The Fires of Beltane & the Crowning
On May Day, Friday May 1s, all are invited to board the ferry across Kaiju Lake and follow the (relatively) short trail, softly lit with faerie lamps, into the Wilds to the glade and the Great Tree. make their way through the Southgate leading out of Old Temple, veering from the road to the mushroom-lined path that leads to the Beltane clearing. The quiet of the wood surrounding the path is broken only by the soft sound of footfalls on the grass and the gentle calls of evening birds.
Upon reaching the glade, one’s attention is immediately drawn to the Great Tree and dais set up at its base, topped with a moss-covered altar in front of it holding a brazier and the stacked pile of names, those who would be the Monarch of May. A great mound of the sacred woods sits before the dais, with a smaller pile–ideally sized for jumping over–set in front of that. Moonglobes are mounted atop poles all around the area, glowing like their namesake and bathing the scene in soft, mystical moonlight.
To the left, as one approaches the Tree, there is an open space with a musician stand beside it, perfect for dancing. Across from it, on the right side, an array of spit-roasted meats and other dishes can be seen, their scents wafting in the evening air. Goblin servers roam the clearing, offering drinks for those who want them. Just past the exit of the path, a flowered arch has been erected for those who wish to be wed with the blessings of Beltane upon their future.
At nine-thirty, when twilight has fully deepened into night, the brazier will be lit and the names of potential Monarchs will be placed within the flame, from which the identity of the chosen Monarch of May will be released. The Monarch will then name their Green Consort before taking a torch from the brazier and lighting the Great Bonfire. The consort will then take the torch and with it light the smaller fire.
Once the Fires are lit, the Monarch will invite all to dance, eat, drink, and make merry! Those who wish are invited to attempt “jumping the fire”, leaping over the smaller bonfire and (hopefully) not getting scorched too badly. The dancing and dining will continue well into the night, with some venturing back towards RhyDin while others take advantage of tents among the surrounding trees and along the shoreline to sleep, or perhaps simply to let the heady spirit of Beltane lead them where it will.
OOC:
The evening’s festivities will commence at 8:00 p.m. Eastern in the #the-deep-wilds channel on the Rings of Discord server, with the Crowning and lighting of the Fires scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Eastern.
The Monarch of May must be present to be selected. Anyone not present in play when the time comes will be removed from the list of potential Monarchs before the die is rolled. The chosen Monarch will be announced live before the Crowning in the #tiamori-river channel.
Feel free to post outfits in the thread below, whether you will be there in live play or not.
