Midwinter

During the day and early evening it is traditional in places with either hot springs or bath houses to visit and bathe, with common wisdom saying that this will ward off the cold for the rest of winter.

Large bonfires see celebrations of the longest night of the year through until morning. Large cities normally have a large public bonfire, but smaller communities within cities, such as temples and guilds, often have their own too. Upon these bonfires burn effigies, built by local people and chosen by community leaders in competitions to find the best-crafted ones. These competitions are billed as secular non-antagonistic affairs, with impartial judging: but it is no surprise that the winning creations often resemble the Gods, races, unpopular rulers (or, for those brave enough, the Titans) that are disliked in the community making the bonfire.

The first bottles of the summer’s wine are also opened on this date, most often being drunk warm with friends and family around the fires, or in the comfort of their homes.

In addition to the celebrations, Volkan is rumored to travel through the Heartlands on the winter solstice, distributing toys and sweets to children.