Holidays

Held in the middle of the second month of the new year, this festival is dedicated to the romantic at heart. Originally a weaver tradition, most Stardragons have since adapted this holiday and custom of attending parties while wearing masks. The tradition came from a legend of a weaver empress finding true love via a masquerade ball, though historians often argue if the legend is based in any factual evidence or simply the stuff of romantic whimsy. 

In some cultures, the tradition is; one tries to switch their mask for another until by the end of the night they hopefully end up with the mask of their future true love. NEedless to say this can sometimes get pretty entertaining as one sees young couples trying desperately to figure out which mask their partner originally had and how to get it before the night is up. Often there is a contest for who has the most creatuve mask of the evening. 

A particularly romantic holiday, bards and poets pay particular interest to this event as many believe it is when Yvonne's magic is the strongest and allows for the opportunity to see through illusions or see into the hearts of those around them. 

Long ago, in the time when the gods walked Jo'Arca amongst their creations lived an empress of the Weavers. She was a ruler as kind as she was beautiful, whose people loved her as she sought hard to ensure the nation under her rule would flourish. However, she was very lonely and longed for someone to be by her side. She certainly had no lack of suitors as every day she would receive gifts and tokens of admiration, however she was concerned about the true nature of their hearts. For surely many simply desired the place of power, or to have a beautiful bride, and she knew in her heart she lacked the wisdom to discern the truth from honeyed words and that her advisors would encourage her to pick simply the most advantageous of suitors. 

So the empress spent time in the temples, praying to Yvonne. "Please help me, Yvonne." She would cry "You have blessed me with beauty, you have blessed me with power, but what I desire most is your wisdom. Please, I do not wish to be alone. But I do not wish to give my kingdom to folly. " To which the singing wind responded. 

"I have heard your prayers and I will grant your request. You seek my wisdom, and so I shall give it to you for one night." At the feet of the empress appeared an ornate mask, to which the wind whispered. "In two weeks time, hold a grand ball and request everyone who attends to wear a mask such as these. Wear my mask, and seek out the one whose mask is more ornate than the one adorning your face." and with that, the temple-room grew silent.

The empress did as commanded, declaring a grand ballroom event to celebrate Yvonne and to make an important announcement. Along with the request that everyone attending were to wear masks as part of the celebration. The evening of the masquerade was a glorious affair, with the finest of foods and decorations.. no expense was spared. All the guests arrived in lavish clothes and custom made masks crafted likely just days prior by the most skilled artisans in the nation. Though everyone agreed that the empress and her mask were the most beautiful. 

Which while flattering, posed a problem for the empress. As the empress mingled, she glanced from guest to guest to try to discern if any of their masks matched or were more beautiful than her own. When suddenly, out of the corner of her eye she saw a handsome gentleman wearing the most beautiful robes and mask she had ever seen. The empress paused, trying to discern who this mysterious stranger was. She had seen many of her suitors in court before but this man she had never seen before. 

Perhaps a prince or a merchant from the farther reaches of her kingdom? Curiosity got the better of her and she walked up to the man to request he dance with her. The man accepted, as well, no one would refuse the empress a dance if they desired one. As they danced, she tried to ask him questions to learn more about him, only for him to respond with a humility she had never encountered before. In her times at court, everyone she met always spoke up their deeds and accolades. Everyone always had things to boast and try to impress her. This lack of pride only furthered her curiosity about this mysterious guest at her banquet. The song ended and she requested another dance. Then another, each time trying to learn more about this stranger in her court. Until the last song ended and she realised this was the time she was supposed to make her announcement. Holding the gentleman's hand, she told her court of her prayers in the temple and what Yvonne had told her, explaining the reason for the masquerade. As she spoke, an awkwards murmur began to go through the crowds until one of the suitors stepped foreward indignant. "You cannot be serious. Yvonne told you to seek out the most ornate mask? But that man's mask is but simple cloth!"

The empress blinked, turning to the handsome stranger, before slowly removing her own mask. To her shock and horror, the image of the well dressed man with the ornate mask faded away to reveal that she had been in fact dancing the entire night with but one of the servants attending to the festivities. She did not know what to do or think. Had Yvonne tricked her? 

Looking down at her own mask, she considered the meaning of this illusion. She had spent the entire night dancing with a man who she knew nothing about... except that he appeared rich and handsome. A man she would never have noticed in any other circumstance. And then she realized what had happened. She had asked for Yvonne's wisdom, to discern the character of a person. The masks she had seen that evening were not of material wealth but the wealth of one's heart. Removing the simple mask from the stranger's face, she simply responded. "And I stand by that it is the most ornate mask of this masquerade."

While many questioned the empress's taste in masks, decades later few could argue with the empress choise as the ruling couple led the weaver nation into one of their Golden Eras. With her husbands compassion and humble demeanor providing a new perspective, she was able to help her people in ways she would never have considered. 

And while the names were lost to history, the masquerade is held every year to honor Ynonneand remember how the most prevcios of treasures can come from the most humble of packages.