celebrate the return of the Goddesses.
Kolesa 8th-10th- Maltti-uusi
On the 8th-10th of Kolesa, Pakkeli celebrate The Festival of Maltti-uusi, a three-day celebration of enlightenment and patience. On the first day, 'hand-with-eye' pendants are sold, group exercise is done, games are played, rides are built and rode, and people sing together, becoming as one. On the second day, festival attendees search for 3 berries and berry leaves, make a clay bowl, decorate it, and put their creations on display. On the third and final day, everyone gathers by a lake, sea, or river and says a final prayer to Grashia, sending their little clay bowls with berries and leaves off to be consumed by the world; the lit bowls are a beautiful and calming sight to behold before they disappear from sight.
Nelesea 10th- Rakitse
On the 10th of Nelesea, all celebrate Rakitse. This is the sister holiday of Rakasavia. Where as it's sister holiday celebrates love between others, Rakitse celebrates love of oneself. From pampering yourself or purchasing something for yourself, as long as you do something for yourself, you are celebrating Rakitse! A common tradition is to write yourself a letter for the next Rakitse and read your previous letter.
Ykalvi 11th- TBA Holiday
Kolalvi 15th-16th- Kohtalo-uusi
On the 15th-16th of Kolalvi, the Pakkeli celebrate Kohtalo-uusi: A two day celebration honoring the circle of life, memories, and fate. The first day is focused on the departed; celebrating the life they lead. Families have a nice dinner, and leave a plate as an offering for the spirits. A candle is burned at the entrance to the home, and those who have experienced more recent loss and/or live in Yow attend “The Ceremony of Guidance” The second day is focused on fate. A ceremony involving an oracle, or a member of the royal family is held to predict whether the outcome of the year will be positive or negative. Fortune tellers can be found on just about every street corner; it is a much more public celebration as everyone's fates are tied together at some point.
Nelalvi 3rd- Muistiva
On the 3rd of Nelalvi, the Pakaasu celebrate Muistiva. This day is dedicated to remembering and celebrating the wars in their past. From their defeats to victories, today is to remember those battles. It is frowned upon to fight on this day, but many ignore that, especially the Juuou clan.
Nelalvi 22nd- Vilpilahja
Over Nelalvi, even the thieves guild find themselves overtaken by the spirit of giving; for decades, the thieves guild have secretly done what they can to spread happiness across Kotiin in their own way (and a little mischief on the side as well).
The guild takes the month to gather unneeded resources from their own vaults, and taking from the greedy, corrupt, and villainous in the overworld. They will leave pranks of varying degrees (though never lethal) to shake up and throw off their targets. Meanwhile, to the needy and impoverished, they will deliver small riches, food, toys, and other items (carefully so as to avoid too much suspicion on the receiving families).
This is so well executed that there is still debate as to whether it is a supernatural entity that pulls these pranks and delivers toys, or if it's something explained by natural means. Only the thieves guild knows the truth, and perhaps a few other observant others.
Ykat 1st- Vuosuusi
On Ykat 1st, the new calendar year has begun for Kotiin and the Isles. Many celebrate with elaborate parties. Others enjoy staying with family and make lots of food. The better the celebration, the better the year is, according to common folklore. This holiday also is worshiping about Tila, the Goddess of Life and Protection. Being born on this day equates to being a gift from Tila themself. One of the ancient traditions of Vuosuusi is to sit in a circle with your loved ones and speak of your goals for the year and ask Tila for their guidance and protection as well as thanking them for the previous year.
Kaat 19th- Rakasaiva
On Kaat 19th, Kotiin and the Isles celebrate the holiday of Rakasaiva. Whether it's spending time with their significant other or finding some casual love, the holiday makes everyone love the season of love! The main tradition of Rakasaiva is giving a loved one something homemade. It could be food, jewelry, clothing, anything as long as the person who is gifting it made it! Traditional outfits of this holiday are pale in color, very flowy, and plain looking. For an example, check these two.
Kolat 4th- Vapaus-uusi
On the 4th of Kolat, Pakaasu celebrate Vapaus-uusi, holiday used to celebrate Nature and Freedom through the Goddess Soleil. Often a day of relaxation while Pakaasu use the first harvest to treat themselves. Gifts are left for the Goddess in hopes of a good season of harvest or wishes for freedom. Shrines are lit with a small flame with perfumed oils that are said to go out only after Soleil visits them.
Ykesa 25th - Jumalma
On the 25th of Ykesa, all celebrate the return of the Goddesses.
Kolesa 8th-10th- Maltti-uusi
On the 8th-10th of Kolesa, Pakkeli celebrate The Festival of Maltti-uusi, a three-day celebration of enlightenment and patience. On the first day, 'hand-with-eye' pendants are sold, group exercise is done, games are played, rides are built and rode, and people sing together, becoming as one. On the second day, festival attendees search for 3 berries and berry leaves, make a clay bowl, decorate it, and put their creations on display. On the third and final day, everyone gathers by a lake, sea, or river and says a final prayer to Grashia, sending their little clay bowls with berries and leaves off to be consumed by the world; the lit bowls are a beautiful and calming sight to behold before they disappear from sight.
Nelesea 10th- Rakitse
On the 10th of Nelesea, all celebrate Rakitse. This is the sister holiday of Rakasavia. Where as it's sister holiday celebrates love between others, Rakitse celebrates love of oneself. From pampering yourself or purchasing something for yourself, as long as you do something for yourself, you are celebrating Rakitse! A common tradition is to write yourself a letter for the next Rakitse and read your previous letter.
Ykalvi 11th- TBA Holiday
Kolalvi 15th-16th- Kohtalo-uusi
On the 15th-16th of Kolalvi, the Pakkeli celebrate Kohtalo-uusi: A two day celebration honoring the circle of life, memories, and fate. The first day is focused on the departed; celebrating the life they lead. Families have a nice dinner, and leave a plate as an offering for the spirits. A candle is burned at the entrance to the home, and those who have experienced more recent loss and/or live in Yow attend “The Ceremony of Guidance” The second day is focused on fate. A ceremony involving an oracle, or a member of the royal family is held to predict whether the outcome of the year will be positive or negative. Fortune tellers can be found on just about every street corner; it is a much more public celebration as everyone's fates are tied together at some point.
Nelalvi 3rd- Muistiva
On the 3rd of Nelalvi, the Pakaasu celebrate Muistiva. This day is dedicated to remembering and celebrating the wars in their past. From their defeats to victories, today is to remember those battles. It is frowned upon to fight on this day, but many ignore that, especially the Juuou clan.
Nelalvi 22nd- Vilpilahja
Over Nelalvi, even the thieves guild find themselves overtaken by the spirit of giving; for decades, the thieves guild have secretly done what they can to spread happiness across Kotiin in their own way (and a little mischief on the side as well).
The guild takes the month to gather unneeded resources from their own vaults, and taking from the greedy, corrupt, and villainous in the overworld. They will leave pranks of varying degrees (though never lethal) to shake up and throw off their targets. Meanwhile, to the needy and impoverished, they will deliver small riches, food, toys, and other items (carefully so as to avoid too much suspicion on the receiving families).
This is so well executed that there is still debate as to whether it is a supernatural entity that pulls these pranks and delivers toys, or if it's something explained by natural means. Only the thieves guild knows the truth, and perhaps a few other observant others.
Religion and Creation
The Creation
At the start of everything, there was one goddess: Tila. They protected life and the small planet of Kotiin. Tila soon born Tethne'nide, the Goddess of Death and Fate. Together, they made the race known as the Pavesi, which they both were. Life was simple with the Pavesi, but the Goddesses made an error in creation: the Pavesi could not breed. Realizing that changing the whole species would be too cumbersome, the two decided to just make each Pavesi. It didn't take long for the Pavesi to become lonesome. Together, the two decided to make more species.
First came the creation of two more Goddesses. Soleil, the Goddess of Nature and Freedom, a Pakaasu. And Grashia, the Goddess of Enlightenment and Patience, a Pakkeli. All combined and made the Pakaasu and Pakkeli species. The planet was populated with the Goddesses' creations. Each Goddess ruled over their own species, protecting it and helping it to flourish. As for Tila, they aided all the Goddesses in helping their species.
All praise be the Goddesses.
The Goddesses
Tila: The God/dess of Life and Protection
Tila is the creator of Kotiin and the other goddesses. They are worshiped by all species. They are very motherly and protective over the goddesses and their species. Tila eternally seems happy and serene, despite their eternal crying eyes. Tila will do anything to protect all life, even if it means suffering themself.
Grashia: The Goddess of Enlightenment and Patience
She is mainly worshiped by Pakkeli.
Tethe'nide: The Goddess of Death and Fate
She is mainly worshiped by Pavesi.
Soleil: The Goddess of Nature and Freedom
She is mainly worshiped by Pakaasu.
Anu: The God of Hope and Rebrith
He is a new god, mainly worshiped by the Pakaasu on Kulluaari.
Worshiping the Goddesses
Tila: The God/dess of Life and Protection
Their holiday of worship is Vuos-uusi. To worship them outside of Vuosuusi, burning a flower is your home is accepted. Burning the flower is viewed as giving Tila life, and showing that you value their existence.
Grashia: The Goddess of Enlightenment and Patience
Her holiday of worship is Maltti-uusi. For worship, she doesn't ask for much: aside from prayer and meditation, the most common way to show appreciation to Grashia is to 'pay-it-forward.' When good happens to you, take it and do good for someone else in the name of Grashia.
Other ways you can worship her or show thanks to her are by reading/learning new things, accepting yourself for who you are or helping someone else to do that, fall in love or keep your current blossom of love strong in bloom, show restraint/patience in the face of adversity (and keep your calm too), show respect for all creatures/things on Kotiin, etc.
Grashia's realms of influence are Enlightenment and Patience but also dabble in balance/harmony, love, acceptance, self-actualization, respect, and the flow/continuity of cycles.
Tethe'nide: The Goddess of Death and Fate
Her holiday of worship is Kohtalo-uusi.
Soleil: The Goddess of Nature and Freedom
Her holiday of worship is Vapaus-uusi.