The Late Wake

20th Thawing, the Day of Mourning. Across Alva, this is a heavy day, set aside to grieve for and commemorate the dead.

Death has a different meaning, however, in Iadlain. Surrounded by a forest that thrives intimately on death, the locals treat this day with caution before solemnity. Excessive attention on dark emotions, bodies which once housed life and items with strong memories of the deceased can invite equal attention from things in the woods, it is believed. And this can lead to trouble.

A tradition known as the Feill Fadalach, or Late Wake, has thus arisen. On the days surrounding the 20th, people hold night-long vigils over cemeteries and anywhere they know death has touched, such as the rooms of the deceased or sites of fatal accidents. Those who watch are equipped with music and brightly coloured toys, with which they can distract spirits who show signs of mischief, as well as salt and incense to drive them away. For the most part, it is only poltergeist activity that spikes (with an accompanying spike in curious tourists, much to the locals’ exasperation), but vigilance remains crucial, especially on the night of the 20th.

Features: Music (instrumental and singing), wind chimes, bells, small toys, salt, red candles, incense
Colours: Anything bright or multi-coloured, especially red