Hey everyone! Today (well, technically tomorrow at the time I’m writing this) is a special day: me and Victor have been together for three whole years!
In honor of that special occasion and a certain other holiday coming up in our world, I wanted to talk about one of the big holidays in Idenau. Happy Havocfest!
As the name implies, Havocfest is a holiday dedicated to Havoc, one of the six gods and goddesses worshiped in Idenau. It takes place in mid-autumn, as leaves fall and the stillness and stability of summer give way to winter. It is always held on the day of the week known as Havoc’s Day.
Havoc is the god of chaos and the father of demons. Thus the holiday is especially beloved within the demon population, who tend to consider it the biggest day of the year. Modern demons have a diversity of relationships with their mythical creator; while some have abandoned worship as the god abandoned them, many others are still very devout towards Havoc for giving them life in the first place, and insist that His lack of loyalty to His children is only to be expected from the god’s chaotic and ever-changing nature. In spite of religious differences, Havocfest has been celebrated by nearly all demons since ancient times, and today has both religious and secular facets.
Throughout Idenau in general, the holiday was ritually observed in ancient times, but experienced a revitalization as more demons began to integrate themselves into the rest of society. The demons brought their own traditions to turn the ritual observations into a fun and active festival. Now Idenians of every age and species happily celebrate the occasion. While Havocfest is mainly filled with innocuous fun, it does have a darker side, with many people using the day as an excuse for destruction and crime in the name of chaos. However, for most people the day is merely a way to celebrate the change and surprise which drives life and keeps it exciting.
To celebrate the god’s nature of unpredictability, people try to play pranks on each other and trick their friends. People are usually quite wary and suspicious on Havocfest for this reason, but many people still fall for the pranks. Dressing up in costumes or disguising oneself magically is also a popular pastime at Havocfest parties and festivals. This is said to have emerged from the pranking aspect of the holiday, but is now usually done for fun without actual intent to deceive. To us, Havocfest would look like a cross between April Fools’ Day and Halloween, with less of a focus on the “creepy” and the dead – such things are better left for another god.
What other holidays does Idenau hold? How are the other deities honored? You’ll find out as time goes on!
In the meantime, Davis will take your questions about his favorite holiday, if you have any.
What kind of disguises? What would YOU wear?
Davis says: “Well, anything you want, really. Some people dress up as other people they know, or celebrities, or characters from stories or legends, or just an archetype. Lots of little kids are the Hero or the Princess.
This year I think I’m going to be a really scary ghost! And by that I mean Ecta! HA!”
Do male demons wear their article of clothing as part of their costumes?
What kind of food is typically eaten on Havocsfest?
Is the other god mentioned at the Norma, Lax, or Medi, or is it one of the two male gods we haven’t heard of yet?
And Havoc’s my favourite of the six so far. Sorry for one more question, but is Havoc’s day Friday/Saturday, by chance?
“Sometimes we try to incorporate it in a clever way, but if it’s messing up the costume we just won’t wear it. I mean, we guys really vary with how attached we are to our accessories. I would never abandon my bowtie – well, unless a lady wants me to – but I know some guys who like to switch it up. Anyway… with all the other stuff we’d be wearing for a costume, I don’t think anyone would mistake us for being taken. I think demon guys in relationships have more trouble on Havocfest.
Food? Well, we have some traditional demon dishes that we eat, at least back home. And demon food is VERY spicy. Like, most other species can’t even stand it. I have to admit the stuff I have to eat at the castle is a little bland, but I don’t have to make it so whatever. A lot of non-demons try to make our food on Havocfest, but they often water it down. Although sometimes they challenge themselves. I’d like to see Floyd and Slice have a go at it this year!
It’s also a big thing on Havocfest for demons to cook their own food, and I mean literally, with our own fire. The whole time. I don’t just mean starting a fire and roasting a chicken over it, I mean all-out flame hands until that baby is roasted. It’s very magically intensive but it’s a rite.”
Courtney adds: No, you haven’t heard of the God of Death yet. And Havoc’s Day equates to our Thursday.
And I want to add, before you ask “do people get off work on Havocfest?” – Yes, in most places. Because, due to the spirit of the day, even if people are supposed to work they usually won’t come at all. This is such a prevalent problem that almost no one even bothers to try and force employees to work on Havocfest or the day after for that matter.
Spicy foods, huh? How spicy we talking? Like ghost pepper hot or is there even more spicy magic peppers? I would love to try some…
“Ghost pepper? I’ve never had one of those, but I’d rather not. I have enough ghost in my life. But anyway, I’ve never seen a non-demon eat this stuff without crying. Go ahead and try it, foolish human!”
Pff. I have eaten the hottest spice in this world and shrugged it off, what makes you think I can’t take your world’s spices? Bring it!
How early do stores start selling Havocsfest decorations? What kinds of decorations are for Havocsfest? (a fake door-bucket to dissuade real ones?)
Davis says: “Hm, maybe about a month out? The door thing is good, I like it, although I’ve never seen it around. Anything that tricks people. Fake bugs, those stupid headbands where it looks like you got shot with an arrow…
Also ‘demon things.’ People often associate our culture with… I dunno, scary weird dangerous stuff. Think of the Temple of Terror. Gargoyles and skulls and things? Demons didn’t actually make that place, we just work there. I mean sure, that’s our culture, kind of. It’s really a lot more subtle than that. I think demons are just pretty open to strangeness in life.”
Courtney would like to point out that there is some overlap with our conception of Halloween as a celebration of scariness, and Havocfest- wherein the celebration of surprises sometimes ventures into the spooky and strange. But again, the latter has much less of a focus on the already-dead.
Is there anything like trick or treating? (aka going door to door asking for candy)
Can you give any examples of what the non demon ritual observations were like? and/or how much of that is still mixed in with the modern festivals?
Davis: “Going… door to door? Asking for CANDY? And- and do you expect people to just GIVE it to you? What?!
We don’t have anything like that. Besides maybe *stealing* candy. From babies.
What we do have is a mix of religious observations and crazy parties. Havocfest is weird like that. Of course, religious observations for Havoc aren’t like some of the other gods; it’s less about standing in a temple and chanting or singing and making offerings, and more about going to a temple and breaking stuff. Not breaking the temple’s stuff, but bringing your own stuff to break, or burn. Of course sometimes you break the temple’s stuff if you want. A lot of temples get really trashed on Havocfest. (And so do I!)
In fact, you don’t even have to go to a temple because Havoc doesn’t really like them, I imagine. I mean, if there’s any god who doesn’t give a crap about rituals, it would be him. A lot of people go to church anyway, though – I guess it just doesn’t feel real enough if they don’t.
Also, people get really into whatever they decide to be for that year. I mean, it’s generally accepted that you have to commit. If someone dresses up as a pirate, they’re not just gonna be ‘Hey, I’m a pirate. Arr.’ They’re gonna steal from you at some point.”
That… That’s awesome. Our culture would be terrible if people committed at that level.
Hey! Happy anniversary, you two! I hope that you have many more yet. ^_^
As to questions for Davis, let’s see…
“Do you have a favourite trick or prank for Havocfest, and if so, what is it?”
By the way, did you get either of the emails that I sent a few months ago (June and July, I think)? (I’m terribly sorry that it’s taken me this long to get around to asking — or to comment at all, for that matter! ^^;;; )
Aww, thank you! :3
“Eh, not really. You have to do different things for different people. Some people are a lot less gullible than others, but you can still find ways to get ’em. Ecta’s going to be a toughie, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out. Slice… I probably won’t even bother with him, poor thing. It’s not even fair.”
Ah, I think so! Did I not respond? Those were some busy months as I was transitioning into my new job. I’ll send you some life updates soon!
Hey, Davis: Why don’t you incorporate Slice INTO you prank? He would probably remain totally oblivious to any collateral damage you could con him into causing, and the only possibly negative affect on HIM would occur when people start to avoid him.
Heh, tell Slice a lie or two, he’ll completely believe you, people will consider him completely trustworthy, and something will end up collapsing.
… I do hope that you show us Davis attempting to trick Ecta on Havocfest. ^_^
As to the emails, a quick look indicates that the last that I received from you was on the 8th of July; since you indicated in that that I hadn’t answered a question that I thought that I had answered, I was worried that my emails weren’t getting to you at all, or that your emails to me weren’t reaching me. ^^;
If you have sent any since then, please re-send them!
Either way, I look forward to hearing from you again. ^_^
D’aww, happy anniversary you guys!
Havocfest sounds awesome…can I celebrate it outside of Idenau? That’s really my only question. Hi Davis, you’re precious!
Thanks!
“Well, our gods aren’t really worshiped outside of Idenau as far as I know. They watch over our kingdom. And curse people in it. But for whatever reason they aren’t said to have much power outside of it, or maybe they do – same gods, different names. Maybe old sharkboy will find out the truth when he gets up there. But sure, if you take our holiday elsewhere, I’m sure Havoc will only be pleased.
P…precious? *blush*”
Much less relevant question, but I thought of it while reading about Havoc and I’ll forget before it gets to be relevant anyway;
So in the terms of ‘cursing’ beings, like with every Lurkin ever, do the gods need a committee or something? I wouldn’t see Havoc punishing lack of devotion, if he’s the god that just doesn’t care.
Does Havoc help out the Hero, even if he’s just restoring order?
Would Havoc celebrate Havocfest by playing pranks on all of the other gods?
Do gods even celebrate their own holidays?
When Non-Demons eat demon food, do they breathe fire?
“Yeah, I’m no theologian, but let me tell you nobody knows how it works for sure. There are a lot of theories. Some think all the gods have to get together to curse someone, others think it just takes one. I imagine Havoc just kind of goes along with it- I mean, the other gods got him to abandon his children. Maybe he even enjoys it though. It’s probably him who gives cursed people their pointy ears.
I dunno, you’d have to talk to our gap-toothed friend about that. Blank’s always breaking stuff and being violent, so I imagine he’s got a little Havoc in him.
I guess. Whenever there’s a storm or something on Havocfest, people assume that’s the god’s doing directly. I dunno what’s going on up there in god-land though. They’re probably sitting around playing poker until they have to curse somebody or help Blank out.
HA! I’d like to see that…”
Hmm, yes, happy anniversary!
Indeed!
Interesting little bit of insight on the holidays of Ideneau. Now we know a little bit more about the world.
As for a question for Davis, here’s one that came to me.
Is there any limit to how far you can go with what you can and can’t do on Havoc’s Day? Could you kill someone and not get punished for it?
Davis says: “Hmm! That’s a little much, don’t you think?? You can still get punished for anything you do on Havocfest, it’s just harder to catch people because there tends to be more petty crime and people do it in disguise. But soldiers and guards (along with doctors/nurses/healers) are pretty much the only occupations that don’t get the day off. If you straight up murdered someone, I’m sure they’d track you down.
Plus, Havoc is the god of chaos and change, but death is beyond his scope. And even the death god supposedly really gets pissed when you do his job for him. Killing is all around a thing that makes the gods unhappy, from what I understand.”
Different question.
Do Salamandrians like Havocfest? I imagine it would be an opportunity for them to cause all kinds of grief for the flish navy.
Well, yes, I’m sure they do! Most people of any species like Havocfest. But for pirates, life is sort of like one big Havocfest! They cause trouble and dress up… like pirates