12-29-2019, 05:46 AM | #1 |
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
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Noršlond Customs
What are some curious Noršlond customs?
During the three shortest nights of the year, the young men of any village dress up as goats and go wassailing. They are rewarded with food and drink (especially drink) and kisses by the young unwed women of the village. They also burn the Yule-Goat. The Yule-Goat is made from straws of the last crops harvested and contains the spirit of the harvest. By burning it and thus releasing it, it is let loose to begin the work of finding the Sun and bringing it back. It is said that if the Yule-Goat is not burned, the village will starve for three consecutive years. Adventure Seed: Someone has stolen the Yule-Goat, holding it ransom, and it's only three days until the Winter Solstice. Disaster awaits unless the PCs can retrieve the precious item.
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When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ... Marcus Aurelius |
12-31-2019, 09:49 AM | #2 |
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
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Re: Noršlond Customs
On New Years Eve, it is tradition in Nordlond homes to renew oaths of friendship, loyalty and marriage. While it is still possible to do so at other times, the New Year is considered an especially auspicious time to renew the bonds that tie society together. This is also a time of great feasts, when the jarls invite their bondsmen and the freemen that live nearby to celebrate the birth of the new year and the return of the Sun (A Nordlond New Year starts with the Spring Equinox and the return of the Yule-Goat from his quest to find the sun.).
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When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ... Marcus Aurelius Last edited by Anders; 12-31-2019 at 10:30 AM. |
12-31-2019, 10:04 AM | #3 | |
Doctor of GURPS Ballistics
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lakeville, MN
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Re: Noršlond Customs
Quote:
Hall of Judgment, p. 10: Equinox Festival (March). The equinox festival marks the beginning of the Noršlond year, and the long-anticipated (long, long anticipated in Isfjall) end of winter. It is marked by religious celebrations and the sacrifice of small amounts of seed grains to mark the beginning of new things. Any children born in the winter are recognized and celebrated at the Equinox. If you come across a child named Byrjun, Jólabarn, Borgny, or Dagne, they were probably born near the equinox (likely a result of activities during the Solstice Festival in midsummer).
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12-31-2019, 10:29 AM | #4 |
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
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Re: Noršlond Customs
Ah. Well, that fits "the return of the Sun" even better. Will rewrite.
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When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ... Marcus Aurelius |
12-31-2019, 06:33 PM | #5 |
Icelandic - Approach With Caution
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Reykjavķk, Iceland
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Re: Noršlond Customs
How about a custom about giving knives and weapons? You don't give people knives or weapons as that would cut the bonds of friendship. If you desire someone to have this cool knife/sword/whatever you give it to them along with a coin, in essence paying them to have that implement. Or when the recipient receives the implement he pays the giver for it with a small coin.
Based on an actual Icelandic tradition/superstition. |
01-01-2020, 05:21 AM | #6 |
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
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Re: Noršlond Customs
Swedish as well, although for us its scissors. There are plenty of superstitions in Swedish folklore to draw from...
For instance, dried and powdered woodlice can be used to treat constipation.
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When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love ... Marcus Aurelius |
01-01-2020, 08:53 AM | #7 | |
Doctor of GURPS Ballistics
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Lakeville, MN
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Re: Noršlond Customs
Quote:
Festival of the Bells (December). The winter solstice festival honors the Lord of Warding for standing watch through the depths of the winter and protecting the town and its citizens from harm. At the moment of solstice, bells and chimes are rung in every household, building, and steading in the region. Gifts are exchanged, typically weapons or replicas of weapons. At the evening meal, every head of household will spill a drink, and pledge in the name of the Lord of Warding to be vigilant and stand fast before evil. The meal is traditionally mutton.
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