Happy Solstice

Longdark in Eiden Myr: Culminates in the winter solstice. A nine-day festival of light to hold off the long dark; things are done to symbolically restore the balance of light, dark, and gray. Light three or nine candles, say hello or goodbye three times, hold vigil through the solstice night with the two dearest to you, eat three symbolic foods, and so on. Personal penances are made to restore balance in life, not punishment but a way to get yourself back in alignment. More of a personal, private time than Longlight; fastings and vigils. Every now and then, rambunctious young people or seekers trying to make a point will run around playing tricks and practical jokes, under the theory that Longlight and Longdark are the times of least balance and thus the most chaos, but that's quickly squelched by elders who point out that we don't celebrate chaos, we recognize it and strive to bring it into balance. In the Belt, they hold flings on Longdark, airing grievances in a mock insult competition culminating in a freezing mud fight and communal wash, symbolically washing away all the dirt of the year; this ends in a nightlong bonfire and a dawn gathering to welcome the return of the light.

In honor of Longdark flings, here's a link to InsultMonger.