Lunar New Year

As the year of the lambent crystal cormorant draws to an end, Song-luans everywhere prepare to welcome the year of the incandescent gold snake with lavish festivities. Money is saved and vendors crowd the streets selling new year charms. Fireworks and magical displays light the sky at the strike of midnight - bright golden snakes weaving among flowers and falling stars. Rice wine is shared with family and neighbors, and speculation immediately begins on what the coming year will bring. When dawn breaks, families share as large a meal as they can afford; afterwards, they rest. Later in the day there are colorful parades in the streets, and an atmosphere of good cheer all around. Those who must work are compensated generously.

This year, the onset of war has brought changes. There are less casual vacationers, and the wave of Linhian immigrants has come with sporadic but brutal clashes between local gangs and newcomers looking for turf. The Peacekeepers and city guard are on alert. Citizens call for Linhians to be sent back now that their own city is recovering. With this and frayed relations within the Empire in mind, Chancellor Tor'ang has invited her fellow leaders and the Emperor to the celebrations - hoping that the neutral ground of her House’s ancestral hot springs, and their traditional strong rice wine, will allow lowering of shoulders and peaceful conversation on their future.

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Features: Rice wine, hot springs, relaxation, fortune-telling and good luck charms based on the zodiac.

Colours: Gold, red, green, white and pale shades of pink

Dates: 10th Stars -11th Stars (Last day of Silkworm, first day of Cat)