Yule

People keep saying "Yule." What does it mean?

-Midori Suarez
Daughter of Mercy

Dear Midori,

Ah, what a time to be alive.

This is an excerpt from the Baronial Library's Cultural collection, discussing Holidays of Arawyn, including Yule.

December/January – Yule/Winter Solstice: Throughout late December and early January, peoples across Kormyre, and in more recent years throughout many of the other humanoid kingdoms, celebrate the winter festival of Yule. Full of traditions whose origins are more or less lost to time, Yule is a celebration of brotherhood, togetherness, and triumph against all odds even in the midst of the harshest season of the year. While many practices have come to be associated with Yule from throughout the many cultures of Arawyn, three primary aspects stand out as most distinctive. The first is the particular style of decoration, which includes the use of pine and holly garlands and wreaths, ribbons and bows of red, green, silver and gold, and the traditional burning of the Yule Log. The second is in the great feasting that occurs, which consists of rich foods suitable for the winter months, and the use of warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Hearty wines, ales, and mulled ciders are popular as well. The third most distinctive practice is that of the exchange of gifts between friends and family. Often these take the form of freshly baked cookies and other sweets, but can really be anything at all. Farther north, towards the Highlands and the Barbarian lands, a traditional wild hunt is frequently performed, usually for a great boar or stag, which is then served as part of a large feast to the entire community. Because it falls so closely in line with the Winter Solstice, Druids, where present, are known to perform their own rites during this festival as well.

Happy Falling Ward. I look forward to sharing Rising Enchantment's favorable Yule here in Travance.

--Mantel Warrane, Sylph

Midori,

If possible, I'd love to welcome you along for a Wild Hunt.

Mr. Argyle,

I've never been on a Wild Hunt before. Is it scary?

-Midori Suarez
Daughter of Mercy

Sometimes around Yule benevolent faeries will leave presents hidden around homes and taverns for people to find. If you look hard enough you might find some sweets or small gifts wrapped in colorfull paper. -atleast that's what my mom tells her young school students

Midori,

Wren is correct about the happy fairies that leave presents for the good people of Arawyn. However he has shamefully ignored the most important servant of all those who hold the Yuletide Spirit in their hearts.

In the North, we have an old tale about a white bearded traveler dressed in robes of evergreen with a crown of holly atop his head. He walks with staff in hand across the lands, delivering presents to well behaved striplings. Often seen communing with the Spirits of the land to aid in his quest of spreading Yuletide cheer. The Winter winds serve at his call, but his heart is as warm as sun that thaws the snow in Spring.

The one, the only, Father Frost!