#sith solstice

Sith Solstice was generally observed on Korriban, Ziost and Drommund Kaas before the arrival of Vitiate’s Empire.  Due to the decay of galactic orbit, Ziost lacked the necessary 27 days of tradition, moving to 28 and then 29 by the time of swtor, so the monthly festival Calender became an obsession, Balmorra was chosen as a likely replacement due to its astral parralels to Old Ziost.

Tombs were opened, and passages renovated. specifically, the altar shrines where ancestors were revered. flowers and offerings of Tukata hearts were common to strengthen the ancients. gifts were left by fallowers and children wandered the halls guided by sith spirits, where they read more tomb hieroglyphs and learned about their kin.

4 Day Period Sith Purge Days/ Saturnalia Ziggurats were opened to slaves to wander.  A Sith Saturnalia was observed, where Slave revolts were largely permitted and purges allowed as long as they stayed within the grounds of the Blood Ziggurats. powerful masters would bow on their own thrones, while slaves and lower classes priests, massassi etc, feasted and permitted to eat from their master’s stock freely. The Holy Day, or the three days, going from sunset, a full two days and then dawn on the next day. was largely illuminated by bright temple torches, giving the impression of daylight, ceremonial blood oil was used, it gave the impression of daylight and also had incense and other additives. Powerplays were forbidden, though if cruel Masters were killed by angry slaves, “you keep what you kill” applied.

2DaysTribute was generally given to the reigning governors and a select cadre of priests, there being a cycle of which cadre of Sith Deities was honored each year.  Ziost’s city states all observed this. Inferno, the Volcanic canal Citidel of House Akasti was the primary site for such tribute, for millenia, and their appointment there much coveted to the Eternal Duty associated with it. Old Kissai King Priests, would oversee the tribute from lords, massassi, and other persons of Power. depending on the whims of the Dark Lord, and their discissions regarding scarcity or supply, it was sometimes given to the lower classes.

Charity Wealthy Powerful lords were expected to take the time, sometimes personally, to strengthen their slaves, the weakest and longest suffering, were often given mercy killings and places inside lavish burial urns, with jewelry and mummification wraps or placed inside ‘Statues of the Ancient Slave’ their remains dipped in gold, and jewels or kyber crystals inlaid over their hearts. This process was separate from Sith Saturnalia

Hunting and Feasting Families hunted and feasted together, their wealth being given in shares to their servants and then hunted with any servants who were too great in surplus to have a share. Such decisions had strict guidelines dictated by Caste, Tradition and the Kissai

2-3 Days, At Discretion of Sith Lords The Slave Hunt Later periods evolved a sort of ‘Slave Hunting’ Tradition. where slaves if they desired would be hunted. upon their successful evasion, they would be granted freedom. betting was common. a Slave who interfered in Saturnalia was often sentenced to Death by Sith Alchemy, which often saw them turn into semi sentient Sithspawn, eternally servants to their masters, though more intelligent and morose. Slave’s that evaded their captors, and even killed them, were given by tradition rule of the hunting grounds and certain status. They were often taught one trade and given the weapon or weapons of their choosing and their pick of fellow slaves, often family.  Another tradition was if a slave hunted but spared their own master, they could Wed that master and became lawfully married

The Longest Night The longest and coldest night of the year was given to couples and newlyweds, fertility rituals, dark side sex magic, etc. long cold nights were for lovers to grow closer, oddly the force was in ebb, so it was common for spiritual bonds and force diads to be formed during the time, as without the force, couples grew naturally closer.  This period and phrase always moved, due to Ziost’s orbit, before being reset, and so the other festival periods reshuffled, bit by bit.

Day of the Sons fathers and sons spent time together, or sons visited graves, presents, offerings, family outings etc

Day of the Daughters Mothers and Daughters spent time together or honored graves and remains  presents, offerings, family outings etc

Day of the Patrons surrogates and other mentors were honored on this day, this was, always a time for rowdier gatherings for all,  presents, offerings, family outings etc

Day of the Slaves/ Concubines more passionate and pleasurable lovemaking was practiced on this day. it was softer, and more intimate. sexual related gifts were seen as taboo and in poor taste,  gold jewelry with kyber crystal stones and fur robes were the traditional gifts, lavish headresses for long time courtesans were given as a token of seniority or long standing favoritism

3 Days, Set Dates Days of the Keep These three days were given to nuclear families. a sort of ‘Free Day’ catacombs were preferred locales as they enabled Sith to ‘Show weakness’ Slaves had the period off, and visited with their own families, often with a gift from their master in the form of a beast for carving and a satchel of gold, or a valuable good for trade

Parents parents stayed together and had romantic evenings Elders, Kissai baby sitters or slaves and Servants watched the kids

Children Parents spent time with their children and enjoyed relaxing family settings

Elders and Household Grandparents and Elders visited, this was the big day with cousins and extended family. 

6 Days Keep Days Temple Festival The holy Temples were all opened and all city visitors permitted to enter, every two hours the parties would move to the next cycle of temples, a Marti Gra parade of sorts, some temples also required absolute silence within them. and the procession was more calm.

1 Day and Night Marks of the Blood Ceremonial script and writings with family powers were interred here. for a period of one day, or well into the night, dusk till dawn, from sundown to sunup a full 24 hour period.

1 Night Elders Flame: Elders and Kissai spoke freely of ancient secrets around temple torches or campfires, many were lit. processions of tents into the desert were common or in special central alcoves.  Particularly ancient Kissai who were on their death’s bed were burnt alive as they neared their most final breath, and passed on their last secrets orally. The deaths were quick and painful, and only the most revered and ancient Elders truly about to die were given this last honor of experiencing Life when they had no power or passion left.

Reverence and Bloodsoup The last few days were given to laziness and unwinding. Massassi festivals which were much the same overlapped, but due to needing guards, theirs began earlier. and ended later. Thus Massassi had “the Day of Duty” Their Reverence day was after the Lords recovered and saw to the house, Their own strength restored, fallowing that, they returned to their duties as well. they also began earlier as when the festivals proper began, they saw to the city gates and those entering for celebration.