0082. Then I've belief.

[a_bit_put_upon]

Small traditions are traditions to someone, regardless of how useless they might seem to others. We may be forced to something or other here, but stop to think for a moment that to someone, it's important, or it was at home. In this case, it's a harmless endeavour for the most part, and really, nothing prevents you from observing any tradition of

Comments

[deepdowndark]

It's not the point that we can't celebrate our own traditions - it's being made to participate in other ones. It doesn't go two ways. That's the problem.

Unless, of course, the Admiral is planning a massive Koom Valley Day parade and other things. In which case, I might call it even.

[a_bit_put_upon]

Perhaps you ought to ask him. I'm fairly sure the reason he hasn't is that he isn't aware of it, and who better to educate him than an expert?

sorry five. Ardent's constant barge battle cry is 'STOP INSULTING MY CULTURE.'

[deepdowndark]

Except, and I wonder why the humans don't see... say, me and you being forced to participate like this, I'd see that as an insult. [Ardent. You see everything as an insult.] Because Koom Valley is a deeply personal thing to me, and to Dwarfs. Surely, these human holidays are deeply personal to them, and if they wanted people to be involved, they'd invite them.

I don't know.

I am tempted to ask him, though.

That's okay, Ardent. Five's dealt with races hella worse about being offended. :B

[a_bit_put_upon]

Oddly enough, I was forced to decorate my quarters for Otherstide, rather than Christmas or any other human holiday; the seasons merely coincide. I simply added the Christmas decorations... [He's trying REALLY HARD not to sound sad.] ...in honour of a few friends of mine.

[deepdowndark]

Ah, you have a holiday? And, it's alright if you made the choice to do that, I understand.

But Dwarfs don't have any holiday in winter. In fact, we don't really have holidays as a concept. I don't, particularly, have any human friends to honour. Except one who was as annoyed with this particular... [long, long pause. There's a vague moment of cultural understanding going on here. Long pause.]

[Private]

I need some kind of reference text on someone's religion. They told me a lot about it when they were here, but I never really found out what it was particularly called. And now I need some information.

[Private]

[a_bit_put_upon]

Many cultures don't observe specific holidays; it isn't terribly uncommon. What details of this religion do you remember? Perhaps I might be able to find a proper reference by memory of details.

Re: [Private]

[deepdowndark]

It was...

Well, you know - knew - Rose, don't you? Polytheistic, based in embodiments of nature, rather than gods which control it... seemed quite geographically limited. That one.

Re: [Private]

[a_bit_put_upon]

Rose. [Doesn't sound terribly happy with that name, but doesn't necessarily say it in distaste, either.]

Well, polytheism and worship of natural forces are two different concepts entirely, unless there are names and personalities of a sort attached to them. Earthling, yes? Did she have names for them?

Re: [Private]

[deepdowndark]

There were names attached to them, but I never asked after them. But there were gods of the sea, and wind and sun, that kind of thing. I am aware they're different things, but I think she thought other polytheists had it the other way around, and created gods, then put them in charge of forces of nature, rather than create the gods from nature. It's all very... human.

And she's from Earth.

We agreed to do something to combat the rampant... singular dominant human holiday around here. Nothing offensive, just in the honour of her holiday. So I wanted to look up what it was.

Re: [Private]

[a_bit_put_upon]

Hmm. Creating gods from nature would indicate something similar to that which Coyolxauhqui is born from, or more modern strains of natural Wicca. Gods in control of natural aspects would be something closer to Greco-Roman pantheons, or Egyptian... whereas simply addressing aspects of nature in themselves would be more classically Druidic than anything.

Now, were her gods created from nature, or were they put in charge of natural forces?

Re: [Private]

[deepdowndark]

I think it might be closer to the last one you mentioned, having thought about it. But she definitely said they were created from nature.

I'm just wondering where to start some research.

Re: [Private]

[a_bit_put_upon]

It depends on what aspect you want to research, really. What say we have a go at it once we've got the box opened and that's out of the way? I'll bring out the texts addressing as many of the nature-based religions of Earth as are available.

Re: [Private]

[deepdowndark]

[Oh, twitch, now he has to admit his real motivations. His secrecy hates you.]

I basically wanted to look up what she would do at this time of year. She mentioned making a wreath, and I was going to help her.

You said you'd do something in honour of your friends. Out of choice. I then thought I perhaps should, and combat a little of this forced one-human-religion specific festiveness.

Re: [Private]

[a_bit_put_upon]

[Funny how that happens without even having asked, innit? Doc's just got a knack sometimes. His tone becomes warmer, though, less academic, and there's a little smile to be had in it somewhere.]

Would you rather I looked up Yule traditions, then? Perhaps a tutorial for crafting a proper wreath?

Re: [Private]

[deepdowndark]

Some instructions would be a good start, yes. I'd hate to get her traditions wrong.

[Ardent still sounds a tad miffed you got this out of him.]