#Starlight Festival

[mahtariel-of-himring]

In the early ages of Valinor there was a festival celebrated by the Noldor. It was very secretive and secluded ceremony so that not many outsiders knew a lot about it.

It was called the starlight festival, a ceremony in celebration of their first guides. The stars.

The first elves were born underneath starlight and lived under it for many years, the stars were their guiding light for long, before they came to Valinor.

The tradition was started by Queen Míriel, who loved the stars most of all her people, for her own hair shone like them and made her feel a special connection to the lights in the night sky.

Traditionally the Noldor wore pure white gowns with detailed silver embroidery which where very light and easy to move in to make it easier to the dance.

The embroidery was personalized for every single elf, making every piece uniquely fitted and decorated to represent said elf.

It showed whatever represented them most and was often connected to their craft.

A mariner or fisher would wear some type of waves, a weaver string and needle, a smith, depending on his specialty, gems, jewelry or whatnot. Those who took to other physical labor would often wear their tools, modeled after the real thing.

Additional to the white robes a flower crown made of pure white flowers was worn atop the head or, if someone wished, braided into the hair.

The flowers used to make them were unique and shone like the light of the stars themselves. Of great beauty and with soft, silky petals. They came in all sizes so it wasn’t uncommon for someone to have dainty small ones and another large ones that came down into their face.

The festival happened under the first clear night of the year, all light would be put out so the stars could be seen particularly well and the Noldor would dance beneath the sky that first welcomed them into the world.

After Queen Míriel died the tradition was largely abandoned due to King Finwë being unable to handle the grief of being reminded of his late wife.

Years later during Fëanor‘s exile to Formenos he brought the starlight festival back to life, teaching his son‘s and wife the traditional dances, helping them design their robes and make their flower crowns.

After the flight of the Noldor the tradition was lost a second time. Thought the son‘s of Fëanor carried on with it the war made it as good as impossible.

As battle and bloodshed slowly took over Beleriand they took to making flower crowns out of paper if they could or had the time for it, if not they simply thought of it, remembering the peace and quiet of the near sacred night their people used to celebrate and longed for the flowing robes and soft crowns.

When Elrond and Elros were kidnapped from Sirion Maedhros made an effort of making sure they knew of this tradition, in fear that if Maglor and he died no one would remember it any longer, and their grandmother’s legacy would fade.

After Maedhros died and Maglor disappeared the world seemed to have forgotten about the starlight festival, the great joy of Queen Míriel of the Noldor, who‘s hair shone like the light of the sky and who loved the nightly glow above all others.

But if you visited Lindon in the second age, and were around at the right time, looking out your window at the correct moment, you might saw a figure, dancing on the rooftops of the elves city, dressed in white, with flowers atop their head and gaze turned towards the stars.

[thefreelanceangel]

C'allie's favorite time of year!

[eidingate]

Wishing you a warm and bright holiday season, my friends!

[kannedia]

Happy Starlight to you all!

Whatever you celebrate I hope it is merry and bright! May your days be warm and full of hope.

[danielladigitalbunny]

Merry Festive Season!

It's Starlight Month!

[riftdancing]

The catfish in the sink is fully thawed and we're back on our shit.

~*~ L E T T H E H O L I D A Y S E A S O N B E G I N ~*~

[keicordelle]

This man is wrapped so very firmly around Ameliance's finger. Love that for him

[klopford]

“Darling, tis Cold Outside” (a duet with Urianger)

(I know some people find this song problematic. I’m not here to debate or discuss that. I’m just having some holiday silliness.)

Male part sung by Urianger. Female part sung by the Warrior of Light. (Or Moenbryda! Or Thancred, if you’re into that!)

—

I really can't stay

Darling, tis cold outside

I've got to go away

Darling, tis cold outside

This evening has been

Did hope that you would come in

So, very nice

I'll hold thine hands, thou art cold as ice

My mother will start to worry

Beloved, what be thy hurry?

My father will be pacing the floor

Pray, harken to the fireplace’s roar

So, really I'd better scurry

My darling, pray do not hurry

But maybe just a half a drink more

Mine orchestrion shalt play whilst I pour

The neighbors might think

Darling, tis cold out there

Say, what's in this drink?

No porters dare ride out there

I wish I knew how

Thine eyes are like starlight now

To break this spell

I shall take thine hat, thy hair looks swell

I ought to say, "No, no, no sir"

Doth ye mind if I move closer?

At least I'm gonna say that I tried

Prithee, why shalt thou harm my pride?

I really can't stay

Pray, do not hold out

Darling, tis cold outside

I simply must go

Darling, tis cold outside

The answer is, "No"

Nay, darling, tis cold outside

The welcome has been

Fortuitous that you came in

So nice and warm

Gaze out yon window at the storm

My sister will be suspicious

Dear, thy lips look delicious

My brother will be there at the door

Waves upon a tropical shore

My maiden aunt's mind is vicious

Dear, thy lips are delicious

But maybe just a half a drink more

Never such a blizzard before

I've got to get home

Love, thou shalt freeze out there

Say, lend me your comb?

Snow up to thy knees out there

You've really been grand

Such thrill when I touch thy hand

But don't you see?

How couldst thou do such things to me?

There's bound to be talk tomorrow

Think of mine life-long sorrow

At least there will be plenty implied

If thou caught pneumonia and died

I really can't stay

Pray, cease thy hold out

Darling, tis cold

Darling, tis cold outside

[silentmight]

you're my starlight Merry Starlight from Nata and Emet!

[rozzmarin]

❤️Part 1/2 from a screenshot collab with my girlfriend @purupumpkin❤️

I feel sorry for those that have to deal with these two cretins, especially around the festive seasons! I have reposted her set, go check it out ❤️

[purupumpkin]

❤️Part 2/2 from a screenshot collab I did with my wonderful gf @rozzmarin❤️

Kari and Cirina are shopping for Christmas decorations together so that they can decorate with the FC family soon.

Rozzmarin will post her pics soon ❤️

[kiyoshi-ito-aizawa]

A little late, but Merry Starlight everyone!

[booty-uprooter]

'here are your options for solving this child's zero-stakes problem:

commit 3 counts of a felony

do not commit a felony

commit one count of a felony

gee, i wonder which you should choose, warrior of light'

[enemiesofinnocence]

Continued from here - @ghostofnibelheim

And wherein Sefirah had his traditions and habits manifested over the years this festival would come around, Khum'a had his own.

Though they were a touch less wholesome; where Starlight was considered a time for celebration, family and cosy drinks around a fire, Khum'a had always dreaded this turn of the year.

Where all he had was anger and loneliness. Busying himself with the construction of the festive markets was his escape from the chill, enough of a distraction from the loving families and friends of each he wished so desperately to have himself; of what he once had now resting deep at the bottom of the ocean.

At least... ... Until he'd met Sefirah.

He'd never really thought about it until recently, how he'd found everything he'd been looking for - comfort, friendship... family - all wrapped up in this one single man.

Khum'a could truly say that he had never felt happier, or more content with his lot in life.

"No, no, no, the food is for both of us so it's not about that!" His speech is a little rushed, excitable as he scurries around his friend, pulling out a chair from the vast table laden with goodies and offers for the Viera to sit.

"Just... I know how much you enjoy this time of year, yeah? And I know you like the Amphitheatre and all that but..." he takes his own seat next to his friend, reaching for a bottle of a light pink sparkling beverage - Sefirah's favourite strawberry soda of course - and pouring it into the two glasses sat in front of them.

"I thought maybe just for one day at Starlight, we could do something like this; sit, and eat, maybe invite some friends over, play party games-" Khum'a raises his glass to the man, his mouth pulled into a hearty grin. "- make new memories, new traditions, yeah?"

Khum'a just wanted to enjoy himself, to relish in the festival, like Sefirah did.

[kannedia]

1 day to go...

[danielladigitalbunny]

On Starlight Eve, she gazed upon her list and doth gazed upon it twice.

She packed all gifts and saddled-up, heading out through snow and ice.

Traveling through Eorzea, each stop as important than the last.

Placing questionable gifts for the Gobbies, carefully not to suffer a kaboom of a blast.

A smile befits a hero and doth she wield it in her heart.

But hide not your feelings, for darkness was not yet her art.

Showing Love, delivering kindness in acts as well as gifts.

She would see to others before herself, making sure the festive season fits.

In the hearts of the young and the souls of the old.

With the warmest of weathers to that of the cold.

Blessings to all throughout the festive Season.

Merry Starlight 🌸 🎄