Celesmas

The story of Celesmas, the Festival of the Midnight Star, as recounted by Gennell the Elder

On the First Day, the people of Aetolia awoke for the first time and took stock of their newfound lives. Though they all knew their names and found that they were competent in various skills, they had no sense of real identity or belonging. Much of the day was spent in exercises of discovery - both of themselves and of the others, all of whom shared their peculiar absence of memory.

Night fell, and an uncertain world huddled in unfamiliar shelters they could only assume were built for their use. Soon though, bickering inevitably broke out as some noticed the relative differences in comfort and luxury with which others had, seemingly by chance alone, ended up. Squabbling turned to heated conflict, and chaotic factions formed and then dissolved just as quickly. As the conflicts began to turn physical, mortalkind was about to wipe each other out their first night in the new universe.

Varian, watching His new creations closely, observed all this and was troubled. He had left their sense of identity and belonging blank because He wished to see them establish their own ways based on the personalities and abilities He had given them, without intervening directly. But if left to their own devices, it was clear that the path on which they were embarking was that of self-destruction.

So at the darkest hour, Varian manifested as a brilliant star in the midnight sky. To each mortal mind He whispered, imbuing each with a sense of Identity. A dramatic change overtook the populace. Each individual suddenly knew with absolute certainty where he or she belonged in the world at that moment, an immeasurably comforting knowledge to possess. And though the next day anything could change for the better or the worse, mortals knew for that moment who they were. Falling to their knees in gratitude and adoration, they called Him Varian the Celestine and praised His infinite wisdom.

Periodically, Varian appears again to His Creation as a brilliant star in the midnight sky, a reminder to all that from darkness and uncertainty come purpose, and that each mortal belongs, with his or her own identity and destiny in the Creator's ineffable Plan. Mortals celebrate this time as Celesmas, the Festival of the Midnight Star, in honor of Varian the Celestine.