Completed Ansayia, The Festival Of Color

[Cascade]

The Ansayia (roughly translated to ‘a celebration of colors’ in Fratava) is celebrated on the first of Spring. Located in the Northern Suvan Sea, the festival is held on the numerous ships of the Anchorage Flotilla. On the last few days of Winter and the first few days of Spring, the Flotilla is the largest it will be. The festival commences when Syna starts to rise on the first of Spring. Aside from being a celebration of the new year, and a festival of thanksgiving for life after the Valterrian, most Svefra also use this event to meet up with the many members of their race. Since the Suvan Sea is a vast domain and its locals are heavily dispersed, the Ansayia is a significant one as it is one of those few times that they are able to gather in one location. Rumor has it that even Laviku himself likes to attend the festival at times. His current champion, however, is almost always present. History There are various reasons as to why the Svefra celebrate the Valterrian. While it had been devastating and many lives had been lost, the race is known to have found the silver lining. They say that it had paved to a new era, and that the Suvan Sea, their new home, was the result of it. The Valterrian was seen as a beginning to their own masterful world, a world in which they finally found a homeland in the form of an inland sea. Details Food, music, and competitions are only some of the highlights of this festival. Seafood cooked in many different ways is shared between the festival goers. Music varies from ship to ship, with many Svefra entertainers showing off their skill. There are also the competitions wherein many of the youth strive to show off what they have learned in the previous year. One of the most prominent things that may be observed from this event is the liveliness. Svefra are known to love a good party, and this is an event where this can be clearly witnessed. A hapless outsider may be suddenly grabbed into a dance line and will be forced to participate. Wallflowers are generally frowned upon, and the Svefra will mostly persuade them to join in the festivities, pestering them with songs and dances or shoving food in their direction. Being a superstitious race, they believe that nobody should start the year without joy, lest they be surrounded by negativity for the rest of the seasons. The name of the festival was a product of the array of colors that can be found within the event. Another superstition that the Svefra believe in is that a wild array of colors can chase away bad luck. For this reason, they strive to dress up in the most colorful clothes that they have. Loud trinkets can also be found decorating their hair, with just as loud bracelets, necklaces, anklets, and the like. Colored powder, which reins from Vanti Island, is also used. Once a year, a rare specifies of turtle come to lay their colorful eggs on the shores of Vanti Island. Once they eggs hatch, the shells disintegrate and leave color on the powdery sands. These sands are harvested by the Svefra for the festival and are thrown around the decks in a fit of celebration, and it is freely passed around in baskets for no cost. Items For Sale/Barter Items may be paid for or bartered for with items of the same value. Only players with the negotiation, persuasion, or similar skills can convince the merchants to sell their products for a cheaper price. Jewelry These accessories are made from wooden beads, colorful sea stones, bones from cheap animals, copper, and silver. Purchasers may arrange them how they want on a length of string, and they may be made into necklaces, bracelets, put into hair, or pretty much anything. Most of those who purchase jewelry in the festival do it with the purpose of giving them away as gifts. The default length for the jewelry is about half a meter and may be wrapped multiple times around a body part or cut up further. Silver pendants that carry Laviku’s symbols are also sold, and are said to protect individuals while they are at sea. Prices: 3cm for items made from wooden beads, 5cm for sea stones, 5cm for bones, 7cm for copper, 5gm for silver. Purchasers may mix the materials but the price will be according to the most expensive material. Pendants cost 45sm or 4.5gm. Sculptures There are colored sculptures of sea animals from wood or copper. These are wonderful for children to play with, or to just decorate if you have the space. As most souvenirs purchased from the festival, these sculptures are said to bring luck to the ships that carry it. Small-sized sculptures (as large as a fist) sell for 5sm for wooden items, and 2gm for copper. Large-sized sculptures (half a meter in height) sell for 2gm for wooden items, and 5gm for copper. Weapons Intricately and colorfully decorated weapons are sold in the festival. These are weapons that many Svefra use, including the cutlass, knives, swords, and bows. While these weapons do not come any cheaper during the festival, some buy them for their decorative value and place them on the walls of their ships. Weapon prices are equal to those find on the price list. Ale Drinks, mostly ale and rum, are sold at the festival. As the Svefra prefer it, these drinks taste sweeter than they normally would. Drinks cost 2sm a gallon. Trained Birds When introduced to a new master and a new home, these birds will serve to be entertaining companions. While they do not have much purpose at times, they may add color and life to a home. Partridges sell for 1sm, parrots for 30gm, songbirds for 1gm. Events Winning these contests hold a lot of prestige, and the winners will be remembered by all those present. Sailing Race This is open to young and old, and the only requirement is that they have a ship that can be manned by a single person. For the Svefra, this normally means the casinors. The goal is to swim around the anchorage of ships three times, which amounts to roughly ten kilometers of water. Swimming Competition About a hundred meters away from one end of the Anchorage is a decorated boat which participants need to swim to and back. OOC Note Players may post in this thread or may create threads of their own. This specific thread is open to all players and the timestamp is the 1st of Spring, 512, at sunrise. Credits to Anchor, and Maurelle.

[Ralira Flow]

Spring 1st 513 AV
Ansayia Festival
Sunrise

Ralira set to the shore to enjoy the Ansayia, festival of color. The liveliness of the festival was just what she needed to drive away the blues she had been experiencing as of late. Once on the shore the joyous Svefra made her mood lighten instantly. Music could be heard all around, women, men, and children were dancing laughing as they did so. Seafood cooked in all ways imaginable was being passed around to all who were there. The sight was marvelous as well; it was not called the festival of color for nothing. Abundant colors made love to Ralira’s eyes. Blues, pinks, purples, reds, greens, oranges, yellows, every color that was imaginable was incorporated into the festival. Baskets containing all these colors were being passed around freely to all who were there. The Svefra believed that the array of bright, vibrant colors chased away bad luck, so of course Ralira grabbed one of the baskets being handed out, she too was superstitious. She did not want to start the new year out with bad luck after all.

After the basket that was handed to her, a grilled fish was placed in her hand next. Ralira nibbled on it happily, devouring the delicious, salty flavor of the fish with in a chime. With her belly full and her spirits lifted, Ralira felt so much about this year, feeling renewed and joyous, ready for a new adventure as always.

Ralira ventured over to the merchant area, looking at all the different wares that was being sold. She was not in need for anything really, but it never hurt to look. The jewelry table was set up wonderfully, one could even make their own with the array of different beads. After seeing all the merchant tables, Ralira decided to set up shop herself. She had no stand, no table, and no chairs. But she had a coat in her backpack and the powdery sand of the beach. So she laid out the coat and sat on the sand, placing her deck of tarot cards before her, waiting for a curious customer to take interest.

Finally, after about 45 chimes of sitting in the sand, a Svefra male came up, looking down at Ralira. He stood there silent for a few minutes, finally his rough voice came out, ”Fortune Teller?” He asked simply.

Ralira nodded her head, giving him a bright smile, ”Yes. It is usually 5 sm for a reading, but for you I will only charge 4sm.” Ralira gave the handsome, dark haired man a playful wink. It obviously worked because he sat down in the sand, with a playful smile tugging at his lips.

”For me huh? Well I can’t be passing up a deal like that, aye? How do you want to do this then?” The man’s rough voice ended with a small smile and a little furrow of his brows, it was obvious he did not fully understand Fortune Telling. Ralira had yet to comprehend its complex nature fully herself, but she was still learning and would become better with practice.
”Just shuffle the deck while asking a question, you can ask it aloud or keep it to yourself. Then draw three cards and place them face down on the coat, we will reveal the cards one at a time.” Ralira instructed the man in an excited voice. She was trying to hold back the excitement of getting practice at one of her trades, but it she was failing at it.

The dark haired Svefra man nodded his head and began shuffling the deck, as he ask the question to himself. Ralira could only guess that it was either about love, fortune, fame, or even sailing. It was the typical questions of most people. After he had finished shuffling the deck of cards, he placed three of them in a row on her crimson red coat, placing his elbow on his knee, resting his chin on the upper portion of a balled fist. ”Alright, let us see what these cards say about me then.” The man said, a little worry in his eyes.

Ralira gave him a warm smile and nodded her head. She flipped the first card, and revealed the King of Wands. Ralira looked into the sea blue eyes of the Svefra man, ”This card means to believe in yourself and stand up for what you believe to be right.” Ralira saw some of the worry leave the man’s eyes, he did not speak only nodded and gestured with his hand for her to continue.

She flipped the second card, revealing the Six of Pentacles, ”This card means that someone is willing to help you through whatever trials may come your way.” Ralira blinked at that, the cards were matching up nicely, the worry in those eyes slipping further away.

Ralira continued to the third card, excited to see what it would also say, she flipped the card over and revealed Judgement, ”This card means that there is a change heading your way, that is for you to control. It also means that this change will be cleansing and a new start.” Ralira looked up from the cards and into the man’s eyes.

”So I gather from the cards that there is a change coming, a trial, in your life. There will be people there to help you through this trial, just remember to stand up for what you think is right, and believe in yourself. This trial will bring a change that will be cleansing and give you a new start if you let it do so.” Ralira finished with the description, seeing a bright smile on the man’s face. His fortune had made him happy, which made Ralira happy as well. Sometimes the cards spoke of negative things, sometimes of positive ones. She was happy that this time it was a positive note, leaving the customer satisfied and happy.

The man handed her the 1gm, thanking her for the reading, and sprinted off happily into the distance. She made a little money through her trade, learned some new things as well, it was becoming a productive day for sure.

[Tsukiko]

Spring 1st 513 AV - Sunrise Tsukiko hummed gently, her cloak pulled up to cover her silvery hair, and black horns. She sat on board her catamaran, legs swinging gently over the side of her vessel, as she watched Syna rise slowly above the horizon. The paleness of her skin retreated slowly, seeming to sink below, only to be replaced by a tan seen on many of those of her earthbound form, the Svefra. Her eyes dulled slightly, returning to a mortal's brilliant, though not quite as vibrant, blue. Lowering her hood, curling waves of brown, mixed in various shades, fell gently down her back. A grin of anticipation crossed her face, lighting up her eyes. Tsukiko had noticed the activity within the previous days, the Flotilla growing busier as each one passed into the next. 'Finally,' she thought as she swung her self onto her feet, 'it is time for a celebration!'. Slipping out of her cloak, she slipped into her sleeping area, rummaging around for some of her more colorful items... which meant her usual clothing, as she had to conserve money where she could. Slipping into her clothes, Tsukiko gathered whatever items she may need, her crescent sword at her side, who knew, perhaps she would be able to find something to match among the weapon booths, and stepped towards the growing crowd. Many of her seafaring kin greeted her with grins, some hands reaching out to streak her hands in colorful hues when she grinned in return. Walking near the barrels of spirits, her ears were met with more than a few drunkenly sung shanties, and hummed along. Continuing towards the main festivities, she encountered a few playful and flirtatious calls, and shook her head with a smile. 'Perhaps later,' she thought, and felt a silly smile growing. Something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. Watching a group of what appeared to be siblings, she felt a pang of loneliness memories of her pod rising to the surface. The Oceangem Pod had welcomed her, and she still missed them. Forcing a smile, she continued her walk, stopping at booths, and watching events in attempt to lighten her mood. 45 chimes later, her spirits raised, she found herself observing a woman and a man. The man was clearly a Svefra, a looker at that. The woman seemed to hold something in her hands, and she caught a glimpse of cards. Having never seen a fortuneteller, she was intrigued, and approached as the man rose and left. "Hello," she said speaking to the woman with a curious tone, "what cards are those? I have never seen the like..."

[Ralira Flow]

Ralira watched the Svefra man walk off, taking note of how his muscles flexed as he walked. It was a pretty sight to be sure. She was so caught up in checking the man out, that she did not realize that there another person had come up, until she heard the voice of a female ask about the cards, not knowing what they were.

Ralira looked over and up to see a rather beautiful woman standing there looking at the cards with a slight confused look upon her face. Her hair tumbled down in curls to her shoulders, the array of browns and reds that glinted in the light of the sun, and of course the blue eyes of a Svefra.

Ralira gave the slim woman a bright smile, gesturing for her to take a seat in front of her in the sand. ”These are called Tarot Cards. They can tell about one’s future, tell a person’s fortune. Sometimes it is good, sometimes not so much, but it is all up to the cards as to what they wish to reveal. Sometimes all they reveal are riddles, up to the listener to decipher.” Ralira cleared her throat, keeping the bright smile on her face, flashing her white teeth, ”Would you be interested in a reading?” Ralira asked, keeping the excitement down a little.

She found the woman’s beauty a little alluring, she was slightly jealous. She carried a strange air about her, although she was a Svefra that was something a little different about her. But Ralira could not figure out what exactly it was, so she just banished the thought, waiting for her reply.

[Tsukiko]

Accepting the woman's invitation, Tsukiko lowered herself to sit crossed legged before her, who upon closer observation seemed to be some kind of mix, though she retained the blue eyes of a Svefra. At a glance, the woman could easily be mistaken for a full Svefra, however, if one were to fully look at her, they would find that the tan of her skin was her natural color. She admired the woman's thick, black dreadlocks, and was drawn to her cerulean blue eyes. Smiling in return, Tsukiko nodded. "I would love to... is there a fare?" The cards, Tarot Cards as the woman called them, piqued her interest, even more so when she explained their use. 'Telling one's future and fortune... What an intriguing idea!' she thought to herself, excited by the prospect of learning her own. "How can cards reveal the future of a mortal?", and realizing that she had yet to introduce herself, she quickly added, "Ah, my name is Tsukiko. It is a pleasure to meet you," her eyes dancing with anticipation, a smile still playing on her lips. She found that the woman before her had a beauty in her own right, and appeared to be around her own age... At least the age of her earthbound form. She seemed to be strong, and sure of herself, a characteristic Tsukiko admired, encouraged and appreciated in the individuals she met. Curiosity getting the better of her, she could not resist asking, "Is this your trade? To tell one's future and fortune?"

[Ralira Flow]

Ralira kept her voice soft and calm, ”Yes. For you, I will charge 2sm. That is a deal, trust me.” Ralira winked at the beautiful Svefra woman, nothing flirty about it, just a wink to add emphasis on the lowered price.

The womans question was logically, but Ralira had the answer ”Why does the wind fill the sails of a boat? Why does the waves crash upon the beach? Why do fish have scales?” Ralira paused for a little dramatic effect, ”We are not meant to know all the answers in life, but the cards can lead you in the right direction of seeking your answers, it is just so.”

Ralira nodded her head to the woman’s introduction, ”Nice to meet you Tsukiko. I am Ralira Flow, and it is also a pleasure to meet you.” Ralira kept a kind smile on her face, shuffling the cards briefly, and then setting them back down on her crimson coat, then looked up as the woman asked another question.

”Yes, it is one of many trades. I do many things to make a living. Fortune telling, sewing, fighting pirates. Whatever pays for my living.” Ralira said, flashing her teeth in a broad smile, ”Would you like to see what the cards have to say about you Tsukiko?” Ralira asked in a friendly tone, pointing to the deck of cards on her coat.

[Tsukiko]

"Then I thank you for such a great deal," Tsukiko replied, counting out the 2sm, and handing it to her. She winked as she did, as one who understands the other, and smiled. She had taken a liking to the fortuneteller, and hoped that they would become friends. The woman was able to turn her question into something philosophical, with the flourish of an entertainer, not over bearing, nor to shallow. Her words reminded Tsukiko of her origins, and she accepted them with a slight nod. She understood that not everything in existence had an explanation, for how was one to explain her own existence? By day a Svefra, sailing the sea, and by night, a creature of horns, mourning something she had lost? Thinking of loss, she thought once again of the Oceangem Pod, but shook her head, banishing such thoughts from her mind. Perhaps she would see them, for it was Ansayia, and the pods had gathered for a celebration. Clearing her mind with this thought, she returned her attention to Ralira. "The pleasure is mine," she replied, her gaze catching the shuffle of the cards. Looking back to Ralira, she smiled. The crimson suited her, contrasting with her eyes. Tsukiko listened to her reply. "Sewing! I've had some difficulty with that..." she said, thinking of the sail she had accidentally torn a small hole in during the beginning of the winter season. She wondered if Ralira would be willing to teach her, but decided that it would be better to wait before asking, for they had only just met. "Fighting pirates as well, perhaps we could spar sometime," she said brightly, her hand touching the hilt of her crescent blade briefly. "Though I am not much good," she added with a crooked smile. She knew that despite carrying a blade, she had much to learn. Returning to the matter at hand, she answered in a light tone, "Yes, please. I'm quite interested in what they have to say of me." Excitement, and curiosity flashing briefly through her eyes.

[Ralira Flow]

Ralira nodded her head to the woman’s thanks, ”Anytime.” the Fortune Teller simply said. She observed her face as the woman devoured the Fortune Tellers philosophical answer to her question. Tsukiko seemed to accept that as an answer, which made Ralira happy that she understood. Things of the world are left unexplained for a reason, if we knew the answers to everything, where would adventure sprout?

The woman seemed interested in the sewing trade, saying she has had some difficult with it. ”Ah, well I do not know much about it, I am still learning. I do not mind offering my assistance if you need it though.” Ralira tone came out friendly; she did not mind helping other people out. Everyone needed help with something in life, and if she could offer any assistance to those that needed she did not mind doing so. The help she extends to others is always beneficial to them as well as she. Then the topic moved onto the fighting of pirates and the offer of a spar sometime. Ralira gave the woman a broad smile, ”I would enjoy a spar with another. I must admit I am not that skilled with my cutlass, so any practice will be much welcomed!”

Ralira was becoming quite fond of this woman. She had a personality that suited her own. They could become great friends if things turned out well. She was already enjoying this woman’s company a great deal.

The topic shifted after the little chit-chat session of skills and sparring, to that of the cards. Ralira did not mind the socialization with the woman, but she was glad that she wanted to know what the cards had to say to her. So with a nod of her head she handed the deck to the woman, ”Shuffle the cards and ask them your question, you can either do so aloud or to yourself. Once you are done shuffling pick out three cards from the deck and lay them face down on the coat, no peeking at what they are.”

Ralira sat back and watched as the woman shuffled the cards. She saw the glimmer of curiosity and excitement flash in her blue eyes, and it mirrored her own expression. Ralira thought the woman intriguing, and hoped that through this they could get to know one another better. Sailing alone became lonely, especially when one did not know very many people of the Suvan Sea.

[Tsukiko]

Tsukiko was relieved to hear she had someone willing to teach her sewing, as well as spar with her. She felt a broad smile cross her lips at the last. 'It was always useful to learn a new skill, and improve the old,' she thought to herself as she took the cards. She had seen how the other woman had shuffled the cards, and attempted to mimic Ralira's movements, her own clumsy and slow; cutting the deck in half, holding one half in her left hand, as she mixed in the other half with her right. After a few attempts, she began to get the hang of it, her hands less unsure with each try. After several shuffles, she held the deck in her hands, looking at the back of the cards as she decided on what to ask. She thought of her Pod, discarding it as something that would happen if it was meant to happen. A few moments later, she decided on her question. 'Will I... always spend my life alone..? Always to gaze at the moon, forlorn and confused?' she asked the cards, thinking the question rather than voicing it. It was not a worry she wished to speak of, since she had a feeling that once she did, it would make it that much more real. Slowly, she spread the cards in front of her. Considering the array of cards, she let her hand hover over them, taking her time to select three cards from different areas of the deck. Carefully, without looking at them, which was a hard to task to accomplish with her strong sense of curiosity, she placed the three tarot cards face-down, gathering the rest into a neat pile. Setting the rest of the deck beside her three chosen cards, she resisted the urge to take a peek, instead, she rested her hands in her lap, and waited for her fate to be revealed. She felt curiosity, awe, anticipation, and a small twinge of nervousness and fear.

[Ralira Flow]

Ralira watched the woman fumble with shuffling the cards, a small smile spread on her lips. She was not laughing at the woman, it was actually quite endearing to watch, after a while she did get the hang of it, and shuffled the cards better. Quick learner. Ralira observed to herself. That was a good quality to have, being able to mimic another person, and learning a new skill out of it. Ralira was almost the same way, able to watch another and mimic it. Though she also needed instruction along with it, for reassurance that she was doing it right.

She watched the woman set down the three cards, a slightly nervous look displayed on her face. It was normal to be nervous as to what the cards wished to say. There was always truth in them, and sometimes people did get mad because they did not understand the cards at all. Sometimes the cards did not answer the question asked, but rather the questions that the individual was too scared to ask.

”Ready?” Ralira asked in a soothing voice. She did not wait for the answer though, she said it more to let her know they were about to begin on the journey. She flipped the first card, a little surprised to see it. It was the Wheel of Fortune.

Ralira looked down at the card, summoning up the information about it, and then looked into the blue eyes of the Svefra woman, “This card is called the Wheel of Fortune. It states that in every crisis that happens in life, it opens up new opportunities. When you are swept in a new direction, know that it is leading you somewhere, even if you do not know where that may be, even if you may not understand where you may be headed.”

The Fortune Teller went to the next card, placing her hand on the edge, and flipping it over to reveal the Nine of Cups, ”The Nine of Cups. Ralira stated to the woman, ”The Wish Card. This card means that whatever you may desire in your heart, it will be granted in the coming days. Enjoy life, feel your emotions, value those you love, see the perfection that surrounds you, and you will benefit from it.” Ralira gave the woman a smile, it seemed the cards were answering more than one question, and was becoming confused with themselves.

Moving on to the final card, Ralira flipped it slowly, and revealed the Moon. Ralira looked up at the woman, speaking still in her soothing, musical tone, ”The Moon. This card shows itself when you are lost, stumbling in the dark, not sure which way to go but still pushing on nonetheless. If you wait for the sun to rise, the path you are traveling on may change, and the opportunity may be lost. Let go of what your mind ails you with, and follow your intuition, then the path will be revealed, and lessons shall be learned.”

Ralira cleared her throat, placing the cards back on top of the deck, she spoke once more, ”I do not know your question. But I will sum up what the cards had to say to you. The crisis that we go through in life brings great opportunity’s to us, whether we wish to see that or not, they are there. When you are being swept away into a new direction, have no fear. Your desires will come to you on this new path that you are traveling on. Enjoy your life, see the world around you, do not just look at it. If you become lost on this new path, know that if you keep waiting to decide where to go, that the opportunity the cards mentioned will disappear. Let go of those mental blocks, and follow your heart and intuition, they will guide you on the right path, the path to your desires.” Ralira inhaled a deep breath, the long winded description took a little bit of her breath away, and she had a dry mouth slightly. She smacked her lips a little, trying to moist her tongue a little.

She sat there with a smile on her face, letting Tsukiko take in all she had to say. Waiting for any questions she may have, or anything that was not clear to her. The cards worked in a funny way, Ralira had learned this since she had been doing the trade. They had a soul of their own, and spoke to people however they felt, whether or not they understood it at the time, or would not understand till later in life, they spoke true.