Damavel

When the first snowflake begins to fall in winter, every child in Caerras becomes excited for the start of Damavel, the most widely celebrated tradition on Caerras. With its roots tracing back to the aftermath of the Red Death, Damavel was first focused on the spirit of giving and sharing but over time evolved to commemorate the overcoming of hardships throughout the past year and the beginnings of new hopes for the new year. The holiday and festivities last for the entire duration of December, with friends and family sharing gifts and time together throughout the month, finally culminating in the celebration of the New Light.

History and Origins

The Red Death marked the darkest hour in Tecta’s history, with the terrifying epidemic claiming thousands of lives. Piles of corpses lined the streets of Tecta, growing as high as the walls that were supposed to protect them. By the time that Mattias Javier and Anderson Durio had finally found the cure, survivors of the plague were already forever changed by the horrors and losses they endured.

Even after the cure had been distributed to everyone, it took many years for Javier to fix the supply shortage Tecta had faced. In order to build up their stockpiles for the future, Javier made the difficult decision to keep rationing in place. Discontent spread like wildfire, with many asking for his resignation and exile. Javier needed a solution to the dwindling hope, a way to deliver determination and uplift the morale of the people. When contemplating this problem in his Providence office, Javier saw the answer unfold from his window. A small family of three had placed two of their ration baskets, laden with fruits and vegetables, at the base of the Providence memorial statue in the courtyard. Javier rushed outside and called after them, having the Praetorian Guard stop their exit. He demanded to know what they were doing, wasting precious rations, only to be surprised by their response.

“From my window, I was infuriated by the questionable actions I witnessed. Winter is already nearing yet they dared to waste precious rations? In my short-sighted rage, I stopped them, demanding they explain their actions.

Their answer humbled me. A reminder of my own shortcomings as a leader, no matter how history may remember me.

They had carried baskets of leftover fruits and vegetables that they could spare from their own rations to different places every day in an effort to share them with the needy, the weak, and the burdened. They have done something that I could not. Give hope.

From them, I will learn. I will inspire, just like they have inspired me.”

- Excerpt from Mattias Javier’s personal journal

In the following days, Javier began to join them in personally handing out his own family’s rations and helping in collecting any excess from others, thanking them for their assistance in supporting each other. News of his actions raced across the city and this small following began to grow as more and more citizens and communities willingly shared their rations with one another. To help facilitate and protect their efforts, Javier even tasked the Tecta City Police with assisting in the delivery of excess supplies. Hope began to blossom throughout the city as the people united to face their hardships together. This practice would continue year after year until Javier finally announced that rationing was no longer necessary and the city was producing much more than even before the supply shortage. To celebrate the revitalization of the city, Javier declared that this giving spirit and tradition of unity would be honored every year as Damavel.

“In the struggles after the Red Death, I was reminded and humbled as a leader of the strength in the unity and compassion of the community. Today marks the anniversary of that snowy day when I was inspired by your kindness. Today marks the day that will be recorded in history as our triumphant return from the darkness. Today marks the first celebration of our newest holiday, Damavel.”

- Mattias Javier’s Damavel Announcement speech

While Damavel’s traditions may have transformed and adapted over the years, its meaning stays the same. It reminds people that even in their darkest hour, humanity would come together and support one another.

Notable Events and Traditions

• Dama — The Dama highlights the spirit of giving and sharing. Inhabitants of Tecta, in the years after the Red Death, would give away the excess of their rations in hopes of building solidarity within their communities. Now, the Dama is a period of charity when many donate their own unused possessions, food, or even money. Throughout cities across Caerras, many will place baskets of food and gifts at central locations to commemorate the tradition. Friends and family will also meet up during this period to celebrate the holiday and use it as an opportunity to catch up and give gifts to one another.
• Vel — Families would use the gifts exchanged during the Dama in the center of their household. Many say that the display of offerings could not only uplift the spirits of their future from this year and beyond, but also grant their wishes for prosperity and longevity ahead. The Kahlor, a proud Venari known for its close ties to the Damavel, has been rumored to bless the wishes of those who have been visited by one. In later years, residents would display the wreaths of the Loranth at their doorstep, to both exemplify their rise from the bitter snow and to entice the Kahlor to visit their homes.
• The New Light — On the last night of Damavel, the people of Caerras would gather to watch the first sunrise of the new year. This tradition has been said to strengthen the ties of the community and the household, as they greet the new start of the year together. In the very first minute of sunrise, people offer their wishes up to the new light, in hopes that they manifest in the coming year.