Festival of Xashei

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Below is full text of Festival of Xashei, authored by Sace Viceii. It gives the history of this Holiday, and explains how it is currently celebrated.

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One hundred and forty eight years before the Necropolis Covenant an Alteri man and an Alteri woman fulfilled their destiny. For years Siwreix Lil studied the ways of Yeii, god of war and famine. Eventually he reached the position of Yiyoc, which equates to High Priest or Priestess, and believed himself the manifestation of Yeii's will. Siwreix desired to make the world hospitable for his god so he planned the conquest of his hometown of Caarei during the first snowfall of the year.

Yiyoc of Larasha, Xashei Veiye, who eventually became the first Veicsea, awoke from a disturbing vision. Being blessed with Larasha's Knowledge was not usually a kind gift. Through this power, Xashei had foreseen the coming of the dark force that now plagues the city of Caarei and its surrounding lands. Many Alteri have lost their lives attempting to slay this enemy. Unlike her previous visions of this foe, Xashei did not see the mounds of inanimate Alteri flesh, but instead awoke with a strange yet confident sense of victory and the words "Friends will become enemies" resonating through her head.

While Xashei searched for the meaning to her vision, Siwreix continued to resurrect apparitions. He planned, for his grand finale, to bring back the remaining loyal apparitions simultaneously. This would insure that Caarei was destroyed and Haelrahv was one step closer to being ready to receive the blessing of Yeii. What Siwreix could not have planned for was Xashei's gift of foresight. At this time, Xashei had another vision and became aware of Siwreix's plan. She had deciphered the words she had heard in her previous vision. The warriors of Caarei were to become the enemy by disguising themselves as the resurrected apparitions, allowing them to finally get close enough to kill Siwreix and end the suffering he had caused. Xashei had discovered a way to interrupt Siwreix's ritual by replacing the apparitions with the disguised Alteri warriors. Her plan was successful and Siwreix was defeated.

In celebration of their victory, the citizens of Caarei held a festival. They dressed in costume as the warriors did and played tricks upon each other as Xashei had tricked Siwreix. To this day, the Festival of Xashei is held in the season of Xei.