# **The Feast of Hope: An Overview** *Author's Note: Presented as an in-universe article, this section will get you up to speed on the Feast of Hope and how it’s different - and similar! - to our world’s Christmas! I recommend that you skim through the information given here, to have a bit of a background for the story as a whole.* ## **The Feast of Hope: Folklore, History, and the Present Day** ### *Excerpts from ‘Legends and Mythology of Itraviel’ by Royal Historian Oriel Diaz* **Introduction** Itraviel’s most important holiday, the Feast of Hope is rich in lore and tradition. Originally a day to commemorate the gods’ victory over the Lord of Frost and Despair, it now serves as a wider celebration of the importance of peace, community, and -- as the name would suggest -- hope. Throughout this exploration, we’ll examine the different forms the holiday has taken throughout the generations, as well as the circumstances behind each shift. ## **Section I: Early Lore (The Gods and Eira)** The original story behind the Feast of Hope, as it is commonly told, is as follows: *"At Itraviel’s dawn, during the gods’ ongoing quest to build their thriving world, they were confronted by Eira, the bitter and vain Lord of Frost and Despair.* *Eira cursed the land to halt the gods' plans, plunging it into a deep, harsh winter. Crops withered, buildings crumbled, and the gods’ hard work fell apart before their eyes.* *Seeing their progress unravelled rendered them disheartened and listless, viewing any further attempts as an exercise in futility. As they sank deeper and deeper into despair, the storm grew stronger and rougher.* *This was the secret behind Eira’s curse: the despair inflicted by his storm was what sustained it. The storm would continue to rage as long as the gods remained hopeless.* *Fortunately, after a lengthy cycle of trying, failing, and trying once more, the gods determined the correlation between their sinking morale and the strengthening blizzard.* *Banding together, they began to rebuild, propelled by the knowledge that hope was never beyond reach and there was always time to start anew.* *With their skills and gifts combined, Eira’s curse over the land lifted, allowing the gods to overcome and banish him once and for all.”* This is why, to this day, we celebrate the Feast of Hope. ## **Section II: Later Additions (The Great Blizzard of Justaea)** The first evolution of this holiday came amid the Great Magical War. During the reign of the tyrannical dictator Amell Kentos, the kingdom of Justaea faced destruction by a massive snowstorm, set to hit on the eve of the Feast. The wartorn kingdom faced severe shortages and strict rationing, so many citizens lacked the resources needed to survive the storm. Amell kept the castle gates firmly shut and ignored his subjects’ pleas, sending many of the castle’s staff to fend for themselves in the cold and keeping their share of the rations for himself. The citizens, inspired by the legend of the original Feast, sprang into action. Any and all remaining supplies were shared by anyone who needed them, and if anyone needed someplace warm to wait out the night, people opened their homes, hearths, and hearts to guests -- no matter who they were. Many lasting friendships and bonds were formed that night, in Justaea’s spirit of unity and compassion towards others that lasts to this day. As well, the other kingdoms refused to leave Justaea to its frozen fate. Each realm gathered a collection of necessary supplies to give to the people of Justaea, in the hopes that it would sustain them through the bout of harsh weather. The only question that remained was how would they get the supplies to those in need, given the kingdom’s guarded borders and treacherous terrain. This seemingly impossible task would not have been accomplished without the help of a mysterious stranger by the name of Nicholas. On an open sleigh pulled by eight ghostly horses, he visited every kingdom collecting donations. Once everything was gathered, he managed to infiltrate Justaea, going door-to-door to distribute rations while evading Amell’s guards at every turn. Most miraculously of all, he accomplished all this in a matter of hours, and his work was complete well before the blizzard hit. Through the combined effort of the entire world, Justaea made it through the blizzard with all its citizens alive and well. The event, known as the Miracle of the Great Blizzard (or simply ‘the Miracle’ lives on in history, and the Feast of Hope now serves to keep the memory of the event -- and the spirit of unity created by it -- alive. (Note: The name ‘Nicholas’ means ‘victory of the people’, so it’s quite possible the hero of the Miracle gave an alias in lieu of his true name.) ## **Section III: A Blurred Line Between Fiction and Reality** As with most of Itraviel’s historical events, there’s a wide belief that the story of the Miracle may tie into the greater battle between the forces of good and evil. The mythological version of the Miracle states that the Great Blizzard was summoned by Eira himself, as a reprise of the blizzard that cursed the gods. This version of the story also states that Nicholas was a Paladin, using his divine gifts to accomplish the impossible. Scholars debate over whether he’s the Paladin of the Elements (explaining his mastery of ice and snow), or the Paladin of Time (explaining the supernatural pace at which he completed his task.) A common belief, which became a frequent piece of seasonal imagery, is that Nicholas’ phantom steeds were spectral riders. These demons, formerly under Eira’s command, had somehow been tamed and harnessed by Nicholas to use against their former master. It is said that these particular demons were invisible to most but appeared in a spectral, horse-like form to those who could see them. Something that may lend credence to this particular tale is yet another historical fact linked to fiction. Weiss DuNord, one of Amell Kentos’ trusted generals, seemed particularly determined to stop Nicholas and led the charge to do so himself. The tyrant’s five generals are heavily theorized to be the mortal guises of the Five Demon Lords, with Weiss being Eira himself. However, since Nicholas and Weiss both mysteriously vanished, there’s no way to confirm that the pair were anything more than average mortals -- though their disappearances certainly support the theory. Another popular belief is that Nicholas may have been a seer, gifted with the incredibly rare ability to see into the future. According to accounts from the citizens of Justaea during the Blizzard, Nicholas seemingly knew what supplies each household needed, and already had them prepared when he arrived. As well, some say that he called the citizens by their names, even though he should have not known such things. Further pointing to Nicholas’ mystical origins: Although his journey was well-documented, the man himself was never caught in photos or videos. In any media that might have come close, he is mysteriously missing or otherwise obscured to the point of being imperceptible. As well, eyewitness accounts of his appearance vary wildly. Some saw him as a young man with short coal-black hair, cloaked in green. Others swear that he was an elderly bearded man with long white hair, wearing either red or blue. And, strangest of all, some claim that he was not a man at all, but a goat-like cryptid known as the Winter King, said in folklore to wander the frozen wastes of Frosatir and guide those who have lost their way to safety. The Winter King shares many of Nicholas’ characteristics: power over ice and snow, a form of omniscience, and a devotion to helping others. Whether or not they are believed to be the same being, the King is often associated with and celebrated alongside Nicholas during Feast celebrations. No matter the case, we may never truly know what he looks like. The last piece of evidence that points to Nicholas being a helper of the gods is the fact that before the Miracle, no one had ever heard of him, and afterward he was never seen again. However, some claim that the world seems to be a bit more peaceful and runs a bit smoother on the day of the Feast, as if Nicholas is still around, working his magic for the benefit of people everywhere. And, some people to this day report finding baskets of needed supplies on their doorsteps during Feast season, with no knowledge of where the mysterious gift came from… Naturally, people throughout the generations have tried to catch Nicholas in the act and prove he’s still out there, but there’s been little to no success so far. Still, whether or not it’s truly him behind the mysterious acts of goodwill, the spirit of what he represents lives on. ## **Section IV: Modern-Day Celebrations and Christmas** Ever since Itraviel and Earth began exchanging their goods and culture, the Feast has become intertwined with the human celebration of Christmas. For the longest time, the Feast had no set date, with the United Magical Assembly deciding when it would fall on a yearly basis. However, seeing as Christmas, a holiday with similar traditions and values, falls consistently on the 24th and 25th of December, the Assembly decided that the Feast would be held on those dates as well. As for the Feast’s current traditions, they involve exchanging gifts, gathering with your loved ones in celebration and, as the name suggests, a feast. ### **Festivities:** One of the main celebrations of the Feast happens not on the day of the celebratory meal itself, but on the night before. Traditionally, large festivals and parties are held for people everywhere to unite in celebration, enjoy food, sing carols, and participate in fun activities. Gift-giving is also a tradition during the Feast. Historically, gifts were purely handmade, as a way of using what you had to make something new and heartfelt. Over time, store-bought gifts have become much more popular, especially since the Feast became associated with Christmas, but the tradition of making your gifts remains prominent as well. ### **Decorations:** Traditional decorations share much in common with those of Christmas; as such, trees, stockings, nutcrackers, bells, glitter, and lights are present in nearly every Itravien home. Lights are an especially important aspect of the Elacantan holiday tradition: the feast overlaps with the celebration of Lumentide, an occasion to celebrate all things glowing and gleaming. Plastic-and-glass decorations resembling ice are also a widely popular choice, but these serve a superstitious purpose: by decorating your house with fake icicles and/or small ice sculptures in the form of birds, horses, or deer (animals traditionally associated with the Lord of Frost and Despair), it is believed that you can trick the Demon Lord into believing that his icy magic has already claimed your home, and he will leave you and your family be. ### **Food:** Arguably the most important tradition of this holiday is the feast itself. The food served at this feast varies between kingdoms and families, so there’s no one “traditional” meal. That being said, the meal normally includes some form of winterroot, a hearty vegetable known for being able to survive harsh conditions. For example, Justaea has a traditional winterroot soup, dating back to the days of the Great Blizzard when the vegetable was one of the only crops that remained intact after the storm. Rosie’s Tavern, located in downtown Crown City, claims to have the original recipe for this soup, dating back to when it served as the secret hideout for the resistance during the war. Meanwhile, Elacanta, a kingdom known for its long, cruel winters, makes their winterroot into fried cakes formed from thin, shredded strips of the vegetable. The family-oriented kingdom of Aedere has a traditional meal prepared directly at the dinner table on a small grill, featuring a side dish of roasted and spiced winterroot. Traditional earthen Christmas meals such as turkey and ham have also become popular amongst Itraviens. Much like Earth, spiced, chocolatey, and minty desserts are a staple of the season. As for drinks, cocktails, cocoas, and ciders abound. ### **Entertainment:** One of the biggest aspects borrowed from Christmas is the music. Earth’s seasonal tunes are played and enjoyed by the people of Itraviel during the Feast, although the two holidays are not quite the same. (And yes, the perennial hits by Wham! and Mariah Carey are just as overplayed.) Although the Feast of Hope has no association with the religious aspects of Christmas, music from that side of the season is enjoyed for its beauty and solemn, reverent air. During the season, Itravien television channels also broadcast human Christmas specials and movies, alongside their traditional films about the Feast. The legends of the Gods and the Miracle are a common subject for these specials, with many unique takes on their stories throughout the years. The First Miracle, an animated film, is a favorite retelling of many families. However, it has drawn some ire from the mythologically inclined for completely ignoring most of the established lore in favor of its interpretations. Most notably, Eira is depicted as a hulking, furry creature, with no avian traits whatsoever. ### **Folklore:** Many celebrants from both worlds have noticed some similarities between the debatably fictitious figures of Nicholas and Santa Claus. As such, the former has taken on some of the latter’s qualities in recent years: Although Itraviel’s Nicholas is said to have had coal-black hair and a green cloak, it’s not uncommon to see more modern depictions with white hair and a red cloak instead. If we go by his supposed appearances as an elderly man or the Winter King, then he bears a great resemblance to either Santa Claus himself or Krampus. The ice demons pulling his sleigh may also change in depiction from horses to reindeer. Nicholas’ spectral rider steeds also fill the role of his ‘worker elves’, with some stories claiming that the demons can assume humanoid form, working as Nicholas’ assistants. Some speculate that his supposed seer abilities are stand-ins for the Naughty and Nice lists, as well as Santa’s supposed ability to “see you when you’re sleeping, and know when you’re awake”. Nicholas does not visit houses in the dead of night, but many choose to leave out baskets of food and other treats on their doorsteps for the Winter King on Feast Eve as appreciation for his protection and prosperity through the cold winter months. In return, many have found a small gift or two once they bring in their baskets the next morning. While Santa Claus is said to live in a mystical toy workshop in the North Pole, Nicholas supposedly lives in a grand palatial fortress hidden deep in the icy mountains of Frosatir. Perhaps the best way to sum up the relationship between the two holidays is by comparing the stories of both Nicholas-es; similar enough to relate to each other, while each having their own diverse charm to make them ## **Bonus: The Ballad of the Miracle** Mirroring the famous earthen poem known as ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ or ‘The Night Before Christmas’, famed Elacantan poet and royal advisor Eryx Farlaen penned a parody of sorts, centering around the Great Blizzard. It was found in his notebook and allegedly never meant to see the light of day, but the author of this text -- Farlaen’s own younger sister -- found it and took it upon herself to include it in this collection. “Twas the Feast of Hope, and a maelstrom was brewing, A blizzard that threatened Justaea’s undoing. Harsh weather and winds would soon draw near, And the streets were rife with panic and fear. The tyrant king nestled himself in his castle, Not lifting a finger to aid in the hassle. The realm lacked the means to carry itself through, Should it all go awry, no one knew what to do. Kind souls opened up their heart and home, Ensuring no one would be left all alone. Though supplies were scarce, all were shared, So each and every denizen could be prepared. Despite their best efforts, it still was not enough, And surviving the weather would prove to be rough. The other kingdoms amassed donations with a prayer, But the question remained: how would help arrive there? As if by magic, a savior did arrive, Who could deliver the gifts and help Justaea thrive His name it was Nicholas, and before day met night, He would visit each kingdom by the power of flight. “On, Frostbite! On, Snowflake! On, Hailstorm and Glacier! On, Bluster! On, Arctic! On, Iceberg and Powder! To save the day, swiftly you must fly! We’ve no time to waste, so take to the sky!” On a sleigh carried forth by eight glacial horses, Nicholas would defy nature’s powerful forces. Each kingdom’s donations were dutifully collected, In the hopes that they’d help the poor souls affected. As Nicholas prepared to make his descent, Someone sought his miraculous plan to prevent. A general serving the tyrant’s regime, Was assigned to thwart the harebrained scheme. Though the general was determined, Nicholas worked faster, With swift steeds who followed the word of their master. Each delivery was made, faster than light, And with his job done, he vanished into the night. But before the hero disappeared from view, All through the air, a greeting rang through. “Good night and good luck, o brave souls in the storm! Though the night may be cold, may your hearts be warm!”