Lekornmeiluz (The Ruthenish Candle Festival)

[Fayrrendel]

Woilasenthazja en Lekornromeiluz!
Happy Lekornmeiluz!
20-22 April, 2021

The final festival of the year approaches for this year in Ruthund before the Ruthenish Calendar turns to the year 1489 in Midsummer. Lekornromeiluz is the festival of preparations towards a new beginning, the making of candles, love, as well as appreciating the beauty of Spring in Ruthund. Within Lukandal, the old heartland of Ruthund, many say that Lekornromeiluz is best appreciated as it is around this time of year with the Kerozblom Trees-- the cherry trees-- as well as the various vibrant colors you will find this time of year making this historic land an idyllic place.

During this time, candle making and carving are both activities that are good way to commemorate this holiday. Not only are the candles deemed by their colorful and intricate shapes, but you'll find the smell also is an aspect that Ruthens consider important-- though the scent is considered a more modern development and now always observed. The Reigious significance of this festival relates to the New Year flame, lit every Midsummer (or Ruthenish New Year) to signal the beginning of the official start of the year. During this time, the Clergy begins their work on preparing the spiritual work required to light the New Year flame, including finding the wood used for tinder. On the third day of the festival, the Zdardrin clergy will reveal which patron spirit will light the New Year flame this year.

In Kazmurbirha, there is a parade held after the clergy's announcement (usually from the King) about the Patron Spirit of next year. It is a parade where statue-sized candles, sculpted in elaborate shapes, are parade around Kazmurbirha representing each temple throughout Ruthund. For obvious reasons however, these candles are never burned.

Usually, the King usually announces the Patron Spirit in private with lower members of the clergy. This is done at the Grand Temple of the Eternal Fire, the most sacred place in the Zdardrin Religion. However to celebrate Ruthund's entry into the European Union, His Eminence has opened his temple chambers to chief members of nobility or the chief executives of republican states to listen to the King's speech to the clergy. A surprise to many, this is the first time since 1994 that the King was seen publicly other than by members of the clergy, when he had to surrender his political office to the Lord of State. Furthermore, this is the first time in hundreds of years that the King has hosted foreign dignitaries.

After the parade, Lord Zgeirtan also plans on holding a State Banquet to all attendees to celebrate a more open Ruthund and the festival in general. If you wish to witness His Sublime Eminence's announcement from the Spirits, please fill out this form to inform him of your intentions:

Request for Attendance of the Ceremony-
Nation Name:
Number of Attendees:
Names of Attendees (and their titles/offices):
Special Accommodations:

Security Attachment Requests-
Number:
Equipment:
(Note: No security attachment is allowed within the inner chambers of the Grand Temple, except for the ceremonial Temple Guard. All security attachment requests must be approved by the Foreign Ministry. No sensible requests will be rejected.)

[Czech Slavia]

Request for Attendance of the Ceremony-
Nation Name: The Democratic Republic of Czech Slavia
Number of Attendees: 2
Names of Attendees (and their titles/offices):
Albína Reiserová - President of the Democratic Republic of Czech Slavia, Chairwoman of the Socialist Republican Party, Head of the Extraordinary People's Court
Karel Šín - Minister of Culture of the Democratic Republic of Czech Slavia
Special Accommodations: None

Security Attachment Requests- None

[Fremet]

Request for Attendance of the Ceremony-
Nation Name: The Republic of Fremet
Number of Attendees: 1
Names of Attendees (and their titles/offices):
Whoopi Gaarder - Staatsoberhaupter of the Republic of Fremet
Special Accommodations: No flash photography please

Security Attachment Requests-
Number: 5 members of the Fremesker Statssikkerhet (3 primary officers and 2 serving as reserves)
Equipment: 2 sidearms for each officer (handguns), bulletproof vests, communication equipment, pepper spray, stun guns, first aid supplies

[BrumBrum]

Request for Attendance of the Ceremony-
Nation Name:United Duchies
Number of Attendees:5
Names of Attendees (and their titles/offices):Hunter Barnes Dipomat from United Duchies, Wife and 3 children,High Duke Albert I
Special Accommodations:None

Security Attachment Requests-
Number:6
Equipment:Pistols ,Tasers
(Note: No security attachment is allowed within the inner chambers of the Grand Temple, except for the ceremonial Temple Guard. All security attachment requests must be approved by the Foreign Ministry. No sensible requests will be rejected.)

[Montenbourg]

Request for Attendance of the Ceremony-
Nation Name: The Kingdom of Montenbourg
Number of Attendees: one (1)
Names of Attendees (and their titles/offices): Lady Diane Crawley, Baroness of Downton
Special Accommodations: none

Security Attachment Requests-
Number: 3
Equipment: 4 Tasers
(Note: No security attachment is allowed within the inner chambers of the Grand Temple, except for the ceremonial Temple Guard. All security attachment requests must be approved by the Foreign Ministry. No sensible requests will be rejected.)

[Leagio]

Request for Attendance of the Ceremony-
Nation Name: Commonwealth of Leagio
Number of Attendees: 2
Names of Attendees (and their titles/offices): Minister of Cultural Affairs Jeff Foxworthy, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Joshua Alvarado
Special Accommodations: none

[Spain]

Request for Attendance of the Ceremony-
Nation Name: The Kingdom of Spain
Number of Attendees: 1
Names of Attendees (and their titles/offices): Her Majesty Queen Leticia
Special Accommodations: None

Security Attachment Requests-
Number: 4 members of the Royal Guard designated for the Royal Family protection when travelling to other countries.
Equipment: 2 submachine guns, 2 handguns, bulletproof vests, communication equipment and first aid supplies.

[Fayrrendel]

22 April, 2021- Thursday

Inside the Grand Temple, outer chambers. One day before the ceremony

The air in Kazmurbirha was sweet as the spring fragrance filled the air. Unusual for a normally overcast Kazmurbirha, it was the sky was clear as well as the weather being cool. To not make more as a case that the Omeihuz blessed this day, the wind blew gently over the city-- also characteristic as a city that often receives high winds. But perhaps it was the case that the Omeihuz blessed this day, for it was the final day of Lekornmeiluz. And while this year has already yielded a truly magnificent festival, complemented with an unusual amount of partying and drinking, the Festival's climax has yet to arrive. For perhaps the most important part of Lekornmeiluz was the Clergy's spiritual preparations of the Ruthenish New Year-- which boasted even more wonderous activities. And of those preparations, the most high-profile of these were the King's speech made to announce to the Clergy of the revelation of the Patron Omeihuz of the next year. For many Ruthens, it is perhaps understand to think this is only thing that the clergy does during this time of year.

However the announcement for the Ruthenish Year 1489 was no ordinary announcement. To everyone's suprise, the King announced he would invite foreign dignities not only to the Grand Temple, but within the inner most chambers and to be his audience. While His Eminence is certainty within the liberty to do this, as he is the Head of the Grand Temple, the King is not a figure that is normally seen in public-- let alone a foreign delegation. In fact, the King of the Ruthens never had seen a foreign delegation within nearly 500 years. It was queer, most queer indeed. And if there one thing you should know about Ruthens, they dislikes things that are queer. And of course the Ruthenish press could not get enough of the fact that the His Eminence within the Grand Temple would receiving a larger foreign audience than Lord Zgeirtan even had in his tenure as Lord of State. Dispite the failed efforts to keep this event low-profile among the Ruthenish public, the streets were ultimately clears to make way for the arrival of the delegations from the Southern Realms. Namely Czech Slavia, Fremet, United Duchies, Montenbourg, Leagio, and Spain.

The Inner Chambers of the Grand Temple remained silent as they were dark. But soon, the flames will kindle and so too will the ceremony.

[Fremet]

In the skies over the North Sea

It was Whoopi's first time out of the country as Fremet's newly elected Staatsoberhaupt. In her time as an oceanographer with the Nasjonal Oseanisk & Atmosfærisk Administrasjon in the 1990s, she had travelled to Ruthund under the banner of scientific research a number of times. She had spent most of her time based out of remote outposts in the far north, though she had done a small but memorable stint in Kazmurbirha.

As she looked out of the airplane window, she saw the same beautiful scenery that she remembered from so many years ago. The landscape surged with the bopping tunes she was streaming from SR Radio 3. She had some experience with Ruthenish, finding it not too dissimilar from some of the more niche local dialects in her native Norrland, the region of Fremet closest to Ruthund, and she enjoyed using her skills during her time there. She had dusted off her old books in the days prior hoping to do a little cramming so she wasn't absolutely hopeless in speaking— she had long given up with the script. She was wondering how that shy, insulated, charming people would have changed over the last 20 years. She regretted not returning to the country after she left NOAA, but her position at the Miljøvernbyrå and her tenure as Governor of Norrland had kept her busy through the years.

As the short flight was drawing to a close, she turned to one of the aids assigned to her by the AA, Fremet's foreign affairs agency, "Krysta, have you travelled to Ruthund before?"

Krysta perked up, visibly anxious, "I was fortunate to be able to supplement my studies of Ruthenish with travel for experience with native speakers, but I must say Madam Staatsoberhaupt, they are a very secretive and mysterious people. They've always kept to themselves in the body politic and have only recently made cultural overtures to European powers."

Whoopi grinned and said, "My dear, what you call secretive I call shy. What you call mysterious I call fascinating. We have an excellent opportunity here to establish a dialogue with a nation and a people we have always struggled to level with. We mustn't fear or resort to knee jerk reactions to what we do not understand."

"Yes Madam Staatsoberhaupt," she said, looking away.

"Call me Whoopi. Titles are for self-important men and state dinners (which, if you ask me, are also for self-important men)."

"Yes Madam Staa— Whoopi," she said, with Whoopi widening her grin.

"Regardless, I'm determined to make this the start of something great. But until then, I guess we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?"

"Indeed Whoopi."

---

The plane landed in the designated airport, with Krysta and the FSS accompanying Whoopi to the meeting place designated by Ruthund's foreign ministry. On their way to the temple, Whoopi admired the idyllic architecture of Fremet's northern neighbor. The clean lines and symbolism in even the most mundane of daily objects had a certain character unique to Ruthund. Whoopi and Krysta soon made their way inside the breathtaking grand temple and stood respectfully in silence awaiting their audience.

[Czech Slavia]

"Looks like a nice country, I could take my boys here one day to hike, you know, when I have the opportunity." said president Reiserová while looking out of the window, as the airplane was getting closer to its destination.

"Oh yeah, quite a nice place. So this is the place from which most of our former top ranking politicians came from, I suppose." Responded minister Šín, filling his mouth with chips once he finished, with a conspiracy theory he still firmly believed.

"Do not dare to say anything like that once we are out of the plane! Having good relations with Ruthund is crucial to us." Reiserová reacted, with her finger pointing at Šín.

Šín in turn reacted by extending his hand with a bag of chips, offering the president to take some. "No worries, I know how to behave myself."

"Well I hope so!" Reiserová responded before looking at the chips offered to her. "No thank you. I just hope the gift we are bringing will be seen as appropriate, their culture seems rather strict."

The gift Albína Reiserová mentioned

Šín smirked "They are just people like you and me, most of them probably agree that "Jersey" went really downhill after season eight, I am sure they will appreciate the gift. Besides all we have done so far is winning, I don't think that is about to change. Have you seen the article they have written about our new tv program on Inquista Today? Winning!"

President Reiserová raised her eyebrows and smiled a bit "Have you read the full article? Have you seen what they are writing about you?"

"That I am a mastermind." Šín said with pride, in fact he has underlined the words Šín and mastermind in the newspaper.

"And?"

"And that I have tiger blood."

"That you claim to have tiger blood. And they claim that.. ehm... something not nice has happened to you at multiple party conferences." President crossed her hands.

"Yeah I've read that. What fools, I never was at a single party conference." Šín nervously laughed, ignoring the second half of the claim. "Anyways, do not pay attention to what the journalist are writing. You might have not experienced it yourself, but the journalists were always against me when I was acting and yet, the people loved me. It is the same now, Inquistans love our culture! And they love you!"

Reiserová once again looked out the window and smiled "Thank you." For a while there was silence before she continued "I hope they will show us some of their traditional clothing and we will get to try it for the celebrations, that would be fun!"

"It would certainly be something." Responded Šín with much less enthusiasm.

---

After the plane has landed Reiserová and Šín made their way into the Grand Temple. They stayed quited during this trip, admiring Kazmurbirha. Once they arrived they spotted Fremet's new Staatsoberhaupt Whoopi Gaarder of Norrland which they greeted by extending their hands and nodding their heads. Then, they joined the Staatsoberhaupt in waiting.

[BrumBrum]

The High Duke arrived to the greeting of his diplomat on the Aerodux flight to Kazmurbirha. Once they landed he deboarded the plane first with his security detail to meet up with the diplomat to Ruthund Hunter Barnes , his 3 children 9-13 and his wife. He asked how the family was getting on. They then made their way to the limousine , they were amazed by the smell of the city as they drove towards the city , soon they'd be at the starting place for the days events.

[Spain]

The alarm clock rang in King Felipe and Queen Leticia's bedroom; a special alarm clock, as it was the Spanish Anthem. The service at the Palacio de la Zarzuela, the official residence of the main part of the Royal Family (The King, the Queen, the Princesa de Asturias and her sister, along with the Queen Sofía and King Juan Carlos, who is in Nofoaga after the scandals), had insisted over having the Spanish anthem as the sound of the alarm clock. Both Felipe and Leticia liked the idea, but every time the alarm clock rang, both woke up immediately because they still never expect that tone. The weather in Madrid wasn't as good as the one in Ruthund: it was raining and the temperature wouldn't exceed 17 degrees Celsius, but that was nothing to care about today: the flowers of the Palacio de la Zarzuela's garden were amazing, colourful and they cheered up the atmosphere at the Royal Palace. Felipe nd Leticia woke up, as always, scared and then looked at each other:

"It's so early and the weather it's horrible and disgusting... Why can't you stay a bit more here, Leticia? It's cold and I really regret you have to travel today" Said King Felipe, half awake, half sleepy, trying to keep his wife next to him for at least two more minutes.

"I would stay a little bit more here, my darling, but I need to leave early in order to be punctual for the Ruthenish Candle Festival or Lekornmeiluz. It will be funny, and I hope you could come with me" Said Leticia, hugging her husband before exiting the bed to get dressed.

"You will surely have fun. I need to meet the Minister for Defence in Cartagena, because Spain will likely start looking at doing something interesting." Said Felipe while he also exited the bed and got dressed.

"You and the military, a friendly relationship I'm proud of. But surely, I will have more fun than you" Leticia laughed and both monarchs left the room together, in order to take breakfast.

Once breakfast was over, Leticia said goodbye to Felipe and left the Palacio de la Zarzuela in a helicopter, towards Torrejón de Ardoz. The base of Torrejón was the departing point for any Royal trip or Presidential summit, as all the strategical airplanes which serve the President of Spain or the Spanish Royal Family were parked there. The helicopter crew went over Madrid while the Queen observed how the rainy city started to wake up, how the streets started to fill up with cars. For a moment, she could see the Palacio de la Moncloa, and she saw someone running around the Presidential Gardens. Is that Jesús? - Thought the Queen following the person running with her glance; as she was more curious than ever before. Did the Spanish President do running on the Moncloa gardens? Was that the secret to be fit and he didn't want to tell about?

The helicopter arrived in the Base Aérea de Torrejón de Ardoz on time, even if it was raining. The pilots, the Queen's security team and her aides were on the plane, ready to take off just when the Queen seated inside. Leticia got off the helicopter and was met by one of the soldiers in charge of the plane. She was told to expect minor turbulences while they went across the clouds, but after that, she would enjoy a nice trip, as the weather in Ruthund would be excellent. Leticia thanked the soldier for the information and hoped into the plane. When she had taken a seat, the plane started it way to the Runway, and finally, it took off. As expected, turbulences hit the plane while they were going through the clouds, but once they let them behind, the sun lit the Queen's face. She got her sunglasses and put them on.

---

After some hours, the plane finally made its arrival on the designated airport. Queen Leticia was being awaited by the personnel in the Ruthenish embassy, which would be in charge of the transport of the Queen. The plane came to a stop and Leticia came downstairs to the motorcade awaiting for her, along with her security team. Finally, the Spanish motorcade headed towards the designated meeting point, arriving on time, as they liked to do.

[Fayrrendel]

The foreign dignitaries were instructed to await further instructions at the Chamber of Meditation. This was a room that was not as lit as the other outer chambers were and displayed several tapestries, rugs, and pillows. It would seem the whole room was filled with colorful fabrics. The entire temple was quiet as the Temple was closed to the public was closed for the meeting of the clergy with the Thuidon. The air smelled of Dragon's Blood, a favorite around this time of year for temples across Ruthund. The chamber itself almost seemed to allure its occupiers to rest and eventual deep sleep.

But not too soon after a door opened from the passage to the Inner Chambers. Before the foreign dignitaries stood a robed-- priest the gender was not clear. In Ruthund, it was customary for priests to appear androgynous as they believed simply put, that androgyny resembled divinity. The priest's robes were gray and they wore a unique and somewhat strange hat to resemble they were part of the clergy. Hanging down from their neck was a silver nine-pointed star-- the Ruthakzdorn (The Star of Ruthak) the symbol of the Ruthenish people and the religion.

"Hail, most esteemed Southerners." as she bowed before the dignitaries. "His Eminence has been expecting your arrival and hopes that your journeys were pleasant as they were safe. Please, follow me and I will show you to the Room of Meeting."

The priest led the foreign delegations through the passage the went deeper into the Temple. As the delegations ascended deeper, the use of fabrics became less common and stone began to overtake the impression of the various chambers. Eventually, there came a door where the sun once again shone into the eyes of the delegation. This was the Temple's Sacred Garden, where the ashes of a the King are buried-- save for Kazmur himself. The much of the garden's floor was covered in moss and various pools and puddles also were found in this garden. It was often strange to Southerners that a place that they would find as something to leisurely stroll in was in fact a place that Ruthens came to pay respects.

On the opposite side of the garden was a silver plated door guarded by the Temple Guard. Upon seeing the arrival of the Priest, they opened the door and allowed all into the chamber. The chamber, uncharacteristic of the other chambers, was wooden, and possessed various rugs and tapestries. Green seemed to dominate the room. At the front of the room stood a curtained off area, these curtains were also dark green-- in fact a very particular shape of green often associated with royalty in Ruthund, the color of the fir trees within the mountains of Ruthund.

The Priest directed the foreign delegation to take a seat on the upper level of the chamber, above the clergy. The seats and tables were ornately crafted, depicting various omeihuz as well as various things found in nature. The room's silence was dulled by a sort mumur among the clergy sitting in the bottom section of the room. After a few moment's a sharp but charming bell rang -- silence followed. Only a few seconds afterwards the curtains unfolded, if only slowly. And thus the Thuidon was revealed for the first time in nearly 500 years to a non-Ruthen and all the clergy below watch for the Thuidon eagerly knowing this.

(OOC: This part is a prelude to the speech the Thuidon will give. I will post tomorrow containing the speech itself, then afterward, people will be able to meet the Thuidon personally, if they wish.)

[Leagio]

Minister of Cultural Affairs Jeff Foxworthy entered the meeting interested to see the festival after landing and departing the airplane with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Joshua Alvarado as for the first time, they would be entering a foreign nation on behalf of the Commonwealth. The former Comedian now Minister of Cultural Affairs was looking for to see the many things about this festival being held in Ruthund. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs was with as a way to begin the start of a strong relationship between Leagio and Ruthund, which is part of the plans of the President.

[Montenbourg]

After some hours, the plane finally arrived. The Baroness of Downton and The Third cousin of The Queen, Lady Diane was being awaited by the personnel in the Ruthenish embassy, which would be in charge of the transport of the Baroness. The Montenbourgian motorcade headed towards the designated meeting point, where she was photographed by the media and waved towards the people. "I'm very happy to be here, and Her Majesty The Queen and the People of Montenbourg sends its best regards. A very beautiful country, looking forward to have a good time." the Baroness of Downton stated to the press as she advanced towards the Spanish delegation.

[Fayrrendel]

The garments the King was wearing during the speech, which were typical of much of the Clergy present.

As the curtain revealed the Thuidon, something did not seem right. Many within both the foreign delegation and the clergy expected the Thuidon to be wearing the traditional garb worn by the Head of the Temple. However today, the King decided to wear the robes of one of the clergy. Was the Thuidon trying to send a message to the clergy?

"Hark!" he exclaimed. "Fellow siblings of Ruthak, I thank ye for a timely arrival this day. As for our most esteemed guests, I shall not tarry you overlong. For this Lekornmeiluz hath revealed not a trying judgement for the Omeihiz on how Ruthens shall precede."

"When I became the Thuidon in 2001 in the Southern accounting of time, Ruthund was still emerging out of a most trying time for the Realm. The house of Ruthak was still ever divided against itself and many were still recovering from Runhoithaz Descent. We lived together through a time where the future of Ruthund remained uncertain. We lived together through a time where the assurance that our Realm would worry not to live through another civil couldn't have been assured to her people. And most importantly, we lived through a time where the Constitutional order of this Realm, as established by the people in 1994, stood on a knife's edge. I have sat silent within the Halls of this Temple, silently watching for 20 years. And while some in this room may know my thoughts of the matters of state in Ruthund, I have remained silent to many.

Some say that I should retake the fir mantle of this Realm and to breathe life once more upon the old regime, yea, to this very day we still hear its voice echo down the streets of the city. To once more rouse my children as Ruthak did with the Ruthens over a thousand years ago. And to what cause should I take the throne once more and end the Stewardship, I must ask. Any learned person of our history knows that the King was merely a string in the puppetry of the various factions and classes that have long dominated this Realm. We had first the Christians, then our Nobility, then the Nowugaz. The legacy of the throne remains weak and yet there are those that feign it strong. Now, Ruthund has joined a league called the European Union-- out of character of what my ancestors intended Ruthund to be: a sacred place of peace and quiet, a garden for Ruthak’s children. But we must also mind a time when Ruthund had a different policy, a policy of proving our righteousness and might across the North. We have garnered the reputation among the other Realms and of ourselves that we are a people destined to work and die alone-- that we need only each other. But my siblings, I ask all of you to think on this well: Who exactly made the policy that many of us so dearly treasure today as a part of our own soul? Was it Queen Palhanuz when she expelled the Christians? Was it King Airnojuz when he planted the runestone at Rangentazav? Or was it really the Restoration that brought about this policy? If this be a sacred charge by those who succeed Ruthak, then where is the Librihaz making it part of the divine doctrines of our Temple?

I have poured over this Temple’s library, and I found none. This policy is sacred as our imaginations will it and no more. Indeed, it is written into our Basic Law that our Old Policy must be guarded, but did this Temple give it its seal? Did I, as the successor of Ruthak, give it my blessing? None of this has happened. Think well on it...

In this time of great change for Ruthund, I have been charged with the task of seeing that the Temple’s relationship with the Realm remains with the ever-changing times for these people. Much has happened in the last 20 years, but this year alone will be pivotal to the future of these people. I have always believed in our true religion, I love this Realm as my own, our people as my siblings, and our heritage our forefathers have given us as blessings. I, as a Ruthen, intend to guard them in whatever way I can from those who mean it harm.

But for long now, it was always understood the enemies were the Christians and those who would deign to collaborate with them. But in my search for the proper Spirit to inhabit the vessel of time, I have come to the realization that the true enemies of our religion are at times those who have sworn to protect it. What strikes at my heart more is they use me, a person they have never encountered, as their rallying banner. Of all things I have spoken with the Omeihiz the most, it is this. The Omeihuz that shall fill the vessel of this year’s life has indicated to me what must be done after the New-Year Flame is kindled. The Omeihuz for this year shall be Wesjaruz, the Omeihuz of the stirring dreams.

Ruthund has long been in slumber since our defeat and our age old humiliations, though it is one more dangerous: one of which we think we are conscious. This year, I see we are stirring from slumber and soon we will feel the last tendrils of sleep depart from us. It is time for Ruthund to reawaken and to experience the world and to shake off the drowsiness of the past. We must, for our own sake, build a new Ruthund off of the foundations of our forefathers and give our hands out to the world. I, of all Ruthens, shall take this first step and I have indicated my intentions to the Lord of State about my plans: I shall be abdicating as King after this midsummer without an heir. I intend for the position of Thuidon to be abolished and its office to be reform by this Temple.

A new light will shine across Ruthund, one that will be alien to all of our siblings. It will be strange to all of you. I will no longer be there to continue this path I have set the Temple for, it will be up to all of you to tend the flame that I will have kindled. Of all things I have asked this Temple to do, this will be by far the greatest task to undertake. But should you succeed in guiding our fellow Ruthens towards walking freely in the light, I wager history will see you all as the true heroes of the Ruthund and its people."

The King bowed as a bell signaled the curtains to close.